Volunteering
We are accepting applications, yet are luckily able to be selective. Due to our current needs and availability, precedence is given to Spanish speakers, English Language teachers, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, brick layers, community development specialists, bi-lingual social workers, project management coordinators, architects, structural engineers, and green building designers. Preference is made for long term stays.
If you would like to volunteer please fill in our volunteer application form.Please note, we do not accept walk in volunteers. If you have any questions, check out the Frequently Asked Questions page, and if you can not find the answer there please send us an email through the Contact page.
Why Volunteer?
Volunteering is both rewarding and fun! As a volunteer with Pisco Sin Fronteras you will get the chance to meet a variety of interesting, hard working and enthusiastic people and you will be able to use your skills and energy to make a real difference in a community that needs your help. The challenging environment, hard work and good times will help forge friendships that last well beyond your PSF days. PSF relies entirely on volunteers to achieve the work that we aim to complete. If we didn't have volunteers we wouldn't be able to provide help to the thousands of people in Pisco who need it.
Are you are looking for something meaningful to do while travelling? Are you looking for something constructive to do either before or after further education? Are you are in search for an alternative way of life, a career break or are you are retired and looking for a new challenge?
If the answer is yes to any of these questions then come and volunteer with us!
Are you are looking for something meaningful to do while travelling? Are you looking for something constructive to do either before or after further education? Are you are in search for an alternative way of life, a career break or are you are retired and looking for a new challenge?
If the answer is yes to any of these questions then come and volunteer with us!
Volunteers Required
Pisco Sin Fronteras always requires both skilled and unskilled volunteers to do the work that we do. As a volunteer with PSF you will have the opportunity to be part of fantastic projects that will both enrich your enthusiasm and test your patience all at once.
Volunteers that arrive at PSF come from all avenues of life and everybody has a skill they can contribute. This might involve working on site at our various ongoing construction projects, working with locals by helping out with our community engagement projects, or helping us to develop grassroots operations and positive change in Pisco. Everyone is willing to pass along their knowledge as well, so you'll be sure to pick up a few new skills of your own!
As well as being a contributing member of our organisation we are always looking for people to take on leadership roles and this is a great opportunity for you to improve your leadership skills.
We’re currently looking for volunteers with extensive knowledge of computers and computer literacy (ideally with an academic background in computer science). Spanish language proficiency is a real bonus but not essential. We’re developing a computer literacy programme which will cover all levels from beginner to advanced and we need your help!
Volunteers that arrive at PSF come from all avenues of life and everybody has a skill they can contribute. This might involve working on site at our various ongoing construction projects, working with locals by helping out with our community engagement projects, or helping us to develop grassroots operations and positive change in Pisco. Everyone is willing to pass along their knowledge as well, so you'll be sure to pick up a few new skills of your own!
As well as being a contributing member of our organisation we are always looking for people to take on leadership roles and this is a great opportunity for you to improve your leadership skills.
We’re currently looking for volunteers with extensive knowledge of computers and computer literacy (ideally with an academic background in computer science). Spanish language proficiency is a real bonus but not essential. We’re developing a computer literacy programme which will cover all levels from beginner to advanced and we need your help!
Volunteering Costs
At Pisco Sin Fronteras we do not charge a participation fee and we fund all of our projects from donations. However in order to cover expenses we do need to ask that you contrinut to help pay the costs of your accommodation and meals. We can provide you with accommodation and two good meals a day, for 16 Soles a day (about $5 USD). You may also need to budget for additional personal expenses, weekend meals and any leisure travel/activities.
If you want to come and volunteer with us but not eat or sleep in the volunteer house then you don't need to pay anything.
If you want to come and volunteer with us but not eat or sleep in the volunteer house then you don't need to pay anything.
Volunteer Accomodation
We offer dorm beds (and private rooms for our long term volunteers) in our house. Dorms range from 4-14 beds, and some are en suite. Our beds are allocated on a first come, first served basis. This means that if there are no beds available when you arrive you may have to stay in a hostel for a couple of nights until a bed is available. We recently have extended two extra dorms onto our house and have beds to accommodate up to 80 volunteers. If you would prefer to stay in a nearby hostel there are several within one block from our house. These charge a discounted volunteer rate and do not need to be booked in advance. We can help to find you a room in one of these hostels when you arrive.
A Typical Day at PSF
7:30 am Breakfast served at volunteer house.
8:15 am Morning meeting where announcements are made and where you sign up for projects to work on
9:00 am Leave for project site.
Midday Lunch served at project site.
5:00 pm Return from project site > Free time.
6:00 pm Dinner served at volunteer house.
7:30 pm Optional football, basketball, quiz night, music night, movie night, etc..
We work Monday to Friday and half a day on Saturday. There are often activities planned for weekends such as birthday parties, trips to Paracas (the nearby National Park) or Huacachina for some sand boarding and partying.
Contribution day (when you pay for you meals and bed for the week) is Friday.
The PSF Headquarters
Volunteer Life
Volunteering in Pisco is hard work, but it is also fun. In their spare time volunteers participate in a range of activities, from football and basketball to music nights and Spanish lessons. On the weekends volunteers hang out down the beach, around the house, or take a trip to the nearby oasis of Huacachina for some sand boarding, relaxing by the pool and disco dancing! Added together with board games, books and television, there is something for everyone to enjoy during their relaxation time.
Before You Come
Before you come to PSF, we ask that you learn some basic Spanish phrases from our Basic Spanish Phrases page, and print off the Work Site Vocab list.
Being able to speak just a few words and phrases of Spanish will greatly enhance your experience in Pisco. It is useful for communication with the locals you work with, to have basic conversation with townspeople, as well as to talk with other Spanish speaking volunteers.
We are trying to improve our community involvement, and a big part of this is ensuring that each volunteer can communicate on a basic level with members of the community, so that we do not seem so far removed from them. We also have a Spanish morning meeting once a week and a Spanish conversation table every evening.
It is imperative that you go to see your doctor to get advice on travel vaccinations and hygiene before you come to Peru.
Pisco's sanitation system was largely destroyed by the earthquake, and has never been fully repaired. It is unsafe to drink the water here, and we advise that you don't use it to brush your teeth. In addition, one preventive measure against having stomach problems is to invest in strong probiotics before arriving in Pisco. These can be a little expensive, but it is totally worth it. People have been known to have stomach problems such as diarrhea in Pisco, and probiotics can help in the prevention of these problems.
Some vaccinations that you may wish to investigate before you come are Typhoid, Hepatitus B, Hepatitus A, Tetanus and Yellow Fever. Typhoid is prevalent in Peru. It is also sometimes advised to be vaccinated against Diptheria, Tuberculosis, Rabies and Cholera. The vaccinations you choose are entirely at your discretion but you MUST consult your doctor before you leave home to ensure safe and healthy travels. Malaria is not prevalent in the area of Pisco, but if you intend to travel to the jungle or other areas of South America, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice on anti-malarial pills. To protect against disease, we advise that you bring hand sanitizer, insect repellent, any prescribed medication, and a basic first aid kit. We do have first aid supplies in stock, but it is always useful to have your own supply. For more information on travel health in Peru, please see the CDC website.
Being able to speak just a few words and phrases of Spanish will greatly enhance your experience in Pisco. It is useful for communication with the locals you work with, to have basic conversation with townspeople, as well as to talk with other Spanish speaking volunteers.
We are trying to improve our community involvement, and a big part of this is ensuring that each volunteer can communicate on a basic level with members of the community, so that we do not seem so far removed from them. We also have a Spanish morning meeting once a week and a Spanish conversation table every evening.
It is imperative that you go to see your doctor to get advice on travel vaccinations and hygiene before you come to Peru.
Pisco's sanitation system was largely destroyed by the earthquake, and has never been fully repaired. It is unsafe to drink the water here, and we advise that you don't use it to brush your teeth. In addition, one preventive measure against having stomach problems is to invest in strong probiotics before arriving in Pisco. These can be a little expensive, but it is totally worth it. People have been known to have stomach problems such as diarrhea in Pisco, and probiotics can help in the prevention of these problems.
Some vaccinations that you may wish to investigate before you come are Typhoid, Hepatitus B, Hepatitus A, Tetanus and Yellow Fever. Typhoid is prevalent in Peru. It is also sometimes advised to be vaccinated against Diptheria, Tuberculosis, Rabies and Cholera. The vaccinations you choose are entirely at your discretion but you MUST consult your doctor before you leave home to ensure safe and healthy travels. Malaria is not prevalent in the area of Pisco, but if you intend to travel to the jungle or other areas of South America, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice on anti-malarial pills. To protect against disease, we advise that you bring hand sanitizer, insect repellent, any prescribed medication, and a basic first aid kit. We do have first aid supplies in stock, but it is always useful to have your own supply. For more information on travel health in Peru, please see the CDC website.
