Rewarding Care Work with Special Needs Children in Guatemala with Travellers Worldwide

  Guatemala

• Other Cities in Guatemala: 
Antigua

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Not Applicable, Spring, Summer, Throughout the year, Trimester, Winter 
Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months, 7-12 months and 1-2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Available all year round. Flexible dates where you can pick you own start and finish dates

Description: Do you fancy teaching little ones who would really benefit from your time? From babies to children, the crèche project in Guatemala is a truly rewarding experience crying out for enthusiastic volunteers with some time, energy and affection to spare!

Your Care Project:
The centre looks after People arrive at the organization from all walks of life... From families with few means at their disposal, who with the best will in the world do not have the time or the skills required to take care of their loved ones. Some arrive at the centre after being abandoned by their families... Others have simply grown old and require more assistance than their families can provide. Some are sick or are simply patients requiring rest and are unable to stay in a normal hospital. The centre is based in a beautiful and traditional Guatemalan building in Antigua.

Areas of the Hospital - What are they and how do they work?

Centre For Recovering From Malnutrition:
The centre cares for children with varying degrees of malnutrition. The centre also cares for children who are waiting for operations for childhood diseases. The centre is also devoted to work treating children suffering from cleft palates. The children need to be given medicine for stomach problems, receive check-ups and to receive the kind of stimulation that any young child needs to develop their motor skills and cognition. The centre also provides education to the mothers teaching them how to care for their child's needs.

Centre For Handicapped Children:
Care is provided for children with Down's syndrome, quadriplegics, hydrophiliacs, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, and asphyxias perinatal. The children receive attention from medics, psychologists, paediatrics, physiotherapists, neurologists, and specially trained teachers at the school. Volunteers help to stimulate the children to help with their development.

These children need lots of care and love as they receive physiotherapy, speech therapy, stimulation, play, daily care, and through the help of everyone involved they get to experience constant interaction and movement. Wheelchairs amongst other things are provided to keep them mobile as much as possible. .
"Mente Sana" - for Adults and "Special" Youngsters

They take care of men and women with permanent incapacity, both physical and mental; the frequent diagnostics is setback in mental development, following convulsive syndrome, aggressive behaviour and schizophrenia. Most of the patients need round the clock care.

Centre for Elderly Men:
Here the men suffer from conditions and afflictions commonly found in men of an older age. They are provided with activities to keep their minds strong and active amongst other things.
Centre for Elderly Women

Primarily the centre works to accommodate women in their later years who don't have anywhere to live. They may also suffer from conditions and afflictions commonly found in old age. They are provided the same love, care and attention as anyone else. Again activities are organised to keep their minds strong and active amongst other things.

The Education Centre - Special School:
The school teaches the children who live in the hospital. They give them the education directly suited to their level of understanding, providing the materials necessary for the lessons and of course bringing bucket loads of dedication. The school is very aware of making the lessons fun and interactive and ensuring that they have fun while they learn. Being stuck in a hospital isn't much fun for anyone so the school makes sure that they know how to show them a good time as well teaching them.
Kindergarten

Just like any other creche/kindergarten they take care of the younger children who are too young to go to school. Many of the children's mothers go to work in the market.

Manual Work & Craft School:
All kinds of crafts work is taught here at the centre. It really is fabulous to see. Everything that's made is sold to bring in funding.

ABOUT YOUR WORK:
As the centre deals with a large variety of ailments and has many 'areas', there is much work that you do. You could be playing with, changing and feeding babies one day, helping elderly men another day and teaching English to the staff on another day. This is an excellent project which volunteers really enjoy. It is extremely worthwhile and hands-on.

Our users say...
"Antigua is absolutely STUNNING. I cannot stress how stunning it really is. I wish I could zap you all here just so you can see it for yourselves. The cobbled streets contain brightly coloured low houses and the most amazing cathedrals or ruins are everywhere. Most of the house roof tops are covered with flowers and plants. It is fascinating to sit in the park and watch those stunning colourful ladies and girls come to sell their beautiful coloured fabrics, headbands and bags, etc., etc

The town is very modern even though the locals are rather poor. There are many internet cafes, restaurants, bars, shops, galleries, travel agents, bookshops, etc. In fact, have never seen so many internet cafes, salsa bars and travel agents in a small town.

Finally, the most important and greatest asset of Antigua is that it is surrounded by volcanoes and mountains - every angle is a photo!!!! I am always seeing something different here. There is always some form of music playing in the streets too. I'd imagine Cuba being similar. The food is sensational and changes every day so that we try a lot of the local food. - Volunteer Rebecca Tilley

What To Do Next:
Talk to us - We're there to help you. Most of our team are ex Travellers volunteers and are ideally qualified to offer advice and guidance because they know what you're looking for. They'll help you find your perfect project - and then make it all happen!

If you'd like more information about this or any of our projects, please email or call us! If you'd like to apply for this project, please go to our website and complete the application form. As soon as we receive it, we'll liaise with you and then start making your travel adventure happen.

It's as easy as that.

Highlights:
Location - Guatemala:
With majestic volcanoes rising out of lush green rainforest, highland villages steeped in tradition and vibrant, spirited people, Guatemala put quite simply is a magical destination!

Beautiful Antigua, where all of our placements are based, is arguably the most picturesque and certainly one of the oldest cities in Central America, characterised by a mellow, yet distinctly international feel. The local residents of Antigua are warmly referred to as Green bellies or panza verde due to the abundance of avocados that grow in the region.

Antigua's splendour is protected by three giant guardian volcanoes Agua, Fuego and Acatenango, providing a stunning setting which attracts thousands of visitors every year. Antigua is one of the most popular places in Central America to learn Spanish so you are bound to meet lots of other students and travellers!

As for things to do with your spare time, whether you're an adventure-mad extreme sports enthusiast or a nature-loving bird-watcher, Guatemala's awesome unspoilt natural habitat will have something for you. The extraordinary terrain around the volcanoes and caves provides the perfect setting for mountaineering and caving (spelunking) whereas the fast-moving rivers are ideal for boating, white-water rafting and windsurfing, with Lake Atitlán also popular for diving. There's also a nearby turtle sanctuary - see above for volunteers holding the baby turtles on a trip there.

Besides this you can also find ample opportunity to go mountain biking, bathe in hot springs surrounded by lush green jungle, or indulge your passion for nature in one of the country's national parks.

Additional Activities You Cab Do While On Your Project:
Whether you're an adventure-mad extreme sports enthusiast or a nature-loving bird-watcher, Guatemala's awesome unspoilt natural habitat will have something for you. The extraordinary terrain around the volcanoes and caves provides the perfect setting for mountaineering and caving (spelunking) whereas the fast-moving rivers are ideal for boating, white-water rafting and windsurfing, with Lake Atitlán also popular for diving. There's also a nearby turtle sanctuary.

Besides this you can also find ample opportunity to go mountain biking, bathe in hot springs surrounded by lush green jungle, or indulge your passion for nature in one of the country's national parks.

Our placements are very flexible and you can combine any of our projects to give you a broader experience of life on the inside in Guatemala.

Qualifications: No qualifications or previous experience are necessary, just a good dose of enthusiasm! We do however recommend that you take Spanish classes in conjunction with the placement to help with basic communication. Everyone is welcome on a Travellers programme, whether gap year, undergraduate, on a career break - or even retired! From 17 years old upwards, and all nationalities. This placement would suit volunteers who want to make a real difference, want first-hand experience of a different culture and who have initiative.

Cost in US$: Varies depending on length. Starts from 895 USD

You'll be met at the nearest airport on your arrival by our in-country manager who will take you to your accommodation and give you a full induction into the area. He/she will also be on call 24/7 and you'll see them frequently.

Pre-departure you'll receive comprehensive information about every aspect of your placement and necessary preparations, ranging from what to pack, to visa information, to what to do on your weekend travel in the country. Your safety, well being and happiness throughout your placement are our primary concerns and we will keep in touch with you throughout. International flights not included.

Experience Required: yes

If you don't speak Spanish, you must first spend some time learning Spanish before starting work. It usually takes between 4-8 weeks to reach the required standard of Spanish. Travellers will arrange these lessons for you in Antigua.

Typical Volunteer: This placement would suit people who want to make a real difference, want first-hand experience of a different culture and who have initiative. No qualifications or previous experience are necessary, just a good dose of enthusiasm and a desire to help needy communities! Everyone is welcome on a Travellers programme, whether gap year, undergraduate, on a career break - or even retired! From 17 years old upwards, and all nationalities.

Age Range: 17 to 70+ All ages are welcome on Travellers Placements

This Program is open to American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Guatemala Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Travellers Worldwide's Mission Statement: Travellers Worldwide organises all types of worthwhile and beneficial voluntary placements in local communities. We also provide Work Experience & Internship opportunities, as well as different types of Courses and study abroad options. We have many diverse projects, from teaching underprivileged or refugee children in schools, orphanages and care homes, to conservation and rehabilitation of endangered animals, such as orangutans, lion cubs, dolphins, elephants. Our aim is to make a difference to the communities we work in and to facilitate personal and professional growth in our volunteers. We employ local people in our destination countries and local providers of goods and services, thus ensuring we have a positive impact on the community. Our ethos encompasses mutual respect, cultural exchange, responsible travel and a beneficial outcome for all. Travellers also arranges work experience placements in Journalism, Law, Veterinary, Medicine, Tourism, Architecture, and many more. There are also opportunities to learn languages and other skills such as Capoeira in Brazil, Tango in Argentina or Flying in South Africa. These projects are unique - and tailored to suit you! Our placements are flexible (2 weeks to 1 year) and on most you can choose your own start and finish dates. No qualifications are required, just an enthusiasm to experience a new culture! Full support is provided within the country, with friendly and conscientious staff, ensuring a safe and exciting way to experience a brand new culture! Placements are also very sociable: you'll make friends with the other international volunteers and often volunteers travel together after their placement and during their free weekends. We help you to Make a Difference and have an exciting adventure travel experience!

Year Founded: 1995