Project Coordinator: Frank C. Muñoz Year founded: 2010
Mr. Frank Muñoz has been searching for local communities to provide service for the past few decades. His goal is to bring independence to the native people in the communities. Volunteers are mostly from other countries, but the NGO remains practical and effective with its small size. Local volunteers can serve as a long-term resource to the project by committing themselves to regular volunteering for the education workshops. Global volunteers can contribute to this organization by bringing their own cultural ideas to contribute to discussions and activities during the project’s classes for community empowerment.
Location This volunteer project is located in Mantaro valley, a notably large valley in the Central Andes of Perú. The project volunteers work in the small agricultural villages in this region. The main work is done in Cerro Hermosa, a popular migration site that is 20 minutes from Huancayo and burdened with extreme poverty. The area lacks basic access to clean water, healthcare, and nutrition. Most families here speak Quechua and Spanish.
Problems Alcoholism, domestic violence, negative social practices, and family abandonment are some of the prevalent issues that the Sharing Dreams Project aims to address in the local community.
Programs
The Sharing Dreams Project features three community development programs—the “Kusi-Kusi” Children Program, the Warmy Project for empowering women, and the Minka Project for community development.
The Kusi-Kusi program offers education to children ages 6 through 12 near the perimeter of Huancayo, in addition to emotional support and encouragement to develop self-esteem and promote cooperation. Volunteers typically spend 4-12 weeks (2 weeks minimum) facilitating various activities including baking, origami, painting, theatre, recycling, and nutrition. This program aims to serve as both a social and educational experience for young children in the community.
The Warmy Project offers women psychological self-help groups in Cerro Hermosa to provide education about gender, self-esteem and group organization in order to empower them to fight against domestic violence and oppression. Women in this program are typically members of families who recently migrated from places with extreme poverty or violence, and are trying to increase opportunities for their children to succeed. Volunteer work in this program typically includes helping with discussions and workshops, and delivering items to members.
The Minka project, based in poor, rural villages around Huancayo, focuses on community development (ecological, social, farming, health). Volunteers work directly with members in the community to encourage self-development and sustainability while working on projects involving areas in land development and social equality. Volunteers also implement ecological practicas, such as organic gardens, ecological kitchens, gardening, and sustainable business management. In addition, volunteers offer emotional and legal support while advocating for the rights of those in the community
Accommodations for Volunteers Volunteers will receive housing and basic food provisions. Volunteers must pay around 200 dollars per month, and will be sharing a house with basic utilities with other volunteers. The organization is small and self-managed, and there is freedom to leave the city on Saturdays and Sundays.
Volunteer Application Volunteers must be at least 19 years old to apply. They should fill out the application form on the website (http://sharingdreamsproject.info/application/) and will arrange a Skype interview with a program coordinator. Volunteers are also expected to bring sufficient funds to cover their personal costs for the trip.