Groups of around 20 volunteers visit Peru and work both to help build facilities for the children and to support SU’s income generating projects, which are vital in financing their ongoing ministry. Current developments include building dormitory units for boys aged six to fourteen years and refurbishment of campsites. In addition there are opportunities to spend time with the boys, to have free time for relaxing or sightseeing and a day of worship and rest on Sundays.

A typical day involves:

• An optional prayer meeting to start the day
• Breakfast at about 8:00am
• Work from 9:00am until lunch at 12:00pm
• Work from 1:30pm until 4:30pm
• Free time until supper at 6:30pm
• On alternate evenings - a meeting of stories, fellowship and worship at 7:30pm
• Free time until bed

The work involves manual labour under supervision on building sites. No specific construction skills are necessary, just enthusiasm and reasonable physical fitness. There is usually some work using hand tools such as spades and shovels, chisels and saws, paintbrushes and rollers and climbing ladders. Teamwork is essential on work sites and compulsory for having fun!

Many of the boys who live at the sites that the work teams visit have experienced terrible treatment at the hands of adults. Being a Christian role model is a vital element of participating in a work team and all team members must abstain from the consumption of alcohol and tobacco whilst in Peru.

• Lima – capital city
• Kawai – campsite two hours by road south of Lima on the Pacific coast
• Kimo – campsite eight hours by road east of Lima over the Andes in the ‘high jungle’
• Iquitos – city in the Amazon jungle

Accommodation is provided at one of SU’s campsites or homes in single sex bungalows, huts or dormitories. Couples cannot normally sleep together. Team members need to bring their own sleeping bags and mosquito nets and need to be prepared for washing in cold water, except at Iquitos where the river water is warm!

Airborne flying time to Peru is about 16-18 hours, but obviously the journey time depends upon the choice of airline and route. Previous teams have flown with KLM via Amsterdam and Aruba.

It costs the Charity a substantial sum of money to fund team members to work in Peru. The Charity expects team members to provide a donation equivalent to these costs, from their own assets or from their family. The Charity further expects team members to raise funds towards the costs of building materials and employing local Peruvian craftsmen. 100% of public donations goes directly to benefit the boys in Peru.