I had the best time in Huancayo volunteering with Carismaperu. It was an amazing experience, and I want to return.

I worked in the orphanage and at Urpaycancha. Both places were a blast, and I met the best kids in the world. They are all so sweet, and I had a lot of fun with them, not to mention that Neto and Eli are genuinely kind and extremely helpful with anything any of the volunteers need. Please write to me with any questions or concerns. I love Huancayo and all of the volunteer work I did. I know you will have a great time!.

I volunteered in Huancayo for three weeks, working as an assistant to the teacher in Instituto Polivalente with deaf children every morning and teaching English to the wonderful children in Urpaycancha in the afternoons.

I lived in the volunteer accommodation with Neto and Eli for the duration and can't emphasize enough what an incredible experience this was.

I learned so much about life in Peru, the food and the culture, but the thing I'll remember the most are the friendships I made and the incredible spirit of the children I worked with. I can't wait to come back, and I'd be happy to speak with anyone who has any questions or is considering volunteering! I undertook a lot of research before I selected the volunteer program I would join, and I honestly can say that Carismaperu is unsurpassed in terms of the dedication and support it provides to its volunteers and the personal touch that is obvious in every project they run.

I was fortunate enough to spend 3 months with Neto, Eli and Maria Fe in Huancayo Peru. I lived with them for my entire stay and must say they were very accommodating. In the mornings I worked for 6 weeks in a medical center in the outskirts of the city, where I saw interesting cases that are typical for the area.

My second six weeks I spent working in the INABIF orphanage teaching English and Mathematics. The after school program organized by Neto and Eli is where I really was able to connect and form a very personal relationship with my students. We would spend much of the time teaching and then play games in the field just down the road from Urpachancha Annex. I tried to bring some new things to Urpachancha.

Chess and Frisbee are some of my hobbies, and Neto and Eli encouraged me to incorporate my own ideas into the curriculum. Overall, Huancayo is a place where you can get out of the norm and have a great time.

There are plenty of opportunities to get involved, and meet some awesome people!. and I'd be happy to speak with anyone who has any questions about this organisation.

I volunteered with Carismaperu for 5 weeks during October and November 2008. My experience is one I will never forget. I stayed in homestay with Eli and Neto who made me feel really at home.

Weekday mornings I worked at INABIF teaching English which was extremely rewarding, in the afternoons I would then work in a nearby village participating in the activities with the children, such as Maths, English and Art.

I also had 3 weeks of Spanish lessons with Eli, who is a fantastic teacher and I learnt so much! I would recommend volunteering with Carismaperu to anyone as this has been one of the best things I have ever done and I would certainly do it again.

If you have any questions regarding the programme do not hesitate to email me!.

About my volunteer stay in Huancayo. How to start? When thinking over where to volunteer, I chose to visit the town of Huancayo, which lies in a large Interandean valley, because it´s not a huge city. That is all that I knew before. I supposed its atmosphere would be more familiar, and I was not wrong. I really loved the place - you can have fun in one of the numerous discoes in the town centre or just have a walk to nearby mountains, contemplate awesome sunsets, observe hummingbirds, flowering cactuses or far-away snow peaks. That was what I really enjoyed:) By the way, taking a bus, after a few hours you can walk through a mountain jungle and be stunned by fantastic waterfalls, colorfull butterflies or deafening cicadas...

Concerning Carismaperu - I feel a little awkward, because it might seem like I am only complimenting them ("logically" on their own website), but the fact is that I was really happy about staying with them. With Neto, Eli (Carismaperu leaders), their baby-girl Marife and a cute dog in the house I really felt like in my own family. They were very caring and nice, always ready to help, spending a lot of time with volunteers, playing games and (not seldom) having a drink or two with us :) Besides being very friendly they manage very professionally all their projects and help volunteers to relish their stay to the limit. I personally worked with children in the orphanage (teaching English and maths) in the mornings and later in the day we moved to a nearby place called Urpaycancha where we taught the kids and played with them as well. I found this project really enriching because these kids were so nice, sincere, spontaneous and always very happy to see us coming and giving us a big welcome. No wonder it was so hard to say good-bye, especially after so many months spent in their company.

What to add in conclusion? Words can hardly describe the moments I spent in Peru; I will always recall these memories... That´s why I find the decision to visit South America one of the best decisions made in my life and there´s no doubt that my friends from Carismaperu considerably contributed to it, I will never forget them and hope to meet them one day again.

I volunteered many times as a leader in camps for children and adolescents in Belgium and Switzerland.

I also volunteered in Huancayo (Peru) in August, 2007 (in orfanages and in a medical centre).

I recommend Carisma because I know that the organization exists to help the people in Peru who really need it. Volunteering is such a wonderful experience; you are developing yourself while helping others; together with other volunteers who you get to know really well.

I was volunteer in huancayo (june 2007) in schools and orfenages volunteering is a great experience to learn about others cultures and persons and "Carisma" want to help people who really need help so if you want to make a good action go to Huancayo!

Living with a Peruvian family and volunteering in the medical center and orphanage were wonderful experiences.

I had the chance
to hone my Spanish skills while immersing myself in a friendly and
cheerful culture. In the medical clinic I learned an immense amount about
medicine, and in the orphanage I had the chance to teach Spanish and Math with the greatest kids.

I will never forget the volunteer friends I made or the great friends that Neto and Elizabeth came to be. Please write me with any questions; maybe I’ll even go back there with you.

I volunteered for 2 months in wonderful Huancayo with the fantastic Neto and Elizabeth in March- April 2007.

I volunteered in an orphanage for boys from 6 to 18 years old. I helped with their homework, taught, played and generally gave them lots of love and hugs, which they give you back in abundance. It was the best experience, not only do you get to know a fantastic culture, learn a language, make lots of great friends, you are helping children and giving them new experiences.

As well as volunteering there is a chance to go on weekend trips which was a definate highlight, it's a great way to get to know the other volunteers and the programs organisers. You become a big happy family. I chose to live in homestay, it was a great way to get an insight of a real peruvian family, eat homecooked meals and to practice spanish. I would definately recommend volunteering with "Carisma Perú". It's an unforgettable experience.

I volunteered in Huancayo in the Spring of 2007. I volunteered at a boys orphanage and also worked at a local community center for the children of bricklayers.

I spent my time teaching English, doing arts and crafts, playing sports and just having fun with the kids. It was such a great opportunity to get to interact with the children; they're fantastic kids and you bond with them so quickly. In many ways, I'm sure I learned more from them then they learned from me.

Living in a homestay gave me the opportunity to really learn about Peruvian culture, and I was lucky enough to go on many trips with Neto and Elizabeth and really see the Peruvian countryside. Elizabeth and Neto are great teachers, tour guides, and most importantly fantastic friends! I can't recommend their programs more highly!

Huancayo was the ideal location for volunteering for me, it is rich in culture, surrounded by the beautiful Mantaro Valley of the Andes and the local people are very friendly, affectionate and welcoming. For me it was also advantageous that there were not many tourists making this province a hidden jewel. A very pleasant experience indeed. I volunteered in June/July of 2007 for 3 weeks in the orphanage working with babies and with the street children in the outskirts of Huancayo. It was particularly insightful into the destitution facing some of the Andean communities and challenging to try and make a real and lasting improvement in their lives.

I stayed as part of the homestay, which I thoroughly enjoyed as you can really plunge into Peruvian life, improve your Spanish and learn about the local culture. Neto and Elizabeth are fantastic teachers, hosts, tour guides and most importantly friends for life, one of my most memorable experiences in Peru are in Huancayo with Neto and Elizabeth and the awesome trips we went on especially the jungle. Great opportunity to make friends from all over the world too! I can't wait to go back and visit everyone, especially the kids and babies.

I lived with a homestay in Huancayo for a total of 4 months (February, 2006-June, 2006). I took Spanish classes with Eli that were very individualized to my current level and that helped me function in my work placements.

I worked in several different orphanages with the babies-6 year olds and teens as well as the poor brick-making community. Students at this site have no electricity or clean drinking water, which is an eye-opening experience.

Volunteering in Peru without a doubt was an amazing experience that changed my life. Eli and Neto are very caring individuals who are willing to help and want to make a difference to improve the lives of children in their community.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions you have about Peru or the program.