Overview of the Project

In Guatemala, health care conditions in rural areas contrast sharply to those in large cities. While large cities boast of state-of-the-art facilities for health care, rural areas often have health services which are noticeably overwhelmed. Global Crossroad has partnered with these local hospitals to develop programs for volunteers that would greatly benefit these understaffed and overcrowded facilities. Medical volunteers have the chance to gain firsthand experience in the medical field and great satisfaction in knowing they’ve helped patients as well.

Role of a Volunteer

Volunteers' duties may include assisting the staff in many tasks at the clinic and hospital. Volunteers will help the staff do outpatient department services, provide education for preventive health and observe the work of the doctors. You will also help teach health education at community outreach programs and, assist with family planning and antenatal services.

(NOTE: Above are sample activities and vary from day-to-day, depending up on the schedule of the project. The local project's staff members may request assistance in various activities deemed necessary or beneficial to the clinic or those in need.) . Generally, the head of the clinic develops a work plan for volunteers upon arrival. The daily work plan depends up on the individuals' skills, interests, and knowledge

Skills/Qualifications Requirements

All medical volunteers interested in this program are required to show proof of qualification as a health care professional, medical student, or nurse. A background in medicine is necessary for this project along with the ability to speak good Spanish.

Room/Food/Supervision

Most of our volunteers live in a homestay with local host families. Our host families are carefully screened. They are educated, socially respected, and have hosted international volunteers in the past. A host family offers you a separate room (sometime you need to share with a fellow volunteer of same gender) and three local meals a day. The family and volunteers share use of the bathroom/shower and kitchen facilities. This also provides a local support network beyond the volunteers and program staff. Many of the volunteers consider their home stay a vital component of their Guatemalan experience.

Ongoing Programs

Teaching English Orphanage Project Medical Project Day Care Center for Children Women’s Project