Guatemala

"They are so great and so sweet. Angelica and Orlando, all the guards and everyone are so great, I really loved them. I felt so safe when they were there. The cooks do a really good job and I really appreciate that!! I have no criticism because everything was so great."

Jenna Bernard, Guatemala volunteer

In-Country Staff in Quetzaltenango

Staff in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala Local CCS staff in Quetzaltenango 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 Quetzaltenango staff below.

Program Director - Angelica Hurtarte Angelica Hurtarte, Guatemala Program Director
Angelica studied English in a bilingual school in Guatemala City and Chemical Engineering at the national university. However, she has devoted most of her life to teaching mathematics in a local high school. After only two years, she became Principal of the school, gaining recognition and respect as a leader in the community. In addition to her commitment to education, Angelica worked for four years as a local volunteer representative for AFS, an international exchange organization, and developed a great program with the international students hosted in her community. Because of her passion and commitment to international exchange, she was offered the position of Sending and Hosting Coordinator with AFS, and she worked with them for five years. After leaving AFS she then worked as Program Coordinator for a local organization that works with at-risk children in the community. Her dedication to international exchange, leadership in the community, and work in both education and social services, made her an outstanding candidate for our expansion to Quetzaltenango.

Program Coordinator - Cony Ordonez
Cony is in charge of coordinating volunteer placements and maintaining the relationships with the partner programs. He has extensive experience working in community development and has a great knowledge of the Quezaltecan society.

House Administrator - Orlando Arizandieta
Orlando is in charge of all daily administrative duties in the Home-Base, and also coordinates all cultural and learning activities. He has a deep knowledge of Guatemalan culture and history, and loves to share it with the volunteers.

Cook - Johana Morales
Johana is in charge of preparing all meals for the volunteers. She loves to cook as well as dance. Make sure to ask her for some salsa lessons.

Housekeepers - Eva Ruiz and Betty Cox
Eva and Betty are in charge of cleaning the house and making sure that the house is comfortable for the volunteers.

Driver - Tomas Vasquez
Tomas is in charge of transportation. He is an experienced driver, and has lived in Quetzaltenango all his life. He has extensive knowledge of all the important places and traditions of Quetzaltenango.

House Guards - Rene Lopez and Honorio (Nayo) Yoc
Rene and Nayo are in charge of overall security of the house, including making sure that all volunteers return safely to the Home-Base each night.

CCS offers the following programs in Quetzaltenango:
Volunteer Abroad -- 2 to 12 weeks | Click for Start Dates
Insight Abroad -- 1 week | Click for Start Dates

Request more information about volunteering in Guatemala or read more about the CCS Experience in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala from the topics below:

Learn about volunteering in Guatemala City, Guatemala or return to the main Guatemala page.