Pisco Sin Fronteras - Volunteer Opportunities in Peru

Interview with Nikki San Pedro, Pisco Sin Fronteras alum

GO: Why did you decide to volunteer with Pisco Sin Fronteras in Peru?

Nikki: I first became acquainted with PSF earlier in the year when I was planning my third volunteer trip. My first experience with Free the Children was perfect for travelers who relied on tour guides to orient them throughout the vacation. My second trip with Habitat for Humanity’s Global Village program in Brazil catered to travelers who valued a higher level of comfort, and could afford to pay commensurately. Going into this third experience, I knew I wanted more flexibility and freedom, at a much lower cost to participate. When I learned about PSF who only requires 100 Peruvian Soles (~$35 USD) per week to take care of meals and accommodation, they sounded like the organization that would fulfill these criteria. It only made sense to apply to volunteer with them. And fortunately, I was accepted.

Unlike my previous experiences, where the team leaders kept in constant contact and sent materials in preparation of the project, the communication between me and PSF occurred only when I had a question that wasn’t answered clearly on their website. It was entirely my responsibility to find and print pages on their website regarding directions to their commune, as well as useful Spanish phrases on a construction site, so I had it handy when I arrived. I definitely got the freedom I had been seeking.

Of course, with this level of freedom at such a low cost – you get what you pay for. This isn’t a necessarily a negative quality. In fact, it’s probably why PSF is so attractive to backpackers who are stopping by PSF as a part of their South American adventure.

For every type of traveler, there is surely a complementary volunteer tourism experience. With Pisco Sin Fronteras in Peru, The Backpacker can find his or her home away from home while participating in a humanitarian effort.

Volunteers working on a construction project in Peru

GO: Describe your day to day activities as a volunteer.

Nikki: PSF accepts volunteers on rolling start dates throughout the week, instead of all new volunteers starting on one day each week. Similarly, new projects arise throughout the week, and the way volunteers sign up for an assignment is yelling their name out fastest and loudest during the morning meeting role call. When there are between 55-75 volunteers vying for ~45 on-site spots, with the rest of the duties revolving around administrative tasks around the commune, it can get pretty competitive. And loud. It is naturally unsettling if a volunteer gets uprooted from their project of choice if they lacked in volume and speed that day. This structure was far different from the other volunteer builds where participation was capped at 20 participants, and each knew the scope of their project throughout their commitment.

PSF volunteers in Peru

Nikki: Travelers who have committed a longer period of time to PSF also realize that leading a project makes a huge difference in the level of connectedness to the cause. Local Pisconians apply for a community-building project, and PSF volunteers can take the initiative to realize their proposal. Apart from time dedication, it is unclear what other qualifications self-appointed team supervisors posses to undertake this leadership role. A great majority of volunteers appear to be in their early 20s who have just completed their college education, or are in the process of doing so. This doesn’t appear to matter to short-term volunteers, however, who are just happy to get a spot on a project for the brief period they are there. Trying to catch up to an on-going project, or learning about a new initiative, or readjusting to different team leaders’ management styles is a more important consideration to newer participants.

Fortunately, the increasing size of PSF in relation to the size of the town of Pisco allows for the organization to be well known in the community, and makes it easier for foreigners to navigate around. This is especially important since it is the volunteers’ responsibility to arrange transportation to the project sites via taxis or tuk-tuks. Even with little Spanish vocabulary, locals understand “Pisco Sin Fronteras" and can always redirect volunteers back to the dorms. Regardless of the duration one spends at PSF, they can feel like a part of the community.

Where PSF lacks in a regimented structure and itinerary, it makes up for in its communal vibe along with ease of participation, which can consequently explain its high popularity and growth. For backpackers that desire to take time from their adventures to help rebuild a community in Peru without a drastic change of pace and organization from their ongoing travels, Pisco Sin Fronteras is a great fit.