Overview
Volunteer on Teaching and Building Projects in Guatemala

This six-week program takes volunteers to work on teaching and building projects in indigenous Central American communities; living with a host family in the beautiful Spanish-colonial town of Antigua, Guatemala. GVI, in conjunction with leaders of the indigenous communities, has developed its own schools to teach children who otherwise would not have the opportunity of any formal education. Volunteers joining this Central American volunteering program will teach literacy to children in these schools, as well as learn Spanish and build two energy-efficient stoves that improve the living conditions of the local community.

Volunteers also have the opportunity to explore Guatemala on two exciting side trips; spending a weekend mountain biking, kayaking and hiking at Lake Atitlan, and going on five-day trek to Cobán to raft and explore the underworld caverns of Alta Verapaz.

View Film Footage, images, blogs, volunteer stories from the field, volunteer video diaries and more at the programs media centre

Worthwhile doesn’t come close to explaining my feelings on the project. It was wholly fulfilling and perhaps even life changing!

Nathan Golan, 2007

What Difference Does This Project Make?

Volunteers will be working on the first of GVI;s Programme in the area, which provides first time education and reinforcement to local community children, plus scholarships for them to attend national school (at primary, secondary and college levels). GVI also runs a food and fruit programme. Without these projects, education would not exist for most of the children. Volunteers also build two energy efficient stoves, removing smoke from family households and allowing them to save of up to 75% of their normal firewood consumption, which helps the family as well as the environment.

Highlights

Teaching in indigenous communities, building two energy efficient stoves, receiving one-on-one Spanish tuition, and going on two exciting multi-day adventure trips to Lake Atitlán and Semuc Champey.

Location

Guatemala is one of the jewels of Central America, packed with ancient ruins, active volcanoes and intriguing Mayan culture. Volunteers live in the beautiful old Spanish colonial town of Antigua, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Antigua is famed for its beautiful Baroque architecture and stunning ruined churches, and has three large volcanoes that dominate the horizon. Project work is carried out in communities all within a one-hour bus journey from the town.

Field Conditions

Volunteers live with local families in Guatemala in comfortable but basic accommodation, to have an enriched cultural experience and have the valuable opportunity to practice your Spanish! All accommodation provided is private, has washing facilities and includes three meals a day; lunch is eaten in the communities.