VOLUNTEER WORK GUATEMALA
Youth Development
Would you like to make a long-term difference during your time in Latin America and support children and young people in their personal development? You can do this at our partner organization in a village near Antigua, Guatemala! In this small organization you will support children and teenagers in their learning and leisure time. And along the way you will improve your Spanish skills. You will support the after school program and organize leisure activities like cooking classes or soccer games.
You will have the opportunity to be part of a great organization and help children get access to quality education. You will be immersed in the culture of Guatemala and get to know and love a completely different side of the country. You will also be able to make a lasting difference in the lives of children and youth, make friends, and have experiences that you will remember for a lifetime.
QUICK FACTS
Type of program
Program location
Working hours
Program start
Duration
Minimum age
Language
Requirements
Accommodation
Meals
Support
Internet
Price
Child aid project
San Antonio Aguas Calientes, Guatemala
From 5 hours a day, 5 days a week (Monday to Friday)
Every 1st Saturday of the month
1-6 months
18 years
Spanish (Good basic knowledge)
Desire to work with children
Guesthouse in Antigua
not included, shared kitchen available
English speaking contact person in the country
Mobile internet with sim card from WanderWorld Travel
From 980,00 €
QUICK FACTS
Type of program: Child aid project
Program location: San Antonio Aguas Calientes, Guatemala
Working hours: From 5 hours a day, 5 days a week (Monday to Friday)
Program start: Every 1st Saturday of the month
Duration: 1-6 months
Minimum age: 18 years
Language: Spanish (good basic knowledge)
Requirements: Desire to work with children
Accommodation: Guesthouse in Antigua
Meals: Not included, shared kitchen available
Support: English speaking contact person in the country
Internet: Mobile internet with sim card from WanderWorld Travel
Price: from 980,00 €




PROJECT DESCRIPTION



Our Youth Development Project in San Antonio Aguas Calientes, near Antigua, was founded back in 2006 by Lesbi and her husband Juventino. They created the project to provide quality education to children from their village of San Antonio Aguas Calientes, while strengthening their own cultural and family ties. Both are themselves from the region 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’s a project that is captivating 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 youth there empowers them to value their lives, make a difference and take control of their future.
It all started with a dance class for children, where they learned traditional dance accompanied by the marimba and performed at small concerts. Through the hard work of Lesbi and Tino, as well as many volunteers and sponsors, an organization has been built over the years that now supports over 30 children of various ages.
In Guatemala’s rural areas, 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, which is open to all residents of the town.


From kindergarten age, through preschool, elementary and middle school, to college, children and youth 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 circumstances from the staff and volunteers.
Some students have joined the organization as young children and are now graduating from college! These life stories and great successes motivate Lesbi and her husband, as well as many volunteers, to keep the organization growing and thus changing the lives of many children and young people.
In addition to homework support, there are many joint activities where the volunteers are also present and help out. The children enjoy showing their marimba dances for visitors and putting on concerts. Lesbi also enjoys showing the children and visitors Guatemalan dishes, such as making traditional corn tortillas. With a view of the breathtaking volcanoes, everyone eats together on the terrace.
TASKS


The project offers a variety of tasks for the volunteers – they are exciting and varied, so you will learn many new things and get a deep insight into life in Guatemala.
At the organization’s after-school program, you will assist with homework Monday through Wednesday from approximately 2:00pm to 5:00pm and help the children learn. Every Thursday there is a cooking class with the children and every Friday is soccer or hiking day.
The organization offers a comprehensive support program to the children of different ages. This means that the children and young people are supported in the areas in which they need help. A total of more than 30 children and young people are currently being cared for – from kindergarten age to the age of majority. There are various classes such as English, math, computer classes, reading, writing or painting.
The kids also have the opportunity to develop their creativity. There are games, music and dance classes, sports activities and cooking and eating together.
If you are interested in growing food, you are welcome to help in the vegetable garden in the mornings. This involves tasks such as planting, harvesting, watering, fertilizing and maintaining the grounds. The vegetables harvested from the garden are used to feed the children and also benefit poor families and hospitals in Antigua.


San Antonio Aguas Calientes
The small community of San Antonio Aguas Calientes is located in the southwest of the Republic of Guatemala, just a short distance from Antigua. The town is originally known for its weavers who produce unique fabrics. In Mayan times, women used looms to weave the well-known traditional patterns here. 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 taste the real Guatemalan cuisine. A beautiful place to feel good!
ANTIGUA
Your program will take place in Aguas Calientes, but you will live in the city of Antigua.
Antigua is the former capital and our favorite city in Guatemala and makes the heart of every traveler beat faster. Because the positive atmosphere of this city is unique. Antigua is beautiful and impressive in many ways. Be enchanted by colorful houses, cobblestone streets and many small stores, restaurants and cafes. 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. In the surroundings of Antigua you will find many coffee and organic farms to visit. The owners of the countless restaurants, cafes, bars and hostels come from all over the world, so it is accordingly international. In the bars you will hear 1,000 different languages and quickly you will have made new friends all over the globe.
Besides the work in the project, Antigua offers many possibilities for a colorful leisure time. Climbing the surrounding volcanoes is an experience you will probably never forget. Equally worthwhile is a weekend trip to Lake Atitlan.
More information about Antigua can be found here.


REQUIREMENTS
The national language in Guatemala is Spanish. You will spend a lot of time with locals who have no knowledge of English. Therefore, a basic knowledge of Spanish is important. If you do not have any knowledge of Spanish at the moment, we recommend that you take a language course in Antigua, which we will gladly organize for you. You can take this course before or during your time at the school.


LANGUAGE
The national language in Guatemala is Spanish. You will spend a lot of time with locals who have no knowledge of English. Therefore, a basic knowledge of Spanish is important. If you do not have any knowledge of Spanish at the moment, we recommend that you take a language course in Antigua, which we will gladly organize for you. You can take this course before or during your time at the school.
ACCOMODATION
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 stay in a double room with another participant or in a single room. The double rooms have a private bathroom, two single beds, a sofa and a desk. The single rooms share the bathroom with two other people, it is located in the corridor right next to the room.
The Guesthouse includes a nice common area and a kitchen where volunteers enjoy cooking together.
The guesthouse is also home to our Eco Farm and Teaching Program participants. We often cook together and go on many excursions together.
The main square of Antigua is a few minutes walk away. There are many restaurants, bars and cafes in the area.
You can reach the project daily by bus, the travel time from Antigua is about 20 minutes.





YOUR CONTACT PERSON IN GUATEMALA
Alejandro is Guatemalan and grew up in Antigua. Therefore, he knows the city, the country and its culture like no other. He has a great passion for Europe, has visited Europe several times and speaks English fluently. Alejandro always has an open ear for your wishes and is happy to bring you closer to his home country. He is happy to organize city tours and weekend excursions for our participants, takes them to meet his friends and thus quickly integrates them into the life of Antigua. You will never feel alone.

SERVICES AND PRICES
Prices:
Single room:
- 1st month in starter package: 1.120,00 €
- Extension month: 520,00 €
- As 2nd or 3rd program: 870,00 €
Shared room:
- 1st month in starter package: 980,00 €
- Extension month: 380,00 €
- As 2nd or 3rd program: 730,00 €
Host family:
- 1st month in starter package: 1.320,00 €
- Extension month: 720,00 €
- As 2nd or 3rd program: 1.070,00 €
Services:
Find out more about our services here.
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EXPERIENCE REPORTS
Susanne
“What touched me very much during my time was that I got to know many children who come from poor backgrounds and for whom life as we know it is not a matter of course. What inspired me most was that the children are nevertheless very open, happy and helpful.”