Programme Costs
[2009 prices]
| 8 weeks |
£1250 |
| 12 weeks |
£1450 |
| 16 weeks |
£1650 |
| 20 weeks |
£1850 |
| 24 weeks |
£2050 |
Included in the cost of the programme:
- Accommodations with a host family
- Language training: 80 hours of individual Spanish classes in Antigua (colonial city) or Cobán/Tactic (north of the country)
- Participation in cultural activities
- On call support throughout the service
- Coordination with the host country organisation of volunteer service
- Transportation to language school and volunteer project siteOptional visits to archeological and colonial sites (additional cost)
- Orientation to volunteer work
- Welcome at airport
NOT included in the cost of the programme:
- International transportation
- Airport/exit taxes
- Health & accident insurance
- Personal expenses
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In Guatemala it is possible to live in a modern environment yet experience the magic and enchantment of a legendary past.
By volunteering in Guatemala you can experience the warmth and hospitality of its people, the richness of its culture and the contrast of its development. Immerse yourself in the culture by living with a host family as a welcome family member. And, study Spanish in one-to-one classes before beginning your volunteer service.
Guatemala is located in the western part of Central America, bounded on the west and north by Mexico, on the east by Belize and the Gulf of Honduras, on the southeast by Honduras and El Salvador, and on the south by the Pacific Ocean. It is possible to have breakfast at sunrise in the Caribbean and observe sunset at the Pacific Ocean! About two-third of the country's total land area is mountainous. Guatemala possesses a striking topography and a wide range of climates-from hot, low-lying rain forests to cold mountains reaching 4,220 meters in elevation. The country is home to a wealth of biodiversity and natural beauty which is partially what has made it a popular tourist destination. You will find cloud forests echoing with the calls of howler monkeys; crisp, scenic crater lakes; mangroves and beaches, and dusty deserts, all within a country of 42,000 square miles.
Guatemala is a very diverse country with 24 languages and cultures; the official language is Spanish. There are 21 different Mayan languages, plus Garifona (Caribbean) and Xinka (Eastern).
Today over 80% of the Guatemalan population lives below the poverty line.
When you join one of our community service projects you are giving yourself the opportunity to make a difference by:
- Sharing your culture and education with youth groups in a rural village
- Helping to preserve the environment as part of an environmental education/ ecotourism project
- Contributing to small business projects for rural women and youth groups
- Educating and providing emotional support for disabled children
Programme Overview
Arrival and Orientation - Upon arrival of your flight in Guatemala City, you will be met and welcomed at the airport by our partner, INLEX. From the airport, you are transported to Antigua to have an orientation regarding:
- The country (geography, people, traditions/customs, services, currency, etc)
- Health and security measures
- Transportation system
- Staff to contact in case of emergencies
- Procedures regarding classes and volunteer work
- Home stay
You will also receive an orientation packet covering the points discussed and other useful information. Later on during the first days at your Spanish school you will have a more specific orientation to your town and language programme.
On the following day you will be taken to the Spanish Centre you have selected. The options are: APPE in Antigua (tourist colonial city) or Arts and language in Coban or Tactic (two locations in the northern part of the country).
Inlex will arranged for you to live with a Guatemalan family throughout your language training and your service. The goals of living with local families are: 1) to help your understanding of the culture of Guatemala; and 2) to strengthen your Spanish language skills.
Your home stay family has been given an orientation to learn about the programme in detail; the roles and responsibilities of the families, volunteer and Inlex; cultural differences between your country and Guatemala; Trainee health and sanitation issues; logistics and arrangements for the home stays.
Your host family will be an important part of your overall volunteer experience. Periodically, a staff member will visit you and your family to discuss your upcoming goals and objectives; to examine how the home stay is working out; and to address any issues or concerns you or your family may have.
Your home stay family has been asked to provide you with three meals per day. All families receive a stipend to help cover food and living expenses.
You will formally evaluate the home stay programme twice during the training programme.
Informal feedback on home stays will be solicited throughout training by the Host Family Coordinator.
Volunteer Projects - Following language training, you will join your host project to begin your volunteer service in different parts of the country according to your assignment. Your volunteer service can last 2-10 months (or more) depending on your selection and type of project. For your volunteer assignment you will also be placed with a local family.
INLEX has contacts with a large number of Guatemalan NGOs working in development programmes. Therefore, we are able to accommodate a very wide range of interests. After defining the future volunteer's area of work, INLEX will locate organisations where the volunteer can be placed. This will be consulted and agreed with the volunteer before arriving to Guatemala.
Some typical host projects include:
- Helping to preserve the environment as part of an environmental education/ ecotourism project
- Contributing to small business projects for rural youth groups
- Helping to educate and provide emotional support for disabled children
- Assisting in a day-care centre for children of single mothers
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Guatemala Fact File
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Population
12,701,000
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Capital
Guatemala City; 951,000
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Area
108,889 sq. kilometers
(42,042 sq. miles)
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Language
Spanish, Amerindian languages
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Religion
Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefs
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Currency
Quetzal, U.S. dollar, others allowed
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Life Expectancy
66
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GDP per Capita
U.S. $3,900
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Literacy
71%
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