Volunteers help communities in earthquake-shaken Peru

Urubamba, Peru, Sept. 4, 2007 - Despite the recent atrocities caused by a 5.9 earthquake last month, Projects Abroad volunteers remain committed to serving local communities in Peru. The earthquake was felt in Projects Abroad's main region of operation, the Sacred Valley.

Volunteers are working in hospitals in the ancient Incan capital of Cusco and helping children in day care centers around the Sacred Valley. Pre-med and first-year medical students have been observing surgeries and going on rounds with doctors while medical students in their third and fourth year are carrying out more advanced tasks. Other volunteers have been tending children in kindergartens, daycare centers and students in special needs schools.

Many volunteers working in Peru with Projects Abroad have been deeply impacted by their experiences and feel the need to do more good throughout the world. Past Project Abroad volunteers who worked in Peru have gone on to raise money for charities by walking the Great Wall of China, hiking in Morocco, and helping in the Czech Republic.

"I loved the language, the people and their attitude towards life. It was an amazing experience in which I had many adventures that I long to relive," recalls Projects Abroad alumni, Katherine Shirtcliffe.

About Projects Abroad

Projects Abroad is an international volunteering organization. Annually, Projects Abroad sends over 3,500 volunteers to developing countries around the world. The organization offers 150 general placements in 21 countries.

Anyone 16 and older can participate on programs. Volunteers come from all around the world - about half are from the United Kingdom with the remaining 50 percent comprising of Americans, Canadians, Dutch, French, Germans, Australians and other nationalities. Regionally, operations are in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America. The projects run all year round, allowing volunteers choose their own start and end dates. For more information on Projects Abroad, visit http://www.projects-abroad.org.

For interviews with volunteers, and other information please contact Kelsy Nelson at 1-888-839-3535 ext. 103 or kelsynelson@projects-abroad.org.