Quick Links
Volunteer programs in this country are currently unavailable.
Volunteer Guatemala Orphanage!
Do you love kids and want to care for orphans who have tragically lost their families? Has Central America been calling your name?
Join Global Crossroad in Guatemala, a country with a rich history and cultural heritage. Travelers will find countless attractions such as beaches, lush jungles, volcanoes, unique Latin cities, bustling markets, and fascinating Mayan ruins.
Sadly, Guatemala has thousands of orphans due to extreme poverty, illiteracy and several other devastating causes.
One child is abandoned every 4 days in Guatemala City alone, leading to an ever-growing number of children who desperately need help.
Our Guatemala orphanage volunteer program helps support understaffed and underfunded orphanages to provide a safe home, nutritious food, love, care, and attention to these poor kids. Join us and make a profound difference in the lives of children in need.
Volunteer Responsibilities & Impacts
You’ll be dedicating yourself to offering the poor orphans of Guatemala the love, care, and attention they need and deserve.
Some of your duties while volunteering in an orphanage in Guatemala will be:
- Helping children with homework and teaching basic conversational English skills
- Supporting recreational and artistic activities focused on educational learning
- Reading stories, performing puppet shows, caring for and simply playing with the children
- Organizing and developing sports activities
- Supporting in the kitchen/helping to serve meals in the dining room
Your time spent at the orphanage will have a huge impact on the lives of the poor orphans you’ll be working with, and you can feel great knowing you have made a real difference while traveling abroad!
Skills and Qualifications
There are no specific qualifications required to volunteer in orphanage program in Guatemala. The main thing you will need to succeed is a love for children, and a willingness to help others in need. Bring your patience, compassion, enthusiasm, an open mind, and a big heart.
Beginner to intermediate knowledge of Spanish is preferred. If you cannot speak Spanish, we recommend enrolling in our Spanish Language Studies program. You can take classes while you volunteer or do a full week immersion before the start of your volunteer project.
Your orphanage volunteering program in Guatemala will be a rewarding adventure, and your heart will be overflowing with joy and fulfillment with the meaningful work you are doing.
- First Day: On your first day of volunteering, our in-country coordinator will bring you to the orphanage. You will meet the dedicated and caring orphanage staff and get introduced to all the amazing orphans you are traveling so far to help!
- Orientation: Learn all about your work at the orphanage, your schedule, safety measures, and go over the customs and culture of your host country to start your Guatemala orphanage volunteer program off on the right foot.
- Weekdays: A typical volunteer day is as follows:
- 7.00 to 7.30 AM: Share breakfast with your host family and get ready for a heartwarming day working with orphans.
- 7.45 AM: Head out to the orphanage, and support the children throughout their day. Serve meals, share time, and bring smiles to their faces and joy to their troubled lives.
- 12.00 PM: Bring a to-go lunch from your host family and eat at your project site along with local project staff and fellow volunteers from around the world.
- 3.00 PM: You’ll have free time each day when you’re not volunteering, and you can explore the fascinating city of Xela.
6.45 PM: Share a traditional Guatemalan dinner with your local host family. Practice your Spanish and immerse yourself in a fascinating culture.
Volunteer Guatemala Orphanage: Dates and Fees
Dates: Volunteer in Guatemala
All volunteer in programs in Antigua, Guatemala start every Monday. However, Global Crossroad is very flexible and understands that various travel constraints that you might face.
All volunteering overseas in Antigua, Guatemala options are available year around, except at times programs like a volunteer teaching English overseas program might be closed for various holidays and vacations. Between the project link and a Global Crossroad representative, all of this specific information regarding programs dates will be available to you. If a program is unavailable, we will provide an alternative program for you to join.
Fees: Volunteer in Guatemala
Global Crossroad is committed to offering the most affordable and highest quality Antigua, Guatemala volunteer trips. We strive to keep our costs low. The humanitarian side of the business is our passion.
Global Crossroad's volunteer opportunity in Antigua, Guatemala application and registration fee cost US $299. The application fee covers the cost of advertising, program promotion, and office expenses (rent, utilities, and staff salaries in USA office).
In addition to the application fee, you are required to pay a weekly program fee. You will pay your weekly fee directly to your host family and project. This way, the fees that you pay will benefit those who rightfully deserve them, and not for company profit.
| Weeks | Orphanage Projects |
|---|---|
| 1 Week | $120 |
| 2 Weeks | $240 |
| 3 Weeks | $360 |
| 4 Weeks | $480 |
| 5 Weeks | $600 |
| 6 Weeks | $720 |
| 7 Weeks | $840 |
| 8 Weeks | $960 |
| 9 Weeks | $1080 |
| 10 Weeks | $1,200 |
| 11 Weeks | $1,320 |
| 12 Weeks | $1,440 |
Mandatory comprehensive travel insurance $3.49 a day »
How your fee is allocated?
Airport Pick up and Transfer to Xela from Guatemala City- $40 to $80 (depending on type of accommodation)
Spanish Classes: (Monday-Friday) 2 hours a day: $50/ week
Program fees cover:
- Accommodation (host family)
- Food (local food 3 times a day)
- Program Orientation
- In-country support
- Personalized project
- Pre-departure information
- Certificate of completion
- Fundraising ideas and letters
- Discount for returning volunteers
Program fees exclude:
- Visas
- Airfare
- Personal expenses on soft drinks and foods
- Daily transportation
- Airport return transfer
The volunteering programs in Antigua, Guatemala fees will cover expenses that will begin on the first day of the program (usually the first or third Monday of the month) to the last day of the program. If you arrive before the first day of the program or you decide you stay beyond your program’s last day, you will be responsible for the additional expenses, which would typically be around $30 a day for room and meals at a hostel.
Accommodation and Meal
Our Guatemala orphanage volunteers will enjoy a safe, clean, comfortable home away from home staying with one of our socially respected local host families. In some placements, you may actually stay on-site in the orphanage in special rooms set aside for international volunteers.
The host family experience allows you to become fully immersed in Guatemalan culture, practice your Spanish, and experience everyday life in another country. You’ll share three local meals a day with the family and may share a room with fellow volunteers from around the world.
Read more about your accommodations and food in Xela, Guatemala.
Free Time and Weekend Exploration
You’ll have plenty of free time from your Guatemala orphanage volunteer program. You’ll have every evening and weekend off, so take that time and get out and explore Guatemala!
Xela is a fascinating city where the old Mayan traditions are alive and well in streets lined with colonial Spanish architecture. Use your evenings to discover a fascinating take on life in Latin America you’ll find nowhere else in the world.
Weekends are perfect for getting out of town and exploring other areas of Guatemala. Don’t leave without checking out some Mayan ruins and discovering more of this beautiful country on and off the beaten tourist track.
Discover what to do in your free time and weekends in Xela, Guatemala.
Safety and In Country Support
Your safety was the first thing in mind when we carefully planned every single aspect of your secure and satisfying Guatemala orphanage volunteer experience abroad. Benefit from Global Crossroad’s 15 years’ experience, and rest easy knowing we offer comprehensive insurance, safe housing and meals, and the guidance and support of our in-country team.
Volunteer Guatemala Orphanage: FAQs
You’re ready to head off to Guatemala and pour your heart into helping all the orphans in need of care, but first you probably have a few questions. Here’s some helpful info to provide you with some answers:
Arrival and departure
You’ll fly into the Aurora International Airport, Guatemala for our orphanage volunteer program in Guatemala. We recommend you arrive one day before the start of your actual assignment in Guatemala.
Once you book your flight, let us know and we’ll set up your pick-up as part of your volunteer fee. We’ll have someone waiting for you when you land, and they’ll take you safely to your accommodations.
Visa
You’ll want to research the requirements based on your home country but getting a tourist visa to Guatemala is usually pretty straightforward. Depending on your nationality, you may get a visa on arrival. Check out this website to learn more.
Vaccination
Make an appointment with your doctor and discuss your upcoming trip and get any vaccines you need to protect yourself before you travel abroad.
There are certain types of vaccines needed to join our orphanage volunteer program in Guatemala. Please visit the Center for Disease Control's website (www.cdc.gov) for traveler's health recommendations, which include getting vaccinated for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, malaria and other routine vaccinations.
Why Volunteer Guatemala Orphanage?
You will support the hardworking orphanage staff
Guatemala’s growing orphan crisis makes managing the care of these kids an uphill task. You will help the local orphanages provide adequate care, attention and fulfill the needs of these children, supporting the efforts of the caring staff that spends every day of their lives working with these kids in need.
Help build the self-esteem of orphaned children
These orphaned kids are often traumatized, living in fear and disbelief. As a Guatemala orphanage volunteer, you will try to improve this by helping the kids live with dignity and building their self- confidence. All these efforts will have a long-lasting effect on their future lives, helping these wayward orphans find their feet in this world.
Inspire orphans to create art and express themselves
To uplift the lives of the orphans in your care, you will organize various creative workshops and incorporate activities such as arts, painting, handicrafts and more. This is a rewarding experience for you and the children as the traits they learn will help them have a happier and more creative future.
Get experience working with children in need.
If you dream of working with kids that need your help, this is the project for you. See what it’s like to serve others and explore a possible future career in childcare or social services.
Travel the world!
Get the chance to travel to a new country, explore a new culture, and make the world a better place at the same time!
Other Volunteer Opportunities Available in Xela, Guatemala:
No matter your passion or interests, we offer a variety of life-changing, volunteer programs in Xela, Guatemala such as
Teaching English,
Street Children,
Medical,
Women’s empowerment, and much more.
For more information on our exciting programs in Guatemala, contact us today.
Orphanage volunteer opportunities available in other countries:
Other than this Orphanage program in South Africa, we also offer great volunteer opportunities with orphans in many countries