EXPEDITION LIFE

If you want to make a real and tangible difference to those who need it most, join Quest Sabbaticals on this incredibly worthwhile project, helping to build homes for the most disadvantaged families in Villa Maria. No construction skills are necessary, all you need is plenty of energy and enthusiasm. You will also support after school activities, such as sports and games, as well as work alongside local staff to take part in 'Family Sundays', providing games, fun and entertainment for the community. 

ACCOMMODATION
Volunteers stay in the QUEST pre-school building, in the heart of Villa Maria, so you will be fully integrated with the local community. The building is comprised of three storeys, with the first two storeys being the school itself and the third storey being dormitory accommodation, with 2-3 bunks in each room. The building has running water, electricity and toilets.
The accommodation is intentionally basic to give volunteers a better understanding of life in a shanty-town, to gain more respect from the local community and to ensure that as much of the volunteer donations as possible go to the community itself, as opposed to excessively comfortable sleeping quarters.

FOOD
The kitchen has a two-ring gas stove, which you can use to prepare meals each day. Volunteers eat as the locals do, shopping at the colourful food market, which is a 10-minute walk away. Food is generally simple and you will learn how to cook Latin American food with the most basic and traditional ingredients. Whilst living in the school building, you are likely to be sharing the cooking with the local staff, some of whom also live in the school. Bottled water is readily found in shops outside of the complex but volunteers must still remember to bring some iodine tincture for purifying water.

A DAY IN THE LIFE
There is always a huge amount that needs to be done in Villa Maria, and as such, life is always varied!

A typical day might involve:

8.00am Wake up and breakfast (those on cooking duty will have awoken earlier to go to the market).

9.00am Walk to the work site (about 5 minutes) to start on the construction. If more materials are needed, some of the team may head out to the local markets to stock up on supplies, whilst the others continue with the construction work.

12.30pm Return to the school for lunch.

1.30pm  Go back to the work site, or travel up to where the house will be installed, to prepare the land for its installation.

4.30pm Return to the school, to assist with after school clubs and sports teams.

6.00pm Rehearsals for the upcoming ‘Family Sunday’ show.

8.00pm A well deserved dinner and rest.

Weekends / Free Time
Volunteers usually have one day off per week to relax and explore the cultural sites of Lima. Volunteers are free in the evenings and the staff at Villa Maria are always keen to organise local entertainment.

WHO ELSE IS GOING?
Your team will be made up of between 10-18 people and will be led by an experienced QUEST Project Leader. Volunteers on this sabbatical project tend to be aged 25+.

This 4-week project is perfect for anyone who would like get involved in worthwhile voluntary work and make a tangible difference to the most needy families in the shanty-town of Villa Maria. The project will especially appeal to those with an interest in third world development issues and who enjoy spending time with children.  Construction experience is not necessary, all you need is energy and enthusiasm!

Volunteers will have the unique opportunity of living and working with local Peruvians in one of the largest shanty towns in the world, and as such, the project is also ideal for any volunteers who wish to rapidly learn or improve their Spanish. 

WEATHER
Peru's capital, Lima experiences fairly mild winters, which are often affected by a regular sea mist coming in from the Pacific Ocean, you should bring some warm clothes if travelling during this time (May-November).