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In Guatemala, due to poverty and past conflicts, many children have ended up on the streets. These children have fallen prey to the hands of those conducting illegal activities. This condition has posed serious threats on the society of Guatemala. Children, who are supposed to be the future bearers of the country, struggle hard to survive amid such depravity and deficiency.
RCDP International, in collaboration with many local grassroots organization, conducts various volunteer programs for the welfare of such children. Street children and children at-risk projects in Guatemala focus on getting these children off the streets and providing them with shelter, food, education and emotional support.
Volunteers in our Guatemala street children/children at-risk projects help rehabilitate these children by teaching basic English, supervising/creating games, assisting with creativity-based activities (painting, art classes, etc.) and homework, as well as acting as special companions to the children. Volunteers also assist in daily routines within the designated center, including cooking, cleaning, routine maintenance, laundry, etc.
No specific qualifications are required to volunteer in this project. However, interested individuals should have a passion and eagerness to help these less fortunate children, with a strong personality to deal with these children's often unfortunate situations and demeanors. While Spanish is preferred it is not required.
Volunteers with skills and/or a background in child psychology and Spanish fluency have an amazing advantage in ensuring the highest level of contribution and effective interaction. Yet, while these skills are welcomed, they are not required of volunteers wanting to participate in this particular project.
Antigua Guatemala or La Antigua was the third capital of Guatemala which also served as the colonial Spanish capital of Central America. It is a World Heritage Site and is probably the most popular tourist destination of Guatemala. Due to its popularity amongst tourists and its very well developed tourism infrastructure, Antigua Guatemala is often used as a central location in which many choose to set up base and from here, visit other tourist areas in Guatemala and Central America.
In Guatemala, all volunteers stay with well-screened host families. Our host families are socially respected and are well versed in the art of hosting international volunteers. Host families offer a safe home, private rooms (occasionally rooms will be shared with other same-gender volunteers) and shared bathroom facilities with running water and a “western” style toilet. Volunteers can to do their own laundry at home or the host family may offer to do it for you for a nominal extra fee. You will receive three prepared meals per day. If you will be out of the house during lunch hour, you can request a lunch "to go" that you can take with you or eat out on your own. Host families provide typical meals that are traditional to Guatemala.
Throughout the volunteer project, our local staff stays in contact with volunteers either through visits or via email/telephone. With longer placements, we visit our volunteers every two weeks (when possible) and volunteers are always welcome at the local office. If project placement is near, we request that volunteers stop by the office once a week to keep us posted on how they are doing with their home stay and project. If project placement is very far, then our local staff members maintain communication by either email and/or phone.
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The mission of RCDP-Nepal is to encourage international volunteers to contribute in sustainable community development that benefits the underprivileged and extremely poor. By developing the places and the communities, the volunteers are also developing themselves and learning new perspectives and ideas that will ultimately change their lives.
