HELP Environment/Youth Coordinator

Why did you decide to volunteer with Otra Cosa Network in Peru?

Frida: When I graduated from school I had already decided that I wanted to travel, and also practice Spanish before going to a university. I had always wanted to go to Peru because it seemed like such a wonderful country. It contains everything from amazing nature, indigenous ruins, Inca culture, the amazon, mountains, deserts, beaches - everything can be found in Peru and that’s the reason why I wanted to spend most of my time in South America over there. I also knew that I wanted to do something for someone else, help out and practice Spanish while doing so. I came in contact with Otra Cosa and their many different projects which allows volunteers with different levels of Spanish speaking abilities in the north part of Peru. This was perfect for a first time volunteer who does not speak Spanish perfectly.

What made this experience unique and special?

Frida: I found the project Casita de Madera most interesting because I felt that working with Peruvian kids in the lower class society would give me an experience out of the ordinary. The Casita is like a kinder garden for kids 3-6 years old in the rural area of Villa de los Angeles. As a volunteer, my tasks were to help the teachers with their work, make homework tasks for the kids, help decorate the little casita, but mostly play with the kids to support them and be there for them. My stay in Peru stretched over the summer holidays and the school schedule was a bit different during that period so I had the opportunity to start a light swimming-class project in a laguna 40 minutes away from the Casita. The kids truly loved it because they usually don’t have the chance to go there by themselves and bathing is not an activity you engage yourself in often in Villa de los Angeles because it is mostly desert. The project did not have the standards of a real swimming class, but still, it was something the kids truly looked forward to each week and that made it feel important even though the swimming-skills were never completely learned.

How has this experience impacted your future?

Frida: I'm really glad i spent time doing voluntary work in Peru, I learned a lot, from accepting that things almost never go exactly the way you might have planned for them to go. I also learned to speak better Spanish, to appreciate everything I have in life that people in Villa de los Angeles would never even dream of having. To stand on one's own feet and to be a part of a completely different culture and daily life than the one you are used to is an invaluable experience. I think anyone who has the opportunity to do so should take that chance.

Otra Cosa Network was started in 2004 by a Dutch couple as they from their vegetarian restaurant developed a small, low-cost volunteering agency supporting a few local projects with the help of volunteers. In 2007, our current directors, Peter and Juany Murphy, took over the organisation and now run it from England with the assistance of our on-site Operations Manager Alton Germain and Assistant Manager Laura Hoskins. Otra Cosa Network works with several different Peruvian charities and organisations to which we send willing and capable volunteers. Otra Cosa Network also has its own projects, HELP (Huanchaco Education and Learning Program) projects, started by volunteers who saw opportunites in helping the local community in Huanchaco in different ways. Most of the projects supported by Otra Cosa Network are supporting children and communities through teaching but we also work with projects supporting community health, animals, organic farming, etc.

I have been working with Otra Cosa Network for a little over 2 months now. I am working on my master's degree in Development and International Relations in Denmark and I am doing a 6-month internship in Peru with Otra Cosa Network. I work in the office along with our operations manager, assistant manager and a few other volunteers and interns. My work mostly consist of online marketing, trying to recruit more volunteers in order to make it possible for Otra Cosa to keep supporting their current projects and expand their projects to support a larger part of the local community. I also introduce newly arrived volunteers to the work of Otra Cosa and life in Huanchaco, Peru. Otra Cosa is a small NGO which means that everyone in the office is involved in a lot of different tasks on a day-to-day basis and we are mostly working on our own initiative as a lot of faith is put in our abilities and passion to help Otra Cosa Network have more of an impact on the local community and help the people here who need it.

I am very new to the volunteering industry as I am still a student. I study Development and International Relations at university in Denmark and as part of my study program I am doing an internship this semester (my 2nd semester of my master's studies). As a student of development, working with an NGO is highly relevant and interesting as I get to see how development work is carried out in practice.

Until now, my experience and knowledge of development work was purely theoretical from my work at university. So far, it has definitely shown me how volunteering can play a big part in helping a community develop and how organisations like Otra Cosa Network can make a difference in the lives of people who due to less fortunate socio-economic circumstances can benefit greatly from a little help of generous volunteers.