Overview
Volunteer on Childcare Projects in Guatemala

Volunteers joining this project will be working with children from nursery through initial primary school levels and will be typically working with children from the ages of 4 and upwards concentrating on basic education and literacy. As their teachers, those volunteers placed with younger children will be helping them master all the classroom basics, from holding a pencil, drawing lines, to their first letters and numbers. For those volunteers with more advanced Spanish, you may be teaching with more advanced children in maths, language and sciences. Classes are structured and interactive with lots of different activities for them to master. Please note that due to project dynamics volunteers may be required to assist in other classes with the older children from time to time. This is one of GVI’s most popular volunteer projects, owing to the exceptional volunteer feedback it receives.

Further training options are also available at this location, including a short term community development internship.

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Worthwhile doesn’t come close to explaining my feelings on the project. It was wholly fulfilling and perhaps even life changing.

Nathan Golan, GVI Volunteer in Guatemala

What Difference Does This Project Make?

A substantial part of the fee goes towards the day-to-day running costs of the projects themselves throughout the year, which includes rent, electricity, local salaries, fruit and other food for the children, educational materials for classes, monthly birthday and other celebrations, painting and maintenance. We currently pay for over 400 children to attend National School, as well as our own schools. Of these, almost 50 children entered Secondary School and 8 entered College. Included in your fee is one scholarship per child, per year.

Highlights

Living with a host family in Antigua; learning Spanish (optional); teaching literacy and numeracy to indigenous children in remote communities in GVI schools; going on an adventure weekend at Lake Atitlan (optional) to enjoy activities including hiking, biking and kayaking, opportunities for Salsa Classes and further travel.

Location

Guatemala is one of the jewels of Central America, packed with ancient ruins, active volcanoes and intriguing Mayan culture. Volunteers live in the beautiful old Spanish colonial town of Antigua and project work is carried out in communities all within a one hour journey from the town.

Field Conditions

Living with local families in comfortable but basic accommodation allows for an enriching cultural experience and the valuable opportunity to practice your Spanish! All accommodation provided is private and includes three meals a day (apart from Sundays). Lunch is eaten in the communities with a local family during the week. Travel upgrades are available for this project see dates and costs for more information.