About Guatemala

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Volunteer in Guatemala

Work With Street Children in Guatemala

$7 per day for Medical, Conservation and Construction Projects

 

Project Summary

There are over 2000 families living in and around garbage dumps in Guatemala. These families’ children are considered “street children” and they often end up exploited and begging or in worst-case situations, they fall victims of inhuman labor or sex trades. Poverty and starvation is pervasive and these children are desperate, frustrated and deprived of so much beyond a simple home to live in. Volunteers can support these children by giving them skills, caring, support and supervision they need in order to lift themselves and their families from the vicious circle of living below the poverty level in often squalor conditions. Our volunteers serve as positive AND motivating factors in these children's lives, and are often driving forces and shining examples of the possibility of a brighter futures and the hope these children need to survive.

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  • Program: Volunteer in Guatemala
  • Project: Work with Street Children in Guatemala
  • Start dates: 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month
  • Departure and End Point: Guatemala City (Aurora International Airport)
  • Language Need: Basic Spanish fluency and conversational English fluency
  • Accommodation and meals: Host Family and Guatemalan meals three times daily
  • Activities: general care, support and education of poverty stricken children living at/near garbage dumps
  • Working hours: 25-35 hours per week
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Role of Volunteer

As a volunteer working with street children in Guatemala, you will focus on the education and well-being of these street children. A reward system has been created to allow children to earn points to earn clothes and food to share with their families once a month. If not for this reward, the children would be working at the garbage dump with their parents. This system encourages parents to send their children school so that they can pursue their dreams beyond their current situations. Volunteers help with homework, activities, clothes and food. The extra attention and care offered to these children reintroduces their self-confidence and believe in themselves and their families.

Skills/Qualification Needed

No specific qualifications are required to join work with street children in Guatemala project. However, beginner to intermediate knowledge of Spanish is preferred (but not required). If you cannot speak Spanish, we recommend enrolling in our Spanish Language Studies program, which can run simultaneous to your volunteer project or immerse in this program for a week prior to your project. Interested individuals should have a passion and eagerness to help less fortunate children as well as have a strong personality to help these children overcome their often tragic and destitute circumstances.

Volunteer in Guatemala: Project Locations and Free Time Options

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Global Crossroad’s volunteer in Guatemala program is based Quetzaltenango, Guatemala Quetzaltenango. The city is also known as Xela (pronounced SHAY-la), it is the second largest city in Guatemala. Situated at the southwest of the country, the surrounding department has a variety of landscapes extending from the cold highlands to the warm Pacific coast. There are numerous volcanoes, hot springs, valleys, mountains, rivers. The region provides a harvest of numerous products such as coffee, wheat, fruits and vegetables, as well as sheep and cattle breeding. The classical, neoclassical and Italian renaissance styles are apparent in the buildings and the houses which have been built during the past century and the beginning of the 20th, with volcanic stones by artistic "Quetzalteco" masons. Xela is also well-known for its abundance of volcanoes, mountains, and hot springs as well as other natural beauty and experiences.

 

Guatemala’s eco-diversity positions the country as a global “biodiversity hot spot”. Natural adventures abound in Guatemala and many activities are available for day trips or longer excursions. The terrain is diverse including mountains, rain forests, jungles and the highlands. Popular activities include eco-tours, mountaineering and water based sports. There are many adventurous options as well as calmer activities for the non-thrill seekers. Many hours can be spent in the streets of Antigua or biking through the surrounding areas. Cultural diversity can be explored in restaurants, markets and museums.