Assistant in Childcare

Guatemala is a developing country where more than 50 percent of the population lives in poverty. Particularly alarming are the numbers of infants and children in need. More than a third of them suffer hunger and poverty. Of 1000 born children, 40 do not even survive their first birthday. Until the health care system of Guatemala is sufficiently developed to deal with this problem, it will certainly take many many years. There are hardly any public subsidies and initiatives, but rather associations of private donors and initiators who want to help those who can not take care of themselves, primarily children and babies.

The same applies to this Volunteer Center in Guatemala, where you support a health center for malnourished infants and children under the age of eleven. The charity, which was founded in October 2008, includes a fully-equipped medical infirmary, a kitchen, a dining room, areas for the most critical cases of malnutrition, common areas and a small garden. The aim of the center is to stabilize the health situation of malnourished children, to get them used to normal food intake and to educate them about nutrition. The goal is always to give them a carefree childhood. For this purpose, staff and helpers do their best every day, creating a safe, clean and fun atmosphere in which the little ones can feel comfortable and happy.

Without the help of volunteers, it would not be possible to keep the work in the facility at the high level that children need for their path to a "normal" life.

Be aware that you have a great responsibility in this volunteer position. You take care of infants and children of extreme poverty and accompany them on their way to a "better" life. Also, you come in contact with particularly severe cases of malnutrition and neglect or abuse.

In collaboration with local staff and other volunteers, you will ensure every day the well-being and health of the little patients. You change diapers and bath the children, you feed them and play with them, you develop educational activities and carry out small projects.

You also take care that the facilities of the charity are always clean and in good condition and teach the children in virtues such as order and cleanliness. Collecting donations and organizing fundraisers may also be part of your job.

One thing is especially important for the successful recovery and development of children: attention! Often, your warm-hearted care is enough to keep the children safe and forget their worries for a moment. Bring all your love to Guatemala and give new hope to the Guatemalan children!

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.

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:

1. City tour Antigua
2. Handicraft markets from indigenous people
3. Lake Atitlan
4. Archeological sites (e.g. Park of Copan)
5. Nature and Volcano
6. Thermal baths of Kawilal
7. Tradicional market of Chichicastenango
8. Visit to museums of indigenous cultures like the Maya
9. Bird watching tours
10. Outdoor sports like climbing, hiking, Canopy, biking, 4x4 tours, etc.
11. Visits to Chocolate and Coffe productions sites
12. Tikal, the biggest Maya ruins (weekend trip, at least 3 days)