Class support at the preschool and afterschool care or paediatric support for children living around the landfill of guatemala city. Administrative support at the office of this ngo in antigua

Organisation

This American NGO is established in Guatemala city and the administrative part is established in Antigua (at an hour distance of Guatemala City). The organization is concerned with the education and welfare of children living around the landfill of the Guatemalan capital. The project offers preschool and after school care. The project allows the children to go to one of the twelve local schools. The project pays the school fees and other necessities like school uniforms, school books, notebooks, etc. The children of the project get a daily warm meal.

Project activities

• The volunteers support the Guatemalan teachers in the preschool and after school care. The support can vary from supporting at language, maths or English classes to teaching sports classes. As a volunteer you think actively with the completion of the curriculum. Different teachers are being searched, also for music, arts, dramatic expression, wood carving, sports, adult education (teaching illiterate women to read and write). Further mentors for the children are searched linked to groups for after school care or to girls that are indicated as a risk group. 
• And there is work for paediatric helpers.
• Administrative support / coordination at the office in Antigua is also a possibility in consultation with the NGO, dependant on occupancy.

What’s expected of the volunteers?

• Autonomous, enterprising and enthusiastic with both feet on the ground
• Knows how to work hard
• Good at Spanish
• Positive attitude
• Motivated and flexible

Accommodation and living environment

• You can live at a guest family in Antigua.
• You could also rent an apartment or stay at a hostel
• The NGO also owns a hotel where children are being trained at working in the catering. In this hotel in Antigua also volunteers of the project stay.
• There are several possibilities, depending on your preferences, discuss with the organization about the possibilities and the costs.

Period / duration

• Throughout the entire year with a minimum of three months. Generally you work for five days a week. The working hours are determined together with the organization.

Local costs

• If you’re staying at a guest family, you’re paying between US$200 – US$280 per month including 3 meals a day. You then integrate into the family, experience the culture up close, and learn to speak the language well.
• If you’re renting an apartment or are staying in a hostel, costs might vary.
• Inform about the costs if you want to stay in the hotel.

Experiences

“This organization is, to put it in one word, great! Currently I work in the guarderia with two groups. A group of two year of age and a group of six year. With the “little people” I work in the morning from 08:30 – 12:00 hrs. and in the afternoon I’m in the other group from 13:00 – 16:15 hrs.” 

“I usually am home at 18:00 hrs. A long day. But I think it’s beautiful to help over there. All the smiling faces of the children, the many hugs and kisses are a lot of fun, I simply don’t want to miss them. Makes me very happy.” 

“I’m really happy that I can work for this organization, I can give back some of my happiness.”