Organisation

Project activities

As a project coordinator you support the volunteers and participants in the ‘Woman’s Artisan’ project. In this project the local women develop local crafts (weaving) for sale. The project is designed to offer support in developing ideas for promotion, sale and / or export of these products. The above is the main task, in addition there is also the possibility to support the adult education of these women. You stay in Quetzaltenango ( "Xela"), with visits to 3 different villages (Momostenango, Chirijox and Chuacruz) where the women who participate in the project live. Stay in one of these villages may sometimes be necessary.

What’s expected of the volunteers?

• Required: Nivel intermedio de Español (when this is not the case, you have to take a Spanish course)
• Interested in Maya culture
• Computer knowledge
• Creative
• Enterprising
• Enthusiastic

Accommodation and living environment

• You’re staying at a family and are paying for board and lodging. In this way you learn to know the culture from inside out and are you in the perfect environment to learn Spanish.
• Besides, there is a limited possibility to stay at a room in the language school where there is also a shower, toilet and cooking facilities.

Period / duration

• As soon as possible (as long as this vacancies remains, 1 June) for a period of minimal half a year. If the function of ‘Project Coordinator’ no longer is there, it can be seen if there is place for an ‘Assistant Project Coordinator’.

Local costs

• Around €120 per month including meals if you’re staying at a guest family
• €100 per month excluding meals if you’re staying at a room in the language school.

Experiences

These three and a half days in rural Guatemala just joined in with the life of the Alvarado family, tasted the atmosphere, opened my eyes and ears, in between the events I tried to acquire as much information as possible on the ins and outs of these weavers, I learnt my first words of Quiché (matiox = thank you; jadcha’nan= hello madam; saqirik = hello…), got some ideas on possibly expanding their negocio.