Guatemala

I had a great experience on the volunteer abroad trip to Guatemala. Helping out at the orphanage was a humbling experience. It was fun connecting with the kids and playing with them. It surprised me how much they grew on us during the short duration. We also built stoves for the indigenous peoples. This projects was fun, but arduous manual labor. I personally found it educational and intriguing. Overall I loved the town and the experience. I definitely look forward to another trip in the future.

We, a group of six, volunteered with Global Crossroads in Quetzaltenango (Xela), Guatemala, and it was an amazing experience. Not only did we get to see the beautiful Guatemala, but also enjoy the fulfilling experience of helping the children at an orphanage, and making a small difference in their lives as we took care of them every day during our one week stay in Xela. We also drove to a village close by, to participate in fuel-efficient-stove building project, working side by side with the poor Indigenous Mayan families, and seeing smiles on their faces as the stoves were completed.
From the time we contacted Global Crossroads to plan a volunteering trip, we found the staff amazingly helpful. We realized that they really care for their projects all over the world, and are excited about the difference they make in the lives of the deprived members of the society. We were concerned about the safety of traveling to an unknown place, but Mohan, the Director of the program, addressed all our questions and concerns very patiently, and prepared us well for the trip. It is an honor to work with Mohan.

At Xela, we were received by Jillian and Rustic, Global Crossroads In Country Coordinator at Guatemala, who came to receive us at the Guatemala city airport and took care of us from then on, until the trip ended. They checked on us every day, including accompanying us to the orphanage until we felt comfortable to walk by ourselves. They also came with us for the stove building projects, and guided us through the process of stove building.

Twenty-one year old Jillian, who is originally Canadian, was an amazing company, as we had four 17-year-old members in our group. Her passion to adapt and learn different cultures and languages, explore the world, and help the needy was very inspiring for our teens, and she is a great role model. Oscar, is more serious, but a great person. His presence gave us a lot of comfort and he was there to answer all our questions though out our stay.

Xela is a great city, with lots of culture, nice restaurants, and great weather. It is very safe as there are people, cars, shops, markets, coffee shops everywhere around you. It’s an enjoyable place. But, do brush up on your Spanish language, as it will make it easier and more fun.

At the orphanage, we primarily worked with children ages 2 months-5 years. Seeing the children at the orphanage every day, and helping them was very rewarding and an unforgettable experience. We helped with bathing, changing, meals times, playing, and keeping them busy with coloring. The children also needed a lot of emotional support and guidance due to lack of a stable and caring home environment. We also did bead projects with the older girls and boys. We carried crayons, coloring books, puzzles, games, and beads etc. from USA to create a fun experience for the children. We also took special snacks and treats from USA, and shared with the kids after taking permission of the Orphanage director.

The stove project was in a village that was set in beautiful mountain valleys, though overwhelmingly poor. We were clearly instructed about the steps for building stoves, starting from shifting sand, creating mortar, building firebox with cement block and bricks, and finally adding the chimney. The local contractor, Amelio, was a shy and sweet man, who was excited to instruct us during the stove building. Our last stove was built at his own home, a small one room house with tin roofs, in the middle of corn farms and surrounded by mountains. It was really rewarding to bring a little happiness into the life of Amelio’s family.

Global crossroads also suggested an excursion on our free day, and we visited a coffee plantation, that also grew avocado, macadamia nuts, litchi fruits, and other vegetation’s. They also had zip lining and a great view of the active volcanic mountain, if you arrived early enough during the morning. Driving through the mountainous Guatemala country side was very relaxing and peaceful, and we saw many villages and communities on the way.

Overall, it was a great experience in Guatemala. Thanks to Global Crossroads for planning a wonderful and life changing experience for us. For me, the best part about getting involved with volunteer abroad projects is that I not only get to see a new country and culture, but also get to embed myself in a completely different culture, and experience that culture closely. Volunteering makes it possible to interact with children and people of different culture, origin, and race, and relate to them at the humanity level.

This was my second time volunteering with Global Crossroads, as I had volunteered with them at an orphanage in Atenas, Costa Rica in Dec 2011. I absolutely enjoy working with the people at Global Crossroads, and look forward to my next volunteering trip to another country in near future.

Guatemala was not my first choice going in to my volunteer experience, but after I spent time there... it would now be my number one reccomendation! There isn't much information out there about the beautiful country of Guatemala, but the culture there is so rich and incredible that it would be hard to imagine any one really not appreciating their time spent there. Cross Cultural Solutions was one of the best things that has ever happened to me. My CCS family and the people that were with me throughout my experience (director, their families, staff, etc) were each so special in their own way and extremely wonderful individuals. I have never felt more welcome and so at home in a foreign place.

Guatemala has tons to offer within a volunteer aspect. I was at a public hospital in Guatemala City at the pediatric burn unit. Although it was the hardest thing I've ever done.... it was also the most rewarding and life-changing thing I'v ever done. Those children changed my life and I truly feel that I also had a positive impact on them during such a difficult time in their lives. I had the support of Virigina (our house mother) along with the rest of the staff throughout the entire process and I couldn't have done it without them. There is so much to learn about the help Guatemala needs and the types of people that are there in the community. It is absolutely incredible and words cannot explain all of the things Guatemala taught me (patience, appreciation, love, family, caring for others, honesty, open-mindedness, happiness, true poverty, hard work, etc.)

During the weekends of my volunteer trip and each afternoon we were able to travel this amazing country and city (Guatemala City) as well as surrounding areas. This country has some of the most amazing scenery and culture than you could ever expect. My friends and family back home were so impressed with the pictures I was taking, but honestly it was really just THAT amazing. I felt as if I were on vacation on every single trip. It truly was a life-changing experience. I can't imagine how things would have turned out if I would have not chosen to volunteer in Guatemala. I would HIGHLY reccommend it to anyone that is looking for an out-of the-ordinary volunteering, traveling, study experience. It's the definition of a hidden gem!! And if you go through Cross Cultural Solutions *which I also HIGHLY reccommend* you will for sure be taken care of and have the time of your life!

Cheers!

Ps- here is a link to my blog if you would like to check out some of my volunteer experiences, the places I traveled to, the friends I made, and the CCS family that took such great care of me!

guatemalawithabbey.blogspot.com

For the first time leaving the country, it was great to have an organization backing me. I loved the support staff in Guatemala and the opportunities for taking Spanish classes after helping out at the orphanage was amazing.

A perfect organization to go through. They have lots of staff available to answer your questions, both in US and in-country. Although all of the in-country staff was welcoming and open to questions, the most important person was the in-country assistant. She was readily available to contact at any hour for absolutely any reason. She was there to check in on us and make sure that we could find our way around. It made all of us feel much more comfortable being in a foreign land.

This was also the cheapest organization I found online, with part of the money being donated to the orphanage. It didn't feel like we were paying a lot of overhead fees. I was worried at first about choosing my volunteer organization solely on money, but in this case it worked out. We got the best staff for the best price. Everything seemed to work out for the best.

The volunteer site was amazing and the staff there was very welcoming. Everyone was just happy to see Americans volunteering and (struggling to) learn Spanish. Guatemala is the perfect place to learn spanish. Overall, the entire environment was very welcoming and patient and I can't wait to do it again.

This a review of our experience with Cultural Embrace (Guatemala 6/27/10- 8/10/10). The experience was full of major organizational issues and services not rendered as promised.
-No pick up at the airport on my daughter’s arrival day! This was a very dangerous situation as she was only 16 years old and traveling alone. The Cultural Embrace website states, “We will arrange an airport pick-up and transfer for you upon arrival.” Service not rendered.
-When she tried to telephone the agency, both the general number and the 24 hour emergency number for Cultural Embrace went unanswered! The Cultural Embrace website states, “Full-time Representation: Cultural Embrace provides representation in the United States and your host country prior to, during, and after your placement.” Service not rendered.
-The assigned host mother on holiday in the States; her daughter was there as hostess. The Cultural Embrace website states, “...housing will be with carefully screened and selected local host families.” When I found out about this switch, I did not know if the daughter had been screened or not. We had only been informed of the mother being the host family.
-The family did not expect our daughter that day. Nor was there a local partner to orient her to the city. The Cultural Embrace website states, participants “receive training and orientation upon arrival from our local partner.” Service not rendered. We had not been informed that host families have Sundays “off” and don’t provide meals. If we had known, we would have had her travel on Saturday.
-The Cultural Embrace website states, “Cultural Embrace pre-arranges your volunteer project before you leave home to ensure an easy and hassle-free transition to your new life abroad.” Service not rendered. My daughter kept asking the coordinator where she was assigned and when finally she got to the right place, it tool so long she ended up having 7 days of volunteer work instead of 10.
-The phone card that comes in an advertisement as part of your package of information with the insurance, etc does not work in Guatemala. That information would have been helpful because then we would have gotten Ashley the international cellphone plan so that when she was not picked up at the airport she could have made telephone calls. (She had to borrow the phone from an airport representative.)
-After I informed the president of the company that I was going to submit a review of the dangerous lack of over site, I requested: 1) she create new policies / procedures that would prevent the problem of a participant being left at the airport; and 2) she provide a full or partial refund since services were not rendered as promised. She denied both of these! Instead she offered $200 off for anyone in our family to travel again with Cultural Embrace. Ugh- no way would we even consider that! And, you should be very careful too if you choose to work with them.

I spent the past summer volunteering at an orphanage in Guatemala and it was, without a doubt, the most rewarding thing I've ever done. IFRE's office and field staff were incredibly helpful in all phases of my experience. I was contacted regularly via phone and email while in the planning phase of my trip, and while in Guatemala, the field staff helped me get familiar with the city, offered helpful advice, and visited regularly to make sure I was okay. The volunteer project itself was incredible. I spent my days changing diapers, giving baths, feeding babies, and having tickle-fights with Guatemalan toddlers. I felt like the work I was doing was both important and appreciated. I highly recommend IFRE to anybody who is looking for a fun, safe, affordable, eye-opening, and truly life-changing experience.

I went to Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, Xela for short, from June 2, 2012 until July 30, 2012. In Xela I volunteered in an orphanage for the entire trip and stayed with an amazing host family. I went with a friend and IFRE was extremely good about keeping us together. I thought we would be in separate host families, and just working in the same place, but IFRE had us placed in the same host family. It was very comforting knowing someone from home was there. Even if he wasn't the IFRE coordinators in Guatemala, specifically Jillian, were amazing. They made me feel so comfortable and Jillian gave me her cell immediately and if I needed anything I could just give her a call. The orphanage project was incredible. I had to take my own initiative when finding things to do at the orphanage but that wasn't a problem. I could not have asked for a better volunteer abroad experience. I would recommend IFRE to anyone and would definitely travel with them again. I was picked up at the airport and brought safely to my first hotel in Guatemala City, they brought safely to the bus station and then picked up at the bus station in Xela by Jillian. I couldn't have imagined it being any better.

After paying over 3,500 pounds and dedicating six months of my life to this project, The least I was expecting was a warm welcome.however the pick up staff did not speak a word of English and the project leader was too busy shopping to come greet us on time. Over the first two weeks communication did not improve, I felt uncomfortable in such a dangerous country and phone lines where never answered. Another shocker for me was that once in the country they told me I would be volunteering in another country for the last 3 months, which was not agreed upon! The project leaders wanted little too do with the volunteers, which was most upsetting. And the project its self was poorly run with staff members not even knowing their own job role within the company. As a person who has volunteered and worked with children for the past 4 years, I was hoping to step up in my job role as an intern (which I paid more for) However I did not receive any training which was promised and had a lesser role of a volunteer. When I approached staff with my complaints, they handled it in an unprofessional manner and where extremely rude. I took a break from the project and waited to hear if they would refund me. During my time off they accused me for bad mouthing the organisation which was totally untrue and there for kicked me off completely and would not refund my money. Furthermore, during my time there I stayed with a host family. They did not pay my host family or the other host families for over two months.. as a result of this my host family struggled. Which any person would do , especially if they lived in a third world country. I befriended the people they where suppose to be helping and they felt that this once great project, was more of a disappointment now. I am very angered by the whole experience, on the lighter side Antigua was a lovely place to stay and if you do wish to volunteer there, there are plenty of organisations which don't charge you to volunteer, I volunteered at vet pro plus caring for the strays and my help was greatly appricated!

I'm in love with Central America!!!
Before I came out I was unsure what the food would be like and thought I would lose some weight. However, I have never eaten so much in my life! I'm not sure how I will live without my breakfast Burritto and daily Tacos. The group have been great, after just 2 weeks I feel like I've known them for years and everyone really pulls in and helps each other out. The accommodation is basic, but its also so much more interesting than staying in a standard hotel. My favourite place we have stayed is probably in Jungle palace in Palenque. It was so beautiful and great to hear all the animals at night. I'm really looking forward to volunteering in a school in Honduras and of course doing some scuba diving! The chance to spend time volunteering and the fact the tour includes 2 meals a day really made it stand out for me. Loving the trip and love Frontier...Can't recommend it enough!