Teach children in indigenous communities, learn Spanish and explore Guatemala

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Program Overview
Life on the Program
Program Details
Volunteer Testimonials

Program Overview

Travel to Guatemala, a remarkable country packed with Mayan culture, ancient ruins and active volcanoes to teach in Spanish to indigenous children. You will be based in the beautiful town of Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, travelling to communities close to Antigua to teach.

You will teach children from the ages of 4, concentrating on basic numeracy and literacy, helping them master everything from A B C’s and 1 2 3’s, to maths and sciences for those volunteers with more advanced Spanish language skills.

This project is run in conjunction with our in-country partner, Phoenix. Since 2003, Phoenix has overseen the education of over 600 children in Guatemala, providing a safe and fun environment for learning that would not otherwise be available without the contribution of volunteers.

Life on the Program

You will work in the community Monday to Friday, where you will either take your own class or assist a more experienced volunteer in providing a beneficial, fun and interactive education.

While the work you do is absolutely vital in providing an education to these children, days are long, leaving Antigua at 7.30am and returning at around 5pm every day. You are expected to lesson plan effectively and put in the effort to give your class the best possible chance to gain their national qualifications.

You will live with a local host family in Antigua in a basic but comfortable setting, giving you the unrivalled opportunity to practice your Spanish. Antigua is a small but vibrant town, with access to shops, restaurants, phones and internet.

Program Details

Phoenix currently works with the two indigenous communities of San Andres Itzapa and Santa Maria de Jesus with the aims; firstly in education, paying particular focus to literacy and educational reinforcement for the children of both communities; and, to improve the standard of education for the indigenous people of the area to address the lack of knowledge in areas such as basic hygiene and nutrition

Over 600 children now attend national school, however due to large class sizes, erratic timetables, and the lack of education among parents, reinforcement is of paramount importance so the children receive their required certificate at the end of the year. Phoenix plans to have all children in both communities attending national school over the coming years.

Volunteer Testimonials

I had a great experience with GVI from the first time I submitted my application to after I came home. The program that Dom and Doreen have built in Guatemala not only make a big impact on the...

Michelle Petrazzuolo, USA

I had a great experience with GVI from the first time I submitted my application to after I came home. The program that Dom and Doreen have built in Guatemala not only make a big impact on the community, but also integrates the community into the project so that the people are working to help themselves, and they can take ownership in the results. Besides that, it was a ton of fun! The kids were very sweet and we became friends right away. I would recommend this trip to anyone without even a moment's hesitation.

This was my third two week stint. Yes, I'm hooked. First time, I was a tutor in the English program (full disclosure, my daughter was an intern, and my boss!). The second year, I built...

Carolyn Ingram, USA

This was my third two week stint. Yes, I'm hooked. First time, I was a tutor in the English program (full disclosure, my daughter was an intern, and my boss!). The second year, I built stoves for two weeks with my husband and daughter (same one who'd been an intern, Leslie Beach. Most recently, I taught for two weeks, 5th grade curriculum in Spanish. I've loved all three--returning is gratifying, seeing how the kids are growing up, and re-connecting with staff, interns, and meeting, each year, incredible volunteers. I'm so inspired by Elena, and her family. With no education herself, she and GVI have created amazing programs for kids, adults, families, the community. Her love and humor and hard work make me want to do as much as I can, whenever I can. I am incredibly impressed with the interns who do whatever it takes to make each day a success for the kids and the volunteers. And then there's other staff--a community who works hard, plays hard, and gives it their all. And yes, I am intending to go for a fourth stint!

The buzz I got from teaching was great! The kids are fantastic, so full of life and energy. They all wanted to learn, and so it was a pleasure to teach them. Trying to teach in Spanish was a bit...

Sam Cliffe, United Kingdom

The buzz I got from teaching was great! The kids are fantastic, so full of life and energy. They all wanted to learn, and so it was a pleasure to teach them. Trying to teach in Spanish was a bit daunting at first, but as my Spanish improved, so did my teaching.

But the teaching doesn’t stop after lessons, at break times it was great to talk and play with the kids as I learnt so much about how they live and what life is like in their culture. I even learnt a few words of their local dialect, but I think I’ll stick to the Spanish for now!

I was working with 1st grade students for 6 weeks and towards the beginning of that time I identified my main goal of helping them advance their reading. We worked on syllables, books and reading...

Sarah Longley, USA

I was working with 1st grade students for 6 weeks and towards the beginning of that time I identified my main goal of helping them advance their reading. We worked on syllables, books and reading aloud and tried to focus on comprehension over simple regurgitation. The memory that stands out the most for me is a letter I received on my last day from a little boy named Oscar that his older sister had helped him write thanking me for teaching him how to read and write.