Project Summary

If you want to gain experience in speech therapy while helping local disabled children and possibly earning credits towards your degree, this is the internship for you.

You will be placed in a special education centre in Cusco that hosts over 200 children with different communication disorders including autism, intellectual disabilities and cerebral palsy. The staff is composed of qualified professionals in the fields of intellectual disabilities, hearing impairment, psychology, social work, physiotherapy amongst others. The centre is well catered for the local children and is equipped with modern infrastructure and technology thanks to government funding.

The centre was built with the purpose to educate everyone, not excluding any child. The centre caters for children with special education needs in Peru and Latin America and promotes teaching skills to achieve autonomy working together with the parents.

This placement is a great and rewarding experience to help you grow personally and professionally.

What are the benefits of interning

This internship is an opportunity to gain practical experience within a speech therapy context with children having communication disorders while building your CV/resume and practising a second language.

During this internship, you will work with children as well as share your experience and skills with the staff of the centre. The centre has more than 42 years providing education for children with special requirements. It caters towards children between the ages of 3 and 20 years old.

You will be exposed to children with a variety of health conditions making your work more rewarding and challenging.

Role of the intern

The interns will help the patients improve their speech therapy and acquire psychomotor skills. Interns will also be able to assist building the capacity needed for the school to support the students in a meaningful way. Interns will also have the opportunity to come up with their own ideas and activities.

Skills Required

No particular skills are required to participate in this project. However, volunteers with a background in childcare or special needs are greatly appreciated. A basic level of Spanish is useful (level A1 Basic User of CEFR) to enable you to communicate and make the most out of this placement.

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WHY JOIN THE PROJECT

To help a local organisation to provide support and skills needed for children with disabilities

Learn about the challenges in a third world environment

Gain real life experience and build your CV for future employment prospects

The Location

About the Location

Well-known for being the Inca majestic city for its baroque style of architecture, Cusco is a nice little Peruvian small city worth to visit. Also referred to as the “Archaeological Capital of the Americas”, Cusco mixes modern architecture and indigenous styles of building. The majestic cathedral on the Plaza de Armas and Qoricancha both gives a good example of the history of the City.

Accommodation

Whilst volunteering in Peru, you will be staying with a homestay family in Cusco. The homestay families are familiar with receiving volunteers and will make you feel right at home. Staying with a local family allows you to fully engage with Peruvian culture for the period of time you are there. All homes have electricity, running water and indoor plumbing so you will be quite comfortable. You will generally have your own room, though in the summer months you may be required to share with another participant.

What to do in your spare time

Cusco is a vibrant city with lots to do. Many visitors choses to go to Machu Picchu, either by trekking for 4 days along the Inca Trail, or by 4 hours on the train. You may choose to spend your weekends touring the City, the nearby Inca Ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Qenko, Pucapucara and Tambomachay or spending in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Make sure you include a visit to the traditional Indian market at Pisac, the beautiful village of Ollantaytambo and the small village of Chinchero located high up in the mountains.

Details & Costs

Duration: 4 – 12 weeks, longer terms available
Cost: £1277 / $2234 for 4 weeks
£467 / $817 for each extra 2 weeks
Requirements: age 18+
Location: Cusco, Peru
Project activities: Speach Therapy Support Activities, Childcare Support Activities, English sessions, Special Education discussions, Workplace Skills Training.
Working hours: Monday – Friday 5 hours per day.
Project availability: Every Monday throughout the year
Arrival day: Saturday

What is included

Accommodation: Single or shared room in a homestay (according to availability)
Meals: 3 meals provided per day
Airport pickup and drop-off at Cusco International Airport
Training: Pre-departure pack, pre-departure & on-site orientation, learning reflection document
Project certificate on completion of end of placement presentation
Support: 24 hour support
Excursions: Staff will help plan cultural visits (activity prices will be extra) for your spare time and weekend off

What is not included

Flights
Insurance
Visa fees
Extra Spanish classes are available for £85/$149 for 10 hours. Please contact us for more information about booking
Police/Government Background Check; US and UK citizens will be processed through Kaya (admin fee applies) all other nationalities must provide local police check

Gallery

Lady in the market support for young mothers Peru

Volunteers with children speech therapy peru

Volunteer in the office speech therapy Peru

Easy 3-step application process

APPLY ONLINE Click here to apply online and pay your deposit to secure your space on your chosen project. Our advisors will then contact you to guide you through the next steps.

TELEPHONE INTERVIEW Once we’ve received your application, we’ll be in touch to arrange your informal telephone interview with your Kaya Placement Advisor.

GET PREPARED When you’ve been accepted onto your project we’ll send you your Welcome Pack and lots of other helpful information to assist you with preparing for your placement.

HAVE A QUESTION?

We pride ourselves on providing you high quality placement information throughout your application process and whilst on the ground. Connect with us if you have any questions.

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