Description

Rural young people in Guatemala face serious challenges: lack of jobs, few incentives, and limited opportunities in their communities. Volunteers are needed to work in rural areas to organize youth groups and provide skills training.

The goals of this project are:

1. To create locally available training opportunities for the participants of the rural youth at risk project;
2. To aid rural youth in the development of small business projects that allow them to generate income to improve their quality of life in their communities;
3. To train the participants in techniques to develop better citizens who will contribute to the sustainable development of their communities.

Highlights

Volunteers will work on:

* organizing youth groups
* providing trainings on small business, life skills ("planning my life"), computer training, self-esteem workshops
* organizing or supporting anti drugs/alcohol campaigns, teenager pregnancy, HIV prevention

Qualifications

This project can use volunteers with "soft" skills, not very technical/experts in nature. This will allow university students or "generalists" to participate in the projects.

Requirements: basic computer knowledge; interest in working with teenagers; interest or experience in teaching; basic business skills or knowledge.

Languages

• Spanish

Cost in US$:

Program Fees Include:

* Application processing, interview and pre-departure information
* Accommodations with a host family with two meals per day
* Language training: 80 hours of individual Spanish classes in Santa Lucia Milpas Altas - 15 minutes from Antigua for a total immersion experience
* Participation in cultural activities
* On call support throughout the service
* Coordination with the host country organization of volunteer service
* Transportation to language school and volunteer project site
* Optional visits to archaeological and colonial sites (additional cost)
* Orientation to volunteer work
* Welcome at airport

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Anyone 18 or older may apply, except US citizens who must be 19. Skilled and unskilled volunteers are welcome. You must be healthy and fit enough to adapt to living and working where conditions may be strenuous and where accommodations are basic. If you are applying to work with minors or others with special needs, professional certifications and/or background record checks may also be required.

Age Range

18 to 65

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Essay
• Letters of Reference
• Phone/Video Interview
• Written Application

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Volunteers for International Partnership's Mission Statement

Volunteers for International Partnership offers each international volunteer an opportunity to learn a culture from the inside while doing valuable community service, peer to peer, in a stimulating new environment. VIP is committed to: *Careful selection and preparation of the volunteer, host family and Host Organization. *Emphasis on the education and self-awareness gained through international community service and volunteering. *Planning the volunteer's intercultural experience to highlight enrichment from cultural differences. *Full immersion in the host culture through orientation, language training, worksite and housing selection. *Individualization of volunteer placement design to take full advantage of volunteer differences in skill, age, experience and diversity. *Effective evaluation of the experience and the Host Organization. *Strong efforts to enhance the volunteer's social adjustment to regional habits and customs. *Choosing volunteer service projects that are worthwhile, safe, meet the needs of the local community and are conducted responsibly with regard to environmental, social and local issues.