Construction volunteers Guatemala | Medical volunteers Guatemala

volunteer GuatemalaThrough our partner in Guatemala, Love Volunteer is trying to recruit volunteers for this impoverished country. There are opportunities to work in various fields, all aimed at improving people’s lives. The programs include teaching, working with disadvantaged children in a number of facilities (including orphanages) and medical work. Your efforts directly impact on the lives of people affected by political instability, poverty and poor health.

Whether you are a gap-year student, a new graduate or on a career break, what makes volunteering such a worthwhile experience, is that you get the chance to be immersed in an unfamiliar culture where the services you are providing are urgently needed and greatly appreciated. Guatemala presents stimulating challenges, and work needs to be done to bring relief to individuals and families affected by poverty and limited prospects.

In addition to this, volunteering adds a dimension to your life experience, challenging the assumptions you hold and putting you in the shoes of others. You will possibly experience intense emotions and will most certainly grow as a person as a result of your time here.

Guatemala borders Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras and Belize. It has coasts both on the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean and is proud of its Mayan history, evidence of which still remains. Guatemalan people are known for their friendliness and you will be a welcome guest.

For more info about this amazing country check out the Lonely Planet Guatemala Guide.

volunteering Guatemala

Start and Duration

Volunteers in Guatemala can choose to stay from one week and there is no maximum duration. Placements in Guatemala start every Monday with an orientation.

Volunteer Requirements

Volunteers in Guatemala must be at least 18 years old at the start of the placements (unless accompanied by an adult). Depending on the nature of the placement, a minimum amount Spanish is required. In certain cases, it is possible to commence with only rudimentary Spanish. Apply to volunteer now!

No matter what your level of Spanish is, we recommend that you sign up for the very affordable Spanish courses offered by our partner in Guatemala.

Project Descriptions for Guatemala

Working With Children

Volunteers in Guatemala taking part in childcare programs give individual attention and assistance to children from poor homes and communities. The children may be disadvantaged as a result of a poor home life, fragmented schooling, as well as possibly alcohol and drug abuse by their family members.

Volunteer placements can be centres for children who live on the streets, orphanages or schools. Volunteers in Guatemala assist the staff in improving educational, emotional, and hygiene conditions for the children. Work varies, ranging from providing individual attention to playing, organising games and activities, educating children regarding hygiene, in addition to helping with their homework. The children are always very welcoming, and often the most important aspect of the work is to provide companionship. You might make use of one of your own interests, such as music, dance or arts and crafts, to lead a workshop for the children.

Love Volunteers' partner in Guatemala, provides full in-country support, although its coordinators may not always be on site at the project. Due to low staffing levels, these childcare programs can be disorganised and are crying out for volunteers to help support them and the children they serve.

Teaching English

By helping Guatemalans to speak English, you are genuinely assisting them to find work and build a career. Volunteers play an integral part in providing free English tuition to adults and children.

Volunteers in Guatemala work in a variety of settings, ranging from community centres to public libraries. Work may include tutoring local students, setting up workshops, assisting local teachers and organising educational games and activities. These may take place in the mornings or evenings. Volunteers also participate in making improvements to and cleaning the teaching areas. They may also help with fundraising, as well as collecting donations of books and other educational materials.

Your English teaching project may be a bit disorganised because it is understaffed and underfunded, which is why they need and want volunteers in Guatemala. While you may possibly teach in front of large classes or in formal classroom settings, usually English teaching takes place on a one-on-one basis or in small groups. Lesson plans are not provided, but materials, books and lesson ideas to get you started are available.

Volunteers in Guatemala do not have to have teaching experience to undertake these placements.

Construction

Guatemalan construction projects include house-building, school and orphanage renovation, and playground improvements. Volunteers in Guatemala work in a team overseen by a local foreman. The work can be hard, ranging from bricklaying to gardening, and a reasonable level of fitness is required.

Note: Construction volunteers in Guatemala are strongly encouraged to bring work gloves, work boots, safety glasses and clothes that they do not mind getting dirty.

Healthcare – Non-medical volunteers

In less developed rural areas, volunteers in Guatemala gain experience in small local clinics for the poor and/or working with local doctors and nurses on medical programs. This might include providing check-ups and basic medical care in poor communities and at orphanages, but volunteers should understand that they will most likely be shadowing staff and helping in a support role.

Our partner's healthcare projects are some of the most important programs we offer in Guatemala, both in terms of what the volunteer provides to the local community and in terms of the field experience the volunteer gains from the experience. However, it is important that healthcare volunteers have realistic expectations with regard to the activities that they will be involved in.

Medical – Pre-med, 1st and 2nd Year Medical Students

Depending on availability volunteers in Guatemala are placed in a clinic hospital, or other care facility. Volunteers should understand that they will most likely be shadowing local medical staff if volunteering in public clinics and hospitals. Working in private care facilities may offer a more hands-on option.

If working with disabled children, you may be involved in activities such as outings, arts and crafts workshops, giving one-to-one attention, and helping at meal times and bedtime.

Medical volunteers in Guatemala should understand that independence in medical projects will always be determined by their level of training and demonstrated expertise, level of Spanish, age, ability to take initiative and the duration of their program.

Note: You must bring your own basic medical supplies, such as scrubs and a stethoscope, as well as a copy of your passport every day you attend the project.

Medical – 3rd and 4th Year Medical Students and Licensed Professionals

Dependent on where the need arises, volunteers are placed in a clinic, hospital or care facility. In some cases, this may be a clinic for children with disabilities.

Dependent on the needs at any given time, you may shadow doctors as they undertake physical examinations, rounds, giving injections and/or sutures. Volunteers may also help with health campaigns and taking taking medical histories. For legal reasons, the hands-on experience in public hospitals and clinics may be limited. Placements in private care facilities may offer a more practical approach.

If working with disabled children, you may be involved in activities such as outings, arts & crafts workshops, giving one-to-one attention and helping at meal times and bed time.

Medical volunteers in Guatemala should understand that independence in medical projects will always be determined by their level of training and demonstrated expertise, fluency in Spanish, age, ability to take initiative and duration of their program.

Note: You must bring your own basic medical supplies, such as scrubs and a stethoscope as well as a copy of your passport every day you attend the project.

Please note: It is absolutely imperative that you present copies of your training evidence and credentials at the volunteer venue before starting work. Prior to your arrival you may be required to provide copies of these.

Working with the Elderly

Elderly care programs in Guatemala place volunteers at nursing homes and senior citizen centres in and around La Antigua. They create a compassionate and friendly atmosphere for the elderly from very low-income families.

Poorly funded, the centres are dependent on international volunteers who contribute by providing one-on-one attention and basic healthcare. Volunteers in Guatemala also help with distributing medicines and preparing meals. Help with recreational activities can extend to creating exercise programs, song and dance activities, along with arts and crafts projects.

Animal Care/Animal Rights

The plight of neglected and abandoned dogs and cats is addressed through projects which attempt to give protection and human company to these animals. Veterinary treatment is provided, along with spaying/neutering programs and rabies vaccination clinics. There are also educational programs in local schools.

Volunteers in Guatemala work bathing and brushing the animals, providing basic obedience training, cleaning cages, in addition to walking and playing with the animals.

There are also small construction projects, such as the building of dog runs, as well as photography and fund raising activities.

Please note that the Animal Care/Animal Rights project requires a minimum commitment of two weeks.

Language Courses

We strongly recommend that volunteers in Guatemala take advantage of the very affordable language courses on offer by our local partner. These run 1-6 hours per day. Volunteers with very little Spanish will find classes helpful when immersing themselves in the local culture, as well as being of benefit at their volunteer project. Check out our Spanish language lessons page.

Volunteering in Guatemala will give you the ideal opportunity to get your TEFL English teaching certificate. If this is something you're interested in, drop us a line and we will send you the details.

Program Costs

Love Volunteers is a not-for-profit organisation and is one of the most affordable ways to help out in a developing country while being immersed in the local culture.

Fees for volunteer programs in Guatemala start at US$265 (€200) per week, which includes accommodation, three meals a day, an airport pick-up (if required), orientation and 24/7 in-country support. Please note that program fees do not include daily transport to and from programs and this can cost between USD 1-5 per day.

Volunteer period [weeks]	1	2	3	4	6
Working with children	US$300	US$510	US$695	US$875	US$1135
Teaching English	US$300	US$510	US$695	US$875	US$1135
Construction	US$340	US$585	US$805	US$1020	US$1355
Healthcare	US$340	US$585	US$805	US$1020	US$1355
Pre-med, 1st & 2nd Year Med Students	US$340	US$585	US$805	US$1020	US$1355
Animal Care/Animal Rights	US$300	US$510	US$695	US$875	US$1135
Working with the Elderly	US$300	US$510	US$695	US$875	US$1135
3rd & 4th Year Med Students & Licensed Medical Professionals	US$340	US$585	US$805	US$1020	US$1355

Volunteer period [weeks]	8	12	16	20	24
Working with children	US$1400	US$1925	US$2450	US$2975	US$3500
Teaching English	US$1400	US$1925	US$2450	US$2975	US$3500
Construction	US$1695	US$2365	US$3035	US$3710	US$4380
Healthcare	US$1695	US$2365	US$3035	US$3710	US$4380
Pre-med, 1st & 2nd Year Med Students	US$1695	US$2365	US$3035	US$3710	US$4380
Animal Care/Animal Rights	US$1400	US$1925	US$2450	US$2975	US$3500
Working with the Elderly	US$1400	US$1925	US$2450	US$2975	US$3500
3rd & 4th Year Med Students & Licensed Medical Professionals	US$1695	US$2365	US$3035	US$3710	US$4380

Other volunteers periods available. Please, contact LoveVolunteers for pricing of other periods.

A Love Volunteers registration fee of US$235 (approximately €170) is charged in addition to the program fees and covers any placements you undertake for twelve months from the start of your first placement. The fee is refundable if you choose not to volunteer more than three months prior to the start of your initial placement. This fee ensures 24/7 pre- and post-placement support from Love Volunteers, checking and vetting of local organisations, a comprehensive information pack, as well as administration and marketing costs. Given Love Volunteers is a not-for-profit organisation we also ask volunteers to cover any bank charges incurred by international money transfers.

Accommodation and Meals

Volunteers in Guatemala will stay either in a volunteer house or with a local Guatemalan family. The volunteer house is filled first, but volunteers may guarantee a spot with a family by paying a surcharge of US$35 (26) per week. All families have been fully vetted by our local team and have experience hosting volunteers. You may have to share a room with another volunteer, or you may have a room to yourself. We will always try and work out the best option for you or your group depending on your requirements. Part of your program fee is given to your host family to cover the costs of accommodation and food. It truly is the best way to be immersed in the local community and you may make lifelong friends!

You will be supplied with breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout your placement. Guatemalan food typically centres on the key ingredients of corn, chillies and beans. A traditional dish is tamale which consists of a starchy corn-based dough wrapped in a leaf and steamed. The sweets made in Guatemala are well known, containing condensed milk, nuts, fruit and honey, they are considered a delicacy. Volunteers in Guatemala have the opportunity to savour these and other delights in the homes of ordinary local people famed for their friendly dispositions.

Orientation

Upon your arrival in Guatemala, you will spend a day finding out about your host country, city and family. Our local team will tell you everything you need to know about the local customs, safety, rules and expectations and, of course, about your volunteering experience. You'll be given a walking tour of the area in and around our partner’s facilities and get a chance to meet other volunteers and plan some “extra-curricular” activities while in Guatemala.

A Typical Week

The structure of the week varies for different projects, but the outline below should give you a rough idea of what to expect. In special cases three-day weekends may be taken, however it should be remembered that volunteer work comes with responsibilities and a professional attitude is required. Taking a long weekend once a month is acceptable, but numerous days off is frowned upon. That said, a typical week volunteering looks something like this:

Weekdays: Between 7am and 8.30am you can expect to have breakfast with your host family. Placements are usually arranged into shifts, so you may find yourself working in the morning until about 12-1pm, or in the afternoon until about 5-6pm. Some programs, such as English teaching, may require evening shifts. In your free time you can explore the local area, play with the kids (if you’re at a teaching or childcare assignment), hang out with other volunteers or attend Spanish classes. In the evening, if not working, you can have dinner with your host family or visit a local restaurant with friends.

Weekends: Volunteers typically choose to tour the capital, Guatemala City, visiting the Mayan ruins, climb a volcano, or visit La Antigua at the weekend. You may just want to relax at home or in a café. Long weekends can be easily arranged locally to allow trips further afield (for example, to the ruins at Tical or to Chichicastenango’s outdoor market up in the hills).

About the Country

With a population of 13 million, Guatemala has been an independent republic since 1838. It is centrally located in what is known as the Mayan world. The capital, also named Guatemala, contains within it the ancient city Kaminaljuyu, and its remaining ruins are now protected. The city contains many museums and galleries and is a thriving metropolis.

This is a country which combines colonial architecture, archaeological sites, jungles, plains, mountains, caves, strange underground rivers and lakes, where tradition is still very much alive.

There is a pleasant all-year temperature of around 20° C (68° F) in Guatemala

The remarkable civilization for which the Mayans were famed involved the creation of pyramids, palaces and even observatories in addition to works of art and literature. Today, the Mayans are the poorest members of society in Guatemala.

Apply now! Or check out the FAQ or contact page for more information.

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