otra_cosa

INTERVIEW WITH VOLUNTEER - SARAH NIELSEN -TEACHING PROGRAM

Sun, 05 Apr 2020 09:44:44 GMT

Tell us a little about Otra Cosa and your role at the company.

Otra Cosa Network was founded in 2004 by a Dutch couple who, from their vegetarian restaurant, developed a small, low-cost volunteering agency that supported a few local projects. In 2007, our current directors, Peter and Juany Murphy, took over the organisation and now run it from England with the assistance of our on-site Operations Manager Alton Germain and Assistant Manager Laura Hoskins. Otra Cosa Network works with several different Peruvian charities and organisations to which we send willing and capable volunteers. Otra Cosa Network also has its own projects, HELP (Huanchaco Education and Learning Program) projects, started by volunteers who saw opportunites in helping the local community in Huanchaco in different ways. Most of the projects supported by Otra Cosa Network are supporting children and communities through teaching but we also work with projects supporting community health, animals, organic farming, etc.

I have been working with Otra Cosa Network for a little over 2 months now. I am working on my master's degree in Development and International Relations in Denmark and I am doing a 6-month internship in Peru with Otra Cosa Network. I work in the office along with our operations manager, assistant manager and a few other volunteers and interns. My work mostly consist of online marketing, trying to recruit more volunteers in order to make it possible for Otra Cosa to keep supporting their current projects and expand their projects to support a larger part of the local community. I also introduce newly arrived volunteers to the work of Otra Cosa and life in Huanchaco, Peru. Otra Cosa is a small NGO which means that everyone in the office is involved in a lot of different tasks on a day-to-day basis and we are mostly working on our own initiative as a lot of faith is put in our abilities and passion to help Otra Cosa Network have more of an impact on the local community and help the people here who need it.

How did you get involved in the volunteer industry?

I am very new to the volunteering industry as I am still a student. I study Development and International Relations at university in Denmark and as part of my study program I am doing an internship this semester (my 2nd semester of my master's studies). As a student of development, working with an NGO is highly relevant and interesting as I get to see how development work is carried out in practice.

Until now, my experience and knowledge of development work was purely theoretical from my work at university. So far, it has definitely shown me how volunteering can play a big part in helping a community develop and how organisations like Otra Cosa Network can make a difference in the lives of people who due to less fortunate socio-economic circumstances can benefit greatly from a little help of generous volunteers.

What makes Otra Cosa unique?

Otra Cosa is unique in a several different ways. First of all, we offer low-cost volunteering opportunities. We do not believe in charging excessive amounts for enthusiastic people eargerly wanting to help out by volunteering at worthwhile projects in Peru. Our location also makes us unique. A lot of volunteering organisations working out of Peru are located in the Southern part of the country (mainly Cusco) but Otra Cosa is located in Northern Peru and working with a lot of local projects.

This brings me to another area that makes Otra Cosa unique. We have a very broad range of volunteer projects. We do not just work with English teaching, animal care or health care. We offer many different types of projects which makes us attractive to a wide range of volunteers with different interests.

In your experience, what characteristics make a good international volunteer?

A good international volunteer is first of all open-minded. Working and living in a completely different culture can be an overwhelming experience but with an open mind and a lot of patience, it can be a life-changing experience. It is also important to be flexible. Tasks can change from day-to-day and working life in a different country can be very different from what you're used to back home. Other important characteristics are motivated, creative and hard-working.

What does the future hold for Otra Cosa?

Otra Cosa is always working on recruiting more volunteers to keep supporting the projects we are already working with. It is also of great importance to us to be able to expand our projects and find new ways to help the local community. Our volunteers have many great ideas as how to improve and develop our projects and it is our goal to be able to do this.

VOLUNTEER INTERVIEW - JULIE JELIAZOVSKI - ENVIROMENT PROGRAM

Sun, 05 Apr 2020 09:20:18 GMT

Why did you choose this program?

When I decided to go volunteering abroad, I didn't have a country in mind; I just wanted to participate in a project related to the environment. That's how I started to browse the internet, looking for NGOs that I could join, and I stumbled on a website listing South American organizations. As soon as I read about Otra Cosa, I knew I wanted to go there, and my email exchanges with the staff confirmed it - it's a very well organized NGO, with some very interesting projects and the staff and volunteers make a great team to work and live with.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

Otra Cosa helps their volunteers to find good accommodation depending on personal preferences, and the volunteer coordinator even came to pick me up when I arrived at the local airport in Trujillo. We went on a tour of the town so I could get used to the area, and the staff is really available in case you need any help. Volunteers have to book their flights on their own, but as I said before if you need some advice on bus companies or safety for example, someone will be there to answer you.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

The first thing I think about when someone asks me "What would you do differently?" is my suitcase. I packed way too many things, and I ended up not using half of them. Plus it would have been much easier to travel around with a smaller bag. But it was my first time traveling this far and for such a program, so now I know better and can tell others about it!

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Volunteers at Otra Cosa are asked to work for around 20 hours a week, but there is no definite schedule as it depends on the projects: sometimes you will have a few workshops planned, other days you have to prepare events, so it's on your own schedule. It really is variable, which means you can also arrange it most of the time if you want to go participate in other projects like I did: teaching English in school or helping with the after school program, for example. You can also fit in surf lessons, or go to the market ... As long as your work is done and you put in the hours, there's quite a lot of freedom!

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

I was a bit scared because Peru is not famous for being super safe, and my Spanish was far from good when I arrived, but in the end I never once felt threatened and everyone is helpful despite the language issues. So don't be scared (I'm not saying to be foolish either, far from it, but being terrified will make your experience much less enjoyable) and just go for it. You won't regret it! And if you really struggle with the language, then you can always take classes once in the country, and you can easily find another tourist or someone who speaks English to help you.

HOW TO MAKE MOST OUT OF YOUR VOLUNTEERING EXPERIENCE

Mon, 22 Apr 2019 07:19:32 GMT

HOW TO MAKE MOST OUT OF YOUR VOLUNTEERING EXPERIENCE

Being a volunteer is always a unique experience. Why? Because your experience is what you create, what you make out of your opportunities. You are responsible to have a great, enriching and life-changing time as a volunteer. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the options within the world of volunteering or this is the first time you are visiting a developing country all alone, then let me give you some tips on how to make the most out of your volunteering experience and some insights into volunteer-life at OCN!