Support Disabled Children
Coordinator | Marion
Coordinator | Marion
Book with Flex Option!
Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
Highlights
Learn more about Guatemala's rich culture
Boost your CV with international volunteer experience
Grow as a person while improving your intercultural skills
Improve your Spanish skills by practicing on a daily basis
Visit amazing places throughout a country that is famous for its breathtaking landscapes and historic sites
Help take care of disabled children and brighten their day by playing, singing, and doing activities with them.
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
50+
In this volunteer work project in Guatemala, you take care of people who need special attention. The project takes place in a nursing home for people with physical and / or mental disabilities. The home in a suburb of Antigua is home to around 70 patients, including children, adolescents and some adults in wheelchairs or having other types of disabilities.
In addition to the volunteers, nurses, doctors and physiotherapists are part of the staff of the home. They take care of the daily care and support of the patients and the development of the very small ones. The daily work mainly focuses in providing the residents with a varied everyday life and stimulating their emotional, physical and mental development with meaningfull activities.
The help of volunteers is always important because, as in many areas of Guatemala's health system, there is still a great shortage of adequate support for people in need.
Please keep in mind that working with disabled people is not always easy. Inner strength and emotional stability are therefore particularly important for this volunteer project.
Typical day
Throughout this project, you will support the center’s nursing staff with their daily work and routines. One major part of this task is trying to make the patients smile.
On a typical workday, you will help take care of the children. This typically includes playing with them, feeding and bathing them, making their beds, accompanying them on excursions, and coming up with educational activities to stimulate their senses and skills.
You may also be able to work in the physiotherapy department where you will assist the physical therapists when they train the patients. In addition, you might be asked to do some repairs, such as repairing wheelchairs, etc.
You can discuss your work priorities with your volunteer
coordinator on-site and, depending on your interests and prior knowledge, you
will be sent to work in an appropriate area.
Note: The tasks may vary. They depend on factors such as number of
volunteers, season, current needs of the project, as well as
self-motivation. Not every volunteer may be fully involved in all these
tasks.
Free-time activities
In your spare time, there are many different
activities to choose from, such as visiting historic sights and museums around
the city of Antigua. This wonderful colonial city is a real gem and offers
plenty of touristic activities. Many volunteers also go to local bars and
restaurants to socialize with friends. On the weekends you can take day
excursions to get to know the amazing surroundings.
Among the most interesting things to do:
- City tour Antigua
- Handicraft markets from indigenous people
- Lake Atitlan
- Archeological sites (e.g. Park of Copan)
- Nature and Volcano
- Thermal baths of Kawilal
- Tradicional market of Chichicastenango
- Visit to museums of indigenous cultures like the Maya
- Bird watching tours
- Outdoor sports like climbing, hiking, Canopy, biking, 4x4 tours, etc.
- Visits to Chocolate and Coffe productions sites
- Tikal, the biggest Maya ruins (weekend trip, at least 3 days)
Concert/
Music
Music
Sightseeing
Shopping/
Souvenirs
Souvenirs
Climbing
Safari/
Zoo
Zoo
Hiking
Museum/
Opera
Opera
Sports
Riding
Yoga/
Meditation
Meditation
Requirements
In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.
You need to speak Spanish (intermediate level)
at High School level
CV, volunteer questionnaire and Criminal Record check
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
What's Included
- Single room with local Host Family
- Full-board (breakfast, lunch, dinner) from Monday to Saturday
- Consultation from our experienced staff
- Translation of application profile
- Volunteer work placement
- Advice regarding travel insurance
- Advice on local travels
- Orientation session upon arrival
- Orientation kit
- Country handbook
- Local support
- 24/7 Emergency Number
- Certificate of Participation
Airport pick-up in Guatemala City can be booked for an extra cost.
An important part of our volunteer work in Guatemala is the intercultural exchange. This is why volunteers in Antigua live in homestays with local host families. Our families are carefully chosen, and most have many years of experience with foreign guests. In addition to a single room, you will have full-board from Monday to Saturday.
Full-board is provided from Monday to Saturday.
Good access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.
The nearest airport is La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City. We assist you to find cheap flights to Guatemala.
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Guatemala provides security and is a plus to have.
If you are intending to volunteer in Guatemala you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Guatemala.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Details on arrival
The volunteer work can be joined throughout the year. The start and end date can be set flexible, according to your availability and travel plans. Ask our experienced staff to coordinate your participation in this meaningfull volunteer project.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
4 - 24 weeks
Program fees
4 weeks
(min. stay)
$960
5 weeks
$1,090
6 weeks
$1,220
7 weeks
$1,350
8 weeks
$1,480
24 weeks
(max. stay)
$3,560
Average fees
$194
/week
Please note that the above shown program fees are estimated.
South America Inside
will let you know about the final price during your application process.
The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.
Your final payment will be agreed with South America Inside during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
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application process
- including all necessary payments. Planning your next meaningful trip with Volunteer World gives you free access to our:
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Our services are free of charge!
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What are people saying about Volunteer World?
Support Disabled Children
Help take care of disabled children and brighten their day by playing, singing, and doing activities with them.
$194/week
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