Volunteer in Guatemala

  Guatemala

• Other Cities in Guatemala: 
San Andres

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: year round

Description: Volunteer Projects are divided into two major programs; 1) Ecological Management and 2) Education. Ecological Management includes maintaining a 150-acre reserve, trail management, gardening, tree nursery management, medicinal plants, reforestation projects, and ecological restoration projects. Education includes environmental education, general education in local schools, library management and activities, extracurricular activities, and adult education. We also work on various construction projects throughout the year.

All programs offer a variety of activities every day and throughout the year. Mornings are usually assigned for work and afternoons have scheduled cultural, school, and other various activities. Saturdays are reserved for field trips, and Sundays are a traditional day off.

Volunteers who can dedicate 1 month or more are given preference for selection to our program. During any given time, we can only accommodate up to 15 volunteers.

Volunteers must also include in the application the expected dates of volunteering, and the program in which they wish to participate. Volunteers contribute financially toward the maintenance of the organization. This is what makes it possible for Volunteer Peten to exist. For a four-week program, volunteers must contribute USD 350, an eight week program USD 650 and a twelve week program USD 950 and program includes room and board, training, all activities, and use of all of our resources to work on a project. After 3 months of service, volunteers can stay in a furnished housing in the park for only USD 50 per month. Volunteers can also take private Spanish lessons for an additional USD 4 per hour. Once a volunteer can commit to the financial contribution, and send 1/2 of their contribution, we will then reserve their place in San Andres and prepare for their arrival.

Volunteers looking for financial aid will be more likely to find it from their own school or community. Apply for a small grant or corporate backing, and fund raise. You have a worthy cause and there are organizations and businesses willing to support you. All contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

Highlights: We can train volunteers in all aspects of small sustainable projects ranging from chicken projects, to reforestation, to rain forest products, to small garden plots, to stoves, and education. Volunteers need to focus and become proficient in one or more areas. Our staff has years of experience working with volunteers to make a difference. Once a volunteers feels comfortable teaching or working in a certain area and has completed a small project for the ecological park, we can then connect that volunteer with a family, a school, or a community in which to work and replicate one of the projects that we maintain in the ecological park.

Qualifications: Desire to work and help

Cost in US$: 350 per month

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Typical volunteers are between the ages of 20 and 30, with college background, a little work experience, and a little knowledge on Spanish language.

Age Range: 18-99

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Guatemala Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of 5-15

Application Process Involves:

• Other
• Resume
• Written Application

Volunteer Peten's Mission Statement: Volunteer Peten is a small, independent non-profit organization located in Northern Guatemala whose mission is to: 1) protect and manage a 150-acre ecological reserve, 2) provide environmental education programs to the schools and community, 3) assist in small, sustainable community projects, and; 4) provide quality volunteer opportunities for travelers and students.

Year Founded: 2002