Family Volunteering in Guatemala

  Guatemala

Antigua

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks and 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: 2008

Description: Families who join this program have the unique opportunity of being immersed in one of several indigenous communities situated near Antigua Guatemala. GVI, along with leaders of the indigenous communities, have developed short-term manual projects to improve the standard of living for hundreds of Indigenous families in rural Guatemala. Whilst learning Spanish and experiencing a new culture, you will be assisting building energy efficient stoves for cleaner air and less wood consumption, promoting agriculture to provide harvests for one family for one year, and livestock rearing.

20 hours of one-on-one Spanish classes (based on skill level) are included in the price per week and are highly recommended for those Volunteers with no previous Spanish experience or those who want to brush up on their Spanish language.

Included in the program, is a half-day guided adventure, which could be biking, rock-climbing or hiking. Also included in your fee is the funding needed to successfully complete whichever project you choose to do within the week, whether this be bricks, cement, seeds, fertilizers, tools, extra local labor, wood, wire fencing, corrugated iron, livestock etc. The idea is that you will have funded, worked on and completed each individual project within a week, aimed to improve the standard of living of one family.

All transport to and from the community, as well as 1 hour internet a day, airport pickups and drop-offs and a BBQ are also included.

Highlights: Please note, our education and community projects in Guatemala are unique to Global Vision International. All funding of these projects comes directly from Global Vision International and volunteer contributions, included in the program fee. We receive no other outside source of income, apart from that raised through GVI and volunteer contributions. Suffice to say, without this funding from GVI and the volunteer contributions, the projects simply would not exist.

Working with Indigenous Maya Communities:

The Indigenous Maya in Guatemala make up a huge percentage of the population, many living off just $1 a day. Global Vision International is currently working with two Indigenous communities, these being San Andrés Itzapa and Santa Maria de Jesus, both within a 45 minute bus ride from Antigua through lush mountain scenery and typical Guatemalan villages.

Our aims are first and foremost to improve the standard of living of 100's of Indigenous families who live in often extreme poverty. Global Vision International, with the full support of the Indigenous leaders of the communities, aims to tackle these issues in many different ways through basic funding of simple but essential physical sustainable projects. Once the initial starting phase has been funded and completed, it can be continued for many years without further funding, helping the families become self-sustainable and even start micro-businesses to increase the family income.

Qualifications: No formal training is required as each family will be supported by GVI project managers for the first couple of days, a local mason and the family itself. Volunteers should be enthusiastic and happy to work in basic conditions.

Cost in US$: From $440 children, $1190 adults (1 week)

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: There are no typical volunteers, but most have an open mind and dedication to the projects.

Age Range: 12+

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and World Wide 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

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Global Vision International's Mission Statement: 2008 marks a decade of commitment from GVI to all volunteers and partners. Global Vision International aims to promote the advancement of sustainable development through the creation of partnerships, promotion of local and global education, opportunities and via direct financial support. GVI remains committed to its local partners by ensuring they receive full credit for any research undertaken or achievements reached.

Year Founded: 1998