English (US) ▾
Nederlands
English (UK)
Deutsch
Italiano
Português
Español
Volunteer in Peru – Cusco For Disabled Care
Volunteer with disabled children in Cusco - Peru to work in a local school for mentally challenged and deaf students, teaching the kids, playing with them, organizing art and craft class, music sessions and more.
This program places you in a school in Cusco that serves students aged 3 to 20 with intellectual disabilities and deafness. Day to day you assist the classroom teachers with kindergarten, primary, and deaf-education groups: helping with basic skills, running art, craft, and music sessions, leading indoor games, and helping students with everyday tasks such as washing hands and faces. It suits volunteers who are flexible, comfortable working alongside teaching staff rather than leading alone, and who want hands-on classroom support work.
Placements run 1–20 weeks, with new starts twice a month (sundays) (next start 4 Oct 2026). You live with a host family in Cusco in a shared room and eat home-cooked meals with them Monday to Friday, with weekends free for your own plans. Programs start from $829, deposit included. If you hold a psychology or therapy license, this is one of the few placements where you can work directly alongside the school's own psychologists.
- Opportunity to volunteer for disabled/differently abled children in Peru
- Work in a local school for mentally challenged and deaf students
- Responsibilities include teaching the kids, playing with them, organizing art and craft class, music sessions and more
- Assisting the staff to take care of the students’ safety when they are taken for outdoor activities such as shopping, going to a park, going to the library
- Organize fundraising activities, marketing, and promotional work as well as help in developing and restructuring their website
- Psychologists or Therapists can work directly with the Psychologists in the school
- Weekends are free to explore the country and visit the heritage sites of Peru
Your role on this program
- Assist classroom teachers in kindergarten, primary, and deaf-education sections
- Help students with everyday tasks such as washing hands and faces
- Organize art and craft sessions and music activities
- Lead indoor games and creative activities to keep students engaged
- Support teaching of basic skills, including simple math and reading
- Assist staff with student safety during outdoor trips to the park, library, or shops
- Help with computer training for students and staff
- Assist with fundraising, marketing, or website tasks if the school needs it
- Work directly with the school's psychologists if you hold a psychology or therapy license
Exact duties vary with the placement's needs, the season and your experience.
Role boundaries
You assist the school's own teachers and staff and are never left in sole charge of students; a supervising teacher or staff member is present for classroom work and outdoor excursions. Personal care and any therapeutic or clinical work stay under the direction of qualified staff unless you hold a relevant psychology or therapy license, and duties may vary with the placement's needs. This program does not place volunteers in orphanages.
A typical day and week
Monday: Start your journey with an engaging orientation session led by our local coordinator. You’ll learn everything you need to know about safety, Peruvian culture, language, and the best places to visit. Plus, we’ll share tips on local cuisine and fun activities to enhance your experience in Peru!
Tuesday to Friday: Dive into your volunteer work in the mornings! Each day brings new opportunities to make a difference and connect with the community.
Weekends: Enjoy your time off! Explore the vibrant city of Cusco or embark on an adventure to Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, and other breathtaking sites.
Daily Schedule
-
Breakfast: 07:00 am – 07:30 am
-
Volunteer Work: 08:00 am – 01:00 pm
-
Lunch: 01:00 pm – 02:30 pm
-
Dinner: 07:00 pm – 08:00 pm
This schedule continues from your second week onwards, giving you a structured yet flexible routine to balance work and exploration!
Note: Keep in mind that the schedule may vary slightly based on the specific project you’re involved in, but we’ll ensure you’re always informed.
Timings are the placement's usual pattern; the local team confirms your hours at orientation, and they can change with school terms, clinic rotas, weather and the project's needs.
Who can join and what you need
- Minimum age 17
- Clean criminal background check completed before the start date
- Basic to intermediate Spanish is helpful but not required
- Open-minded, flexible attitude and willingness to take initiative in the classroom
- Comfortable assisting with students' personal care tasks, such as washing hands and faces
- Travel and medical insurance, either your own policy or the one Volunteering Solutions arranges
The placement, its limits and your part in it
The placement is a local school in Cusco that teaches mentally challenged and deaf students aged 3 to 20, staffed by its own teachers and, in some cases, school psychologists. Volunteers work inside that existing structure, supporting lessons and activities rather than setting the curriculum or running the school.
Supervision stays with the school's teachers and staff at all times, including during outdoor trips to the park, library, or shops, and a background check is required before you start given the work is with children. Any specialized psychological or therapeutic work is reserved for volunteers who already hold a relevant license and is done alongside the school's own psychologists. Your contribution is best understood as extra hands for classroom activities, art, music, and games during the weeks you are there, not a guarantee of any particular outcome for the students.
Our standards
- Responsible volunteer travel policyHow we choose, run and review every project
- Safeguarding policyBackground checks, supervision and our code of conduct with children
- Child & vulnerable adult protectionThe rules every volunteer follows on placement
- Certified B CorporationSocial and environmental performance verified by B Lab
- How we volunteer responsibly in PeruCountry-level partner context and standards
Start dates
Weekly start dates, year-round — pick any week across the next two years.
Program fees by duration
Prices include your $249 booking deposit — which is deducted from your total program fee. Your deposit stays valid for one year, during which you may enroll in multiple programs. A 5% international banking fee applies to credit-card payments in USD or AUD.
| Duration | Total price | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 week | $829 | |
| 2 weeks | $979 | |
| 3 weeks | $1,129 | |
| 4 weeks | $1,281 | |
| 5 weeks | $1,444 | |
| 6 weeks | $1,644 | |
| 7 weeks | $1,844 | |
| 8 weeks | $2,044 | |
| Each additional week | +$350 / week |
Indicative conversion — your booking is charged in the currency you choose at checkout.
✓ What you're paying for
- 24 hrs Assistance and support from VS Staff
- Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
- Pickup from Cusco Airport or Bus Station
- Orientation
- Accommodation in a homestay
- Meals from Monday to Friday
- Insurance (Provided at an extra cost)
- Certificate Of Completion (Upon Request)
Not included
- Airfare
- Visa and Visa extension fee
- Return airport drop and airport taxes
- Local Transportation
- Any personal expenses
Accommodation & meals
Airport Transfer
As soon as you land at Cusco Airport, our friendly local coordinator or representative will be there to greet you. If you’re traveling overland or are already in Peru, we’ll arrange a convenient pickup at a designated meeting point or bus station. You´ll see the VolSol logo and your name at the airport door.
Orientation
Get ready for an exciting journey with our orientation! Our local staff will introduce you to key aspects of life in Peru, covering topics like culture, greetings, transportation, safety, and your volunteer placements. This session will help you feel right at home!
Accommodation
Experience authentic Peruvian culture by staying with a local host family! You’ll share a cozy room with fellow volunteers, giving you the chance to bond and make new friends. Most host families have two bathrooms equipped with hot showers, and the accommodations are clean and comfortable. Many homes also offer Wi-Fi and cable TV for your convenience.
Meals
Enjoy delicious home-cooked meals with your host family, served three times a day from Monday to Friday. The menu varies daily and typically includes mouth-watering soups, fresh salads, rice, potatoes, refreshing juices, and delightful desserts.
During your Free Time
During your free time, feel free to explore, shop, or relax! Most weekends, volunteers seize the opportunity to visit the breathtaking Sacred Valley or the world-renowned Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas. In Cusco, take a leisurely stroll around the Plaza de Armas, discovering local restaurants and vibrant shopping areas along the way.
Life on the program
Getting there and who looks after you in Peru
Airport or bus station pickup
A local coordinator or representative meets you at Cusco Airport with a VolSol sign and your name, or at a designated meeting point or bus station if you arrive overland.
First night with your host family
You settle into your host family's home in Cusco, sharing a room with fellow volunteers, ahead of orientation the next day.
Orientation
On Monday, local staff cover Peruvian culture, greetings, transportation, safety, and details of your specific placement.
First day at the school
From Tuesday you begin classroom work in the morning session, assisting teachers under their supervision as you learn the daily routine.
Ongoing support
The in-country coordinator and 24-hour staff assistance continue for the rest of your placement.
From volunteers in Peru
Frequently asked questions
What will I actually do at the school?
You assist teachers in classroom sessions, help students with everyday tasks like washing hands and faces, run art, craft, and music activities, and support staff during outdoor trips such as visits to the park, library, or shops.
Who is this program suited for?
It suits volunteers aged 17 and over who are flexible, patient, and comfortable working alongside teachers rather than leading a classroom alone.
Do I need experience or qualifications working with children with disabilities?
No formal qualification is required for general classroom support, but if you hold a psychology or therapy license you can work directly alongside the school's own psychologists.
What does a typical day and week look like?
Monday is orientation, Tuesday to Friday you work mornings following the school's daily schedule, and weekends are free to explore Cusco or travel.
How long can I volunteer and when do programs start?
Placements run 1–20 weeks, with new starts twice a month (sundays); the next start date is 4 Oct 2026.
What does the program cost and what is included?
Programs start from $829, deposit included, and this covers homestay accommodation, meals Monday to Friday, airport or bus station pickup, orientation, and 24-hour staff support; insurance is available at extra cost if you do not have your own.
Where will I live and eat?
You stay with a host family in Cusco, sharing a room with other volunteers, and eat three home-cooked meals a day with the family Monday to Friday; weekend meals are on your own.
How does airport pickup work?
A local coordinator meets you at Cusco Airport with a VolSol sign and your name, or arranges pickup at a bus station or meeting point if you travel overland.
What support is in place if something goes wrong?
An in-country coordinator runs your orientation and stays in touch, and local staff provide a 24-hour emergency contact throughout your placement.
Do I need a visa, vaccinations, or insurance?
Specific visa and vaccination guidance is sent before departure; travel and medical insurance is compulsory, either your own policy or one arranged through Volunteering Solutions.
Is a background check required?
Yes, a clean criminal background check issued within the required window before your start date is mandatory because the placement involves working with children.
Am I ever left alone in charge of the students?
No, you always work under the supervision of the school's teachers and staff, including during outdoor excursions, and this program does not place volunteers in orphanages.
Related pages
Schedule a meeting with a program advisor
We're here to help — a 20-minute one-on-one with detailed info, expert advice and application guidance.
Book a free meetingMore projects in Peru
1 Week Special Volunteer Program in Peru
Be a volunteer for the 1 Week Special Program in Peru with Volunteering Solutions and contribute meaningfully towards…
Volunteer Teaching English in Cusco, Peru
Join this exciting opportunity to support English teachers in local schools across Peru, working with students from diverse…
Volunteer Teacher Assistant in Kindergartens Cusco, Peru
Volunteer in kindergartens and assist as a “Promoter” to enable better learning and assist the local teachers, a…