Threads of Peru (TOP) is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization (ngo) registered in Cusco, Peru. The founding members represent the countries of Canada, Australia, and Peru. TOP has been created to educate the world about the unique beauty and cultural significance of the Andean people and their textile traditions. Through the web, community tours, and international sales, we connect indigenous Andean weavers of Peru to a global market; contributing to the survival of this art form and to the health and well-being of the people that sustain it.
Threads of Peru works with indigenous women weavers in the remote communities of Rumira Sondormayo, Chaullacocha, and Chupani.
http://www.threadsofperu.com/weaving-culture/communities/
"Product designer(s) and/or waste management for proper bathroom facilities"
Threads of Peru is a seeking product designer(s) and/or waste management experts to volunteer in the research and design of better bathroom facilities in the communities where we work. Depending on the community, this may be a renovation of the existing toilets they have into composting toilets, bathroom structures that let in more light, that are easier to keep clean, less concrete more local materials, etc. Our goal is to create facilities that are more aesthetically pleasing and fit better into the local landscape - unlike those made with concrete that are dark, cold, dirty, and that no one ends up using. The structure should be a very simple design and more people friendly. A proper waste management system should be designed to suit the community(s) and it must be environmentally safe.
The final structures would also need to be built mainly using local materials, because of budget and for aesthetic purposes (i.e. adobe walls, eucalyptus poles, faja (straw) roofs.)
The structures may be built using 'faena' labour - that is, that all members of the community working together for several days until the structures were completed.
The successful applicant(s) should have some experience working in rural and remote environments and be prepared to spend considerable amounts of time in the communities in the planning stages.
This would make a great student or group project. This project would involve an assessment / study of the community and its environmental factors before construction starts. TOP is open to project proposals from groups or universities.
If you are interested in any of our volunteer positions please contact Ariana Svenson at
ariana@threadsofperu.com to discuss which position you are interested in. If the position is open, you will be given an application form, which you will fill out online and sumbit for approval.
Volunteer cost:
Threads of Peru charges a fee of $50 per week for most volunteer placements. NOTE: This fee does not include accommodations & living expenses - please refer to our website for detailed information on expenses.
http://www.threadsofperu.com/get-involved/volunteer/
Please contact us about group rates. While we realize that you will be contributing your time and knowledge, we are a small organization, and it takes people, time, and effort to provide you with amble and valuable support for your volunteer position.
In exchange for this fee we will provide:
- Airport pickup (if required)
- Initial meeting with Director of Threads of Peru designed to give an overview of company, projects, and briefing on cultural norms in Peru.
- Volunteer Information package on arrival.
- Assistance in locating appropriate accommodation.
- Assistance in locating discounted Spanish classes.
- All costs covered in regards to making field trips with ToP.
- Personalised reference.
- 1-2 weekly meetings with the appropriate staff, to discuss the direction of your project.
Volunteer types:
In all cases, we are looking for self directed, independent volunteers who will be comfortable working unsupervised and only partially directed in a foreign environment. As each of the positions includes visits to remote communities, you should have reasonable physical fitness and be prepared to camp (or stay in people's very basic houses) at high altitude, in cold and harsh conditions.
Note: If you have an idea for a volunteer placement, project or study please contact us with a proposal. If your project proposal is in line with our goals, we'll gladly organize your efforts.
