May 2012
David Morgan
Position
Overall Rating:
Awesome experience, met great people and helped lots of people in Pisco. Only issue is because it is so long since the earthquake, I dont know if it has just become a more poverty orientated mission instead of a disaster relief organisation.
Did you feel like you made a difference?:
It is no longer a disaster relief organisation. It is a poverty relief operation.
Organization and communication:
Generally well organized organisation with good communication between volunteers and with other organisations.
Accommodation:
Basic accommodation but all you could really ask for in an area like Pisco.
Safety:
Pisco is not safe, PSF does its best and its all I would expect so I cant complain, but Pisco is not a safe town.
PSF is like a home to me. The bonds formed between people is long lasting and there is many I would call my close friends. There is a certain bond and camaraderie one develops from being here, working and living alongside like minded people. The town of Pisco itself is not the nicest of places, it is run down and people are not generally tourist friendly. It is a hard working environment but the people we do help are eternally grateful for the help. It has morphed from a disaster relief organisation as it markets itself, to a more community based operation that aids with poverty relief. It is still good work and helping people in need, but it is not disaster relief. As one of the admin members of the organisation, I wish it well and will be involved in its continuos evolution from just building homes, to our community programs, building community centres, parks, english lessons, sports program, bio-diesel partnerships in the future, building school furniture, murals and partnership with the civil guard in case of future natural disasters to be on the front line.
It is an ever changing organisation with roles changing continuously which is what makes it so good but is also causing it to not move forward as fast.
May 2012
Lorna Wilson
Position
Overall Rating:
It is everything you could want in a volunteering organisation and more.
Did you feel like you made a difference?:
Yes, to the projects I worked with, though compared to some of the inspirational super long termers I made a tiny dent in the work to be done!
Organization and communication:
The communication routes were always open to everyone, whether new or long stay you all had an opportunity to air your views and make a contribution. Organization is difficult there as most of the time you have to just react to so many unforeseen problems. But that is just part of the challenge. If you want a strict timetabled organized experience - this is not it!
Accommodation:
Not five star luxury but extremely friendly, conducive to socialising and bonding with your fellow volunteers whether sharing a beer around the bonfire or watching a dvd in the common room.
Safety:
Best that it can be in the cirumstances!
Arriving in Pisco was an overwhelming experience, it is definitely another world compared to anywhere else I have ever been. The whole town just screams of neglect. But I have never been to a place where people are so happy to see you, so welcoming and so very generous, even when they themselves have so little. Volunteering with Pisco Sin Fronteras is the best thing I have ever done. I made friends for life from all over the world, by sharing the experience you have such a strong bond it feels like you have known each other much longer than the few weeks it was in reality. You have the opportunity to contribute in so many ways; construction, teaching English, looking after children, environmental awareness, painting murals and pretty much any other project you can think of. In this way PSF tries to utilise the skills of every volunteer that comes through its doors whether that be business acumen, practical skills, creativity, or simply the enthusiasm to make a difference.
When someone decides to volunteer they are looking to challenge themselves, make a difference, experience new things and contribute towards the greater good. Whatever the motivation; PSF provides the opportunity to do so whilst also having a hell of a good time. Looking back I cannot believe it has already been nearly two years. If I got the chance I would go back in a heartbeat.
June 2012
Sara Bernard
Position
Overall Rating:
I had a great time, but I was only there a short while, and didn't really get to understand the community as well as I might have liked, although I did learn a lot and make amazing friends.
Did you feel like you made a difference?:
I feel that PSF is making a difference; they have so many volunteers and so many great projects underway and so much passion. But my 2.5-week stint there exemplified the drawbacks of their model: it's become something of a stop on the "gringo" trail in Peru and so many people pop in for a couple of weeks to feel they're doing something good with their tourist time and it's not always the most helpful for the community.
Organization and communication:
The people who run the organization are all essentially volunteers and I was pretty impressed with how they kept it all rolling. The expectations of us were pretty clear.
Accommodation:
The plumbling left something to be desired, but I've stayed in all kinds of places and this was fine by me (and very cheap) -- bunk beds in a room with a few others and our own bathroom, a large kitchen where we took turns cooking and cleaning, roof access, a big courtyard for meals, meetings, and project work.
Safety:
I felt very safe and there was always open discussion about safe practices -- never go anywhere alone, especially at night, especially at the beach. Everyone was very conscious of taking care of everyone else.
I had a terrific time volunteering with PSF in Pisco, Peru, but part of me had misgivings about the impact I was having as well as the impact PSF was having as a whole, given the large percentage of volunteers only working for a short time (like me) and dropping in out of a sense of obligation or tourist fatigue. It's become a regular stop on the "gringo" trail in Peru, which is both amazing and excellent and also a bit problematic for long-term, sustainable development. The number of willing unskilled laborers was really impressive, but that meant that there was sometimes a dearth of people willing to step up and lead long-term projects, either because they wouldn't be around long enough or because they didn't have the skills to do so. Nevertheless, I can't help but be pretty amazed by the work that PSF volunteers have put in and the incredible passion that they've developed over the years. They've made a place for themselves in the Pisco community and are pretty well-respected, despite the occasional impression that they're just over-privileged travelers out to have a good time. A volunteer's PSF experience probably depends a lot on when he or she goes and how long he or she stays; volunteers and staff change pretty frequently.
June 2012
Sarah Lackner
Position
Overall Rating:
I met the most amazing people (volunteers and Peruvians) and worked on life changing projects. But- and it's the only but- I was so sick most of the time, it wasn't entirely great.
Did you feel like you made a difference?:
I just saw the photos of the newly finished community center! I helped make that happen!
Organization and communication:
Loved moorning meetings. Although they could have been more effective if they were evening meetings instead
Accommodation:
Dirty, rats, sick people everywhere, roaches and hot water that rarely worked.
Safety:
Inside the compound is relatively safe if you don't consider salmonella although a few people had electronics stolen inside the compound. Outside was typical Peru.
I came straight to PSF with no idea what to expect. I loved my time there! There is a great community of volunteers from around the UK with a sprinkling of others, including locals which was wonderful! The projects I worked on ranged from breaking down panels and pounding nails to sanding and painting a new education facility and repairing fence and planting trees to teaching english to clearing ground to my favorite- pouring concrete! Well my favorite besides shopping in the mercado to feed fifty people with no spanish speaking skills! It was a great way of transitioning to living in Peru and I made some great friends while there. The only only only bad thing I can say is that half the time I was there was spent sick from something that most definitely could have been prevented.
June 2012
Colette Ghunim
Position
Overall Rating:
I highly enjoyed my week-long trip there and made an effort to learn to experiences from local community members
Did you feel like you made a difference?:
Because we were only there for spring break, I don't feel I had a great impact on the community. I was able to learn more about nonprofit models, but wasn't able to really be a changemaker there.
Organization and communication:
I think they had a nice setup for everyone to stay up to date and in the know of all the different projects going on.
Accommodation:
Because we stayed in a hostel down the road, we had great accomodations. Only bugs, but that was expected.
Safety:
I felt very safe during my time there- all the volunteers and people I met felt very trustworthy
During my week-long experience in Pisco, I was able to learn quite a bit about community development, as well as how to become immersed within the community. Because PSF is run solely by volunteers, I am afraid of how they are utilizing community resources and skills to make the citizens self-reliant and in charge of the changes that are taking place within their community. With things like painting the soccer field, building houses, and giving classes, it felt that community members were often just watching as volunteers, some of whom I came across that didn't want to speak Spanish, built their houses for them. I did not feel comfortable being part of an organization that did not put the community member's voices first. I was, however, able to meet many Peruvians that I still do keep in touch with, and I would definitely come back to try to help create a more community-based approach in the future.
June 2012
Keith Inglis
Position
Overall Rating:
The best 3 months of my year long trip!
Did you feel like you made a difference?:
Yes, as a voluteer you have so much freedom with project ideas and how the organsation is run and can be improved. I definitely feel I made an impact!
Organization and communication:
Excellent! Everyone has a chance to speak their mind and the organisation works on some fantastic projects.
Accommodation:
Very basic but after a while you get used to it and it feels like home. Each day volunteers cook breakfast and dinner and the food has been the best ive had on my trip.
Safety:
Although Pisco is supposed to be unsafe I didnt see anything bad and everyone know to stick together when outside in the town and avoid the dangerous areas!
I initially planned on spending 4 weeks at PSF but stayed for 3 months, says it all really! After a month as a volunteer I was then made Project Manager and Finance Manager (still not sure how this happened) and loved every minute! The work we done was varied, from construction focused to teaching based programmes and you can tell from talking with the locals that they really appreciate they work we do which is the most important thing. If you have ideas, everyone is open to listening and giving support to make them happen. I have been travelling for a year and these were the 3 best months I had. I met some amazing people from around the world, friends for life, and have lots of fantastic memories (sober & drunken) from my time there. I cant recommend this place highly enough and I hope to return one day! x
August 2012
David Morgan
Position
Overall Rating:
Best 6 months of my life, the people you meet and the people you help
Did you feel like you made a difference?:
simple things can avoid children of dying from respiratory illnesses
Organization and communication:
it seems slightly disorganized at first, but it is in fact highly regulated and controlled and the project leaders so an amazing job
Accommodation:
straw matresses for everyone!
Safety:
Pisco aint a safe place, but the PSF headquarters are perfectly safe.
Ups and Downs all round. Never a dull day at PSF. You make friends that become family and you change people's lives, whilst having the most fun you will ever have. What more can you ask for?
September 2012
Brandi Trzop-Goodick
Position
Overall Rating:
Did you feel like you made a difference?:
Organization and communication:
Accommodation:
Safety:
