Juan Carlos Olivo
Co-Founder/Director
Hometown: Chimbote, Peru
Nobody knows Peru and its people better than Juan Carlos, a Peruvian who grew up in a hardworking middle class neighborhood in Chimbote (Northern Peru). And he has had the opportunity to live in different cities and has witnessed first hand the Peruvian reality of many people in need. Although Chimbote is one of the less touristy cities in Peru and he was born in Lima, Juan Carlos feels so proud to be Chimbotano.
Juan Carlos left his hometown and spent over 6 and a half years traveling, living, working, and volunteering all around his country (Lima, Ica, Cusco, Ayacucho, Huancayo, Trujillo, Chiclayo, Piura, etc.). During this time, he developed a strong interest in volunteerism and
tourism promotion, and how these factors impact local and global
development.
In 1999, Juan Carlos began to visit more than 100 Peruvian high schools
and universities to promote sandboarding as a tourist resource in
Peru. In addition, he filled various other roles, including photographer,
preschool teacher, tourist guide, and manager of the first local tourism
office in his hometown.
Juan Carlos emigrated to the US in August of 2005. He landed in the Boston area, where he continued to volunteer for different non-profit agencies and improve his English skills in the process. In 2006, he moved to Great Barrington, MA, where he became a part of the
community of Bard College at Simon's Rock as a Residence Director, being part of the Student Life staff was the most amazing learning experience for him and a big reason to lead now the Peru 109 programs with University students in a very familiar way.
During the next two years as a Resident Director, Juan Carlos led the Spanish Conversation Club, and got his winter exercise by
heading up the Ski and Snowboard Club. He also co-lead Alternative Spring Break
programs in New York City (Bronx's Soup Kitchen), Mexico (Orphanage in San Miguel de Allende - Guanajuato), as well as a summer program in Peru. In 2008, he
moved to Vermont where he started Peru 109 LLC. As today, December 2010, Juan Carlos lives in Cusco (The Incan City) to be able to devote his full energy to volunteer programs with his organization.
As the Director of Peru 109, Juan Carlos designs all independent, college, and family volunteering options, and personally leads the group community projects. He also arranges staff and volunteer travel, as well as coordinates our host families, language classes, and tourism activities. JC is proud to be considered Peru 109's unofficial webmaster and videographer! His interests include visit Machu Picchu at least twice a year, cooking "ceviche" and eating seafood as much as he can, and hosting people from all around the world through the Couchsurfing Project....check it out!
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