Guatemala City

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Volunteer Work in Guatemala City

Guatemala City has become a place of refuge for many members of indigenous communities, and a hub for a wide range of social services, allowing volunteers to work with the growing and diverse local population in areas such as:

• Caregiving : Volunteers care for children, elderly, and people with disabilities. Simple activities such as playing games or planning arts & crafts activities can help build self-esteem, and also offer support and encouragement. Volunteers may also assist in kitchens at mealtimes, and provide basic physical therapy and counseling services, depending on individual qualifications and experience.
• Healthcare : Volunteers can observe local health professionals in clinics and hospitals offering a variety of services. Volunteers assist in daily routines such as physical therapy, shadow health practitioners, and sometimes help to administer vaccinations and medications. Responsibilities vary based on knowledge of Spanish, educational background in health, and the immediate needs of the organization, but placements offer an opportunity to learn about health and healthcare challenges, and the unique cultural perspectives of local people.
• Teaching : Volunteers have the opportunity to teach students of all ages in Guatemala City and gain real hands-on experience in a variety of settings. Some volunteers will be assisting teachers of special education, or working with children who have special needs. In many of these placements, volunteers help provide an extra pair of hands for the teachers, act as a positive adult role model, and offer the priceless opportunity to learn English from a fluent speaker.
• Community Development : Volunteers can work toward women’s empowerment in Guatemala City in a variety of ways. Education is not always widely accessible in Guatemala, especially for girls who need to work or have other familial responsibilities. From engaging in discussions about healthcare, to participating in community outreach, to working on income-generation projects, volunteers can encourage women in local organizations to receive basic education, learn English and other skills, and ultimately provide a better life for their families.

Volunteer Abroad, Intern Abroad, and Insight Abroad (one week) programs are offered in Guatemala City. Placements are always designed to match your skills and interests to the needs identified by the community.

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Cultural & Learning Activities in Guatemala City

Building on your volunteer work in Guatemala City, Cultural & Learning Activities include weekly Spanish classes and discussions with guest speakers on topics such as the civil war, the country's topography and earthquakes, Mayan cosmology, health issues facing the nation, the educational systems, and the history of Guatemala. Cultural activities may also include visits to textile museums near Antigua, where volunteers can learn about weaving textiles and the significance of textiles in Mayan culture, participation in a Mayan wedding ritual, visits to a coffee museum, or the family home of a local chocolate-maker.

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Free Time in Guatemala City

In your Free Time in Guatemala City you may choose to visit the many cultural sites, from museums and churches to local craft markets and parks. Within a half-hour walk from the Home-Base in Guatemala City there are many things to do and sites to see.

Guatemala City is also one of the main hubs for travel in Guatemala; volunteers often take weekend excursions to Antigua, the former capital of Guatemala, which contains the preserved remnants of Spanish colonialism, or to Lake Atitlan, a beautiful and mystical lake, or to Chichicastenango, home to the largest indigenous market in Central America. For those with longer stays, weekend trips to other Guatemalan cities, such as Coban, Quetzaltenango, and trips across the border to Belize are also popular.

For those who like adventure, you can climb to the Pacaya Volcano from Antigua in a half-day excursion. You may also take a weekend trip to the most important Mayan city of the classical period, Tikal, where you can explore the temple ruins of this famous archeological site while being immersed in the beauty and splendor of a tropical rainforest.

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Home-Base in Guatemala City

The Home-Base in Guatemala City is in a safe residential area of Guatemala City that is walking distance to many services, including Internet cafes, laundry facilities, parks, museums, and libraries. The two-level house has an office on the main floor and volunteers have constant access to CCS staff.

The spacious, open courtyard serves as a common area to relax, play games, read, and more. The rooms are comfortable and accommodate up to six volunteers each.

CCS staff in Guatemala City will make you feel at home during your stay and help you to better understand the local culture. Guatemala Country Director Virginia Burmester says:

"Whether we are of Mayan, Spanish, Mestizo, or Garífuna descent, you will find that Guatemalans (Chapines) are kind, humble, resilient, and generous people."

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In-Country Staff in Guatemala City

Local CCS staff in Guatemala City will welcome you to the community, make you feel at home and help you better understand the culture. They help facilitate your volunteer experience and are always available to handle any questions that may arise. CCS staff is always from the region where we operate, so they can provide a local perspective, help you with learning the local language, and guide you in what to do in your free time.

All of our in-country staff members are warm, loving people who want you to feel at home and will make sure you are well cared for. Each CCS program site has a Country Director or Program Director and a full staff to take care of all programming, administrative, and logistical needs, as well as housekeepers, drivers, house guards, and cooks. Because the staff office is typically located at the CCS Home-Base, a helping hand is never far. Learn more about our Guatemala City staff below.

Country Director: Virginia Burmester
Virginia’s earliest cross-cultural experience was as a student in a year-long high school exchange program. She later traveled to Belgium as a participant in a community service project. These travels shaped her view of the world dramatically and proved to her that intercultural education was (and is) a very effective and successful way to bring peace and progress around the world. Virginia’s passion for education led to a 25-year career as an English teacher in Guatemala City. She later worked with the American Field Service, placing high school students with host families around Guatemala and preparing Guatemalan students to study abroad.

Her academic studies and internship experience in a rural area of Guatemala, and her extensive professional experience in intercultural education has brought Virginia recognition and respect as a recognized leader in intercultural exchange and an expert storyteller of the history and development of Guatemala. She takes great pride in her work and enjoys collaborating daily with the CCS Placement Coordinator Sonia, a director and teacher with the National School for Children Living with Mental Disabilities.

Placements Coordinator: Sonia Tello
Sonia is responsible for coordinating your volunteer placement and with maintaining Cross-Cultural Solutions' relationship with all of our partner programs in Guatemala. She also coordinates all cultural and learning activities.

Office Manager: Aneliesse Burmester
Aneliesse is responsible for managing the office and other secretarial duties. She coordinates airport pick-up and drop-off, Spanish lessons for the volunteers, and more. She is available for any questions, from helping with cultural adjustment to providing directions to local points of interest. Aneliesse is also on the National Volleyball team and has represented Guatemala in many tournaments.

Cooks: Mari Oliva and Amabilia Valiente
Mari and Amabilia are in charge of all meal preparations. They are also great at ensuring that meals meet the needs of any volunteers with special dietary needs, such as vegans, vegetarians, et al. These ladies are great cooks, and Mari loves to sing in the kitchen while she prepares the meals.

Housekeepers: Julieta Pirir and Olivia Lopez
Julieta and Olivia are in charge of cleaning the house and making sure that the house is comfortable for the volunteers.

Driver: Francisco Carrera
Francisco is our main driver and will be picking you up at the airport, transporting you to your placement each day and bringing you to the cultural and learning activities, as necessary.

House Guards: Luis Alvarez and Henry Arizandieta
Luis and Henry are in charge of overall security of the house, including making sure that all volunteers return safely to the Home-Base each night.