Help to protect the Peruvian Amazon by lifting local communities out of poverty through the power of education
Come to a rural community on the outskirts of the Peruvian Amazon and teach children the skills they need to become the next generation of conservation leaders. With this program you can make a tangible difference in the lives of children whilst helping to bolster protection for the rainforest.
Based in Puerto Inca, Peru, this organization works to protect the rainforest through community development and youth empowerment. Their mission is to supply local communities with education and infrastructure for sustainable development, so providing means of employment that don’t rely on the destruction of the rainforest. They run a range of educational programs from English and German classes to permaculture to business management to creative arts and media. Through this work they not only reduce poverty in the region they equip and financially incentivise the protection of their natural resources.
As an intern, you’ll be involved in these educational programs. Your work will include devising classes, producing teaching materials, and running your own workshops. You’ll work closely with the community, teaching both children and adults, and building close relationships with your students. There’ll also be the opportunity for cultural exchange. During your time in the community, you’ll get to learn about local customs and traditions, myths and legends about the jungle, and Peruvian cuisine.
This is a conservation-focused NGO based on the outskirts of the Peruvian Amazon working to protect the rainforest through youth empowerment and community development. They have a series of goals aimed to reduce poverty and drive sustainable development in the local region including improving education for children for the area, teaching English skills, and creating infrastructure for tourism. They believe that by building skills and creating new job opportunities, they can curtail activities that harm the rainforest and incentivize its conservation.
You’ll spend most of your days in the classroom. You can work on programs in English, German, construction and gardening, creative arts and media, permaculture, business management, or their kids explorer (scouts) course. Your responsibilities will be helping to develop and support curriculums on your choice of program, then running workshops independently.
Interns stay in one of the project’s cabins in Puerto Inca. You’ll have basic amenities including showers, long drop compost toilets, a bed with a mosquito net, Wifi, and a kitchen where you can cook for yourself. This is very basic accommodation with limited resources, so this program is best suited for interns prepared for a more stripped back way of life.
Make sure to visit your doctor and dentist for a check-up before yor internship and to get all the recommended vaccines and/or medications necessary to stay healthy. The village of Puerto Inca has no running water. People use water wells to get water so we recommend bringing a portable water filter to make sure you are drinking clean water, particularly during trips to the jungle.
There is Wifi in the cabin but the connection can be a bit unreliable, so you can do video calls but streaming is not really possible. It’s recommended to buy a local SIM card with unlimited internet, especially if you also need to do online work. Be sure your phone is unlocked for international carriers before your arrival.
You will need to prepare your own meals or you can go out for a meal. Generally for a few dollars you can get a nice meal consisting of an entry (soup or salad) and a main dish. A soft fruit juice is often part of the menu as well. You can also go fruit picking as there are plenty of fruits around the village for free.
You’ll be based in Puerto Inca in the Huánuco region of Peru. This is an area of stunning natural beauty situated along the Sira Mountains in the Amazon Rainforest and bisected by the Pachitea River. The majority of the population lives off farming but deep within the jungle native communities still upholding their customs and traditions can be found too. As well as its extraordinary biodiversity, the area is famed for a number of geological and archaeological sites that you can visit during your internship.
Internship start on a Monday and it’s recommended to arrive on weekends, so you can explore Puerto Incas before you start your internship on Monday. Start and end dates are flexible and will be discussed with you during the selection process.
What you’ll pay (2025 rates)
3-6 months USD 1,811
Longer stays are possible at an additional fee for every extra months.
Some of our most commonly asked questions for programs in Peru.
You can expect to be in bustling cities or a completely remote jungle, depending on your internship of choice. Also, you’ll be collaborating with local professionals and volunteers that will offer you insights into Peruvian work ethics and practices. Beyond your internship, your weekends and free time can be spent discovering the overall breathtaking beauty of the country.
During your internship in Peru, you’ll be able to utilize your professional and personal skills, as well as develop those skills that you feel could use more work. Also, employers may see your CV as more favorable, since it’ll show that you were a part of a meaningful international grassroots project, which shows a variety of transferable qualities. If you want to know more about how doing a nonprofit internship is good for your career, make sure to check this blog out!
Yes, but you must check with your university supervisor that this experience qualifies. You can also buy additional transfer credits to add onto your internship.
Unfortunately, no. You can find other ways to fund your internship as you will not be paid while working with a nonprofit organization. Your internship experience will bring a wealth of new knowledge, along with opportunities for professional and personal growth which are both invaluable!
If you’re ready to apply for this internship, here’s what to do:
Fill in the application form (it will show in a new screen) which includes sharing your CV to us.
We’ll set up a call with you to go through your application.
If we feel it’s a good match, we’ll set up a call between you and the supervisor for this internship.
If everyone’s happy, we’ll provisionally confirm your placement! We’ll then send you the invoice for the deposit, getting started with the booking process and all the info you need.
Only once we receive payment of the deposit your placement will be confirmed.
Or if you’d just like to ask us some questions about this internship first, just fill in the contact form below. We’ll be happy to assist!
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ABOUT US
At Roots, we create the perfect balance between meaningful work and valuable learning through internships with nonprofits & social enterprises in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.TEST
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ABOUT US
At Roots, we create the perfect balance between meaningful work and valuable learning through internships with nonprofits & social enterprises in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
CONTACT
UK: +44 139 269 0255
US: +1 617 500 6179
internship@rootsinterns.com
OFFICE: Cape Town, South Africa
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ABOUT US
At Roots, we create the perfect balance between meaningful work and valuable learning through internships with nonprofits & social enterprises in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
CONTACT
UK: +44 139 269 0255
US: +1 617 500 6179
internship@rootsinterns.com
OFFICE: Cape Town, South Africa
SOCIAL
SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
