LOCATION: Pisco is located on the Pacific coast about 4 hours south of Lima. Only about 9 metres (28 feet) above sea level, Pisco is well known by travelers for its proximity to the Paracas National Reservation and the oasis of Huacachina. The Pisco origins are from one of the major ancient civilizations in Peru, the Paracas culture.

COMMUNITY PROJECT: You will work with your volunteer team to focus on the needs of a family who has been living in a makeshift tent on the street since the earthquake struck. On Monday and Tuesday, your team will concentrate on removing the remains of the home that are currently blocking the possibility of reconstruction. For the remainder of the week, your team will work to create a structure in its place that will keep the family safe and off the streets -- something they have been hoping for for over a year. Daily hands-on volunteer hours will run from about 10am-1pm and 3-6pm on the weekdays.

LANGUAGE STUDY : Whether you are a beginner or advanced speaker of Spanish, you will be able to put your language skills to use beginning with your arrival to the airport in Lima. You will have 9 full days of reading, writing, speaking, and listening to Spanish during meals with your host family, free time with your neighbors, and with the families with whom you are working. There is no better way to learn! In addition, each morning, you and your fellow volunteers will divide into smaller groups for a Spanish tutorial taught by local instructors. This is your chance to talk about construction vocabulary, grammar, expressions, and general etiquette that you may have questions about. Additional personal instruction is available upon request for about $7/hour.

LEISURE ACTIVITIES: After the full week working in Pisco, you will have a day to relax in the small town called Huacachina. Huacachina is the "oasis of America", and a breathtaking sight. During the day you will have time to take advantage of popular dessert sports of dune buggy-ing and sandboarding, or if you rather, paddle around the laguna or enjoy a meal and the view. Before heading back to the airport for your departure, you'll spend an afternoon exploring the district in Lima called Miraflores. You'll be able to visit by foot the cafes, pubs, restaurants, shops, and Parque Kennedy, Miraflores' central plaza with flea markets and art exhibitions. Larcomar, a shopping mall overlooking the Pacific coast, will also be within walking distance.