Description

Quetzaltenango, Guatemala located in the heart of the Sierra Madre Mountains, is a culture where traditional Mayan dress and customs are still present in everyday life. Volunteering here, you will really get to experience the culture while helping those in need. You will be able to work in a health clinic, an orphanage, or a women's shelter. Excursions offered included trips to Pana and Antigua, among others depending on length of trip.

United Planet's Volunteer Abroad Quest program, celebrating 60 years of long-term voluntary service, offers signature pre-departure and in-country training, personal volunteer support, meaningful volunteer opportunities, diverse cultural and learning activities, local excursions, a strong host family network, and much more.

Highlights

United Planet Short-term Quest (1-12 weeks) offers 16 destinations in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and Middle East. Volunteers can choose a project from a wide range of projects, such as orphanage care, teaching, environmental work, womens empowerment, healthcare and more. You will be 100% immersed in the local culture though cultural activities, excursions, and host family stays. You will also be supporting essential community development work.

Guatemala:

Volunteer in a variety of different locations while immersing yourself in the culture of Guatemala! Due to its large indigenous population, Guatemala maintains a rich culture. You will be staying in the heart of the Sierra Madre mountains in the city of Quetzaltenango (abbreviated Xela). Surrounding Quetzaltenango are various villages of Quiche and Mam origin, containing market squares and churches of the old colonial style. Explore the beauty of Guatemala while volunteering with those who need your help.

Specific projects in Guatemala:

* Orphanage Quest: The center focuses on creating an environment that encourages the children's growth and development. The children range in age from 1 to 14 years old; many have been abandoned, are sick, belong to single mothers or have been separated from their parents by the state to ensure their well-being.Volunteers at this site in Guatemala help do some light construction work such as repairing windows, doors etc. Volunteers can also teach English, organize artistic (theater, music, arts) and sports activities, help the children with their homework or teach agricultural education.

* Health Clinic Quest: Students of medicine may have the opportunity to shadow a local doctor. Nutritionists can also help at the women's shelter or orphanage by giving talks on reproductive and maternal health.

* Women's Shelter Quest: Volunteer work includes tutoring the children before and after school and/or organizing recreational and creative activities for the children and their mothers.

Qualifications

Basic to Advanced Spanish, depending on location

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Cost in US$:

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing

Program Fees Include:

* Host family accommodations and meals
* Devoted support from the United Planet team
* Travel insurance
* Pre-departure training
* 1-way transfer from airport to UP's partner office for briefing
* Orientation, mid-Quest check-in, final evaluation
* Language lessons
* Diverse cultural and learning opportunities
* Historical, cultural and recreational excursions
* Global Caring Award upon successful Quest completion
* United Planet t-shirt or hoodie sweatshirt

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

People of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to join us. We are extremely proud of our international volunteers. Each and every volunteer strives to be a good ambassador through their flexibility, courage, open-mindedness, positive spirit, and genuine desire to make a difference. To help prepare you for the predictable and unpredictable aspects of your time abroad, you will be offered comprehensive pre-departure training and in-country orientations, as well as personal support from our Program Coordinators. We will work with you to help you gain the tools you need for a fun, safe and successful volunteer abroad experience.

Age Range

18 and up

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone/Video Interview

Typically The Application Process Time is

24hours

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network

United Planet's Mission Statement

As an international non-profit organization, United Planet (UP) strives to create a world in which all people understand, respect, and support one another. United Planet's global network of leaders and volunteers fosters cross-cultural understanding and addresses shared challenges to unite the world in a community beyond borders. In 2008, United Planet was one of only ten organizations selected by CNN to be part of its "Be the Change" initiative.

Year Founded

2001