Peru is one of the most biologically diverse nations on the planet. It is home to 1,700 species of birds—nearly 20 percent of the Earth’s total—along with 15,000 plants and an estimated 30 million insects. The country’s geography includes the second-highest mountain range on earth, one of the world’s driest deserts, wind-swept beaches, and the sprawling Amazon jungle. To add to this natural wealth, the Incas and other pre-Colombian civilizations left an abundant archaeological record and an intriguing indigenous culture.
Why Volunteer in Peru?
Peru’s natural and cultural riches have been difficult to maintain in modern times. Deforestation and other habitat destruction run rampant, and much of the native wildlife is endangered. Indigenous cultures are fading as important traditions are lost from one generation to the next. Moreover, Peruvians are among the poorest people in the world, with well over 50 percent of families living below the poverty line.
Although the country has experienced impressive economic growth in recent years, poverty has been slow to abate. The picture is perhaps bleakest in rural areas, where indigenous people often lack sufficient food. Children in Peru continue to be the most vulnerable and unprotected citizens. Some 20,000 die before they reach their first birthday, while another 25 percent suffer from chronic malnutrition. Two out of every three live on less than a $1.50 a day. Many do not have access to healthcare and education, especially in rural areas. Exploitative forms of child labor are prevalent, and HIV/AIDS is a growing concern.
 Project
Location: Cusco
Cusco is a colorful, picturesque city in southern Peru that was once the center of the Inca Empire. The surrounding region boasts a diverse landscape of jungles, mountains, plateaus, deep valleys, and canyons. The famous archaeological site, Machu Picchu, is just 80 miles away. The city itself is dotted with ancient Incan architecture, often incorporated into new structures. With a population of about 300,000, this high-altitude city is the most-visited tourist destination in Peru.
 Project
Location: Northern Highlands
One of the least visited areas of Peru, the northern highlands feature striking natural beauty and quaint colonial towns. With its easy-paced lifestyle and sleek, white-adobe buildings, the culturally rich village of Chota rests peacefully on the banks of the Chotano River at 7,815 feet (2,382 meters) high. Its picturesque valley contains traces of early civilization, evidenced in the ancient Incan ruins and relics of the Spanish conquistadors that dominated the area throughout the 16th century. To the south is Cajamarca, an archeologically rich city that is the cultural and economic hub of the Cajamarca region. It is also a city of great historical importance: it’s where the Spanish executed the last Incan ruler, Atahualpa.
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