Volunteering abroad can be a meaningful experience. It can broaden your perspective, strengthen your skills, and allow you to contribute to a community in a practical way. However, good intentions are not enough. Poorly designed volunteer programs can unintentionally cause harm, create dependency, or prioritise profit over impact.
If you are considering volunteering in Peru or elsewhere, here are four principles to help you approach the experience responsibly.
Combining holidays and free time with volunteer work sounds like a great idea, but be careful. Sometimes, doing volunteer work does more damage than good.
For example, after the earthquake in Nepal in 2015, the demand for volunteers in orphanages increased in order to help the children that lost their parents. Because of this, the rate of human trafficking increased to fill these orphanages up and make money out of the volunteers’ pockets and the necessity of the country at that time. According to a study from the UNICEF, many kids living in orphanages in Nepal have one of their parents alive. To this, you have to add the continuous abandonment cycles the kids have to go through every time a volunteer leaves.
There are tourism agencies and NGOs that make money out of volunteers that have limited understanding of the different situations facing the communities they aim to support. They just offer a palliative care that won’t solve the overall problem.
This is why you should follow these tips if you want to be a responsible and ethical volunteer. Don’t fall for the voluntourism that only wants to generate profit out of people’s good intentions.
1. Start by Listening and Learning
Volunteering is not about “saving” anyone. It is about contributing your skills in a way that responds to real, locally identified needs.
Before you arrive, take time to understand the cultural, social, and economic context of the community. Be open to learning rather than assuming you know what is needed. In some cases, you may realise that your role is to support existing initiatives rather than introduce new ideas.
Responsible volunteering begins with humility.
2. Research the Organization and Project Carefully
Not all volunteer programs operate ethically. Some organisations charge high fees without clear transparency about how funds are used or how projects are sustained long term.
Before committing, look into:
The organisation’s mission and values
How projects are developed and evaluated
Whether local communities are involved in decision making
How funds are allocated
Reviews and testimonials from past participants
You should also honestly assess your own skills. If you plan to teach, do you have relevant experience? If you want to support a specialised project, are you properly qualified? Matching your abilities to the right role is essential for creating real value.
3. Prioritize Sustainability
Short term volunteer placements can be disruptive if they are not structured carefully. Projects should be designed so that the community continues to benefit long after volunteers leave.
For example, effective programs focus on:
- Training and empowering local staff
- Supporting existing institutions rather than replacing them
- Building skills that remain within the community
- Avoiding dependency on constant foreign volunteer turnover
There have been documented cases globally where volunteer demand unintentionally fuelled harmful practices, including the unnecessary institutionalisation of children. Responsible organisations work actively to avoid these outcomes by partnering with trusted local institutions and prioritising long term community wellbeing.
Ask how a project measures impact and what happens when volunteers go home.
4. Travel Ethically
Responsible volunteering also means being a responsible traveller.
Support local businesses rather than international chains. Learn about cultural norms and respect them. Avoid activities that exploit vulnerable communities or wildlife. Be conscious of your environmental footprint.
If an organisation cannot clearly explain how its projects are ethical and sustainable, consider that a warning sign.
Volunteer with Purpose
Volunteering should benefit the host community first and the volunteer second. When done responsibly, it can create mutual learning, meaningful exchange, and long lasting positive impact.
Proyecto Peru works with established local partners and focuses on ethical, community based projects. If you are interested in volunteering or completing an internship in Peru, explore our current opportunities and learn how you can contribute responsibly.