Peru

PERU

PERU 2024

Anticipated Trip Cost: $4,399
Anticipated Dates: JULY 13 – JULY 27

REGISTER FOR PERU

Leadership Development

  • 9-month leadership development program with integrated local service component
  • Youthlinc’s mission is to transform volunteers into lifetime humanitarians, which takes time and effort- we are not a “pay-and-go” program
  • Twenty five years of proven curriculum and data show that our program truly changes and improves our volunteers & communities abroad
  • Connect and build friendships with your team for 9 months prior to travel

Projects

  • Work with the Rotary Club of Iquitos to make lasting impacts on rural villages along the Amazon river
  • Projects relate to community health, business & vocational skills, ecological improvements, construction, cultural exchange, and education

What's Included?

  • We are a Utah-based program. Round-trip international airfare is included from Salt Lake City. Minors will never be asked to fly alone to another city to meet their team for the first time.
  • All meals, accommodation, transportation, & clean water
  • Excursions include a jungle trek, piranha fishing, pink dolphin watching, and exploring the city of Lima
  • Travel insurance, medical professional travels with team, 1:3 ratio of adults:student

AMAZON RIVER NEAR IQUITOS, PERU

Youthlinc has been working in Peru since 2003. Our In-Country Coordinator, Carlos Acosta, has been with us from the very beginning. He is a Rotarian in the Rotary Club of Iquitos and his passion for humanitarian service is vibrant. Carlos has been instrumental in the success of many Rotary Global Grants for various clean water projects in the area.

The Youthlinc team stays at the beautiful Heliconia Amazon River Lodge situated along the Amazon River. Every day, the team takes a boat ride to the village. Over the years, Youthlinc has served many villages scattered along the Amazon river including Palmeras, Santa Rosa, Yanamono I, Yanamono II, Santa Isabel, Pucallpa, and Nuevo San Juan. Many Youthlinc participants choose to go back to Peru for a second trip because they form meaningful connections with the local people who welcome the team with open arms.

Youthlinc participants also have a lot of fun during their time in Peru! If you’re lucky you may get to see a pink dolphin jump out of the Amazon on your daily boat ride. You will go on a walk in the jungle where you will see all sorts of animals and bugs. You will go fishing and might even catch a piranha. If you are feeling adventurous, you can even hold a friendly sloth and huge anaconda (but not at the same time).

Read About Our 2023 Projects

In 2023, our teams worked in Yanamono II and Santa Isabel. In both villages their top priority were to complete concrete pathways throughout the village. These concrete pathways are a huge help and make it possible to travel safely throughout the community, to and from school, and to neighboring villages.
The team learned about the rich indigenous culture along the Amazon River. The team connected with the Yagua people of the Amazon. Both teams held an opening and closing ceremonies and a fun fair at the end of their trip where the villagers also take time to share traditional customs for celebration.
Both teams in 2023 held English camps and music lessons at the primary school in their villages. Since school is on holiday druing the summer, the students sign up for an extra summer camp with Youthlinc. Every participant had the opportunity to plan and teach an English Lesson.
Both 2023 teams held a community health fair that focused on the community needs. Both teams partnered with Days for Girls and Know Your Lemons to provide women's health fairs. These fairs focused on maturation, family planning, and the early detection of breast cancer, among other topics.
In Santa Isabel the team taught local women how to make soap. This was a hit and the women ran with the creative freedom exploring natural scents and design.
In Yamamomo II the team taught women how to cut hair. They were very excited to learn a new skill and teach the team in return how to do traditional braids.
Both teams worked with their vocational committees and young adults in the village to hold business seminars where they taught the 5P's of business. Each team was able to fundraise enough money to provide micro-grants to participants that provided a completed business proposal.
The ecological committees focused on food security and land erosion along the Amazon River. Each team planted over 500 trees and installed kitchen gardens throughout the community.
In addition, they raised extra funds to make necessary repairs and upgrades to the community water tower and filtration system.
The team took in every moment on the Amazon River! The team took a night boat ride on the Amazon and saw the Southern Cross constellation and the North Star at the same time. They took a jungle walk through the Amazon during the day and at night searching for wild life. The team went piranha fishing and pink river dolphin watching.

In-country Coordinator

Carlos Acosta

A native of Iquitos; the Capital City of the Peruvian Amazon, he understands the need and is passionate about the Amazon people. Carlos Started working with his parents from a young age in their family business, first at the Acosta and Victoria Regia Hotels.  After studying business administration in College. He returned to Iquitos and founded the Heliconia Amazon River Lodge, a place where Youthlinc has called home for more than 15 years. Carlos has been a member of the Rotary Club of Iquitos for almost 20 years. He had the opportunity to meet Youthlinc founder Judy Zone and other Utah Rotarian’s affiliated with Youthlinc which sparked a powerful partnership. Through this partnership with Carlos, Rotary and Youthlinc, Carlos has been able to coordinate many projects in favor of the communities of the Amazon. Projects vary from Construction of schools, libraries, roads, cement pathways and bridges, water towers, health fairs, vocational training, business development and micro loans, etc.  Carlos has been an amazing Coordinator, without his assistance and partnership we would not be able to reach these people along the Amazon. Carlos is Married to Nathaly Acosta and together they have three Daughters.

Stacy Nisogi Hansen
PERU JUNE TEAM LEADER

Stacy’s involvement with Youthlinc began in 2013 in Guatemala where she was a mentor for the “Cool”tural Committee.  Her committee gave her the award for being a Laser Beaming Clown because she was always ready for fun, but also very focused on getting the work done.  She has lead several Youthlinc teams over the years to Thailand, Kenya, Vietnam and Peru.  Peru is magical!  She is so excited to go back and experience the joys of the Amazon jungle with her team. Vamos!

 

Stacy is a graduate from the University of Utah and obtained a B.S. in Business Management and a Master of Science in Public Health.  She works in the Safety, Health & Environmental field at a local printing and distribution facility.  Her job is to help others perform their jobs well, but at the end of the day go home safely to their families.  She also has an adventurous side which compels her to jump out of planes, swim with sharks, and explore the world.  Stacy also loves to spend time with her wonderful husband and family, play volleyball, pickle ball, eat food, binge watch t.v., make others smile, and travel the world.  Let the adventure begin!

Emily Richins
PERU JUNE ATL

Hi!! My name is Emily Richins 🙂 I’m a senior at Utah State University graduating with degrees in Social Work and Portuguese! I’ve been involved with Youthlinc since the 2015-2016 service year when I was on the Cambodia team. Since then, I’ve been to Peru, Kenya, and Rwanda with Youthlinc. I’m so excited to be an ATL this year and go back to Peru!!

Sandy Jones
PERU JULY TEAM LEADER

Sandy tried for three years to be a mentor with Youthlinc. After having surgery, then with the pandemic happening, she finally made it to Thailand in 2022! She is so excited to be the team lead for the Peru-July team this year, and wants everyone to truly experience how amazing it is to be a humanitarian.

Many experiences in Thailand had a profound effect on her, and she has developed training curriculum at work based on these experiences.

All her life she has been passionate about serving, and helping those she is around to reach their untapped potential.

While living in multiple states and regions across the country, Sandy has been exposed to diverse culture, economic and socio-economic factors that have helped her to appreciate many cultures and the unique value that each individual brings. Throughout her professional career, she has had the opportunity to coach individuals, teams, and leaders. Her ability to navigate and gain perspective and insight across the country through these experiences has aided in her success in many leadership and mentorship roles.

She has served many different communities in several leadership positions which include project manager for Make a Difference – Domestic Violence Shelter, project manager for Habitat for Humanity, chairperson for the Special Olympics, and volunteer coordinator at Joy’s Safe House.

Emily Arnold
PERU JULY ATL

Hey y’all, I’m Emily. I got involved with Youthlinc through Real Life Intern and then joined the 2022 Fiji July team.  I absolutely fell in love with the program and with the people of Fiji. I enjoy hiking, eating, laughing. Cant wait for this coming year!