Peru consists of 25 Departamentos, political jurisdictions much like the states or provinces we know in North America. Piura, near the northern border of Peru, enjoys a warm, sunny climate. One of our students, Amanda, volunteers at the RBC Rehabilitation Center in the town of Chulucanas. On some days she tutors children at the center. On others, she travels to visit children who cannot afford to come to the center. Part of her work involves educating family members to help overcome the superstition associated with disabilities.

High in the Andes mountains lies the Departamento of Cusco, center of the Inca Empire and home to four of our students during their service terms. Andy and Karissa volunteer for World Vision, assisting with a project that promotes sustainable development in the rural communities surrounding the city of Cusco. They spend most of their mornings with program staff, interviewing families to determine eligibility for program support. The purpose of their work is to improve childhood nutrition, protect the natural environment and develop a sustainable source of income based on a new type of adventure tourism.

About two hours from the city of Cusco is a rural area known as Katiniray. Rachel and Liz volunteer for Fundacion Almeria, working on a program that promotes childhood nutrition and education. They get their hands dirty everyday, working in a garden and greenhouse to grow vegetables and farm animals that are affordable to local families and served daily to children who attend the project's school.