Los Gorriones receives dozens of volunteers every year, simply through word of mouth. Volunteers can be from Peru or abroad, male or female, young or less young, simply travelers or traveling professionals, but all have their heart in the right place. Their stay is always important to us, especially to the children. Our work would be much less easy without them.

Volunteer carers

New volunteers not only give us a hand with the children and help us run the home but they are also our window to the world. They bring their local colours with them, new ideas and fresh energy from all over the word. A big thank you to all of them.

Unfortunately we have no availability for new volunteer carers until January 2011!!

For future assignments, please contact us:

coordinador_losgorriones@hotmail.com

Fundraising volunteers

However, we are still looking for long-term volunteers with expertise in fundraising. If you would be interested, please contact us: donasian_losgorriones@hotmail.com

Other volunteers

We are looking for volunteers who could help at the restaurant that we have recently opened in the centre of Ayacucho, “El Gorroncito”. The volunteers are needed as from June 2010. They would be required to serve the clients, create entertainment, and to generally ensure a smooth running of the restaurant. If you would be interested, please contact us: juan_losgorriones@hotmail.com

Several volunteers have created blogs where you will find further information on life at Los Gorriones and learn more about our volunteers:

Http://blog-icha.kasitoo.com

http://www.stephanielohyer.over-blog.com

http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Ayacucho/blog-212145.html

http://www.volunteerinayacucho.com

We believe that no volunteer should have to pay to work at Los Gorriones. However, we have limited financial means. Our activities are financed by donations from private individuals and small non-governmental organizations. We do not receive any state subsidies. We therefore ask that volunteers who could afford it contribute to the cost of the lodging and meals provided by us. This is especially important as not all volunteers can do contribute, especially not if they come from Peru or other South American countries where the general standard of living is very low. These volunteers however devote much-needed time and energy to us so a little financial help from their fellow-volunteers would be most welcome.

In order to reduce the staff turnover as much as possible, each volunteer should stay at least 2 -3 months, if possible longer. Most children appreciate the volunteers but they also need a certain period to adapt to a newcomer. Staff stability is especially important to those children who come from very difficult backgrounds.

Opposite Los Gorriones, a small house is being rented for the volunteers. It offers basic, shared facilities: communal living room and kitchen, and dormitories. The volunteers cook and clean together. There are no shower cabins or hot water so cold open air showers are the only possibility. Those who agree to lodge here are asked to pay a contribution of 50 soles per month. It is of course possible to rent a room in the small hotel two streets down from Los Gorriones, in order to have more privacy or an indoors shower.

Vaccination
Although no vaccinations are required for a stay in Peru, we believe it safe to be vaccinated against the illnesses listed below. Please note that the situation is subject to change and might no longer be up to date at this moment in time so the best thing would be ask for medical advice in your country before departure.

  
- Yellow fever (depending on the regions that would be visited)

- Hepatitis A and B

- Diphteria

- Malaria (preventive treatment depending on the regions that would be visited)

- Polio

- Rabies (in the case of adventure trails)

- Tetanus

- Typhus

Altitude
Ayacucho’s high altitude, 2 752 meters, can be problem upon arrival. Be careful, especially if you travel from Lima by plane, causing a drastic change in altitude. One can suffer from sea sickness but also from altitude sickness! The higher the altitude, the less oxygen there is and the quicker one is out of breath. The smallest physical effort becomes a challenge. After arrival in the Andes, plan a rest of at least 24 hours before traveling on, allowing your body to adapt to the limited oxygen supply. 

The popular coca drink of the Andes is very energising and therefore highly recommended. Mint tea does the trick as well. In any case, drinking lots of water is necessary at high altitude.

By bus

Various bus companies ensure the daily connection between the Peruvian capital Lima and Ayacucho, both during the day and night. Ayacucho is only 450 kms away from Lima but the bus trip takes about 10 hours due to the winding mountain roads. The best bus companies offer lunch and movies on board. Bus seats must be reserved, and is best to do so in advance at the bus company’s ticket office.

  
By air

The domestic airlines in Peru offer daily connections between all big cities, including Ayacucho. Aero Condor for example flies to Ayacucho from various cities. Tickets can be bought at airline offices that are usually located on or near the Plaza de Armas (the main square) in the city of departure, or at travel agencies.