Volunteer and Program Coordinator (El Nahual Language Center)

  Guatemala

• Other Cities in Guatemala: 
Quetzaltenango

Dates: Year-round

Description: Responsibilities:
- Coordinate existing educational social service projects, including Manos de Colores program at 4 locations
- Communicate with potential volunteers via phone or email, providing information about the Spanish school and educational programs
- Recruit long-term volunteers
- Participate in school and volunteer activities
- Placement and management of volunteers in projects according to their interests and Spanish abilities
- Placement of volunteers in Guatemalan homestays and communication with those families
- Orient new volunteers to life in Quetzaltenango and at El Nahual when they arrive; ongoing support
- Support the International Coordinator in management of the organization
- Some informal translation of conferences and announcements for students who do not speak Spanish
- Commit approximately 40 hours/week

Applications are accepted on an on-going basis, depending on need.

Highlights: El Nahual is an educational community center funded by its non-profit Spanish school for foreigners. Located in the western highland city of Quetzaltenango, El Nahual provides free educational programs to some of the poorest communities in the area.

Conscious of the many social problems that face the people of Guatemala, we started a school that would use all its profits to give back to the community. The Spanish school is composed of a team of professional teachers with years of experience in teaching Spanish to foreign students.

"El Nahual" is a Mayan term that means "protective spirit" of each person. Our vision is to become a guiding force for those who need us. We strive to encourage personal growth and human rights awareness by providing access to education.

The El Nahual community center offers a:
* Free school for children ("Manos de Colores")
* Free adult school
* Organic community garden

El Nahual also runs its "Manos de Colores" educational programs at 3 other low-income schools in the area.

We seek motivated students who desire both an intensive Spanish immersion experience and the opportunity to impact some of the poorest communities of Quetzaltenango. Helping to develop our educational programs is interesting, rewarding and challenging work!

Our philosophy is "educando para desarrollo social," or "educating for social development." We invite you to partake in our mission.

Qualifications:
- Fluent in English
- High intermediate / advanced level of Spanish
- Minimum 3-4 month commitment
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Passion for social service work and the mission of our school
- Ability to multi-task and the energy, creativity and enthusiasm to work with limited resources

Minimum Education: Bachelors

Salary / Pay: This in an unpaid volunteer position, but housing is provided

Experience Required: yes

We will consider qualified candidates that are completing their Bachelor's degrees. Experience living and working in a Spanish-speaking environment, and teaching experience both are preferred.

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Guatemala Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone Interview
• Resume
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Job and Internship Network

El Nahual Language Center's Mission Statement: El Nahual Community Center is a non-profit, non-governmental organization funded by its Spanish language school. All of our proceeds return directly to the community through our educational programs for children, which involve teaching English, art, Spanish reinforcement, mathematics, science, theater, and more at four sites on the outskirts of Quetzaltenango (Guatemala's second-largest city). The children we serve often come from families who have been marginalized by poverty, indigenous Mayan heritage, or rural backgrounds, and many lack access to the privilege of a primary school education even though six years are theoretically provided free of charge under the Guatemalan system. Our foreign volunteers provide creative, thoughtful instruction and activities which these children would otherwise not receive. To that end we seek dedicated and enthusiastic individuals who are motivated to give back to some of the most disenfranchised communities in Quetzaltenango. If you are interested in learning about grassroots social development work through education, want to gain valuable international teaching experience, and improve your Spanish through work with kids, El Nahual Community Center has a place for you!

Year Founded: 2004