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A Mestizo Community in Peru’s Selva Gateway
Peru is a country rich in history and culture and with an array of geographical zones. It is best known perhaps as the site of the largest empire in the world, the Inca. Ancient Peru also was home to the Nazca, Chimu and Sican people, among others. Visitors can sample seafood along its over 2000 kilometers of seashore, swim in the Amazon River, or hike the Inca Trail to fabled Machu Pichu.
The city of Tarapoto, “The City of Palms”, is located in the San Martin Department of Northeastern Peru. It is the largest town in the region and is the center for area agricultural and commercial activities. Situated where the low Andes Mountains give way to the jungle, the town is surrounded by lush forests and a network of rivers including the Mayo, Huallaga and the Cumbaza.
The Department of San Martin is home to a variety of ethnic groups. Tarapoto and the surrounding area are inhabited largely by the Quechua Indian people. The nearby town of Lamas is the heart of the Quechua-Lamista culture, an ancient cultural group that maintains its traditions today. Spanish is the major language but many people speak Quechua in this area.
Pamashto is a small community off the paved roads, about one hour from Tarapoto. It’s a beautiful village tucked into the rolling hills, whose residents bear a mix of ethnic backgrounds, and families date back for many generations in the area.
Developing Community by Empowering the Individual
GCN’s partner in Peru is a non-profit organization called JIREH, who works on small scale development projects in several Quechua Indian villages and with marginalized youth in Tarapoto. Pamashto is one community that JIREH has worked with, to build a student-designed school. JIREH has invited GCN back to build a dining room for the public school that services the village and surrounding communities.
Flights arrive in Lima around midnight or early in the morning. Team members will meet in Lima, the capital of Peru, on the first day of the trip. The team will have time on Saturday morning to rest and explore Lima, a fascinating colonial capital with extensive markets, historical buildings and museums. That evening the team will fly directly to Tarapoto and be met by JIREH representatives and get settled at the hotel. Team members will become a part of this vibrant community through the remainder of the GCN trip, at which point they will fly back to Lima. Many GCN participants like to extend their stay before or after the GCN trip in order to leisurely explore some of Peru’s captivating areas.
Team members will stay in a family-owned lodge in Tarapoto, and then get settled in homestays in the village. Most meals will be taken as a group, prepared by a local cook. Typical foods in this area are rice and beans, chicken, fresh fruit including plantains, papaya, and coconut. “Juanes” is a local specialty of rice and chicken baked in a banana leaf, not to be missed.
The GCN experience is time in the host community, which allows for plenty of time to get to know the local community in your own way. Often team members like to explore the surrounding area for an occasional day trip. There is much to explore in and around Tarapoto. In the immediate area are several waterfalls, rafting the Mayo River or relaxing at Laguna de Sauce, where the clear blue waters make excellent swimming.
Tarapoto is easily connected by air to other major attractions such as Iquitos, Cuzco, Trujillo and Arequipa. *It is important to note that July and August is peak tourist season in Peru and accommodations before or after the GCN trip in places like Cuzco and Machu Pichu must be made as early as possible. Because of this, potential participants are strongly urged to sign up for this trip well in advance of the trip date.
Participants are required to be in sound health. Potential participants with significant physical limitations are encouraged to check with their physician and discuss the situation with GCN staff beforehand. Some inoculations as well as provisions for high altitude may be required. Check with your local travel clinic or the Center for Disease Control http://www.cdc.gov/travel/ for accurate information.
Peru is a developing democracy, and its political situation is stable. The United States State Department web site http://www.state.gov/travel/is a resource for updated on travel advisories in Peru and other countries.
Program fees include: Airport pick-up, in-country transportation, hostel/homestay accomodations, cultural orientation and training, basic medical/evacuation insurance, contribution to community project, and project administration.
Program fees do not include: Airfare to/from Lima, immunizations/vaccines, visas, entry/exit taxes, or lodging/transportation/meals during free time.
All program fees, including airfare, are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.
See PRICING GUIDE for program fees
Discounts available (one per person/group)
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If you want to expose your children to other cultures in a way that is more real, in-depth, personable and memorable – by working in community with them rather than just traveling – this is the way to really learn about another culture.
We were exposed to something few of us get to experience. Most often we simply drive through communities. This time we got to meet and really get to know people, and they were so generous. We got far more out of the experience than we gave.
Kathy P., Rock Point, AZ (family of 4)
This was our best family vacation and a phenomenal experience. I feel extremely fortunate that I was able to do this with my children. My children realized that although the people in the community we visited didn't have a lot of material possessions, they had some things we didn't. The community members were funny, loving and generous.
The group experience was what made it so great. The team leaders were remarkable. They never passed judgment and treated my children like full members of the group, so they acted that way. The experience made them more confident and more excited about taking other travel adventures.
Marcy G., Xiloxochico, Mexico (family of 6)
Volunteering in Tanzania was a life-changing experience that opened my eyes not only to the needs of our fellow global citizens, but also to the lovable and exhilarating culture of Bukoba.
Megan age 19, Bukoba, Tanzania
GCN wasn't just a volunteer trip but instead a life altering two weeks that helped me discover myself.
Shannon age 15, Bukoba, Tanzania
Our GCN sponsored program in Tanzania wasn't a vacation but rather a deeply moving experience our family will cherish for a lifetime.
Sean, Dad, Bukoba, Tanzania
Working side by side with my husband and children, helping, reaching out, and learning from people in a culture vastly different from our own together as a family was one of the most valuable experiences of my life. We are already planning our next volunteer vacation.
Karen, Mom, Bukoba, Tanzania
This experience changed all of us. Nothing can compare with it. It's made my kids into global citizens. Before we left for Kenya, I was concerned that my kids were getting spoiled, but the trip showed them how happy people were, even though they had so little by comparison. They also discovered how much more important it is to have experiences instead of things.
My kids are so mature now as a result of the trip. They have a new and broader world view.
Nancy F., Maili Tatu, Africa (3 time repeat participant with 2 kids)
I took each of my two granddaughters on a trip when they turned 13, as a rite of passage. It was tremendously bonding for us. It deepened our love and our relationship, but it also sensitized the girls to different cultures and helped them gain an understanding and empathy for others.
One of my granddaughters was extremely wary. She said, "I don't know how to do this and I don't want to be there." But by the end, she was begging to stay. She had formed some amazing friendships. It was quite a transition.
My advice to families considering this kind of trip is this: Even if you have some hesitation, trust that the experience will be transforming for your child and for your relationship with your child. My two granddaughters are totally different personalities, but the same positive transformation happened for both.
We had so many one-on-one reflective conversations about what we were experiencing and learning. It's a different and more intimate way of being with children.
The team members were incredibly kind to my teenagers. The leaders were such good role models -- caring and inclusive.
Meg V., Rock Point, AZ 2003; La Push, WA 2007
The truly amazing thing about this community is the pride, character, and sense of respect you feel being with them. They carry themselves with esteem. Being with them, you know they will not only survive, they will succeed, collectively using the resources available to them for the good of the whole.
Joyce, Pennsylvania; Kenya Participant
With the beauty, the simplicity, the strength and comedy of this place, each day becomes an adventure to be anticipated.
Gladys, Ontario; Kenya Participants
I learned much more that GCN is about the process of building long term relationships with communities, not necessarily about the process of "building!" It was truly priceless to be allowed to be on the 'construction site' with a bunch of indigenous people in Mexico. Tourists DO NOT get that opportunity-nor should they. We all believed WE TRULY MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS.
Diana, Colorado; Two-time Mexico Participant
I have just this last hour arrived back home after what can only be described as an experience of a lifetime, the people at Jampaling were wonderful and I return with a feeling of accomplishment, and everlasting respect for a group of people who work so hard with such limited resources to achieve their goals.
David, Ontario; Nepal Participant
As a GCN volunteer you expect to fill the role of giver, giving of your time, efforts, money and heart. During a recent trip to Nepal, I felt more like a wide receiver for a pro football team, with countless blessings being passed my way! It started before I even left with support from a bunch of people, some of whom I don't even know, my sponsors through fundraising.
Cherril, New York; Nepal Participant
A positive growing experience that will unfold as time moves on. I do appreciate the warm hospitality of the local Navajo people and thank them for all they did to open our eyes and heart to their life, culture and values.
Jerry, Minnesota; New Mexico volunteer
It has become the most meaningful thing I've experienced in my life. It was more than a casual cultural exchange. I never felt like a tourist - I felt like I was coming home.
Ted, New York; New Mexico volunteer
The trip to Rock Point was a wonderful experience for me. Our team really "connected" and are talking among ourselves of doing other trips together! We all agreed we haven't laughed and sung songs like we did there for a long time. The Navajo people are wonderful, and we were able to share songs, dinner with them and they with us. We were able to complete the projects they had for us and still have lots of time for culture exchange.
Lynne, California; Arizona volunteer
My goal was to get lifted out of my personal and professional rut, to have my head and heart spun around and to land more solid and grounded. For the most part this happened.
Nancy, Vermont; Guatemala volunteer
Because of a scholarship provided by Global Citizens Network, I was able to spend two weeks volunteering in Guatemala, in a rural village called Llanos de Morales. This was my second trip volunteering in a developing nation (I went to Nicaragua two years ago), but my first time working with GCN. My experience was unforgettable and I would recommend it to anyone!
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