Involvement Volunteers International WHY we need you in Guatemala
- Guatemala has an extremely high poverty rate, estimated at 59.5% (23% of those live in extreme poverty).
- 8 out of 10 indigenous children are said to be suffering from chronic malnutrition.
- Income equality is very high in Guatemala, with a huge difference between rich and poor families.
- Guatemala is prone to natural disasters, such as hurricanes, flooding, earthquakes and landslides. This leaves the landscape and homes ruined and many people struggling.
- Deforestation and other environmental issues have become a big problem in the county.
HOW can you help?
- Immerse yourself in the local Mayan way of life
- Live with a local family and take part in their daily routine
- This is a manual project- be prepared for some hard work!
- Learn and understand more about the local culture, customs and lifestyle
WHAT you can do?
- Help in the family's fields
- Assist with traditional dinner preparations
- Help with livestock and feeding
- Local construction projects
- Learn how to make handwoven textiles and crafts
Why Involvement Volunteers International?
- Non Profit Organisation & Charity
- Over 30 Years Expertise Globally
- Low Program Fees - From US$295
- Excellent Safety Record, In-Country 24/7 Support & Emergency Assistance
- 1 Application Fee - Multiple Countries
PROJECT NAME: CULTURAL IMMERSION
LOCATION: TOWN OUTSIDE OF ANTIGUA
START DATES: WEEKLY (SAT/SUN ARRIVALS)
ACCOMMODATION: HOMESTAY (SHARED ROOMS)
MIN DURATION: ONE WEEK
MIN AGE: 18+ (under 18 with guardian)
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Criminal background check required
Overview
This project will let you experience a true Mayan hospitality and in-depth overview of local life. The project in based in a traditional farming community, around 30 minutes outside of Antigua, in a rural and ‘off the bean path’ location. You will live with a local Mayan Kakchikel-speaking family and assist within everyday life. Work includes helping in the fields, cooking traditional Guatemalan dishes, caring for animals, assisting with local construction projects, working at the local school, agricultural work and making handwoven textiles and crafts. Work will vary based on seasonal needs, weather conditions, and location.
Within the indigenous community and culture, some of the work is gender specific, so please be aware that your daily tasks could vary accordingly. We ask that you respect the community’s way of life and customs with sensitivity. Please note- the local people on this project do not speak English, so it is helpful if you have some understanding of Spanish. During the project, you also have the chance to learn Kakchikel, one of the main Mayan languages.
Location
This project is situated offsite from the volunteer centre, in a traditional farming community, around 30 to 60 minutes outside of Antigua. This location may not have reliable internet, but a phone is available in case of emergencies. Our local coordinators will check in with you by phone and in-person throughout your project.
Project Tasks
- Working on the local farms
- Learning to weave textiles
- Construction projects
- Learn to cook traditional food
- Learn the language and interact with locals
Food & Accommodation
While in Antigua for your orientation, you stay in a shared room with a pre-approved middle class Guatemalan family or in a student residence. You share with 1-3 other people of the same gender.
You will work and live with an indigenous family inside their home, in a small town approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour from the volunteer centre. At your project site you stay with a local family in their simple farm house at the foot of a scenic volcano. Families often have children of all ages and you should expect there to be many pets and farm animals around. The village has a small park, a church, a school, and some shops. Keep in mind there will be no access to wifi whilst on project, or ATM’s so please bring all the supplies you need with you.
Breakfast and dinner are provided 7 days a week* on the project and will be of local cuisine (which you may be asked to help prepare). Corn, rice, beans, beef, pork, chicken, cheese, and tortillas form the basis of the typical local foods. Meat stews and soups are very popular also. Please note that meals are made from ingredients available locally and it may be very difficult to accommodate dietary restrictions.
Standard
Projects
- Childcare Support
- English Teaching
- Stray Dog Rehabilitation
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1 Week - $435
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2 Weeks - $685
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3 Weeks - $855
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1 Month - $1025
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2 Months - $1720
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3 Months - $2390
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Meals
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Airport Pickup
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Local Transportation
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1 Day Orientation
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24/7 In-Country Support
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Project Materials & Equipment
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Pre-departure Expert Advice
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Preperation Tools & Checklists
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Certificate of Completion
- Application fee is one off per person (unlimited placements)
- Click Here to convert the below prices to your local currency
- Discounts may apply if travelling in a pair or group!
- All credit card /international fees included in below pricing! 🙂
Testimonials...
FAQ
This project would suit anyone who wants to fully immerse themselves into the local culture and to learn the local indigenous language. Some knowledge of the Spanish language would be extremely useful as most of the locals do not speak English. This project is great for those who love to try something new and experience and learn about a different culture.
- Airport pick-up
- Host family accommodations
- Breakfast and dinner, 7 days/week
- 3-4 hours/day practical work, Monday-Friday
- Program and safety orientation
- Walking tour
- Official certificate of volunteer service
- Letter of recommendation
- Spanish language tutoring table
- Tandem Conversation Program
- Office-wide WiFi and computer lab
- Salsa dance classes
- Cooking classes
- Free coffee and tea and on-site snack bar
- Institute is open 7 days/week
- Emergency contact number 24/7
- Flights
- Medical insurance
- Daily transportation
- Travel and tours
- Transfer back to the airport
- Personal spending money
Each project will include a 1-day orientation to familiarise yourself with the local area, rules, safety advice and general information. Your host family will show you the best way to get to/from your accommodation to the volunteer centre. Orientation will include health and safety advice, do’s and don’ts, cultural norms, activities and tours you can do on weekends, and a short walking tour, showing you the local area. You are also able to take a free Spanish placement exam. On your first day the local coordinator will take you to the placement, where you will be introduced to everyone and shown around the project.
Our projects are situated in the Antigua area. The most effective way to get you your project is to walk or take the bus. Travel time can vary between projects, and you should expect to spend 20-60 minutes travelling each way. You may need to change buses, depending on where your accommodation/project is located. Taxis are widely available but much more expensive than the bus.
We will explain to you how to get to your project site and you will be given transportation tickets. You will leave on Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning to reach your offsite project. Transportation back is included, and this will usually be Friday evening or Saturday morning.
Sunday – Arrival / Welcome and Home Stay Introduction
Monday – Orientation day
Tuesday to Friday
Here is a rough guide on what to expect:
- Breakfast at the accommodation
- Up to 8 hours of volunteer work
- Your own lunch at the accommodation or project site
- Free time
- Dinner at the accommodation
You should expect to work up to 8 hours per day, Monday to Friday. That said, the goal of this project is to participate in the everyday life of your host family and their community. This means that schedules can vary greatly. For instance, some days may
require 8 hours of work split between morning and afternoon while others require only 1-2 hours.
You should be prepared to entertain yourself in creative ways during your free time, keeping in mind the lack of Wifi. Volunteers are also expected to take part in local festivities and community gatherings alongside their host family. If you want to enjoy weekend excursions such as volcano hikes, this can be arranged from Antigua. It is possible to take the bus back on the weekend.
Volunteers must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Those under 18 are welcome when there is a faculty leader, parent, or guardian present
- Have a good level of fitness as this can be a manual project
Limited access to education and healthcare, poverty, illness, unemployment and illiteracy continuing problems in Guatemala. Guatemala is bordered by El Salvador and Honduras to the South, Belize to the East, and Mexico to the North. There is plenty for outdoor and nature lovers here, including tropical coastal beaches and lush jungles, mountains, rivers and volcanoes. Guatemala has a population of 14 million people, half of that being indigenous. You will see plenty of ancient Mayan traditions and customs still alive today.
The climate in Guatemala changes somewhat dramatically. In the lowlands there is a hot, tropical and humid climate year-round. The mountain regions are a lot cooler and can even fall below freezing in the cooler months. The climate in the popular tourist destinations in Guatemala, such as Antigua and Guatemala City, is temperate and a comfortable warm temperature.
May to October is the rainy season, which brings short rains usually in the afternoon. This can be a great time to visit, as the landscape are lush and green. The dry season is from March to May.
Guatemala has strong Mayan and Latin influences, with the main language being Spanish, as well as some Mayan languages. The indigenous people are known for their colourful clothing and textiles and Guatemalans love their sport (soccer in particular) and music. The designs of the clothing vary in patterns from which village you come from. Religion in Guatemala varies from Mayan spirituality, Catholicism, and Evangelical Christianity. Muslim and Jewish populations can be seen in Guatemala City as well. A lot of the festivals here are influenced by religion.
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