KUSI KAWSAY VOLUNTEER & RESEARCH PROGRAMS

Our Volunteer and Research Programs are our form to share with a broader community the Kusi Kawsay experience.

 

From helping at the school, teaching English, doing research about this rewarded methodology or learning the Andean traditional methods in the organical garden, this unique experience will enhance your understanding about Andean communities while your uniqueness will enrich children, youth and our community to improve living conditions as an Ayni.

Programs

Kusi Kawsay Andean School Immersion

This innovative school that fusions Andean tradition with elements of Waldorf pedagogy has been awarded with the Unesco-Japan prize for sustainable development. Experience the Ritual Agrarian Andean Calendar celebrations. Discover the unique educational model while helping andean children to become confident young adults and leaders for the future rooted in their Andean ancestral cosmovision.

Requirements

  • At least 16 years of age
  • Participants under 16 are with a guardian
  • Team and colletive work
  • Creative
  • Hard working
  • Respectful to our mission and vision
  • Background check is required
  • Basic Spanish (recommended)

Schedule

  • Minimum 1 week, we recommend 2 weeks or longer
  • 4-5 hours/day (Mon-Fri)
  • Work hours are morning
  • Site: Kusi Kawsay School

Tasks

You will receive general orientation about Kusi Kawsay organization, and its projects, then you will be presented to the teacher and the class you will help. Participation includes different tasks depending on the class and professor you are helping. This could include materials preparation, assistance with instruction and classroom management and of course you will be invited to participate in all our andean calendar celebrations.

Research & Thesis

This program is designed for scholars and students interested in documenting and analyzing our unique educational model. It offers a fertile ground for studies on decolonizing education, indigenous languages, and sustainable development. Researchers will have access to school pedagogical documentation and community insights.

Requirements

  • University Enrollment (Undergraduate/Graduate)
  • Approved Research Proposal aligned with Andean Cosmovision or Waldorf pedagogy
  • Letter of intent and academic recommendation
  • Independent and culturally sensitive
  • Basic Spanish (recommended)

Schedule

  • Minimum 4 weeks (recommended)
  • Flexible schedule according to research needs and academic calendar
  • Site: School, Farm, and Community

Tasks

You will receive general orientation about Kusi Kawsay organization, and its projects, then you will be presented to project leader. Participation includes data collection, classroom observations, interviews with the community, contribution to the school’s pedagogical documentation, and collaboration with local educators and of course you will be invited to participate in all our Andean calendar celebrations.

English Voices in the Andes – Teaching

Kusi Kawsay Andean School is in Pisac, a beautiful town whose economy revolves around agriculture, tourism and small businesses. Empowering our students with other tools like English will give them greater opportunities in their future. You can help them while living the richness and wisdom of our Andean culture.

Requirements

  • At least 18 years of age
  • Native or upper intermediate level of
  • Team and collective work
  • Creative to teach in an artistic way
  • Hard working, ready to do anything!
  • Respectful to our mission and vision
  • Background check is required for all volunteers working with children
  • Basic Spanish (recommended)

Schedule

  • Minimum 1 week, we recommend 2 weeks or longer
  • 3-4 hours/day (Mon-Fri)
  • Work hours are morning
  • Site: Kusi Kawsay School

Tasks

You will receive general orientation about Kusi Kawsay organization, and its projects, then you will be presented to the main teacher and the class you will help. As a volunteer, you will be in charge of the classes (accompanied by the main teacher in elementary school), preparing lessons, and giving one-to-one tutoring.

Traditional Methods in Sustainable Agriculture

The agriculture project takes place in our organic farm Kusi Ñan, in the same location of the Kusi Kawsay School. You can work in a project where agriculture follows the ancient agricultural ritual calendar using sustainability methods with traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and at the same time, be immersed in a beautiful place in the Sacred Valley of the Inkas.

Requirements

  • At least 16 years of age
  • Participants under 16 are with a guardian
  • Flexible, willing to do various tasks based on season and project needs
  • Be healthy and physically prepared to do manual labor for most of your volunteer time
  • Hard working
  • Basic Spanish (recommended)

Schedule

  • Minimum 1 week, we recommend 2 weeks or longer
  • 3-5 hours/day (Mon-Fri)
  • Work hours are morning
  • Site: Kusi Ñan Agrarian Farm at Kawsay School

Tasks

You will have a general orientation about Kusi Kawsay and its projects. Depending on the year cycle activities vary on demonstration plots. In Kusi Ñan Farm you can support in agriculture or bioindicators workshops with students of Kusi Kawsay or community farms where you can learn from ceremonial harvest, seed preparation, etc.