"This is the first place we have been where the volunteers are a priority, and not just a means to an end".
For the opportunity to taste life in our community and discover our projects and programs, we offer two volunteer programs. Volunteers are very important to us as their support permits our community members to dedicate themselves fully to our programs, projects and sectors. We show our gratitude by offering an authentic experience of community living that can change lives.
Unique volunteering programs run at our two principal sites:
Main Community Residence and Research & Retreat Center; near Pisaq, Cusco
Eco-Village Project and Wisdom Center; near Machu Picchu, Quillabamba
Main Community Residence and Research & Retreat Center; near Pisaq, Cusco
Eco-Village Project and Wisdom Center; near Machu Picchu, Quillabamba
Main Community Residence and Research & Formation Center; near Pisaq, Cusco
We will receive volunteers on specific dates.
Please consult us!
Please consult us!
Come volunteer at our lively community where you can experience clan life through engaging in our projects and activities.
As a volunteer you will be asked to help with basic community services such as hospitality (cooking, cleaning), general maintenance, renovation, eco-construction, agriculture, and helping out with our medicinal plant and food products which we sell. We ask that volunteers be flexible in adapting to the current needs of the community.
If you have any special skills to offer - such as electricity, plumbing, carpentry, photography, film-making, website design, publicity, NGO fundraising, or architecture - we would especially like to hear from you!
As a volunteer you will be asked to help with basic community services such as hospitality (cooking, cleaning), general maintenance, renovation, eco-construction, agriculture, and helping out with our medicinal plant and food products which we sell. We ask that volunteers be flexible in adapting to the current needs of the community.
If you have any special skills to offer - such as electricity, plumbing, carpentry, photography, film-making, website design, publicity, NGO fundraising, or architecture - we would especially like to hear from you!
In exchange, you will receive:
- Three lacto-vegetarian meals per day
- Comfortable accommodation (hostal room, hot showers, internet, and community library)
- Opportunity to learn sacred songs of the tradition through communal chanting each morning
- The chance to participate in community activities including yoga, qi-gong, art workshops, Spanish lessons, scriptural lectures, community presentations, personal accompanying, and sweat lodges (bi-weekly)
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We do not offer sacred plant ceremonies as part of the volunteer program as everyone must enter an introductory medicine program to participate in ceremonies with us.
You will receive 2 days off per week and are required to work 4 hours per day. We ask for a minimum commitment of 1 week. We welcome the arrival of volunteers on specifics Monday at 11am. |
Extras: For each week that you complete as a volunteer you will receive a 5% discount off the price of an introductory medicine program. Programs must be taken immediately after volunteering.
Minimum donation* per week: $95/ 310 soles *As a non-profit organization, we ask for a minimum donation to cover the costs of your stay. This permits us to provide our services free to low-income Peruvians and indigenous people. Thank you for your understanding and support.
Please read the conditions of stay in our community at the end of this page.
Minimum donation* per week: $95/ 310 soles *As a non-profit organization, we ask for a minimum donation to cover the costs of your stay. This permits us to provide our services free to low-income Peruvians and indigenous people. Thank you for your understanding and support.
Please read the conditions of stay in our community at the end of this page.
Eco-village Project and Wisdom Center; near Machu Picchu, Quillabamba
We will soon receive volunteers in the Eco-Village.
Receive updates on this project at our blog!
Our land near Quillabamba, Machu Picchu, is for those seeking adventure and an authentic volunteering experience of earth-based practical work and satisfying results from communal collaboration. Immersed in nature, you will be able to to participate to building this eco-village from the ground up.
The 30 hectare site is located at 1500 m above sea level with a tropical climate. There is cultivation of coffee, cacao, mangos, avocado and honey from our own bees. It is also a project to develop a new system of education guided by Nature in our daily lives. Concretely, it is to develop a center of investigation and formation based on a traditional vision of the natural sciences of Life and to participate in awakening consciousness.
Most work involves clearing of the land, agriculture (gardening, planting trees and plants for alimentation products), bee-keeping, eco-construction of adobe buildings, cooking and cleaning.
The 30 hectare site is located at 1500 m above sea level with a tropical climate. There is cultivation of coffee, cacao, mangos, avocado and honey from our own bees. It is also a project to develop a new system of education guided by Nature in our daily lives. Concretely, it is to develop a center of investigation and formation based on a traditional vision of the natural sciences of Life and to participate in awakening consciousness.
Most work involves clearing of the land, agriculture (gardening, planting trees and plants for alimentation products), bee-keeping, eco-construction of adobe buildings, cooking and cleaning.
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In the program, we provide:
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Although we have water and electricity, for now, there is no internet or hot showers on site.
As the climate is very warm, we normally work during specific hours. You are asked to work 30 hours per week and you can choose how to take your time off. Please keep in mind that the location is very remote and trips to the city/towns are done sparingly (about once per week). We ask for a minimum commitment of one week, while 15 days is preferable given the distance to the location.
As the climate is very warm, we normally work during specific hours. You are asked to work 30 hours per week and you can choose how to take your time off. Please keep in mind that the location is very remote and trips to the city/towns are done sparingly (about once per week). We ask for a minimum commitment of one week, while 15 days is preferable given the distance to the location.
Extras: For each week that you complete as a volunteer you will receive a 5% discount off any program. Programs must be taken immediately after volunteering.
Dates of up-coming trips: Please contact us for dates when our team will be at the site.
Travel: You may choose to meet us at our Main Community Residence near Pisac, Cusco where we will catch a bus together or drive in our community car (you must pay your own transport costs). Or, you may meet us at the nearest local town (Santa Maria), from where we will assist you in getting to our land.
Minimum donation* per week: $55/ 175 soles. *As a non-profit organization, we ask for a minimum donation to cover the costs of your stay. This permits us to provide our services free to low-income Peruvians and indigenous people. Thank you for your understanding and support.
Please read the conditions of stay in our community below.
Dates of up-coming trips: Please contact us for dates when our team will be at the site.
Travel: You may choose to meet us at our Main Community Residence near Pisac, Cusco where we will catch a bus together or drive in our community car (you must pay your own transport costs). Or, you may meet us at the nearest local town (Santa Maria), from where we will assist you in getting to our land.
Minimum donation* per week: $55/ 175 soles. *As a non-profit organization, we ask for a minimum donation to cover the costs of your stay. This permits us to provide our services free to low-income Peruvians and indigenous people. Thank you for your understanding and support.
Please read the conditions of stay in our community below.
Conditions for Volunteers
As a volunteer, you will be living in our community with the following requirements to ensure the health, safety and well-being of all members and visitors:
Typhoid Test: for those who have been travelling in South America prior to visiting our community, we ask to do a simple Typhoid test, one week before coming, sending us the results. The results can show that you are not carrying the virus, which poses a threat to the health of our family (especially our children and elders). In recent years, this highly contagious disease has become very prominent in Peru, with 80% of travelers carrying it (in many cases, without knowing they have it). You can make this simple blood test at the Kausaywasi Clinic in Coya (little town after Pisac) or in Cusco. It is advisable to arrive there early in the morning to have your results within 2 hours. .
Qualities: We are looking for volunteers who do not mind pitching in where needed, and who are open-minded, enthusiastic, supportive of community life, hardworking, reliable, happy to serve, and willing to work in team or alone.
Drugs & Alcohol: We are a medicine community serving cultural awareness, not a party hostel! Please do not consume drugs (including marijuana) or alcohol on the premises or come back to the property drunk.
Diet & Cooking: We are lacto-vegetarian and can provide vegan meals. Please do not consume or cook with meat, fish, poultry, eggs, onion or garlic on the premises. If you eventually want to take a medicine program, we recommend cutting out these foods completely from your diet.
Cancelation: Positions are open when work is needed, and we receive many applications. Therefore, if you are accepted as a volunteer, and are unable to come for any reason, please inform us immediately so that we may offer your place to someone else.
Why do we charge for volunteering?
As a non-profit organization, we ask for a minimum donation to be able to cover the costs of your stay. This permits us to provide scholarships for low-income Peruvians and indigenous people to receive our services free of charge. All profits beyond program costs are re-invested in maintaining the community and expanding the project. In addition, when entering into our medicine community, people generally need a period of adjustment or purification. Even with the best intentions, it can be difficult to maintain a balanced or efficient exchange of service as a volunteer. Therefore, your financial contribution sustains your reciprocation during these times.
Thank you for your consideration, and we look forward to receiving your application! On accepting your application, you will receive a full Welcome Pack detailing all the practical information you need to make your volunteering experience the best it can be.
For any questions, please contact Sri Advaita at contact@willkahampi.org.
Typhoid Test: for those who have been travelling in South America prior to visiting our community, we ask to do a simple Typhoid test, one week before coming, sending us the results. The results can show that you are not carrying the virus, which poses a threat to the health of our family (especially our children and elders). In recent years, this highly contagious disease has become very prominent in Peru, with 80% of travelers carrying it (in many cases, without knowing they have it). You can make this simple blood test at the Kausaywasi Clinic in Coya (little town after Pisac) or in Cusco. It is advisable to arrive there early in the morning to have your results within 2 hours. .
Qualities: We are looking for volunteers who do not mind pitching in where needed, and who are open-minded, enthusiastic, supportive of community life, hardworking, reliable, happy to serve, and willing to work in team or alone.
Drugs & Alcohol: We are a medicine community serving cultural awareness, not a party hostel! Please do not consume drugs (including marijuana) or alcohol on the premises or come back to the property drunk.
Diet & Cooking: We are lacto-vegetarian and can provide vegan meals. Please do not consume or cook with meat, fish, poultry, eggs, onion or garlic on the premises. If you eventually want to take a medicine program, we recommend cutting out these foods completely from your diet.
Cancelation: Positions are open when work is needed, and we receive many applications. Therefore, if you are accepted as a volunteer, and are unable to come for any reason, please inform us immediately so that we may offer your place to someone else.
Why do we charge for volunteering?
As a non-profit organization, we ask for a minimum donation to be able to cover the costs of your stay. This permits us to provide scholarships for low-income Peruvians and indigenous people to receive our services free of charge. All profits beyond program costs are re-invested in maintaining the community and expanding the project. In addition, when entering into our medicine community, people generally need a period of adjustment or purification. Even with the best intentions, it can be difficult to maintain a balanced or efficient exchange of service as a volunteer. Therefore, your financial contribution sustains your reciprocation during these times.
Thank you for your consideration, and we look forward to receiving your application! On accepting your application, you will receive a full Welcome Pack detailing all the practical information you need to make your volunteering experience the best it can be.
For any questions, please contact Sri Advaita at contact@willkahampi.org.
‘’Coming as a volunteer, I would highly recommend participating in the courses that are offered. Some of the things I learned during this time have changed the course of my life and direction to serve humanity.’’
