Learn Spanish, aid children in rural communities and explore Guatemala

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Program Overview
Life on the Program
Program Details
Volunteer Testimonials

Program Overview

Guatemala is a fascinating country steeped in traditional Mayan culture where you can see both ancient ruins and active volcanoes. You will live in Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage site and travel to nearby indigenous communities and teach in Spanish to children.

You will teach children ages 4 and up, concentrating on basic numeracy and literacy. Volunteers with less Spanish will help the students master basics such as their A B C’s and 1 2 3’s while those with more advanced Spanish language skills will teach subjects such as math and science.

We run this project in conjunction with our in-country partner, Phoenix. Since 2003, Phoenix has provided free education for over 600 children in Guatemala. Volunteers’ time and money help to create a safe and fun environment for learning that would not otherwise be available.

Life on the Program

You will work in the host community Monday to Friday. There you will either teach your own class or assist a more experienced volunteer to create a fun and interactive educational experience for the students.

The work you will do plays a critical role in providing an education for the children of the community, and it is hard work! Expect your days to be long, leaving Antigua at 7:30 in the morning and returning at around 5 every afternoon. You are expected to lesson plan effectively and to put in the effort necessary to give your students the best possible preparation for their national examinations.

You will live with a local host family in Antigua in a basic but comfortable setting, giving you an excellent opportunity to practice your Spanish. Antigua is a small but vibrant town, with plenty of shops, restaurants, and internet cafes.

Program Details

Phoenix currently works with the two indigenous communities of San Andrés Itzapa and Santa María de Jesús to improve literacy and generally improve the educational opportunities for children in both towns. More broadly, Phoenix, works to improve the standard of education for all indigenous people of the area and to address the lack of knowledge in areas such as hygiene and nutrition.

Thanks in part to Phoenix’s education programs, over 600 children now attend national school. However, due to large class sizes, erratic schedules, and a lack of education among parents, the children still need Phoenix’s classes to ensure that they receive their required certificate at the end of the year. Phoenix plans to have all children in both communities attending national school over the coming years.

Volunteer Testimonials

This was my third two week stint. Yes, I'm hooked. First time, I was a tutor in the English program (full disclosure, my daughter was an intern, and my boss!). The second year, I built...

Carolyn Ingram, USA

This was my third two week stint. Yes, I'm hooked. First time, I was a tutor in the English program (full disclosure, my daughter was an intern, and my boss!). The second year, I built stoves for two weeks with my husband and daughter (same one who'd been an intern, Leslie Beach. Most recently, I taught for two weeks, 5th grade curriculum in Spanish. I've loved all three--returning is gratifying, seeing how the kids are growing up, and re-connecting with staff, interns, and meeting, each year, incredible volunteers. I'm so inspired by Elena, and her family. With no education herself, she and GVI have created amazing programs for kids, adults, families, the community. Her love and humor and hard work make me want to do as much as I can, whenever I can. I am incredibly impressed with the interns who do whatever it takes to make each day a success for the kids and the volunteers. And then there's other staff--a community who works hard, plays hard, and gives it their all. And yes, I am intending to go for a fourth stint!

I had a great experience with GVI from the first time I submitted my application to after I came home. The program that Dom and Doreen have built in Guatemala not only make a big impact on the...

Michelle Petrazzuolo, USA

I had a great experience with GVI from the first time I submitted my application to after I came home. The program that Dom and Doreen have built in Guatemala not only make a big impact on the community, but also integrates the community into the project so that the people are working to help themselves, and they can take ownership in the results. Besides that, it was a ton of fun! The kids were very sweet and we became friends right away. I would recommend this trip to anyone without even a moment's hesitation.

I was working with 1st grade students for 6 weeks and towards the beginning of that time I identified my main goal of helping them advance their reading. We worked on syllables, books and reading...

Sarah Longley, USA

I was working with 1st grade students for 6 weeks and towards the beginning of that time I identified my main goal of helping them advance their reading. We worked on syllables, books and reading aloud and tried to focus on comprehension over simple regurgitation. The memory that stands out the most for me is a letter I received on my last day from a little boy named Oscar that his older sister had helped him write thanking me for teaching him how to read and write.

The buzz I got from teaching was great! The kids are fantastic, so full of life and energy. They all wanted to learn, and so it was a pleasure to teach them. Trying to teach in Spanish was a bit...

Sam Cliffe, United Kingdom

The buzz I got from teaching was great! The kids are fantastic, so full of life and energy. They all wanted to learn, and so it was a pleasure to teach them. Trying to teach in Spanish was a bit daunting at first, but as my Spanish improved, so did my teaching.

But the teaching doesn’t stop after lessons, at break times it was great to talk and play with the kids as I learnt so much about how they live and what life is like in their culture. I even learnt a few words of their local dialect, but I think I’ll stick to the Spanish for now!