Peru
Qualified candidates will have an expressed interest in working in the health sector and one or more of the following criteria:
• Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any field
OR
• 5 years' professional work experience
Competitive candidates will meet tone or more of the following criteria:
Master of Public Health degree or Master of Arts/Master of Science degree in Public Health
Certified Physician Assistant or Public Health Nurse with expressed interest in public/community health
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition, Health, or Nursing
Health education work or volunteer experience, such as maternal and child health, early childhood development, sexual and reproductive health promotion, and/or adolescent health education
Experience working in community health promotion, adolescent or maternal health areas; experience working in a high school context with teachers, adolescents, or mentors.
Experience working in a high school environment on adolescent health programs and using non-formal education techniques
Experience working with either Spanish-speaking populations and/or low-income rural populations.
One year of accumulated work experience (including, but not exclusively, volunteer experience)
Geography and Climate:
Peru has three primary geographic regions: Pacific Coast, Andean mountains, and Amazon rainforest. The climatic conditions in each of these three regions are vastly different depending on the time of year. The Andean Mountain areas are often high-altitude communities with cold weather, experiencing a wet and dry season. Amazon rainforest communities experience more rain throughout the year and sometimes hotter climates.
Community Health Facilitators will be assigned to the Andean region. These communities are mostly in rural areas where water quality and accessibility can be challenging. Volunteers should expect to walk long distances on rough terrain on a regular basis.
The project focuses on working in small, rural communities where there is greater need for public health education, higher rates of malnutrition and anemia, opportunities for improved hygiene practices, and challenges related to traditional male and female roles.
Host Family:
All Volunteers are required to live with a host family during Pre-Service Training and in their assigned community for the full two years of service. Couples live with the same host family. The homestay experience supports the Volunteer with establishing safety and security strategies, strengthening language acquisition, and community integration. Although this can be a big adjustment for individuals who have lived independently, it is often one of the most memorable and rewarding experiences in a Volunteer’s service.
Diet:
Peru is known as the gastronomic capital of South America for a reason. Peru is famous for “lomo saltado” (a stir-fried steak dish with peppers and onions), as well as many varieties of “aji” (a traditional spicy chili paste that goes great with meat, chicken, fish, and vegetables). While your daily diet may vary depending on your host community, there are plenty of opportunities to explore traditional Peruvian foods.
The Peruvian diet varies based on geographic location but, in general, it will include a high-starch diet (potatoes, rice, or Andean corn) and potentially include an option of meat, chicken, or fish. Host families will prepare meals based on what’s available in their area and Volunteers should be prepared to eat with host families to show respect for their hospitality and culture. Host families are not accustomed to eating as many fruits and vegetables as Volunteers may be accustomed to, and they are not expected to prepare special meals for the Volunteer.
Transportation:
Peace Corps Peru expects that Volunteers can walk or use a bicycle to travel to and from work, for shopping for basic needs (food items, personal care, household essentials, etc.), and for other personal errands in their assigned community. Common methods of transportation include ‘combis’ [small buses], ‘colectivos’ [shared taxis], moto-taxis or ‘tuk-tuks’ [three-wheeled motorcycles].
Communication:
Wi-Fi availability at restaurants and cafes is common in Peru, especially in bigger cities. However, once a Volunteer is placed in their permanent community, they may or may not have access to the internet and may only have access when visiting a larger city.
Volunteers have found that bringing a laptop or tablet, while not a requirement, facilitates completing assignments during service.
None
Health
Yes
Peru
24
Yes
PCV
No
As the preeminent international service organization of the United States, the Peace Corps sends Americans with a passion for service abroad to work with communities and create lasting change. Volunteers develop sustainable solutions to address challenges in Education, Health, Economic Development, Agriculture, Environment and Youth Development. Through their Peace Corps experiences, Volunteers gain a unique cultural understanding and a lifelong commitment to service that positions them to succeed in today's global economy. Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961, more than 240,000 Americans of all ages have served in 142 countries worldwide.
