Volunteering and donating for positive change in Peru

September 12, 2017
Rick Vecchio
Family Travel, Travel Tips

Travelers are increasingly mindful of the need for Responsible Tourism and the positive impact they can have with a little forethought and effort in planning their trip.

But visiting travel philanthropy projects, or “voluntourism” by well-meaning travelers and holiday-makers poses some serious challenges. If not carefully thought through and managed, such visits risk being exploitative, voyeuristic or patronizing, diminishing the value of the encounter between two, very often, unequal groups.

Fertur Peru Travel’s goal is always to develop sustainable tourism opportunities that help local economies while minimizing negative environmental and cultural impacts. We actively support several charities and non-profit social programs.

There are thousands of volunteer opportunities to work with worthy non-profit organizations dedicated to improving the lives of Peru’s most vulnerable people.

We have created a section of our blog called Communities & Caring dedicated to the organizations and non-profit programs that Siduith and I believe in because we personally know the people who, through their own drive, courage and determination, stepped forward to make positive change in their communities.

Click here to read more, and don’t hesitate to Contact Us if you have any questions.

volunteer opportunities in Peru

Rick Vecchio

Rick Vecchio, Fertur's director of development and marketing, was educated at the New School for Social Research and Columbia Graduate School of Journalism. He worked for Pacifica Radio WBAI and as a daily reporter for newspapers in New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts. Then in 1996, he decided it was time to realize a life-long dream of traveling to Peru. He never went back.

While serving as Peru country manager for the South American Explorers from 1997-1999, he fell in love with Fertur's founder, Siduith Ferrer, and they married. Over the next six years, he worked as a correspondent for The Associated Press. Meanwhile, Siduith built the business, which he joined in January 2007.

Now he designs custom educational and adventure tour packages for corporate and institutional clients, oversees Fertur's Internet platform and occasionally leads special trips, always with an eye open for a good story to write about.