Description

Volunteer with a women's and children's human rights organization in Quetzaltenango Guatemala!

Volunteers work in the shelter for women and children affected by domestic violence, a serious and ongoing problem in Guatemala. Volunteers work with the children in the shelter devising and organizing educational and creative activities for children who live in the shelter or attend the Nuevos Horizontes Day Care Center. Volunteers also help with after school activities for shelter children who attend school.

Minimum 4 week commitment, part time.

Prospective volunteers can email the volunteer coordinators.

Longer internships are possible within the NH offices working with the community outreach education and training program.

Highlights

The highlights are spending time with the children and women of the shelter who have survived domestic violence and are rebuilding their lives. The shelter is the first of its kind in Guatemala so is incredibly important. The only limit to the activities you can organize is your imagination and the reaction of the children to new activities and experiences is amazing.

Qualifications

All volunteers are welcome! The basic qualifications to volunteer are enthusiasm and a hardworking attitude. Guatemala is a Spanish speaking country (although over 20 other indigenous languages are spoken here) so Spanish skills are an advantage but there is ample opportunity to combine the placement with language study in one of the town's many Spanish schools. For longer internships within the Nuevos Horizontes outreach programs fluent Spanish is essential and experience with NGO training is an advantage.

Intern Types

• Human Rights
• Psychology
• Social Work
• Women's Studies

Languages

• Spanish

Cost in US$:

0

Cost Includes:

• In-country staff support
• Written materials abroad

Program Fees Include:

It is free to volunteer for Nuevos Horizontes. Volunteers must support themselves financially during the placement and find accommodation in Xela but there are many low cost options and the volunteer coordinators can advise. All materials for volunteer activities in the shelter are paid for (locally fundraising events cover this) but help is always needed so volunteers are welcome to bring materials or fundraise at home to cover shelter activity costs!

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Independent, enthusiastic and creative with a willingness to become immersed in the culture of Guatemala.

Age Range

Any age

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Independent living

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 2-10

Application Process Involves

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Written Application

Asociacion Nuevos Horizontes's Mission Statement

To vindicate the human civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights of women and children; to provide protection to women and children who find themselves vulnerable to risk, abandonment, and domestic violence, and/or with health, legal, or judicial problems and lacking training; to promote and provide them with material well-being, training and capacity-building, physical security, clothing, food, and access to public education and health services; and to create opportunities to overcome difficulties and survive in conditions that allow them to integrate into their families, community, and social surroundings as productive and socially responsible individuals.

Year Founded

1989