Hi Anna! I can totally relate to you here. I am also 18, just finished college and have a place at university for 2010. But I want to do something to help people who deserve it, and escape my materialistic culture!

In relation to your parents, I have had a similar problem. I recently travelled through East and Southern Africa on a trip I booked through madventurer. It was the best time of my life, and has made me so much more confident. I did travel to Nairobi alone, and left Johannesburg alone - both places I have been told are dangerous and high in crime. However, I found that madventurer (and absolute Africa the partner company) told me everything I needed to know, and helped me prepare to the finest detail.

Because of this I would definitely advise you to travel with a group if you are alone, it is safer. Also, I probably would not have seen/done all I did if I was planning my own trip.

Like any place in the world, I found that I just had to be aware of my surroundings and not act foolishly (i.e. going out alone/at night). Of course I may have simply been lucky !

I loved the tour but regret not doing any community work or teaching, and am very interested in volunteering. Peru and South America have appealed to me for some time! Would love to get in contact if you are still thinking about going

sorry this is so long, I suck at summarising lol. Good luck with your plans!

Maddie

Hello!

My name is Anna, I'm 18 and finishing up my senior year of high school. Before going to college in the Fall of 2010, I would like to travel abroad and do some volunteer work-- in Peru in particular.

I'm going to college to become an architect, and I think getting involved in a building project through Madventurer would be very rewarding, challenging, and would provide me with some much-needed perspective.

However, I am only 18, and my parents in particular are concerned with safety.

Would you be able to provide any advice regarding my hopeful travels? What is safety like in Peru? Should I find a group to travel with? Would you advise me to wait a few years?

I really want to contribute to this organization. I live in a money-obsessed community that I often find superficial. I just want to make a difference where people really need it.

Thank you.

-Anna