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Volunteer in Guatemala With Street Children!
Do you have a burning desire to help kids in need? Would you like to travel to Guatemala and make a real meaningful difference?
Join Global Crossroad in Guatemala, a unique Central American country with a rich history of Mayan descent and Spanish colonization. Marvel at historical architecture, discover traditional culture, and explore what Guatemala has to offer!
Sadly, there is a terrible and growing problem of children living on the streets of Guatemala.
These kids face the dangers of starvation, exploitation, child labor, prostitution, drugs, rape, getting involved in crime, and more.
You can help make a big difference in these kid’s lives! Our Guatemala street children volunteer program teams up with local organizations trying to get these kids off the streets and ensure they have a safe place to live, someone to care for them, food to eat, and a proper education.
Contact Global Crossroad to start helping street kids in Guatemala today!
Volunteer Responsibilities & Impacts
You will be working in a special home for street children providing them with basic care and helping them learn the skills they need to reintegrate into society. You will help serve meals, assist the children with their homework, teach them English, organize fun extra-curricular activities, make sure the kids get to and from school, etc.
Your time spent volunteering with children in Guatemala will have a huge impact on bettering the lives of these kids in need. They have had terrible struggles and come from a difficult and traumatic background, and they will greatly appreciate the compassionate care and attention you provide to them. Help keep these kids off the streets!
Skills and Qualifications
No specific qualifications are required to join this project. You will need to love kids and have a passion for helping those in need. Bring along a lot of patience and a positive attitude, as these kids have been raised on the streets and working with them can be quite challenging, though very rewarding.
Beginner to intermediate knowledge of Spanish is preferred (but not required). If you cannot speak Spanish, we recommend enrolling in our Spanish Language Studies program before starting your volunteer work with children in Guatemala. You can take classes while volunteering, or do a full-week immersion before the start of your project.
Every day volunteering abroad is an exciting and meaningful adventure, and you can expect to get involved in a variety of activities during your time in Guatemala. You’ll be working an average of 5 hours per day Monday-Friday, though your actual hours worked will vary based on your final placement.
Here’s a sample schedule to give you an idea of what to expect:
- First Day: On your first day of volunteering with Guatemalan children, our in-country coordinator will bring you to your placement. You’ll meet the hardworking and dedicated staff you’ll be working with and meet all the amazing kids you are here to help!
- Orientation: Learn all about your service work, your schedule, safety protocol, and the fascinating culture and customs of Guatemala.
- Weekdays: A typical volunteer day might look something like this:
- 7.00 to 7.30 AM: Enjoy a traditional breakfast with your welcoming host family to begin your day.
- 7.45 AM: Head to your placement and enjoy an exciting day of volunteering in Guatemala with children. Connect with the kids and enrich their quality of life!
- 12.00 PM: Grab a lunch-to-go from your host family and eat at your project site with your fellow volunteers and local project staff. Make new friends from around the world!
- 3.00 PM: After your volunteering is done for the day, you’re free to explore the fascinating city of Xela. Your fellow volunteers make wonderful adventure partners!
- 6.45 PM: Enjoy a traditional dinner around the table with your host family. Eat local food, practice your Spanish, and immerse yourself in Guatemalan culture.
Volunteer in Guatemala With Street Children 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 | Street Children 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:
- Group Spanish Lessons (10hrs a week)
- 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
As a volunteer in Guatemalan, you will be staying in the safe, clean, and comfortable home of one of our experienced and socially respected host families. They will offer you a true home away from home and give you a wonderful chance to become fully immersed in the Guatemalan culture.
You’ll be sharing three local meals with your host family of traditional Guatemalan cuisine. You can ask for a lunch to go to take to your project site and spend the time bonding with fellow volunteers.
Free Time and Weekend Exploration
You’ll have plenty of free time while volunteering in Guatemalan in childcare program to get out and explore Guatemala. You’ll have every evening free, and this is a great time to discover the fascinating and unique city of Xela. Weekends are the perfect chance to travel and visit some of the exciting sights of Guatemala.
Discover what to do in your free time and weekends in Xela, Guatemala.
Safety and In Country Support
Your safety while traveling abroad is our number one priority. We carefully vet every aspect of your trip, offer comprehensive insurance, work with trusted local partners, arrange safe housing and healthy meals, and more. You will have the guidance and support of our in-country team.
Volunteer In Guatemala With Street Children: FAQs
Before you hop a plane to Guatemala, you probably have a few questions. Here’s some helpful info to provide you with some answers:
Arrival and departure
You’ll be flying into Aurora International Airport, and we suggest arriving one day before your actual project assignment begins. Give us your flight details, and we’ll make sure we have someone waiting for you when you land that will transfer you safely to your accommodations.
If you experience a delay or change in plans, let us know ASAP and we’ll make the needed adjustments for you. When you are done volunteering, you’ll need to set up your own taxi to the airport. Check in with the local project staff if you need help with this, and they’ll be happy to assist.
Visa
You’ll want to research the requirements based on your home country but getting a tourist visa to Guatemala is usually pretty straightforward. A lot of Guatemala orphanage volunteers won’t even need one, as travelers from countries like the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia are exempt. Others are eligible for a visa upon arrival at the airport. Check out this website to learn more.
Vaccination
Make sure you meet with your doctor and get up to date on your vaccines before heading out to Guatemala to volunteer with street children. Help protect yourself before you go!
Take a look at the Center for Disease Control's website (www.cdc.gov) for traveler's health recommendations. They suggest the following vaccines for traveling to Guatemala: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies, yellow fever, malaria and other routine vaccinations.
Why volunteer with children in Guatemala?
Help children in need
These poor children have struggled on the street and led extremely difficult and traumatic lives. Offer them the care, compassion, and attention they desperately need and deserve.
Gain experience working with kids
If you are considering a future career working with children, this project is a great chance for you to gain hands-on experience working with kids. Looks great on a resume!
Travel to a new country
Guatemala is a fascinating Latin country with deep Mayan roots and a lot to see and do. Explore an exciting new destination in your time off during your childcare volunteering opportunity in Guatemala.
Offer hope for a better future
By making sure these street children have a safe place to sleep, healthy meals to eat, and get a proper education, you will be offering them hope and preparing them for a happier and more successful future.
Contact Global Crossroad to learn more about helping street kids in Guatemala!
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,
Orphanage,
Medical,
Women’s empowerment, and much more.
For more information on our exciting programs in Guatemala, contact us today.