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Volunteer in Guatemala With Special Needs!
Do you have a passion for working with people with special needs and improving their quality of life? Would you like to travel to Guatemala and immerse in local culture?
Guatemala is a fascinating and unique country in Central America that is well worth a closer look. Come and explore the colorful culture, sample the regional cuisine, visit historical Spanish colonial cities and visit ancient Mayan ruins.
Sadly, there is an increasing number of children being born with disabilities in Guatemala that require specialized care. Many are born into poor families that cannot afford private care, and facilities designed to care for special needs children and adults are understaffed, lack resources, and struggle to provide them with housing, support, and care.
You can help! Join our special needs volunteer opportunity in Guatemala and help provide the daily care these disabled people so desperately need. You will work in a facility with nearly 250 special needs residents, and your time and dedication will greatly improve the quality of life for these poor Guatemalans who are unable to care for themselves.
Contact Global Crossroad today to help care for people with special needs in Guatemala!
Volunteer Responsibilities & Impacts
You will work in a facility which has nearly 250 residents, both children and adults, all of which suffer from disabilities such as cerebral palsy, microcephaly, mental retardation, autism, etc. The hardworking staff needs your support, and you will assist them in the care of the patients, as well as engaging them in fun activities like crafts, painting, and drawing.
If you have specialized skills such as psychology, physical therapy, are a physician, or have experience working with disabled patients, you may be able to help in other ways. Let us know your relevant background when applying to Guatemala special needs volunteer program, and you may be able to get involved in other activities based on your skill set.
Your time at this project will make a profound impact on the lives of the special needs patients you are traveling so far to help. Their daily quality of life will improve, and your compassionate care will mean the world to them. You can feel great knowing all your hard work is for such a great cause, and you’ll gain experience working in a care-based setting.
Skills and Qualifications
To join this Guatemala volunteering opportunity, there are no specific skills or qualifications required. We welcome all volunteers over the age of 18 from around the world and from a variety of backgrounds, so long as you have a passion for helping people with special needs. You’ll need patience, compassion, and a big heart.
Since you will be working with disabled patients with an often-limited mental capacity, speaking Spanish is going to be very helpful at this project. If you cannot speak Spanish or want to work on your skills, we recommend enrolling in our Spanish Language program. You can do a full week immersion first or take classes while you volunteer.
Professionals are also welcomed to apply in this volunteer program in Guatemala . This includes occupational therapists, physical therapists, doctors (especially gerontologists), nurses, psychologists, and social workers. Professional volunteers should be able to work independently in Spanish or provide a translator.
Each day at this project will be both challenging and rewarding. You will spend about 5 hours per day, Monday-Friday, providing care and companionship to your grateful special- needs patients.
Here is a sample daily schedule:
First Day: On your first day of volunteering in Guatemala in special needs program; you will be escorted to your placement by our helpful local coordinator and introduced to the caring placement staff you’ll be working with.
Orientation: You will learn the in and out of your volunteer project, go over your daily schedule, learn safety protocol, and get a briefing on the fascinating customs and culture of Guatemala.
- Weekdays: Your actual hours worked will vary, but a typical volunteer day is as follows:
- 7.00 to 7.30 AM: Enjoy a simple but healthy traditional breakfast with your local Guatemalan host family.
- 7.45 AM: Head out to your placement and have an amazing time helping disabled children and adult receive quality care.
- 12.00 PM: Break for lunch. You can head back to your host family or ask them for a lunch to go to eat at your project site. This will give you a chance to spend the time bonding with your fellow volunteers and the local project staff.
- 3.00 PM: When your volunteering is done for the day, you’ll have the rest of the afternoon and evening free to explore the exciting city of Antigua.
- 6.45 PM: Return to your host family for a nice traditional Guatemalan dinner around the table. Practice your Spanish and learn more about the fascinating culture you are being immersed in!
Volunteer in Guatemala With Special Needs: Dates and Fees
Dates: Volunteer In Guatemala
Guatemala Volunteer program starts every Monday. We still allow flexibility if you have travel constrains
Prices: 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 (via country coordinator). This way, the fees that you pay will benefit those who rightfully deserve them, and not for company profit.
| Weeks | No Spanish | With 10 Hours Group Spanish |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Week | $255 | $285 |
| 2 Weeks | $405 | $465 |
| 3 Weeks | $555 | $645 |
| 4 Weeks | $705 | $825 |
| 5 Weeks | $855 | $1005 |
| 6 Weeks | $1005 | $1185 |
| 7 Weeks | $1155 | $1365 |
| 8 Weeks | $1305 | $1545 |
| 9 Weeks | $1455 | $1725 |
| 10 Weeks | $1605 | $1905 |
| 11 Weeks | $1755 | $2085 |
| 12 Weeks | $1905 | $2265 |
Mandatory comprehensive travel insurance $3.49 a day »
How your fee is allocated?
Program fees cover:
- Accommodation (hotel)
- Food (only breakfast and dinner)
- 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
- Launch
- 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.
Accommodations and Meals
When you join this special needs volunteering opportunity in Guatemala, you can rest easy, since Global Crossroads offer safe, clean, and comfortable housing, and three healthy local meals a day. You’ll be staying with a socially respected host family. You’ll eat your meals around the table with them and experience their culture in a unique and personal way.
Learn more about your housing and food in Antigua, Guatemala.
Free Time and Weekend Exploration
You’ll have your evenings and weekends free, so get out and see more of Guatemala! This country has a lot to offer, from the people to the landscapes, you’ll find a colorful array of options to discover while volunteering abroad. Check out the safe and beautiful city of Antigua in the evenings and use your weekends to travel!
Safety and In Country Support
We’ve got you covered when it comes to safety. Since 2003, Global Crossroad has helped 20,000 volunteers have safe and satisfying experiences abroad without a single incident. We offer pre-trip guidance, carefully vetted Guatemala volunteer program, airport pickup, and a stellar in-country team to guide and support you every step of the way.
Volunteer in Guatemala With Special Needs: FAQs
You probably have a few questions before you’re ready to pack your bags and head off to special needs volunteer opportunity in Guatemala. We’re here to help, so we’ve compiled some helpful info here to give you the answers you’re looking for.
Arrival and departure
You’ll fly into La Aurora International Airport, and we recommend arriving one day before the start date of our volunteer projects so you can rest and prepare. Provide us your flight details in advance, and we’ll set up your airport pickup as part of your volunteer fee. If you experience any delays, just let us know and we’ll rearrange the pickup time.
Our local representative will be waiting for you when you land, and they’ll take you safely to your accommodations.
Visa
You’ll need a tourist visa. Citizens of countries such as the US, UK, Canada, and Australia can apply for a 90-day visa when they land. Check out this website for detail information.
Vaccination
To protect yourself during your special needs volunteering program in Guatemala, you’ll want to make an appointment with your doctor and get up to date on your vaccines at least a few weeks before you travel.
The CDC recommends typhoid, hepatitis A, malaria, hepatitis B, yellow fever, and measles for travelers to Guatemala. You can learn more about these vaccinations here.
Why volunteer with our special need program in Guatemala?
Give necessary care and affection to special needs children and adults
People with special needs in Guatemala are often neglected and don’t receive the attention and care they need. They are forced to live miserable lives, facing hardships at a very tender age. Help give these disabled people compassionate care and attention, helping them survive and have a much better quality of life.
Support the hard-working staff
There are nearly 250 residents in the home with highly specialized needs that must be met every single day. The dedicated and hardworking full-time staff struggles to keep up with these needs, and they need your support and help to provide the best possible care to their patients. Volunteer with special needs in Guatemala and help fill the gap!
Gain experience working in the field of caregiving
If you think you might have a future working with disabled patients as a caregiver, this Guatemala volunteer program is a fantastic chance to gain hands-on experience working in the field while also giving back to people in true need.
Travel with the world and make it a better place
This project gives you the exciting chance to travel to the exciting destination of Guatemala, and you’ll have plenty of free time to explore and immerse yourself in the culture here. Your vacation will have true meaning and purpose, as you will be there helping extremely disabled people who are in desperate need of your care and attention.
The disabled children and adults of Guatemala need your help! Contact Global Crossroad today to start making a difference!
Volunteer Opportunities Available in Antigua, Guatemala:
No matter your passion or interests, we offer a variety of life-changing, volunteer programs in Antigua, Guatemala such as
- teaching English,
- medical,
- women’s empowerment,
- elderly care,
- childcare and much more.
For more information on our exciting programs in Guatemala, contact us today.