Creative Corners - Destinations - Ollantaytambo projects

Ollantaytambo projects

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Next Project in Peru...

Project

We have many varied and exciting projects based in the beautiful Inca town of Ollantaytambo, the main starting point of the Inca trail and gateway to Machu Pichu. Our contact there is a young local man Washi, who has a vision for his town and a passion to help the people who live in his region. His most successful project is running the happy heart restaurant that provides free meals for 120 children who live in the highlands and need to walk over 2 hours a day to school. We also have artist contacts there for artistic exchange in ceramics and woodwork.

Why we need you

Although Ollantaytambo has hundreds of tourists passing through each day on their way to their trek, not many actually spend any time in the village or buy anything there and so poor standards of living continue. Volunteering in this pretty town will provide many opportunities and possibilities of combining projects. Work with local ceramics and woodworks artists, exchange skills, or teach ceramics in the local schools. Good at marketing or travel tourism? Then help this lovely little town market their artisan products or even promote it as an artists retreat. The children’s restaurant also has its own greenhouse and would love volunteers to help teach the mountain communities how to build and plant their own and finally Washi has recently organised a larger space next to the restaurant where he would love to offer afternoon creative workshops to the local children and needs creative people to help him do it!

Price

• £745 for 2 months £250 for each additional month

• £595 for up to one month

What’s included

• Airport collection
• Organised accommodation in a family home stay in Ollantaytambo
• Comprehensive Travel insurance
• Quality pre-departure information, visa advice

Skills needed

• Basic Spanish required or be willing to learn before you go!
• due to the range of projects here skills needed inlcude, creative education, circus, drama, music, arts,
ceramics, marketing and even greenhouse building skills!
• Have an interest in interacting and working with children from poor backgrounds in a rural area.
• Initiative, imagination and enthusiasm.
• The ability to work independently without supervision.
• Be very independent and appreciate the countryside
(Volunteers should be aware that Ollantaytambo is a small and quiet village in the mountains.
Although it has a few restaurants and a small market, it’s very quiet and opportunities for socialising
may be limited. But Cusco is only a 3 hour bus or 2 hour train ride away for weekend visits.)