VOLUNTEERING GUATEMALA

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Would you like to make a long-term change during your time in Latin America and Children and young people in their personal development support? At our partner organization in a village near Antigua, Guatemala you can do this! In this small organization, you will look after children and young people while they learn and in their free time. And you will improve your Spanish skills along the way. You will support the After-school program and design Leisure activitiessuch as cooking courses or soccer matches.

You have the opportunity to become part of a great organization and give children access to high-quality education. You will immerse yourself in the culture of Guatemala and get to know and love a completely different side of the country. You will also experience the life of the Children and young people make friends and have experiences that you will remember for the rest of your life.

Quick Facts

Type of program
Aid and development project for children and young people
Program location
San Antonio Aguas Calientes
, Guatemala
Working hours
approx. 5 hours, Mon-Fri
Program start
Every 1st Saturday of the month
Minimum age
18 years
Language
Advanced knowledge
Prerequisites
Desire to work with children
Location
Mountains, Small town
Accommodation
Double room, Single room, Host family, Multi-bed room
Catering
Not included
Support
German-speaking contact person via WhatsApp
Internet
Mobile Internet with SIM card from WanderWorld Travel
Price
Single room
Base price 1st program: 1280,00 €
Extension month: 650,00 €
Double room
Base price 1st program: 1130,00 €
Extension month: 500,00 €
Host family
Base price 1st program: 1410,00 €
Extension month: 790,00 €
Multi-bed room
Base price 1st program: 1140,00 €
Extension month: 510,00 €

Project description

Our Youth Development Project in San Antonio Aguas Calientes, near Antigua, was founded in 2006 by Lesbi and her husband Juventino. They set up the project to provide children from their village of San Antonio Aguas Calientes with a high-quality education and at the same time strengthen their own cultural and family ties. Both are from the region themselves and belong to the indigenous community in San Antonio Aguas Calientes. Their commitment and love for the children is contagious, which is why the organization is supported by many people from all over the world. It is an inspiring project and a wonderful experience that you will never forget!

Children who attend the organization learn together, take music lessons, improve their English skills, practice computer skills, grow vegetables, share meals and give back to their community. The program is constantly expanding to meet the needs of the children, their families and the community. The unique cultural and educational program offered to the children and young people there empowers them to value and change their lives and shape their own future.

It all began with a dance course for children, in which they learned the traditional dance accompanied by the marimba and performed at small concerts. Thanks to the hard work of Lesbi and Tino, as well as many volunteers and sponsors, an organization has been built up over the years that now supports over 30 children of different ages.

In Guatemala's rural regions, there are many children who live in poor conditions and have little access to education. Most families cannot afford to send all their children to school, let alone buy books and laptops. Through donations, the organization was able to finance a small library with computers that is open to all residents of the city.

From kindergarten age, through preschool, primary and middle school to university, children and young people from the region receive support. They also receive a hot meal, after-school programs are offered, they have access to the library with computers and receive lots of love and support in all situations from the staff and volunteers.

Some students joined the organization as young children and are now graduates! These life stories and great successes motivate Lesbi and her husband, as well as many volunteers, to keep the organization growing and changing the lives of many children and young people.

In addition to homework supervision, there are many joint activities in which the volunteers also participate and help out. The children like to show visitors their marimba dances and organize concerts. Lesbi also likes to show the children and visitors Guatemalan dishes, such as how to make traditional corn tortillas. Everyone eats together on the terrace with a view of the breathtaking volcanoes.

Tasks

The project offers a variety of tasks for the volunteers - they are exciting and varied, so you will learn many new things and gain a deep insight into life in Guatemala.

At the After-school program of the organization, you support the homework supervision from Monday to Wednesday from approx. 2:00 to 5:00 pm and help the children with their studies. Every Thursday there is a cooking class with the children and every Friday is soccer or hiking day.

The organization offers children of different ages a comprehensive Support program. This means that the children and young people are supported in the areas where they need help. A total of more than 30 children and young people are currently being looked after - from kindergarten age to adulthood. There are various classes such as English, mathematics, computer courses, reading, writing and painting.

But the kids also get the opportunity to to live out creatively and develop them further. There are games, music and dance classes, sports activities and cooking and eating together.

If you are interested in Food cultivation you are welcome to help in the vegetable garden in the mornings. This involves tasks such as planting, harvesting, watering, fertilizing and maintaining the garden. The vegetables harvested from the garden are used to feed the children and also benefit poor families and hospitals in Antigua.

Program location

SAN ANTONIO AGUAS CALIENTES

The small community of San Antonio Aguas Calientes is located in the southwest of the Republic of Guatemala, not far from Antigua. The town is originally known for its weavers who produce unique fabrics. In Mayan times, women wove the well-known traditional patterns here with the help of looms. From San Antonio Aguas Calientes you have a fantastic view of the volcanoes in the region. There are also many small cafés and restaurants where you can sample authentic Guatemalan cuisine. A beautiful place to feel good!

ANTIGUA

Although your program takes place in Aguas Calientes, you live in the city of Antigua.

Antigua is the former capital and our favorite city in Guatemala and makes every traveler's heart beat faster. The positive atmosphere of this city is unique. Antigua is beautiful and impressive in many ways. Let yourself be enchanted by the colorful houses, cobblestone streets and many small stores, restaurants and cafés. Antigua is a magnet for young people from all over the world, and many who have traveled here have stayed. The surrounding volcanoes offer a spectacular view and invite you to climb them. There are many coffee and organic farms around Antigua that you can visit. The owners of the countless restaurants, cafés, bars and hostels come from all over the world, so the atmosphere is correspondingly international. You can hear 1,000 different languages in the bars and quickly make new friends from all over the world.

In addition to the work in the project, Antigua offers many opportunities for colorful leisure activities. Climbing the surrounding volcanoes is an experience that you will probably never forget. A weekend trip to Lake Atitlan is just as worthwhile.

You can find more information about Antigua here.

Prerequisites

You don't need any special qualifications for the job. Of course, you should enjoy working with children and young people, enjoy spending time with them and be keen to make new contacts and friends. You will be working a lot with locals. You should be open-minded and have the motivation to get to know a new culture. Working with the children will playfully improve your Spanish skills and have a positive impact on your life. A wonderful experience that you will remember for a long time to come.

Language

The national language in Guatemala is Spanish. It is crucial that we ensure that our participants have a solid knowledge of Spanish, especially when it comes to our children's aid projects. Many of the children in the projects speak little or no English, which is why Spanish is the main language.
To meet this need, we can organize a Spanish course at one of our renowned schools in Latin America in advance. This will not only improve the effectiveness of the work, but also foster a deeper connection with the communities.

Accommodation and meals

Our Guesthouse is located at the northern end of the center of Antigua. It was founded a few years ago by a German woman who lives in Antigua. Here you can choose to be accommodated in a shared room with other participants and guests or in a single room. The shared rooms have their own bathroom. The single rooms share the bathroom with two other people; it is located in the corridor right next to the room.

The guesthouse has a lovely communal area and a kitchen where the volunteers enjoy cooking together.

Our Eco-Farm and Teaching Program participants also live in the guesthouse. We often cook together and go on many excursions together.

The main square of Antigua is just a few minutes' walk away. There are many restaurants, bars and cafés in the area.

Depending on availability, you will stay in a guesthouse or comparable accommodation.

You can reach the project daily by bus, the journey time from Antigua is approx. 30 minutes (at your own expense). The two bus rides there and back amount to approx. 1.25 euros per day.

Contact person

Alejandro is Guatemalan and grew up in Antigua. That's why he knows the city, the country and its culture like no other. He has a great passion for Germany, has visited the country several times and speaks the language fluently. Alejandro always has an open ear for your wishes and is happy to introduce you to his home country. He is happy to organize city tours and weekend excursions for our participants. You will never feel alone. Thanks to his history studies, he can tell you a lot about the history of Guatemala and the ancient buildings in Antigua. Alejandro will look after you during the introductory event in Antigua. A German-speaking contact person is available via WhatsApp in the same time zone to answer any questions you may have during your stay in Latin America.

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Services and prices

Single room
Base price 1st program: 1280,00 €
Extension month: 650,00 €
Double room
Base price 1st program: 1130,00 €
Extension month: 500,00 €
Host family
Base price 1st program: 1410,00 €
Extension month: 790,00 €
Multi-bed room
Base price 1st program: 1140,00 €
Extension month: 510,00 €

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Support and advice before departure

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