Quick Facts
Program code
GL-VOL105
Category
Volunteer Work, Child Care, Health Care
Country
Guatemala
Location
Antigua
Program start
year round, start and end dates are flexible (except during the Easter week and between mid-December and mid-January)
Minimum duration
2 weeks
Minimum age
17 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
In this volunteer project in Guatemala, you will care for people who need very special attention: You will work in a nursing home for people with physical and/or mental disabilities. Located in a suburb of Antigua, the center houses about 70 patients, including children, teenagers, and some adults who are wheelchair-bound. In addition to the volunteers, there are nurses, doctors, dentists, and several physiotherapists in the house. The volunteers take care of the daily activities of the patients and their welfare.
The daily work is mainly about giving the residents a fun-filled day with stimulating activities to increase their emotional, physical, and intellectual development. As is the case with much of Guatemala's health system, there is a lack of adequate care and nursing staff, so the help of volunteers is always greatly appreciated.
Please be aware that working with disabled people is not always easy. Patience, kindness, and emotional stability are particularly important for this volunteer project.
Tasks
As a volunteer for this project, you will support the nursing staff with their daily work and try to make patients smile through your love and affection every day. Your tasks will include the direct care of patients. When working with children, you will play with them, feed and bathe them, make their beds, accompany them on daily excursions, and invent educational activities to stimulate their senses and motor skills. Working in the field of physiotherapy, you can assist the physiotherapist during patient training sessions. In addition, you may help out with some repairs, such as repairing the wheelchairs.
You can discuss your work priorities with your on-site volunteer coordinator who will send you to the appropriate area of responsibility based on your prior knowledge and interests.
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
Homestay:
An important part of our volunteer work projects in Guatemala has always been to provide an intense glimpse into the everyday life and culture of the host country. Therefore, our volunteers in Antigua live in homestays so that they immerse into local customs, taste authentic meals, and experience the daily life of a family in Guatemala. You will quickly realize how much your Spanish skills improve each day. Our homestays are carefully screened and selected, and many hosts have years of experience with foreign guests. In addition to a hospitable accommodation, you will receive three meals a day. You will be provided with a single room, while the bathroom can be private or shared. The homestays are located in Antigua.
Guest house:
Alternatively, if volunteers wish to live amongst other foreigners visiting Guatemala, we can provide accommodation in a nice guest house. This accommodation features a single bedroom and access to a kitchen for self-catering. There is internet in the guest house.
Location
Antigua is a beautiful colonial town in the south of Guatemala about an hour from the capital, Guatemala City, and surrounded by perfectly shaped volcanoes. Antigua is one of the most visited places in Central America. The city is famous for its Spanish colonial buildings, picturesque courtyards, interesting markets, beautiful churches and a colorful labyrinth of streets. The city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage since 1979. Antigua is located in the highlands of Guatemala at about 1,600 meters above sea level.
Antigua has an abundance of tour operators and agencies that offer exciting tours to all parts of the country. Whether you want to get to know the jungle, the Mayan culture, the Pacific coast or you are looking for cultural activities, in Antigua you are guaranteed to find someone who organizes exactly what you are looking for.
Antigua has an average daily temperature of 20 °C all year round, while the nights are quite cool. The rainy season is from June to October, the dry season from November to May.
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 17 years
- 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
Our volunteer project with Disabled Children in Guatemala includes:
- Single room in a Homestay or a Guest House
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner (only homestay)
- 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 when living in Homestay
(single room with breakfast, lunch, dinner except on Sunday)
Application fee: US$ 150
Program fee: US$ 685 (minimum stay 2 weeks)
Each additional week: US$ 145
Costs when living in Guest House
(single room, no meals incl.)
Application fee: US$ 150
Program fee: US$ 760 (minimum stay 2 weeks)
Each additional week: US$ 180
Additionally, you can book:
- Airport pick-up in Guatemala City US$ 40
- Spanish course in Guatemala
- Spanish courses in Latin America
- Travel Health Insurance
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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.
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