Rubén Leiva-Montoya was offered the opportunity to work in Peru through Cuso International on an agricultural project that uses his rural development experience.  A few months ago, he started working at a cocoa and coffee farmer’s cooperative with over 1,600 members.

“I am researching, doing context analysis, getting together with locals to come up with brilliant ideas and lead the writing process of their own cooperative manual. But not only that, I am putting my skills, education and experience to work into something I’m passionate about: rural development. I am also working to improve people’s livelihoods in developing countries for a better world for us, our children and future generations.”

For Rubén, working in Peru was not only an opportunity to use his skills as international development scientist but was also a way to return to Latin America, his homeland, for a year.

He said he gets as much out of this project as he is putting in. “Cuso International is helping in all great places and you really get a chance to go into communities and learn from them. You also give the most you can to improve livelihoods and contribute to these communities. It’s a great opportunity.”

You too can see and experience another part of the world while working side by side local colleagues through Cuso International’s placements in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Carribbean.  Cuso International welcomes you to read more stories about volunteers and their journey.

Learn more about volunteer placements with Cuso International.