Breaking Down Barriers, Reaching New Heights
Volunteer: Jade Marshall
Age: 22
From: Harrogate, North Yorkshire UK
Occupation: Student
CCS Program Site: Lima, Peru
Why did you want to volunteer abroad?
It was my gap year and I just wanted to do something great with my time…something interesting, something I’d always remember.
Why did you choose Cross-Cultural Solutions?
Well I looked on the internet and CCS seemed to be one of the companies that included everything, like the Home-Base and volunteering, and it seemed like they really looked after you, so I thought I’d try it.
What made you choose Lima, Peru?
Well, the staff at CCS said that the Home-Base in Peru was quite suitable for my ability needs. And I’ve always wanted to go to South America — Peru was somewhere that sounded good. It was really different. For my ability needs, I use a wheelchair. I took a manual wheelchair with me, so once I get into a vehicle, I can just fold it up and it’s quite light. Also the bathrooms and things like that would need handrails, and the shower. The staff was very useful and they helped with everything. If I needed a hand or something, they always helped me. And they put a ramp in the house over the one step that was there.
What was your favorite part about the experience?
I think it was definitely the volunteering side of it, because it’s really the volunteering that makes you bond with other volunteers and the community. Heading out and getting to know the local people. It really helps to know that you’re connecting with the people who actually live there.
Where did you travel during your free time?
In my free time, the second weekend me and a few other volunteers went to Huacachina. It was so beautiful. And then another time we went to another place that was close to Cusco. It was a town like Cusco, and it’s very historic. It’s in the Colca valley. I also went to Machu Picchu of course, I stayed in Cusco. I found it very easy to travel around Peru. It was very hard to arrange, but I got two people (local guides) to help me. One of them carried me and the other one carried my wheelchair, and we just went up and down Machu Picchu. So you can do it, but you’ve got to think outside the box. And I think you have to be quite determined, and open-minded. So be prepared to be like carried, and man-handled a bit.
Describe your overall experience in three words.
Eye-opening, Interesting, and Amazing
What, if anything, did you gain from your experience?
A more open-mind, and I gained confidence. Traveling on your own and having different experiences really helps you grow. It was the first time that I had lived away from home, so I definitely grew up a lot.
How was it to experience Peru with your specific ability needs?
It was very strange, because the country of Peru is not geared toward people in wheelchairs, so that means that quite a lot of people on the streets would double take. And the pavements weren’t always flat, there were dropped curbs and things like that. But the people were so nice and friendly and willing to help, so it was fine actually.
Do you have any advice for others with different ability needs thinking of volunteering abroad?
I think you definitely can do it, because I questioned whether I should go or not, and how difficult it would be. But I think it’s definitely worth it. It gives you self-confidence, I think.
