Ingrid from Asuncion, Paraguay

Volunteer Coordinator

A: What do you do as the volunteer coordinator?

I: I answer questions from people who are interested in coming to volunteer here. I review volunteer applications and send them to the program coordinators. Then I send the future volunteers all the pre-departure information that they need when they get here. Once they arrive I do their orientation and help them with whatever they need.

A: What’s your favorite thing about your job?

I: Meeting a bunch of new and different people.

A: How does your work with Awamaki relate to what you studied?

I: I studied anthropology and Latin American studies in college. I’m from Latin America, so I knew I wanted to come back. I want to do a masters program in international education. Ideally I would like to manage volunteers or study abroad programs in the future. So working at Awamaki is the perfect experience for that.

A: What are some of your favorite things to do in Ollanta?

I: I like to go get amazing brownies and watch people get on the train to Machu Picchu. I also read a lot. I’ll go outside and find a really cool spot and read close to the river.

A: What has been your favorite Peruvian festival?

I: I think Ollantay Raymi was awesome. There were about five hundred people all dressed up in beautiful and colorful costumes. They acted out a whole love story between Ollanta and Kusi Qoyllur in Quechua. The fact that the performance was at the ruins, an actual Inca place, was just amazing.

A: What are you going to miss the most about Ollanta when you leave?

I: The mountains and the landscape. It’s really nice to just be able to sit outside and have it be really beautiful and peaceful.