| Located in Central America, Guatemala shares | | | | Guatemala, you must be prepared to be flexible with |
| borders with Mexico in the north/northwest, El | | | | respect to your job placement as well as in your |
| Salvador in the south, Honduras in the southeast, and | | | | disposition. The two most important qualities you'll |
| Belize in the northeast. The southwest of Guatemala is | | | | require while volunteering in Guatemala are patience |
| the Pacific coastline, while east has a tiny slice of the | | | | and tolerance. |
| Caribbean. Volunteering in Guatemala is can be both | | | | 1. Welfare: One of the poorest countries in Central |
| self-rewarding as well as self-satisfying. A country | | | | America, 75% of Guatemalans lives below the |
| ravaged by 36 years of civil war that left 100,000 | | | | poverty line and there is vast inequality between rich |
| people dead as well as forced 1million people to | | | | and poor. Many refugees who are returning back to |
| become refugees, if there is any country that needs | | | | the country after years of civil war are now trying to |
| volunteers it's Guatemala. Now, as it struggles hard to | | | | start their lives from scratch again. As a volunteer in |
| overcome the vast socio-economic problems, | | | | Guatemala, you will be dealing with various projects |
| strengthen its infrastructure, and meet the growing | | | | such as welfare for homeless, poverty stricken, and |
| needs of a population steeped in poverty, volunteering | | | | child labor. |
| in Guatemala gives you the rare opportunity to gain a | | | | 2. Teaching: The public schools in Guatemala are free, |
| real understanding of this country steep in history and | | | | but there is still the case that many children don't |
| traditions and once the epicenter of the extraordinary | | | | receive any education at all. Almost 25% of the |
| Mayan civilization. | | | | population is illiterate and volunteers like you can make |
| Divvied into 5 regions, Guatemala consists of the | | | | a difference by teaching them to learn and write. |
| Central Highlands (area around the Guatemala city), | | | | Volunteering in Guatemala will see you help several |
| Western Highlands (consisting of several modern | | | | charitable organizations that work to provide basic |
| Maya towns), Caribbean Coast (hot and happening), | | | | education for those Guatemalans who may otherwise |
| Peten (the main jungle in the north and home to | | | | not be able to take benefit of this facility. |
| impressive Maya ruins), and Pacific Highlands (hot and | | | | 3. Health: Due to being such a poor country, many |
| gorgeous beaches). Volunteering in Guatemala is an | | | | people are unable to afford basic medical care. |
| impressive combination of adapting to an ancient | | | | Volunteers in Guatemala work with charitable |
| culture, while enjoy the wondrous bounties of nature in | | | | organizations to provide basic and emergency medical |
| the form of Lake Atitlan, and many more as well as | | | | care to the locals. |
| working with locals to improve their standard of living. | | | | 4. Conservation: Center to Maya civilization, Guatemala |
| Why Volunteer in Guatemala | | | | is full of dramatic beauty. But the growth in population, |
| If you enjoy discovering new places, and exploring the | | | | deforestation, industrial development, and a general |
| diversities each country presents, then volunteering in | | | | lack of environmental consciousness as well as lack of |
| Guatemala is perfect for you. Experience the varied | | | | education, have led to straining of the fragile |
| riches of this vibrant cradle of Maya civilization and | | | | ecosystems. As a volunteer, you can help protect and |
| learn about the various ethnicities and languages | | | | conserve the ecosystems in Guatemala. |
| spoken here. The Guatemalans include Ladinos or | | | | Volunteering in Guatemala Requirements |
| people of Spanish heritage, Mayans, and Mestizos or | | | | 1. 18 or above 18 years of age |
| people who are of mixed ethnicity. Working as a | | | | 2. Free from all health problems |
| volunteer will give you the unique opportunity to make | | | | 3. No qualification necessary |
| friends with other international volunteers, as well as | | | | Fee and Other details |
| forge long-term relationships with the local people and | | | | There are fees attached for every volunteering |
| help them in their endeavor to make their country a | | | | project you opt for. The fee is charged in advance |
| better place for all to live in | | | | and is applied for food, accommodation, |
| Types Of Projects Available | | | | comprehensive travel insurance, in country travel, fund |
| If you are interested in volunteering in Guatemala, there | | | | raising ideas etc. |
| are many interesting projects available in many | | | | Conclusion |
| different categories. Some of the projects mentioned | | | | If you speak Spanish and enjoy being part of a society |
| below are representatives of four of the most | | | | steeped in ancient culture, then Volunteering in |
| common categories, but it's not necessary that you'll | | | | Guatemala is best suited for you! |
| be placed in the same category. As a volunteer in | | | | |