Volunteer work with children and community construction projects in Guatemala

Global Vision International

Volunteers who join this six week programme have the unique opportunity of being immersed in one of several indigenous communities situated near Antigua Guatemala. Here volunteers will learn Spanish, teach literacy to children, build energy efficient stoves as well as explore parts of Guatemala on two multi-day guided trips.

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, has developed its own schools to assist children who otherwise would not have the opportunity of any formal education or who need educational reinforcement. Volunteers will assist other volunteers for the first few days before teaching 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. GVI has also implemented a programme to build energy efficient stoves. Two stoves will be built by the volunteer in the fifth week.

Early on in your stay, you will spend a weekend with other GVI volunteers mountain biking kayaking and hiking at Lake Atitlan. During the final week of your stay, you will embark on a 5 day trek to Cobán, to see the majestic Semuc Champey, go rafting, and to explore the underworld in Alta Verapaz! This trip will explore the best of what the highlands of Cobán have to offer: beautiful rivers & magnificent caverns.

No formal teacher-training is required as each Volunteer will be supported by GVI project managers, interns or existing Volunteers for the first few days. Volunteers should be enthusiastic, happy to work with children and prepared to work in some basic conditions.

Volunteers have the option of 2 weeks of Spanish courses at the start of the programme, which are highly beneficial for those starting Spanish from scratch or just touching up and expanding existing knowledge. Spanish classes run for 4 hours daily and they involve one on one tuition based upon skill level. After two weeks of classes, basic Spanish needed for your volunteer work can be attained. Implemented into the course structure are useful phrases and words that volunteers will encounter and require on the projects. It is highly recommended that you take advantage of the Spanish classes to ensure your enjoyment of the programme, as well as maximizing your contribution to the children in need.