Eco Build Experience in Peru
Eco Build Experience in Peru
Help improve living standards for local families

Help improve living standards for local families

Mixing mud in Peru
Mixing Mud
Mixing mud for the home construction

Mixing mud for the home construction

Woman from Cajamarca, Perú
Cajamarca
Get to understand the local culture and lifestyle

Get to understand the local culture and lifestyle

Overview icon

Overview

Life for women and children in Perú is harsh and oftentimes they can barely afford daily expenses, so it is common for them to accept basic and or unhealthy living conditions such as open cooking fires, cold water showers or non, rubbish and living quarters left in bad condition for long periods of time. This is also reflected into the communal areas such as schools, churches, clinics and common facilities. Even though 60% of the houses are built in the traditional low cost adobe or tapial methods, maintenance budgets for these structures is rarely considered as a priority.

This is where we saw a way to help!
By providing materials and helping them to repair, renovate or build their traditional Tapial mud homes or communal facilities, and using the donated labour from our participants, we are able to assist the community to achieve this aim.

With renovated Tapial homes and training they’ll be able to offer accommodation to rural tourists, allowing them to generate an income. At the same time, we provide an opportunity for you to engage with the community and learn more about them firsthand, as you complete these construction tasks. It is a mutually beneficial exchange!!

In addition, our program aims to revive tradition of the mud homes and to spread awareness of its benefits. Besides it’s unique look and feel, mud houses preserve warmth and cooling much better than much of its modern counterpart (concrete buildings) and it is actually a much better fit for the Peruvian weather.

Adobe structures are generally self-made through simple construction practices that do not require as much work. Skilled technicians (e.g. engineers and architects) are not required, hence it is described as “non-engineered construction”. Your efforts will improve family homes, community halls and will help to create the first English as Second Language School for the community children.

May to October
Participants may be engaged in segments or the mud house construction process in its entirety, depending upon the length of program service.

Under the supervision of the “maestro de obra” and local workers you will be “hands on” helping in activities such as:

  • Tracing the building lines in the property
  • Helping setting up the foundations
  • Digging on soil to mark fundations
  • Setting up of the first wooden clamps/mold frames
  • Mud filling and compacting of soil/mud into clamps/mold frames
  • Uncovering/unmolding clamp/mold frames

Participants will also be taught the ancient techniques of wall finishing with no paint. Instead they will be shown the process of using mud fine granite.

November to April
This is the rainy season, which means that you’ll likely be taking part in activities to help this program through light restoration and indoor construction in the communal areas, such as schools, churches, health care facilities and community centers, as well.

Objectives

  • Assist the locals with construction and renovation efforts in an organized team
  • Create cultural exchange opportunities through our efforts with the locals
  • Lend a hand to assist the local NGO in other areas including training delivery and marketing
  • Develop your teamwork and skills through hands on activity

Impact

Volunteer experiences have a direct and positive impact on local communities by injecting money into the local economy through the purchase of food, transportation, and tourism activities. Volunteering is a great way to give back to the comunity and make a difference in the world. Depending on the type of volunteer experience you are interested in, your time can be spent improving educational resources and opportunities, providing medical services to underserved communities, or promoting environmental conservation and sustainable farming techniques.

One Tree Planted logo

25 trees will be planted on your behalf for every experience purchased, via our partnership with One Tree Planted.

See more at onetreeplanted.org

1% for the Planet Logo

1% of gross sales will be donated to 1% for the Planet-approved charities via our partnership with 1% for the Planet.

See more at onepercentfortheplanet.org

Overview icon

Location

Cajamarca, Peru

You will be staying in the district of Puyllucana which is a small village found in the east-northern part of Cajamarca.It is a beautiful location with great weather and friendly locals.

Located only a short distance away from Cajamarca city (Capital and largest city of Peru’s Cajamarca Region, enriched in culture and history), this quiet location provides a relaxing atmosphere after a day out. The accommodation has a beautiful view of the Andes Mountain Range and is close to the Amazon Rainforest, it will bring you back to South American nature!

Overview icon

Itinerary

Overview icon
Sunday - Arrival

CJA (Mayor General FAP Armando Revoredo Iglesias Airport) Saturday or Sunday : Early in the morning or evening

CIX (Captain Carlos Martinez de Pinillos International Airport) Saturday or Sunday : Pick Up from airport 0:800-10:00 and 18:30-22:00

If this is your first day, an orientation will take place in Cajamarca before program transfer

Overview icon
Monday - Friday
  • Breakfast
  • Briefing
  • Complete assigned daily construction tasks
  • Lunch break
  • Complete assigned daily construction tasks
  • Dinner
  • Free evening
Overview icon
Saturday - Departure
Leave the accommodation Saturday morning. Take a taxi to the airport (30 mins) for earliest flights Saturday afternoon
Overview icon

Inclusions

  • Shared Accomodation
  • All meals included
  • Free beverages
  • Wifi in public areas
  • Arrival Transfer (included with 2 wk+ trips)
  • Departure Transfer
Overview icon

Options

  • Extra night accomodation (before experience)$60
  • Extra night accomodation (after experience)$60
Overview icon

More Information

Requirements

  • minimum english levelBasic
  • CRB RequiredOn signup
  • passport copy requiredNo
  • resume copy requiredNo

Other Requirements

  • Rubber boots or waterproof shoes (if rainy season)
  • Leather gloves (if rainy season)

Food

The food will be typically Peruvian meaning lots of corn, beans, rice, chili peppers, potatoes, wheat, and other grains, all very vegetarian friendly. Keep in mind that some local dishes may be spicy!

Accommodation

You will be staying in our accommodation center in Puyllucana, Rural Cajamarca countryside. The house is made with traditional materials such as adobe and stone, it also has a large garden. Wi-Fi will be available only in common areas. We recommend also using 3G data if staying connected is important to you.

All participants are expected to be environmentally aware and to use all resources with restraint, especially water, paper and electricity. Although rooms will be cleaned daily by staff, you will be expected to clean up after yourself, and to play your part to keep accommodation neat and organized.

Cancellation Policy

Bookings can be amended and cancelled 30 days before the program start date without any costs. Bookings that are cancelled less than 30 days before the program start date will be charged the first week of the booking.

Eco Build Experience in Peru

CategoryVolunteering
Stylebackpacker
AvailabilityClosedCurrently not available please contact us for additional options.
Price per person$430/week
Minimum Duration1 week
$undefined/week