Develop a wealth of social work expertise by working with some of Peru’s vulnerable youth
This is an incredible chance for those with a background or interest in social work to gain practical experience supporting young girls from extremely poor, single-parent families in Cusco.
Your time in Peru’s ancient city will be spent helping girls aged 14 to 20 build the tools to overcome socio-economic barriers and have healthy, successful futures. The girls selected on to the program come from severely impoverished families with complicated or troubling dynamics. Most of the girls live with their entire family in a one or two-room apartment, many of which lack basic infrastructure. Many of the girls’ fathers are absent and their mothers have to work long hours to survive on a day-to-day basis.
Throughout your internship, you’ll work with the lead psychologist and program director to develop a range of expertise and experience within the field of social work.
Learning objectives:
- Develop your understanding of social work practices within an educational setting
- Build on the expertise needed to work with young people and their families, taking into consideration socio-economic barriers and other negative factors
- Build on skills in leading workshops for young people and their parents to strengthen relations
- Gain insight into international nonprofit work and community development
- Gain international work experience for your future
ORGANIZATION
Chaska is a psychology-based program that works to break the cycle of poverty and gender inequality across Cusco, Peru. Girls from extremely poor, single-parent families who demonstrate great potential are identified through in-depth interviews and psychological testing and are selected to join the program each year. The program is built upon three pillars of support: financial, educational, and emotional; through assisting with extra classes, delivering workshops on key social issues, as well as providing healthy meals and other financial support, this nonprofit helps the girls gain the tools to thrive as healthy, independent and successful individuals.
TASKS & REQUIREMENTS
As a social work intern, you’ll work with the lead psychologist and program director to help the girls overcome certain socio-economic barriers and reach their full potential. You’ll work closely with the girls and their families, helping to create positive relationships within the family unit, as well as leading workshops and sessions relating to issues such as health and hygiene, money management, and creating a safe and stable living environment.
What you’ll do
The key tasks for interns in this program will be:
- Work directly with the lead psychologist and program director to plan and implement new strategies
- Organize and deliver workshops on parenting
- Work with the families on education-related issues
- Monitor the girls’ progress
- Lead workshops and sessions relating to issues such as health and hygiene, money management, and creating a safe and stable living environment
- There is lots of space for personal initiatives (f.e. conducting research, leading workshops, etc.) as long as they are in line with the program’s objectives
Requirements
- Education or background in social work, public health, or subject-related field
- A passion for community development and education
- Independent, proactive, good with teenagers
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Spanish level B1 for social work interns (If you’re more interested in research & development then basic Spanish is sufficient)
- Must be over 20 years of age
- Minimum commitment of 10 weeks, to be completed in Cusco (not a remote position)
WHERE YOU’LL STAY
Interns stay in one of two apartments, each with three bedrooms. Each apartment has a well-equipped kitchen where interns can prepare and eat meals together (there is also the option to eat a nutritious, homemade lunch with the girls), a living area, and a shared bathroom, and come with electricity, WiFi, and filtered drinking water. The apartments are located in a safe area of Cusco, South America’s oldest inhabited city, steeped in culture and tradition.
The city, famed as the gateway to the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, is a wonderful melting pot of Incan majesty, Andean baroque, and a cosmopolitan shopping and eating scene. With endless temples and ruins to explore, quaint cobblestone streets lined with textile boutiques, and traditionally-dressed women walking their pet llamas, your senses will be heightened at every turn.
DATES & RATES
Internship start and end dates are flexible and will be discussed with your during the selection process.
What you’ll pay (2023 rates)
3 months USD 1,881
4 months USD 2,299
5 months USD 2,717
6 months USD 3,135
What you are paying for:
- Careful matchmaking. It takes time to find the right internship for each person, and we take this process very seriously.
- Initial interview with one of our team to gauge your skills, interests, and desired learning outcomes.
- Airport transfers upon arrival and departure
- Shared apartment access to WIFI and well-equipped kitchen
- Lunch from Monday to Friday (optional)
- Assistance with your visa arrangement & other preparations
- An orientation program with your supervisor
- Supervision and support during your internship
- Regular check-ins and feedback from your supervisor.
- Access to workshops with a focus on career development
- Troubleshooting if needed
- A reference letter at the end of your internship
Excludes:
- Flights
- Visa, medical and travel insurance costs for the duration of your placement – must include cover for repatriation
- Electricity bill is split between you and your house mates
- Meals (note that from Monday to Friday you can have lunch with the girls)
- Drinks, snacks, and items of personal nature (f.e. curios, gifts, clothing)
- Costs for additional excursions or activities
QUICK FACTS
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Cusco, Peru |
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Gender Equality NGO |
 |
Psychology, Gender Equality, Education |
 |
Min. 10 Weeks |
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From USD 1,881 |
INTERNSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Support local families to make meaningful changes in their lives
- Gain valuable experience leading workshops to help educate communities on how to work together to find creative and practical solutions to problems
- Benefit from the expert mentorship of the leading psychologist and program director
- Travel to the magnificent ruins of Machu Picchu set in the middle of a tropical mountain forest
- Develop your Spanish language skills
3 MONTHS USD 1,881
4 MONTHS USD 2,299
5 MONTHS USD 2,717
4 MONTHS USD 2,299
5 MONTHS USD 2,717
HOW TO APPLY
If you’re ready to apply for this internship, here’s what to do:
APPLY
Fill in the application form (it will show in a new screen) which includes sharing your CV to us
SPEAK WITH AN ADVISOR
We’ll set up a call with you to go through your application.
INTERNSHIP MATCHING
If we feel it’s a good match, we’ll set up a call between you and the supervisor for this internship.
PAYMENT
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.
CONFIRMATION
Only once we receive payment of the deposit your placement will be confirmed.
NEED TO MAKE AN ENQUIRY FIRST?
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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