Details

Requirements

All our volunteers must be at least eighteen years old on their starting date of any program, unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian. They must have full travel insurance and an intermediate level of Spanish language skills. Volunteers with just a basic level of this language can participate in certain projects but taking Spanish lessons

Those volunteers participating in the Medical internships must have an intermediate to advanced level of Spanish language skills and some previous medical experience.

Volunteers with some expertise or previous experience on the field of their chosen project is highly valued, but what we value most in our volunteers is a sincere willingness to help those who are in need and to be responsible, proactive, positive and compassionate.

Our Guatemala programs minimum duration is two weeks and there is no maximum duration limit.

Since our orientation sessions begin on Friday mornings, we prefer that volunteers arrive to the country on a Thursday.

Location and duration

Our Guatemala programs minimum duration is two weeks and there is no maximum duration limit.

Since our orientation sessions begin on Friday mornings, we prefer that volunteers arrive to the country on a Thursday.

Most programs are located in Antigua and the surrounding areas, but there are placements in many other places around the country.

Orientation

On their first day in Guatemala our volunteers will be taken on a tour in and around the city, receive all the basic information about the local customs and traditions, their host families and the programs rules and regulations. This will allow them to have an insight of the cultural and historical highlights of the country. They will be taken to their projects placements and introduced to the local staff they will be working with.

The local coordinator in charge of this orientation will also fill them in with basic safety tips and provide them with some travel advice.

This is the ideal moment for volunteers to clear out any remaining doubts and also a good opportunity to exchange money, buy sim phone cards, get acquainted among themselves and exchange contact details for future outings together.

Accommodation and meals

Accommodation in Guatemala is provided by local host families carefully chosen by our local team and with plenty of experience in hosting international guests. These homestays are located in a very nice and safe neighborhood just a few minutes away from the projects placements.

Our programs include daily breakfast and dinner at the volunteer’s homestay. Guatemalan food is well renowned for its delicious flavour combinations and the typical meals usually include some beans, corn and chillies. An example of a traditional dish is Tamale: a starchy corn-based dough wrapped in a leaf and steamed. Volunteers must also treat themselves with the famous Guatemalan sweets, based on condensed milk and filled with nuts, fruit and honey, considered to be a delicacy.

Living with a local family is always the best way to get a deep insight of the local culture and lifestyle, and Guatemalans are known to be very hospitable, warm and friendly.

Working Schedule

Volunteers tasks and schedules will vary from project to project, but a working week will usually start on Monday and end or Friday; leaving the weekends free for relaxing, socializing, sightseeing and travelling.

We try to be as flexible as possible and allow volunteers to take a long weekend now and then, on special request and with notice given well in advanced. Yet volunteers must be aware that most of our projects depend greatly on their assistance and that they have a responsibility towards the people involved in their program.

A typical weekday may look something like this:

Between 7:00 and 8:30 AM you’ll have breakfast at your homestay.

Depending on the project you’re volunteering at, work can take place either in the morning or the afternoon, or for those Teaching English or involved in extracurricular activities some working hours in the evenings can also be required. So you may work four to five hours either in the morning or afternoon, or up to six hour throughout the day.

Evenings are free and you can take Spanish lessons, go out with friends, have dinner at home with your host family or go to a restaurant.

Weekends are free and they are the ideal time to go sightseeing and exploring the many tourists’ attractions with your new friends.

Weekends are the occasion to explore the capital city and its cafes and restaurants, or to just stay home and relax. Of course we recommend you to go to La antigua or to climb a volcano. An occasional long weekend can sometimes be arranged and it is worth going on a short trip to the Mayan ruins of Tikal or to visit the Chichicastenango.