Social volunteering in the Peruvian Andes
Minka Project
A collaborative effort to build strong, thriving communities in the Peruvian Andes through cross-cultural participation
About us
Building Strength: Helping Women and Children Never Doubt That They Are Valuable & Powerful
We are a social project driven by volunteers, interns, and field workers. We create meaningful experiences and important change through direct collaboration with Peruvian residents.
We work directly with communities in the Central Andes that face severe poverty, neglect, and discrimination as immigrants or of indigenous heritage. With a special emphasis on elevating women and children, the Minka Project works to strengthen these communities in order to restore dignity and wellbeing. We do this through education, business opportunities, food access, and social and cultural empowerment.
We are inspired by the Andean ideals of mutual support and respect for nature. Our work is in the field, among the people, where all voices matter. Everyone has a role to play, whether inside the community or traveling from afar.
Facing the Pandemic:
2021 brings new challenges in which health emergencies have risen and poverty has both worsened and expanded. Peru is one of the nations most severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Vulnerable villages are struggling in the wake of the economic blow, yet are largely neglected in receiving financial support or health care. We need your help more than ever to support the people of the Peruvian Andes during this critical time.
What It Means to Be a Minka Volunteer
Minka volunteers actively help the local communities, whether as virtual volunteers, long-term interns, or visitors staying with us. All are encouraged to visit in person to participate in immersive activities, allowing you to connect directly with the local people and indigenous culture. We organize authentic experiences through trips, non-commercial excursions, and cultural exchanges. If you have an idea about how you can get involved, we are always open to creative collaborations.
Our Approach to Volunteering
- volunteer roles, internships, and field work that connect you directly with indigenous communities
- be part of a close-knit multicultural team
- work with knowledgeable locals driven to improve the wellbeing of their land, without any commercial agenda or tourist board affiliation
- initiatives guided by university trained experts in social, economic, and health fields
- an immersive experience that prioritizes experiential learning and cultural exchange
- Non-commercial excursions each weekend to explore the Andes and jungle
- an opportunity to know and experience the cosmovision, spirituality and holistic health of the Andean and Amazonian cultures.
Our partners
I had a great time working with the programm. You get to really know the peruvian live when you are there since Huancayo is not touristic which is really nice. The work with the kids was amazing. They are really nice and are also very patient with you if you don't understand.
Magda Gallob
Austria
Volunteering with the Project is an intense cross cultural learning experience. The needs are varied and large among the families in the program, yet smiles and genuine personal relations are the norm. Frank and the other "tichers" are highly respected and warmly received.
Peter wotowiek
USA
I was a volunteer with the Minka project, until you do it you don't know how good this experience is. You are going to live for a while in a place very different from yours
you notice many sensations that make you think
you help people who need it but you receive very human lessons
Carmen Diego
Spain