News
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Global Vision International (GVI) is an ethical volunteering organisation working in partnership with over 150 critical conservation and humanitarian projects worldwide. With staff in 30 countries and thousands of ex-volunteers there are many different stories to tell. This news section gives a brief overview of how you can find out more about GVI, its work and its people, and gives you a sample of some clippings from the international press.
GVI making a difference in Guatemala
23 April 2007Global Vision International (GVI), the ethical volunteering organisation announces its new ‘Plan Ancianos’ project in Guatemala.
Plan Anicanos, roughly translated to ‘Old People’s Project’ aims to feed the older generation of the indigenous community of Itzapa, situated near Antigua, Guatemala. GVI’s new scheme provides the basics to the older women of Itzapa’s children, where GVI conduct volunteer teaching projects.
“Families have very little, and can barely fend for themselves" says Dominic Williams, GVI Project Director, Central America.
“Each woman receives 10 pounds of frijol, 30 pounds of maiz, 2 pounds of mosh powder, 2 pounds of wheat powder, 3 bars of soap, 1 shampoo, 1 pack of coffee, 1 large batch of Mahler soups, 20 pounds of sugar, 1 bag of milk powder, and 10 packs of bags of noodles, it should last them 2- 3 months” Dominic continues: “Some of the women are very old, one lady in her nineties said “she had never ever seen so much food for one person in her life”.
Volunteers who join GVI’s Volunteer Guatemala program have the unique opportunity of being immersed in one of several indigenous communities. Surrounded by volcanoes and mountain lakes, this old Spanish Colonial town allows volunteers to learn or improve their Spanish, while travelling to nearby rural areas for their project work. GVI, along with leaders of the indigenous communities, have developed their own schools to assist children who otherwise would not have the opportunity of any formal education or who need educational reinforcement. Volunteers assist other volunteers for the first few days before taking the class themselves. Each class size can range from 10-20 children, depending on the collective ability or the attention needed by the children. Lessons range from basic literacy and numbers to educational reinforcement, maths, help with homework, English, games, art, sports and other activities.
Dominic goes on to say “The Indigenous projects undertaken in Latin America simply would not function without volunteer money; it’s as simple as that. Without the physical presence of the volunteers, or the money generated through GVI invested into the projects, almost 2,000 children would not receive the education they are receiving from the volunteers, nor would they receive fruit, school materials, food, celebrate birthdays, or even be at school. Nor would around 50 locals in the countries we work in be employed, directly or indirectly, without the GVI volunteers.”
Projects are available to join throughout the year, participated by individuals from all over the world, including Kate and Sean Bow, mother and son:
“It feels like yesterday yet we have only one week left at the school, and two left until we head off, where has the time gone? I have felt a major shift within myself these last seven weeks and I don’t think I could ever be the same again. This place is like no where I have ever experienced. To see children so incredibly poor and to see them just get on with it, never complaining, always smiling, makes you wonder about so many things” Kate & Sean Bow, 2007 Volunteer
