Quick Facts
Program code
GL-VOL108
Category
Volunteer Work, Health Care, Child Care, Social work
Country
Guatemala
Location
Antigua
Program start
year round, start and end dates are flexible
Minimum duration
2 weeks
Minimum age
18 years
Contact us
Happy to help you
(+1) 954 762 7607
(+56) 9 7516 9816
(+49) 7735 425 339
skype: chileinside
8 am - 4 pm EST
Program details
Guatemala is a country with major social challenges. Around 60% of the population lives in poverty. The conditions for infants and young children are particularly alarming: over a third live in extreme hardship, characterized by hunger and deprivation. Out of 1,000 newborns, 40 do not survive their first year of life. Around 45% of children under 5 suffer from growth disorders due to malnutrition.
A functioning health system that can solve these problems sustainably is not yet in sight. State support is hardly available. Private donors and initiatives are committed to helping the weakest - especially children.
You can find such commitment in our volunteer program site. Volunteers are placed in a clinic that was founded as an NGO, back in 2011. It is based in Pastores, Sacatepéquez, just outside Antigua. The NGO supports people with low incomes who do not have access to medical services. The clinic helps people by offering medical care for families as well as dental and psychological help. It also provides free medication and treatments when needed.
These children need a new start in life. Without the support of volunteers, this important work would not be possible at this high level.
The following figures show the valuable support the clinic provided in 2023 alone:
- Medical care: A total of about 1,820 patients, including children, adolescents and adults.
- Dentistry: About 690 children, adolescents and adults. 49% of the patients were children and adolescents and 51% were adults.
- Psychology: Approx. 140 clinical therapies with children and adolescents.
With your volunteer work in the health sector in Guatemala, you will help to stabilize the health care of children, introduce them to a balanced diet and educate their families about healthy eating. It is always about giving these children in Guatemala a carefree childhood. Together with a dedicated team of specialists and volunteers, you create a safe, loving environment in which the young patients can recover and get well.
As a volunteer, you too can help combat child poverty in Guatemala. Through your volunteer work, you give hope and joy of life!
Tasks
Volunteering abroad in the health care sector offers you as a volunteer the unique opportunity to gain practical experience while discovering a foreign country, local traditions and cultures.
In Guatemala, the support of international healthcare professionals and students is urgently needed. Especially in rural areas where access to healthcare is very limited. This is where volunteer work makes a crucial contribution.
This volunteer project in a hospital in Guatemala is aimed at:
- Medical students
- Nurses, doctors and dentists/students
- Psychologists/psychology students
- Teachers and social workers/students
- and other professionals or future professionals
During your volunteer work in the medical field in Guatemala, you will be looked after by the volunteer coordinator.
The volunteer project offers you a great opportunity to gain valuable experience while leaving a positive impact in Guatemala. Through your volunteer work, you make an important contribution to healthcare and help improve the quality of life in the local community. The tasks are based on your field of expertise and can include, but are not limited to, the following activities:
- Doctor's assistant: support with medical procedures, patient care, blood pressure measurement, first aid and general care.
- Psychologist's assistant: psychosocial support, organization and implementation of activities for those affected.
Dentist's assistant: support in dentistry in the treatment of children, adolescents and adults.
In addition to sufficient food, one thing is essential for the recovery and development of children in particular: attention! Your warm care can give the children a feeling of security and help them to leave their worries behind for a moment. Bring your compassion and love with you to Guatemala and give the children new perspectives!
Note: The tasks may vary. They depend on factors such as number of volunteers, season, current needs of the project, as well as self-motivation. Not every volunteer may be fully involved in all these tasks.
Accommodation
Our volunteers have access to typical homestay accommodation in the beautiful city of Antigua.
Volunteering in Guatemala also involves intensive immersion in the everyday life and culture of the host country. That's why our volunteers live in local homestays in Antigua. Here they experience the local customs and traditions in their original form, try typical local meals and discover real life in Guatemala.
Another plus point: you will quickly notice how your Spanish skills improve from day to day.
Our homestays are carefully selected and most have many years of experience with our foreign volunteers.
In addition to hospitable accommodation, you will receive three meals a day (Monday - Saturday). You will live in a single room. A private bathroom is available for an additional charge.
Location
Antigua is a very beautiful city in the south of Guatemala. Surrounded by perfectly formed volcanoes, Antigua is known for its Spanish colonial buildings, picturesque courtyards, colorful markets and beautiful churches.
The colorful maze of streets is typical of the colonial city. Antigua was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site back in 1979.
The tourism industry is flourishing here in the shadow of three impressive volcanoes.
Antigua is one of the most visited places in Central America and accordingly has a wealth of tour operators and agencies that offer exciting tours to all parts of the country.
With the wide range of offers, you are spoiled for choice. Jungle, Mayan culture, Pacific coast or culture in the capital - you will certainly find a provider that has the right thing for you.
Located in the highlands of Guatemala (around 1,600 m above sea level), the climate in Antigua is pleasant all year round. The average daytime temperature is 20 °C. The nights are quite cool.
Language skills
Spanish at communication level. For optimal preparation for your volunteer work in Guatemala, we advise you to take a Spanish course before the program starts. This gives you the opportunity to slowly get used to the language, culture and mentality.
You can book your Spanish course in Guatemala directly with us!
Requirements
- Spanish skills (book your Spanish course in Guatemala!)
- Minimum age 18 years
- CV, diplomas, study curriculum if applicable
- Application at least 4 weeks before the desired start of the program. Read more about our application process here.
- Completion of a foreign travel health insurance (get your travel insurance here!)
- Criminal record check
Pre-departure and in-country support
Before arrival, our experienced team will be at your disposal to assist you throughout the booking process and travel planning. With the booking confirmation you will receive our 24-hour emergency number, so that you can reach us 24/7 in case of emergency.
In addition to the assistance given by our office staff you will be supported by our partner organization in Guatemala located in Antigua.
Costs & Services
The volunteer program in a hospital in Antigua in Guatemala includes:
- Single room in a Homestay
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner (from Monday to Saturday)
- City tour through Antigua on your first day
- Advice from our experienced staff
- On-going support via WhatsApp, phone or mail
- Elaboration of your application profile in Spanish
- Your placement in the volunteer project
- Pre-departure information
- Packing list
- Country handbook
- Intercultural guide
- Orientation upon arrival
- On-site volunteer coordinator
- 24/7 emergency number
- Advice on travel insurance
- Certificate of participation
Costs
Application fee: US$ 150
Program fee: US$ 875 (minimum stay 2 weeks)*
Each additional week: US$ 160
*Program costs include a US$ 100 donation to the program site.
Additionally, you can book:
- Airport pick-up in Guatemala City US$ 40
- Spanish course in Guatemala
- Spanish courses in Latin America
- Travel Health Insurance
Our tips (experience more + see more = save $$)
Is it difficult for you to decide between the many great projects? You want to see and experience as much as possible during your stay in Latin America? Then build your own itinerary - experience more & see more! Our program combination makes it possible!
All our stay abroad programs can be combined with each other: So, you can combine different volunteer projects in the same country or in different countries, or you mix Working Holiday with volunteer work or Farm Stay with Working Holiday ...and so on âŠ
Your creativity knows no limits. The longer your stay abroad in Latin America, the greater the discount you get from South America Inside. Below you can see how much you can save:
If you need assistance in putting together your personal experience abroad, then please contact us. Our experienced staff will help you to set up your tailor-made stay abroad.
Volunteer Guide
Find valuable information about volunteering abroad in our program guides. Find out about all the benefits, possibilities and challenges, that a stay abroad offers you. Read more about the great opportunities that South America Inside has at your disposal.
Browse through our section Reading Matter!