Education & Development in Guatemala

  Guatemala

• Other Cities in Guatemala: 
San Andres

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks

Description: Volunteers are welcome to join this facinating project to assist with the management of a beautiful nature reserve and to help educate the Mayan people in the region.This project mainly focuses on a 150 acre reserve in the town of San Andrés. The goal of the reserve is to convert it into an outdoor education center as well as to preserve its integrity as an ecological reserve. The park encompasses 3 km of trails, a botanical garden, tree nursery, an organic farm, an agro-forestry demonstration area, reforestation areas, small animal projects, an arts and crafts center, a museum and education center, volunteer housing, and a basketball court. The park is fenced in and identified as an ecological reserve. A full time caretaker walks and maintains the perimeter of the park, as well as maintaining the trails and protecting the Mayan ruins that are in the park. Educations programs are also run with local schools and community centers. As a volunteer in this project you will assist with all aspects concerning the nature reserve and participate in local education programs. You will live with a local family and gain the opportunity to learn Spanish, experience the Mayan culture and meet new friends from around the world.

Highlights: As a volunteer, you will have the opportunity and time to explore fascinating area. In comparison to other "tourist" areas of Guatemala, San Andrés is very rural. It has neither banks nor hotels. It does, however, have two comedors (very small restaurants), a billiards hall, local cantinas, small stores that sell common goods, a hardware store, basketball courts, small internet café, and soccer fields. The roads are dirt and usually in very poor condition. Luckily, the road to the park is relatively flat with no hills, so riding a bicycle or walking to and from the park is very easy. Most houses have electricity, and most roads have lamps that are illuminated throughout the night. There are public phones in the center of town that take prepaid calling cards, some families have cell phones, and only one or two families have direct phone lines. The beach is only a few minutes away by foot, and there are some nice public beaches where the water is safe and clean for swimming. Other activities include field trips and movie nights. It is also possible to go to the ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal (one of the most significant archeological finds in Central America) and jungle treks can be arranged in the spectacular Mayan biosphere reserve (for a low cost). Spanish lessons can be arranged individually for 4 USD per lesson.

Qualifications:
* Min age 18
* Families with children are also welcome
* Basic English or/and Spanish
* Good physical fitness
* Motivation to work with people and nature
* Full travel & medical insurance
* Immunizations (please consult your doctor)

Cost in US$: USD540 for 2 weeks

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

GoEco's Mission Statement: (1) Encourage ecological and volunteer tourism that promotes sustainable development (2) Enable travelers to experience different and more rewarding kinds of tourism. (3) Encourage travelers to volunteer for the benefit of others and thus to serve as a good-will ambassador to other countries in the world. (4) Encourage travelers from all over the world to come to Israel for ecological and community-based projects, in both the Arab and Jewish sectors, and experience firsthand the unique cultural and natural diversity in this region. (5) Support environmental and humanitarian projects that promote understanding and good will between ethnic societies in Israel. (6) Conduct further research in the field of ecological tourism, such as the 'Ecological Footprint' as a tool for sustainable tourism development. (7) Establish an in-depth and up-to-date data base of the relevant projects worldwide. (8) Create a platform from which to explore the various organizations that support the environment and actively encourage volunteering.