PolicIES

Finalising placement

Peru's Challenge will confirm volunteer placement via email with an attached Agreement and Release form. The Peru's Challenge Volunteer Manager will also be in contact to discuss your position as a Volunteer. Volunteer has two weeks to pay the non-refundable deposit to secure the placement with delivery of the Agreement and Release form. The form must be faxed to +51 84 272 508.

Volunteer should advise Peru's Challenge via email when the deposit has been transferred so they can be attributed to his or her placement. The remainder of the placement fee (via travellers cheques) is due within seven days after arrival in Cuzco, Peru. If the full placement fee is not received by Peru's Challenge within seven days after arrival in Cuzco, Peru, Volunteer’s placement may be immediately terminated.

Application forms received less than 90 days prior to the scheduled arrival date will be accepted at the sole discretion of Peru's Challenge.

If Volunteer intends to fundraise on behalf of Peru's Challenge to cover Volunteer placement fee or to raise additional funds, Volunteer must check within Volunteer's local area as to whether Volunteer can fundraise for a not-for-profit organisation. If Volunteer is from Australia, Volunteer will need to contact the Department of Gaming and Racing and apply for an 'Authority to Fundraise'. Volunteer can also speak with the local Rotary or Lions Club to see if they would be interested in hosting the fundraising drive.

Volunteer’s responsibility for costs, third party suppliers

The placement fee for the "Complete volunteer & tour package" covers airport transfers in Lima, accommodation for two nights at Miraflores, Lima, one-way flight from Lima to Cuzco (not including airfare departure charges/taxes and excess baggage), airport transfer in Cuzco to Volunteer house, tours, Spanish classes, accommodation, administrative expenses, and project and placement costs, as described in the Volunteer Package.

The placement fee for the "Volunteer only package" covers airport transfer in Cuzco to Volunteer house, Spanish classes, accommodation, administrative expenses, and project and placement costs, as described in the Volunteer Package.

The placement fee for the "Family Volunteer package" covers airport transfers in Lima, accommodation for one night at Miraflores, Lima, one-way flight from Lima to Cuzco (not including airfare departure charges/taxes and excess baggage), airport transfer in Cuzco to Volunteer house, tours, Spanish classes, accommodation, administrative expenses, and project and placement costs, as described in the Family Volunteer Package.

Without limiting any other obligations or responsibilities of Volunteer, Volunteer is responsible for 1) other transport to and from Cuzco, Peru including flights and other transport, accommodation, transfers (including airfare departure charges/taxes and excess baggage), 2) his or her food, 3) travel/medical insurance and innoculations, 4) any costs incurred during free-time, personal time or on activities which are outside the Peru's Challenge placement, 5) any costs for additional tours, and 6) any costs incurred should Volunteer choose to remain past the time scheduled for the Peru's Challenge placement.  

If Volunteer is joining the "Complete volunteer & tour package", Peru’s Challenge will organise and book Volunteer flight from Lima to Cuzco, the cost of which is covered by the placement fee.  Peru's Challenge will book this flight for Volunteer one month prior to Volunteer's placement start date. Volunteer must send Peru's Challenge their arrival details into Lima at least one month prior to Volunteer placement start date. If for any reason Volunteer flight into Lima changes after this time, and as a result the flight to Cuzco has to be cancelled, Volunteer will forfeit the booking Peru's Challenge have made for Volunteer. Peru's Challenge can book Volunteer another flight Lima-Cuzco, however Volunteer must pay for this on arrival in Cuzco. If the change in flights is due to no fault of Volunteer, then Volunteer should be able to recover the cost of the flight through personal travel insurance. 

If Volunteer has not finalised their non-refundable deposit, certain inclusions may be unattainable such as the four-day Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu and other tours. Volunteer is automatically booked on a four-day Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu. If Volunteer wants to change the booking to the two-day train tour to Machu Picchu, Volunteer must inform Peru's Challenge 90 days prior to the placement start date. If notification of change or cancellation of the four-day Inca Trail booking is given less than 90 days prior to the placement start date, Volunteer must pay a US$180 cancellation fee. There is no cost difference between the four-day trek and the two-day train ride option.

Peru's Challenge is not responsible for the acts or failures of anyone who provides goods and services in connection with Volunteer’s participation in Peru's Challenge placement, and Peru's Challenge is not responsible for any costs or loss that Volunteer may incur because of delays or losses caused by any third party including any, airline, other transportation or car rental company, travel agent, hotel, restaurant, medical facility or other companies providing goods and services, regardless of who arranged or paid for such goods and services.  In addition, Peru's Challenge is not responsible for any costs or loss that Volunteer may incur because of any act or failure to act by any governmental entity, including any delay or change of travel plans caused by any action by any governmental entity.  

Acknowledgment and release

Under the placement, Volunteer will participate in activities that will be outside Volunteer’s country of residence. Volunteer should exercise extra care for his or her own person and belongings.  Volunteer acknowledges that he or she has informed himself or herself of the conditions in Peru and the locations where Volunteer will be participating in the Peru's Challenge placement.

Volunteer understands that Peru's Challenge is a charitable organisation and recognises that participation in the placement is voluntary. Volunteer recognises that there are inherent risks that Volunteer must assume when he or she participates in a Peru's Challenge placement.  Volunteer acknowledges that in the course of Volunteer’s participation in a Peru's Challenge placement, including travel to, from and during the placement, Volunteer may encounter difficult conditions and may be subjected to hazards and risks, foreseen and unforeseen and Volunteer accepts those risks.

Volunteer releases Peru's Challenge, its personnel, agents, affiliates, staff and directors to any and all liability claims, of any type or description including those with respect to any injury or losses, including personal injury, sickness, disease, death or damage to person or property, whether arising from ordinary negligence or otherwise, and whether involving fees, expenses, or damages of any kind, of Volunteer or the estate of Volunteer. In the event that some other person or entity seeks compensation for claims as to which Volunteer has released Peru's Challenge from liability by executing this Agreement and Release, Volunteer or his or her estate will indemnify and hold harmless Peru's Challenge for all sums incurred in response to such claims. 

Cancellation and refund

Peru's Challenge reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject a Volunteer at any time prior to scheduled arrival date, or to cancel the Peru's Challenge placement in which Volunteer is scheduled to participate.  In the event of such a cancellation or rejection, the total amount paid by Volunteer to Peru's Challenge will be refunded excluding the non-refundable deposit for the volunteer placement. Other than such refund, Peru's Challenge is not liable to Volunteer for any other refund, costs, interest, liability or damages of any kind.

If Volunteer cancels his or her placement for any reason at any time, Volunteer must notify Peru's Challenge via email. The cancellation will be effective upon receipt by Peru's Challenge of the email to: volunteer@peruschallenge.com. 

Peru's Challenge incurs administrative and planning costs prior to the scheduled departure date of Volunteer.  Therefore, if Volunteer cancels his or her participation in the Peru's Challenge placement, funds paid by Volunteer to Peru's Challenge will be refunded only as set forth below.

• The non-refundable deposit for the volunteer placement will not be refunded.  Volunteer may apply the deposit to another Peru's Challenge placement scheduled to commence within 12 months of the scheduled arrival date, subject to space availability. 
• If the cancellation is effective more than 60 days prior to the scheduled arrival date, the placement fee paid, less the deposit will be refunded. 
• If the cancellation is effective between 60 days and 43 days prior to the scheduled arrival date, 75% of the placement fee, less the deposit, will be refunded. 
• If the cancellation is effective between 42 and 29 days prior to the scheduled arrival date, 50% of the placement fee, less the deposit, will be refunded. 
• If the cancellation is effective within 28 days prior to the scheduled arrival date, 25% of the placement fee, less the deposit, will be refunded. 
• No portion of the placement fee is refundable if the cancellation is received on or after the scheduled arrival date.
• After the scheduled arrival date no unused portions of the placement fee are refundable.

Volunteer is solely responsible for any travel fees, charges, expenses or penalties, that might result from any cancellation of or change in Volunteer’s placement. Peru's Challenge may also cancel the Volunteer placement if Volunteer has not paid the full placement fee and faxed this signed Agreement and Release to the PC office in Peru 90 days prior to scheduled arrival date in Peru.

Not an employee of Peru's Challenge

Volunteer acknowledges that he or she is not an employee of Peru's Challenge and waives all claims and rights that Volunteer might otherwise have as an employee of Peru's Challenge.

Medical Travel Insurance and Emergency Treatment

Volunteer must provide his or her own medical/travel health insurance.  Insurance coverage must include evacuation insurance for transport to adequate health care facilities and/or Volunteer’s home.

Volunteer acknowledges that he or she has consulted with appropriate medical personnel, complied with all necessary inoculations before scheduled arrival date in Peru and has determined that his or her health is adequate to participate safely in Volunteer’s placement.

Should any medical emergency arise which precludes Volunteer’s ability to consent to emergency treatment when such authorisation is required, Peru's Challenge will endeavour to communicate with the person previously designated by Volunteer to request permission for any necessary treatment. 

If PC personnel believe, in their sole discretion, that time or circumstances do not permit such communication, Volunteer authorizes Peru's Challenge to consent on his or her behalf to any medical treatment, including all types of medical examinations, diagnosis, medication, treatment, physician or hospital care, that is deemed advisable by, and is to be rendered under the general or special supervision of any physician and surgeon. Volunteer will not hold PC responsible for actions relating to any such medical or emergency treatment and will indemnify Peru's Challenge for its actions.

Volunteer acknowledges and warrants that his or her insurance is adequate and reasonable and that all information that Volunteer has supplied concerning such insurance or Volunteer’s health is complete and accurate.  

Daily tasks

Volunteer will work at designated placement for approximately 25 hours per week. Volunteer may be asked to assist with organising fundraising events and campaigns for Peru's Challenge during some afternoons and evenings.

Volunteer may request free days away from placement but must be approved by a Peru's Challenge representative two weeks prior to date of leave. If Volunteer is sick, he or she must call or talk directly to a Peru's Challenge representative to advise of condition.

Spanish language course

Volunteer can participate in a Spanish language course at beginner, intermediate or advanced level during their placement. Each lesson is two hours long and is held at the volunteer house. All learning materials are supplied.

Volunteer house

Volunteer must respect the rights and privacy of each other Volunteer in the house. Peru's Challenge Volunteers are the only people allowed to sleep in the Volunteer house. No visitors are allowed to enter the house unless approval has been given by Peru's Challenge staff. Utility bills are covered by Volunteer placement fee to an agreed monthly limit.

All facilities and materials located in Volunteer house are property of Peru's Challenge. All damages and losses must be reported to a Peru's Challenge representative and paid for by Volunteer(s) responsible.

If Volunteer chooses to leave the placement or his or her contract is terminated, Volunteer can no longer stay at the volunteer house.

Use of volunteer’s likeness

Volunteer acknowledges and agrees that in the course of Volunteer's participation in the Peru's Challenge placement and before and after the completion of the placement, Peru's Challenge may record Volunteer's likeness or comments. 

Volunteer consents to the use of Volunteer’s likeness (whether photographed, filmed or videotaped, including, without limitation, portions of a film or videotape) and comments or any portion of such in any manner developed now or in the future, including, without limitation, fund-raising and promotional materials, advertising for television, radio, print or other media, and any other PC presentations. 

Volunteer agrees that, in connection with such use, PC, and persons acting for or on behalf of Peru's Challenge, may identify Volunteer and may identify Volunteer's first name, age, city and state/territory/other district or country of residence.

Volunteer releases, indemnifies and agrees to hold harmless Peru's Challenge, and persons acting for or on behalf of Peru's Challenge, from any liability for acts authorised under this section of the Peru's Challenge policies.

Compliance with rules and local laws and leaving the local community upon request

Volunteer will be the guest of the local community in Peru and Peru's Challenge.  Volunteer agrees to follow all applicable rules, policies and guidelines of Peru's Challenge, and any organisation that is conducting activities in which Volunteer is participating, and to abide by the laws and regulations of Peru and the local community and of Volunteer’s country of residence, and to behave in a manner that is appropriate in the local community. 

If Volunteer does not comply, at all times, with all laws and regulations and all rules, policies, and guidelines, referred to above, or does not act appropriately, or the local personnel of PC become concerned that, as a result of Volunteer’s physical health or mental condition, it may not be in the best interest of Volunteer of Peru's Challenge to continue to participate in the Peru's Challenge placement, Peru's Challenge, in its sole discretion, has the authority to require Volunteer to leave the local community, volunteer house or Peru immediately. 

Peru's Challenge personnel have Volunteer’s permission to discuss Volunteer’s situation, including Volunteer’s health, physical or mental condition, with any person, including any family member, medical personnel, school official, counsellor, or other person, and to release any information concerning Volunteer to such person, whom Peru's Challenge, in it sole discretion, believes would be advantageous or helpful to deal with any concerns that Peru's Challenge personnel may have and/or to determine whether Volunteer should remain in Peru or the local community. 

If Volunteer is required to leave Peru and local community, Volunteer is solely responsible for organising appropriate transportation. There will be no refund of the placement fee and Volunteer will be responsible for all costs incurred as a result of being required to leave Peru and the local community.

Privacy

It is the policy of Peru's Challenge to respect your privacy and security. We consider all information you may provide us to be confidential in nature and take all necessary means to protect sensitive information and will not make it available to any third party.