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Volunteer & intern in Peru

Your ticket
to Huanchaco

Teach, coach, create and learn alongside our team in a Peruvian surf town, where your time helps children in Cerrito de la Virgen learn, play and thrive. Here's how your journey works, from the first click to your first sunset on the pier.

Find your roleHow it works

Boarding pass

Otra Cosa Network

From

You

Anywhere in the world

To

TRU

Huanchaco, Peru

Passenger
You
Class
Volunteer / intern
Stay
4 weeks +
Hours
20–25 a week
Gate
The REC
Boarding
Age 18+
OCN volunteers and staff beside a traditional reed boat on Huanchaco's seafront

Seat

Front row

How it works

Four steps to Huanchaco

No agencies and no middlemen: you apply directly to us, and every penny of your contribution supports our work in and around Huanchaco.
A class of smiling children with their volunteer teachersStep 1 of 4

Learn

Find the role that fits you

Browse 13 volunteer and internship roles across teaching, youth work, the environment, swimming, marketing and fundraising. Filter by how long you can stay, how many hours you want to work and how much Spanish you speak.

  • Roles from 4 weeks
  • Internships for students
  • Spanish not needed for every role
Open the role finder

Who volunteers

Whoever you are, there's a place for you

Our volunteers come from all over the world, from the UK and Germany to the United States and Peru itself. Our youngest are often university students; some of our oldest are retirees.

700+volunteers welcomed from around the world

  • Gap years & graduates

    Starting out? Gain real-world experience with a grassroots NGO and come home with a certificate, references and stories for life.

  • Students & interns

    All our year-round roles can be internships, with extra mentoring and all the paperwork your university needs for a placement year or credit.

  • Career breaks

    Step off the treadmill and put your professional skills in marketing, fundraising, teaching or management to work where they count.

  • Retirees & later life

    Some of our most valued volunteers are retirees. Share a lifetime of experience and discover a new corner of the world.

What's included

We've got you, from pick-up to farewell

Moving to a new country is a big step. Every OCN volunteer gets the same support, whatever their role or length of stay.

  • Airport or bus pick-up

    Our trusted driver meets you in Trujillo, and a walking tour gets you settled in Huanchaco.

  • Thorough induction

    Get to know OCN, the projects and the community before you start.

  • Certified training

    First aid and child safeguarding training for every volunteer.

  • 24/7 support

    Emergency support day and night, from a team who know Huanchaco inside out.

  • Socials & trips

    Barbecues, games nights, the weekly volunteer lunch and outings like Chan Chan.

  • Certificate

    A certificate of completion detailing your role, projects and dates.

Not included

  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas
  • Meals
  • Spanish lessons (we can arrange them)

Once your place is confirmed, we'll send you a link to pay your volunteer contribution, which helps fund our team and projects. Why we ask for a contribution

Featured roles

13 ways to make a difference

From the classroom and the swimming pool to marketing and fundraising: find the role that uses your skills and fits your timeline.
See all 13 roles
  • A group of OCN volunteers in matching T-shirts at a community event
    VolunteerInternship

    Multi-project

    Multi-Project Volunteer

    Work across our HELP programmes at the REC, from English and environmental education to sport, crafts and literacy.

    • Min. 4 weeks
    • 20–25 hrs/week
    • Spanish: none needed
  • A class of smiling children with their volunteer teachers in a classroom
    CoordinatorInternship

    HELP English

    HELP English Coordinator

    Plan and lead our weekly English classes at the REC, then top up your week teaching across other projects.

    • Min. 2 months
    • 25 hrs/week
    • Spanish: intermediate
  • Volunteers chatting with local people at an outdoor community event
    VolunteerInternship

    Marketing

    Marketing Volunteer

    Tell OCN's story on social media and design the materials that help us recruit and fundraise.

    • Min. 4 weeks
    • 20–25 hrs/week
    • Spanish: none needed
  • Swim instructors in the pool with a group of smiling children in swim caps
    VolunteerSeasonal

    HELP Swim

    Swim Instructor or Support Staff

    Teach children aged 3–16 to swim and stay safe in the water during the Peruvian summer season.

    • Summer season
    • 15–20 hrs/week
    • Spanish: ask us
The white OCN volunteer house with palm trees and a lawn

Your home in Peru

The OCN volunteer house

Once the Murphy family home, now our office and a home for up to five volunteers. A modern white house with a garden full of passion fruit trees, in a quiet corner of town close to the lively main street.
  • 5 minutes' walk to the beach
  • 5 rooms, 1 en-suite
  • Wi-Fi, kitchen & garden
See the rooms

Straight from volunteers

Nervous? So were they

I was a bit scared because my Spanish was far from good when I arrived, but in the end I never once felt threatened and everyone is helpful. Just go for it. You won't regret it!
JulieHELP Environment volunteer
Volunteering with OCN has been an incredible experience that I will remember forever. Some of my favourite memories have been playing with the kids at the REC, going for sunset surfs and learning to dance salsa!
Mhairi · 2022 volunteer, UK
Working with the kids and seeing a difference being made is so rewarding. What made this even better was the close relationships formed with the volunteers and managers. They are so welcoming and helped me settle in.
Izzy · 2023 volunteer, UK
A good international volunteer is first of all open-minded. Working and living in a completely different culture can be overwhelming, but with an open mind and a lot of patience it can be a life-changing experience.
Sarah · Six-month marketing intern

Good questions

The things everyone asks

Spanish, costs, visas, safety: we've answered the most common questions in our FAQ.
Read all FAQs
Do I need to speak Spanish?

Not necessarily: it depends on the role. Some need no Spanish at all, others need an intermediate or advanced level. Each role page tells you what's needed, and you can filter roles by Spanish level.

Want to improve? We can arrange affordable one-to-one or group lessons with local teachers, online before you travel or in person during your stay.

Filter roles by Spanish level

How long do I need to stay?

Most roles start from four weeks. Coordinator roles ask for two, three or six months, and HELP Swim runs for the Peruvian summer season. Longer stays are always welcome: they give you time to really get to know the community and grow into your role.

What fees do I pay, and why?

Once we've confirmed your placement, we'll send you a link to pay your volunteer contribution. Alongside grants, fundraising and donations, volunteer contributions fund our day-to-day operations.

That covers our small team in Peru, who place volunteers, find accommodation, look after you during your stay and run the HELP programmes, and our UK team, who recruit volunteers and build international partnerships. It also covers essentials like IT, communications, office costs, legal and accounting fees, and transport.

Can I volunteer as part of my degree?

Yes. Students can take any of our year-round roles as an internship, which is ideal for a placement year or a year abroad. You'll get an extra level of mentoring, and we'll handle all the communication your university needs to meet its placement requirements.

Ready to pack your bags?

Our application saves your progress as you go, so you can finish it in your own time. We reply to everyone within a week.

Apply nowFind your role
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