Volunteer in Guatemala - Change the World By Volunteering in Guatemala…. And Enjoy the Adventure of a Lifetime.

Is your mind set on volunteering in Guatemala? Is your heart telling you that combining travel to an amazing country, with the chance to help others while there, is a worthwhile thing to do?

If so then you won’t regret making the decision to spend time on a well organized and truly worthwhile RCDP volunteer in Guatemala program.

This ancient land has lots of amazing sights to see and history to discover, and you are guaranteed a warm welcome from those who call it home. Being able to work on projects which directly benefit the people and communities who need a helping hand is an honor.

Enjoy this chance to make memories which last a lifetime, as well as contributing to programs which create long term positive changes for others too.

Don’t delay - you can enroll in any of these exciting and worthwhile programs right now, or if you need more information simply drop us a line and we will be in touch.

What volunteer opportunities are available in Guatemala

All RCDP volunteer abroad programs are worthwhile and meaningful, and those in Guatemala are no different. From working with loving children abandoned to orphanage life, or teaching youngsters English skills which will secure them a decent future, to helping on medical programs that deliver the only care poor people may ever get – there are several life changing volunteer opportunities in Guatemala to choose between.

Orphanage Project

In an ideal world every child would have loving parents who are able to care and provide for them with no problems at all’ unfortunately the reality for many youngsters in Guatemala is quite different. Many are left homeless and as good as orphans when their parents succumb to alcohol problems, abuse them or simply cannot afford to put food on their plates.

Orphanages exists to offer as many of these needy kids as possible a loving, warm and safe place to live, but they are always short of funds and staff, which makes it difficult for all these innocent children to have enough love and attention.

If you choose to volunteer in a Guatemala orphanage with RCDP you can be a very positive influence, spending time caring for, playing with and tutoring the residents, and basically helping them to feel loved and secure. You may be placed in an all boy or all girl orphanage, though some are mixed; while the children are generally aged between 5-16 years of age.

Guatemala orphanage volunteer programs allow you to best use your own skills and interests, so if you are able to introduce arty, sporty or musical activities you will be able to share these with the children. Your time and attention will make a difference to the lives of these young people beyond what you could imagine possible, and that is a gift beyond any other.

Skills/Qualifications Needed: Everyone is welcome to join our volunteer orphanage project in Guatemala, providing you are a kind, patient, understanding and caring person who enjoys spending time with children, and is a good role model. Some Spanish language abilities would be helpful, but are not essential.

Volunteer Responsibilities: As an RCDP Guatemala orphanage volunteer you will generally teach English for 3-4 hours every weekday. This may be at the orphanage itself, or at the local primary school. Other duties may include helping with the morning washing and dressing routines, and with meals. Offering after school fun activities based around sports, creative hobbies, gardening and so on is encouraged, and most volunteers get involved in some way.

Teaching Project

As Guatemala continues its rapid growth in the tourist market the need for citizens to speak English is critical, and of course such skills are also useful in other industries as globalization changes the way countries do business around the world. The bottom line is that without a decent level of English behind them young people will struggle to get a good job and live a comfortable life.

Families with spare cash or those with children at higher fee paying schools don’t have to worry about funding their English education, but in many rural areas the government doesn’t allocate enough funding to employ the number of capable language teachers they need.

You can help create a more equal situation by joining RCDP’s volunteer education in Guatemala program, and help a local English teacher bring the classroom alive.

Skills/Qualifications Needed: Although there are no special rules set for who can join a volunteer education in Guatemala program you should be interested in, and have a good understanding of the English language, feel confident about teaching young people and be comfortable taking charge of large groups. Of course patience, a clear voice and a sense of adventure are also very desirable. Spanish speaking skills will make daily life easier, but this is not essential either.

Volunteer Responsibilities : As a Guatemala education volunteer you will be working from set curriculums, and mainly with primary school age children. Although the main point of each lesson is fixed volunteers are able to add in activities they feel will help the students develop their English conversation and grammar skills, so you can let your imagination and creativity shine.

Lastly, it is really helpful for the young people to have plenty of opportunities to speak English, so being open and warm will encourage their confidence to communicate, both in and out of the classroom.

Medical Project

There’s no doubt that medical staff across Guatemala are always up against the odds as they try to deliver medicine, information, care and treatment when resources are stretched and rapidly outdated. In rural and urban poor areas this experience is magnified by ten, especially as those hospitals and clinics have even fewer staff, less facilities and fewer resources. This is why the medical volunteer Guatemala programs RCDP support are so important.

It may seem hard to believe, but when basics like antibiotics are hard to find you can better understand why so many diseases and conditions which other countries have wiped out still thrive here. Choosing to volunteer in healthcare and medicine in Guatemala is perhaps the most important thing you may ever do for others in your entire life.

Skills/Qualifications Needed: There are no compulsory qualifications needed to be a medical volunteer in Guatemala, and you don’t need any experience either – though of course that will always be something we welcome.

Volunteer Responsibilities: Your exact duties will be decided on site, based on your background, education and skills, the type of medical establishment you are placed in, and the local community’s exact current needs. Most volunteers have the chance to observe and assist qualified staff across a variety of departments, plus do things like measuring blood pressures and temperatures, teaching local people ways to stay healthy, or treat surface wounds.

The Fee and Dates

RCDP Guatemala volunteer program starts every 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month