Guatemala
In Guatemala it is possible to live in a modern environment yet experience the magic and enchantment of a legendary past.
By volunteering in Guatemala you can experience the warmth and hospitality of its people, the richness of its culture and the contrast of its development. Immerse yourself in the culture by living with a host family as a welcome family member. And, study Spanish in one-to-one classes before beginning your volunteer service.
Guatemala is located in the western part of Central America, bounded on the west and north by Mexico, on the east by Belize and the Gulf of Honduras, on the southeast by Honduras and El Salvador, and on the south by the Pacific Ocean. It is possible to have breakfast at sunrise in the Caribbean and observe sunset at the Pacific Ocean! About two-third of the country's total land area is mountainous. Guatemala possesses a striking topography and a wide range of climates-from hot, low-lying rain forests to cold mountains reaching 4,220 meters in elevation. The country is home to a wealth of biodiversity and natural beauty which is partially what has made it a popular destination. You will find cloud forests echoing with the calls of howler monkeys; crisp, scenic crater lakes; mangroves and beaches, and dusty deserts, all within a country of 42,000 square miles.
Guatemala is a very diverse country with 24 languages and cultures; the official language is Spanish. There are 21 different Mayan languages, plus Garifona (Caribbean) and Xinka (Eastern).
Today over 80% of the Guatemalan population lives below the poverty line.
When you join one of our community service projects you are giving yourself the opportunity to make a difference by:
- Sharing your culture and education with youth groups in a rural village.
- Helping to preserve the environment as part of an environmental education/ ecotourism project.
- Contributing to small business projects for rural women and youth groups.
- Educating and providing emotional support for disabled children.
Projects
There are many organisations working in areas where the literacy rate is low, such as in rural highlands and in some Mayan populations. Providing education to this sector of Guatemalan society will help them achieve their dreams for a better future.
SEMILLAS DE AYUDA. Seeds of Help is a local organisation located in Chiantla, Huehuetenango (1.5 hours from the Mexican border). Their aim is to support rural communities in Chiantla and neighbouring communities through training, education, and low cost materials for their intergral development. They have different projects such as : nutrition, literacy, working with youth groups, organic gardening, appropriate technology, health.
WOMEN'S OFFICE AT THE MUNICIPALITY OF PACHALUM. The municipality of Pachalum (Quiché), through the 'oficina de la mujer', implements different projects to improve living conditions of women in Pachalum and neighbouring villages. Projects they are implementing are:
- Training workshops on handicrafts, clothing, cooking, nutrition, ceramics, etc.
- Business training
- Presentations and forums on home violence, leadership, women's rights, and citizen participation
- Health journeys, medical consultations, health talks, and community diagnosis on women's conditions
- Centre for handicapped children.
Social and Welfare services
Organisations that cater to the most disadvantaged in society are always in need of volunteers. Placements are available in projects such as day-care centres for children of single mothers and respite centres for the disabled. Volunteers must be patient, caring and able to cope with difficult or distressing situations.
ADISA (Association for the Disabled in Santiago Atitlan) is located in the western part of Guatemala. They work in the following areas: vocational training, early stimulation, home visits (emotional support, working with parents, and teaching), and physiotherapy. Volunteers may work in one or several of these areas depending on their interests and skill levels.
Hogares Comunitarios (Community Homes) is a project run by the government of Guatemala in different parts of the country. It is a day care centre for very poor children whose parents have alcohol problems or are single parents. On average, there are 12 children per project from infants to 6 years old. The project is usually in the house of a family. The mother with a helper is in charge of cleaning, cooking, educating and care of the children. Children receive 2 meals per day, breakfast and lunch, and 2 snacks.
A teacher comes once a week to teach the children and to assess the volunteers on the teaching programme for the week. Even though there is a teacher once a week who comes to the project to teach the children and coordinate the programme, it is very important for volunteers to take initiative, to be creative and organize games for the children. (Note: not all the “Hogares Comunitarios” receive the visit from a teacher) Volunteers can also help with the chores of the house, such as: cleaning, cooking, bathing the children, etc.
Environment
Guatemala is one of the region's most environmentally diverse countries, but many natural habitats are being destroyed by deforestation and desertification. Conservation projects have been established to slow down environmental degradation in protected areas, municipal nature reserves, and other areas where natural resources are particularly threatened (especially rainforests and cloud-forests). The rapid environmental deterioration and depletion of Guatemala's natural resources is undermining its rich biodiversity and limiting its potential for economic development. Volunteers who are physically fit and enjoy the outdoors are needed to assist in many of these conservation projects.
MUNICIPALITY OF SAN CARLOS SIJA, QUETZALTENANGO; MUNICIPALITY OF MAGDALENA MILPAS ALTAS, SACATEPEQUEZ;
MUNICIPALITY OF ALOTENANGO, SACATEPEQUEZ.
The environmental offices of these municipalities are promoting the conservation of protected forests through an ecotourism project. The volunteer will be assisting the planning office on:
- Creation of promotion materials for tourists
- Supporting the general plan for the projects through new ideas for marketing/tourist services/promotional efforts, etc
- Helping with the construction of environmental trails
- Helping with signs/posters for tourist information.
Small Business
27% of the Guatemalan population lives in extreme poverty, especially in rural areas. Unemployment in these areas is high, particularly for women and young people. Volunteers can bring a new perspective and knowledge to the beneficiaries of these programmes.
WOMEN'S COOPERATIVES. These are cooperatives of indigenous women formed mainly by widows from the civil war. They use the traditional back strap loom to produce typical textiles. Volunteers can assist them with marketing strategies, advertisement, design, and business administration.
MICROENTERPRISE NGOs: NGOs in this sector provide micro credits, training and business advice to small entrepreneurs to better manage their businesses. Volunteers with background in economics, marketing, business administration can help the strengthening of their services
Health
Project Utszamaj in Tecpan, is about 3 hours from the capital to the west. This indigenous organisation aims to provide medical assistance to poor people who are unable to afford medical care. Volunteers with a medical background are particularly needed but non trained volunteers can assist on a range of daily duties. Volunteers can also be working with rural health posts from the Ministry of Health.
Other possible projects include: Agricultural cooperatives, Municipal development, Appropriate technology, Organic gardening and English teaching.
Programme details
Arrival and Orientation
Upon arrival of your flight in Guatemala City, you will be met and welcomed at the airport by our partner, INLEX. From the airport, you are transported to Antigua to have an orientation regarding:
- The country (geography, people, traditions/customs, services, currency, etc).
- Health and security measures.
- Transportation system.
- Staff to contact in case of emergencies.
- Procedures regarding classes and volunteer work.
- Home stay.
You will also receive an orientation packet covering the points discussed and other useful information. Later on during the first days at your Spanish school you will have a more specific orientation to your town and language programme.
On the following day you will be taken to the Spanish Centre you have selected. The options are: APPE in Antigua colonial city) or Arts and language in Coban or Tactic (two locations in the northern part of the country).
Inlex will arranged for you to live with a Guatemalan family throughout your language training and your service. The goals of living with local families are: 1) to help your understanding of the culture of Guatemala; and 2) to strengthen your Spanish language skills.
Your home stay family has been given an orientation to learn about the programme in detail; the roles and responsibilities of the families, volunteer and Inlex; cultural differences between your country and Guatemala; Trainee health and sanitation issues; logistics and arrangements for the home stays.
Your host family will be an important part of your overall volunteer experience. Periodically, a staff member will visit you and your family to discuss your upcoming goals and objectives; to examine how the home stay is working out; and to address any issues or concerns you or your family may have.
Your home stay family has been asked to provide you with three meals per day. All families receive a stipend to help cover food and living expenses.
You will formally evaluate the home stay programme twice during the training programme.
Informal feedback on home stays will be solicited throughout training by the Host Family Coordinator.
Following language training, you will join your host project to begin your volunteer service in different parts of the country according to your assignment. Your volunteer service can last 2-10 months (or more) depending on your selection and type of project. For your volunteer assignment you will also be placed with a local family.
Requirements
Age: 18 +
Costs for 2012
| Duration | Cost |
|---|---|
| 8 weeks | US$ 1975 |
| 12 weeks | US$ 2300 |
| 16 weeks | US$ 2625 |
| 20 weeks | US$ 2950 |
| 24 weeks | US$ 3275 |
Please note, due to fluctuations in the exchange rate prices are given in US$. A price will be quoted in £ sterling on application.
What is included in the cost of the programme
- Accommodations with a host family plus 2 meals per day.
- Language training: 40 hours of individual Spanish classes in Antigua (colonial city) or Cobán/Tactic (north of the country). Extra tuition available USD $100 per 20 hours.
- Participation in cultural activities.
- On call support throughout the service.
- Coordination with the host country organisation of volunteer service.
- Transportation to language school and volunteer project siteOptional visits to archeological and colonial sites (additional cost).
- Orientation to volunteer work.
- Welcome at airport.
What is not included in the cost of the programme
- International transportation.
- Transfer back from project at end of programme.
- Airport/exit taxes.
- Health & accident insurance.
- Personal expenses.
Stories
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