Get AMPED Abroad: Orphanage/Daycare in Guatemala

  Guatemala

Quetzaltenango,  Xela

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: First and third Monday of each month

Description: To say that maintaining and supporting a family is "hard work" is an absolute understatement. Just try then to imagine the challenges in a developing nation like Guatemala where the threats to the family unit are staggering.

Abject poverty is only one cause of the number of children left orphaned or in need of childcare. While there are some reasons that may seem familiar to westerners (substance abuse, domestic violence, etc.,) there are others that are not fathomable such as the threats that resulted from the unconscionable crimes committed during the country's civil war.

Today, in a post civil war Guatemala, children are left at home with older siblings or grandparents for long periods of time as parents have to work multiple jobs or shifts to just to try to meet the basic needs of their family. That is only if they are fortunate enough to have a family support system. There are countless others that travel to work with their parents because there is not anyone to care for them. Worse yet, some are sent off to work themselves to be an additional source of financial support, only to eventually become homeless or orphaned.

AMPED's orphanage/daycare projects in Guatemala aim to help these disadvantaged children and their families. The orphanages offer a more stable and loving environment for the children. Daycare facilities offer a safe environment for children to learn and have the freedom to just be kids while their parents work to support the family.

Volunteers for this project may expect to:

- Assist the staff with nurturing and caring for the children;
- Help the children with their homework; and
- Organize games and recreational activities e.g. dance, music, soccer, etc., and
- Help with cleaning, cooking, or painting the facility.

Highlights: Authentic cultural immersion experience as participants live with a local host family in addition to interacting with the locals in the community and at their project site.

Participants receive 2 hours of Free Spahish Monday-Friday for the duration of their stay, up to 120 hours.

Qualifications: Must be at least 18 years of age and have an intermediate Spanish level.

Cost in US$: Starting at 609

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: While participation is not limited to this demographic, the average age is 18-26. Participants that are flexible and open minded when it comes to cultural differences, ways of life, and work pace are those that tend to benefit most from their experience abroad, as do those that demonstrate initiative with regard to recommending and implementing changes to improve the project and to assist the staff.

Age Range: 18 and over

This Program is open to American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Guatemala Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other
• Resume
• Transcript

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Alumni Network

Year Founded: 2008