Volunteer Services in Guatemala
Introduction
Our experience tells us volunteers can be a very important resource to non-profit organisations. While volunteering, you can make a difference and at the same time have a life-changing experience while learning a lot about Guatemala and its culture.
EntreMundos offers volunteer services to connect volunteers to around 150 different organisations in Guatemala. (NGOs, community groups and non-profits) Whether you want to work with women, micro-credit, the environment, animals, education, agriculture, health, construction, etc, EntreMundos offers professional and friendly advice for potential volunteers to find the best volunteer position suited to your specific needs. EntreMundos feels that everyone is able to contribute by doing volunteer work. We have projects of which the minimum level of Spanish required varies from none up to advanced, as well as projects that accept volunteers for a minimum time commitment varying from one day to a year. This means that we are able find suitable projects for just about anyone. Note that the majority of the organisations we work with are situated in or around Quetzaltenango and the Western Highlands.
Three EntreMundos Services for Volunteers
EntreMundos has different services for three types of potential volunteers. First of all EntreMundos has services for potential volunteers that would like to find their volunteer work themselves. Second, EntreMundos can help potential volunteers that are already in Quetzaltenango and are seeking expert advice volunteer options. Lastly, EntreMundos also provides assistance to potential volunteers that want to arrange their volunteer work in advance and receive a complete information package about Guatemala.
1) Free Online Volunteer Opportunities Database
For those of you that like to arrange your volunteer work entirely yourself, EntreMundos has a free online volunteer opportunities database on our website. You can take a look at listings of around 150 organisations that are seeking volunteers in all fields of work by following this link: http://www.entremundos.org/Projects/db/FindListings.php. With this information you can contact the organisations directly. However, be aware that the database contains a very brief description of each organisation. Also, even though we do our very best to update it regularly, some information might be out of date as telephone numbers often change.
2) Volunteer Advisory Service at EntreMundos
For those of you already in Quetzaltenango, you can come and visit the EntreMundos office from Monday to Thursday between 1pm and 5pm for an introduction and overview of all volunteer opportunities available. For a donation of Q25 (approximately $3) you will receive a personal appointment with the volunteer coordinator who will give you information about the activities of EntreMundos, the different types of organisations and projects available, and how these match up to your preferences, skills and expectations. You will receive assistance with finding a volunteer position suited to your specific needs, free use of the computers and internet, and phone calls to local NGOs with any specific questions about a volunteer opportunity, to confirm your volunteer work or to make arrangements (the volunteer coordinator can do also make the calls for you if you prefer). For more information contact: volunteering@entremundos.org, call (502) 77612179 or visit 6a Calle 7-31, Zona 1.
3) Full Volunteer Arrangement and Information Package before arriving in Guatemala
If you would like to arrange a volunteer work placement before leaving your home country, EntreMundos can provide extensive personalised help with finding a volunteer position and making arrangements on your behalf. For a donation of only $25, we can have your volunteer placement organised and confirmed before you arrive in Guatemala. Furthermore, you will receive a complete information package about Guatemala including information regarding transport, accommodation, health: local diseases, security; behavioural guidelines, the climate, what clothes to bring, as well as information on Spanish schools, cafes, restaurants, etc. All of this information is important to know before coming to Guatemala.
Besides this basic volunteer work placement assistance before leaving home and the complete information package, EntreMundos also has additional services for volunteers arriving in Guatemala for the first time. EntreMundos can offer you help in: booking an overnight stay in Guatemala City including airport pick-up, private transport to Xela, booking of accommodation in Xela, and accompanying you to your volunteer project. Below you can read more specifics about these extra services and the contribution required.
How to Apply?
First go to the ‘donate’ page on our website and pay the $25 dollars donation through Google checkout. Then send an email with the registration form filled out and your CV to volunteering@entremundos.org. We will acknolowledge the receipt of your application as soon as possible and then our volunteer placement advisor will contact you again within a week with advice and suggested projects for you to work on during your time in Guatemala. With your feedback on these projects or questions the volunteer placement advisor will continue with suggesting different projects or making arrangements for you. This process could take from a few days up till a few weeks.
Furthermore, you will receive an information package about Guatemala and specifically Quetzaltenango with information about Spanish schools, the climate, what to bring, answers to FAQ, accommodation options and everything you need to know before coming to Guatemala.
For more information about this service or details on how to apply please contact: volunteering@entremundos.org or call (502) 7761 2179.
Additional Services that EntreMundos can offer:
For an additional $30 dollars: Guatemala city airport pick up + overnight stay in hostel(in Guatemala city), breakfast, next day transport to local first class bus station.
For an additional $45 dollars: private transport from Guatemala city to Quetzaltenango
For an additional $10 dollars: the volunteer placement adviser will meet you in Quetzaltenango and take you to your volunteer work the first time, showing you how to get there with public transport, arranging the first meeting with the organisation and helping to get your final questions answered. The volunteer placement adviser speaks fluent English, Dutch, Danish and Spanish.
For an additional $10 dollars: your volunteer placement advisor will visit 5 Spanish schools that you have personally selected with you to find the best possible Spanish school for you.
For an additional $5 dollars: you can receive a certificate, signed by your hosting organisation and the director of EntreMundos confirming you have completed your volunteer work placement according to the wishes of the organisation.
Why EntreMundos asks potential volunteers for a contribution for the volunteer placement service
In addition to providing services to volunteers and volunteer accepting organisations, EntreMundos runs a variety of different services and activities for non-profit organisations including workshops (In Xela and surrounding rural areas), computer classes, the provision of the office space for meetings or conferences, and publishes a free bilingual bimonthly magazine to raise awareness about development and human rights issues in Guatemala.
Your money will contribute directly to one of the above mentioned activities, so that we can continue connecting local organisations with resources and providing them with the skills to strengthen themselves.
Only for Organisations
For organisations wishing to have details of their projects included in our database, please fill in the registration form below (in Spanish or English) and email it to volunteering@entremundos.org.
For registration form in English please click here
For registration form in Spanish please click here
