Project Leaders
Childcare volunteering program in Peru

Dom Williams - Latin America Projects Director

After gaining a degree from the University of Northumbria, United Kingdom, Dom spent 4 years investigating, researching and travelling South America, finally settling for Guatemala where he has lived since 2000. Dom says “Central America, and Guatemala in particular is one of the last really unexplored, exploreable regions on earth”. Dom and Doreen set up their first Indigenous project in San Andrés Itzapa, Guatemala in 2003 and due to the success and advances made, they have set up further Indigenous projects in Guatemala, Peru, Ecuador and Honduras with the help of local community leaders.

Chris Dales - Project Intern

Chris graduated from Swansea University in 2008 with a degree in Politics with Philosophy and Economics. After leaving university, he worked for a children's sports camp as a site manager before becoming a Production Editor for Oxford University Press. He then left to come and volunteer with GVI on the Phoenix project in Guatemala in 2009. After 2 fantastic months in Antigua, including completing the 2009 Central American Volcano challenge to raise money for the project, Chris went to volunteer in the project in Esteli, Nicaragua for a month. After spending 3 months on the Phoenix project in Ecuador, after extending from the original 6 weeks, and being inspired by the work being done, he has decided to stay on as an Intern with the Peru project.

Phomolo Tshaka - Project Manager

After working in I.T in her native S.A and the U.K, Phomolo signed up for a 6 month volunteering stint in Peru and never looked back. She has worked on GVI projects in Honduras and Peru and loved every minute.

Rene Fernandez - GVI Transport Driver

Rene has been with us since the start and is in charge of our transport to Maldonado and Triunfo and all our market runs. He is born and bred Arequipeño. He is a fundamental part of the team, always there when we need him!

Hemenegilda Quispe Arias - Quechua Teacher and teacher in Triunfo

“Gilda” hails from Puno and now lives in Manuel Prado, Paucarpata, Arequipa. She teaches the 3rd and 4th grades in Triunfo and also teaches the Quechua classes to the children. Again, she has been an important part of our work in Triunfo.

Elizabeth Mendoza Boza - Quechua teacher and teacher in Triunfo

Elizabeth Mendoza Boza, was born in Santo Tomás, Cusco, was educated in the Instituto Superior Santa Rosa and and now lives in Jesús María, Paucarpata, Arequipa. She teaches the 1st and 2nd grades in Triunfo and is employed by GVI Phoenix to give Quechua classes to all the children. She has been fundamental in our work in Triunfo since the start.

Katherine Liliana Jesús Valencia - Kindergarten Assistant, Triunfo

Katherine is from Triunfo, and we employ her as the kindergarten assistant. She has worked with us for some time and has a great knack with the little ones. She is also currently studying textiles at Instituto Superior Senati.

Luz María Diez Grande - Cook in Triunfo

Luz María Diez Grande, originally from Puno, is employed by GVI Phoenix as the cook in Triunfo. She has worked with us for some years and always tries to be different with her meals. Without her, the children wouldn’t receive their food.

Katrien Van Der Schueren - Project Intern

Katrien graduated university in 2010 with a degree in psychology from Belgium. Since finishing high school she has worked with children in some capacity so she was very excited when she found out about the opportunities available through GVI she was very excited to get on board. After her stint as a volunteer in Peru in 2008 she returned as an intern. She has since worked on the GVI project in Nicaragua. She is now back in Peru and hopes to continue her involvement with GVI.