Antigua (Guatemala) - Voluntary work
Description
Tourists from around the world come to Guatemala to discover its natural beauties and the warm welcome of the locals. Antigua is known as the old colonial capital and a Spanish language teaching center. The Spanish colonial design is present everywhere: in the houses, in the churches, in the parks, and in the ruins. Antigua is a charming and colourful little town where you can browse through an impressive variety of arts and crafts originating from the local folk tradition.Our school is located downtown, in a warm and friendly environment. Established in 1983, it has succeeded in developing its reputation of being one of the best Spanish schools in Guatemala. The quality of its teachers and of its program has brought the recognition of the Guatemalan Ministry of Education. Courses are offered in groups of 3 to 4 persons, which makes for the forming of homogenous groups. The classes are usually given in the morning and the afternoon are dedicated to sightseeing or cultural tours.
The voluntary work is done in collaboration with an educational project that has been helping for the last three years the underprivileged children of the aldea of Santa Ana near Antigua, Guatemala. Thanks to the generosity of Guatemalan and international volunteers, these children from 6 to 14 years old can find at the center a pedagogical support for their academic work. They are initiated to activities such as crafts, carpentry and agriculture and receive food support and health services. This project operates entirely with the financial support of international volunteers.
Sample package
Antigua Voluntary work-10 days/9 nights
Day 1
Flight towards Guatemala City.
Arrival at Guatemala City airport, meeting with the school’s principal and transfer for Antigua and the host families.
Dinner at your own charge.
Evening and overnight with the host family.
Day 2
Breakfast
Guided tour of Antigua with a local guide, the most interesting city of the region, a real architectural treasure.
Lunch with host families
Voluntary work at « Mi Angel Guardian » – www.semilleromiangelguardian.org. The voluntary work is done in collaboration with an educational project that has been helping for the last three years the underprivileged children of the aldea of Santa Ana near Antigua, Guatemala. Thanks to the generosity of Guatemalan and international volunteers, these children from 6 to 14 years old can find at the center a pedagogical support for their academic work. They are initiated to activities such as crafts, carpentry and agriculture and receive food support and health services. This project operates entirely with the financial support of international volunteers.
*** We suggest that you plan a donation to the organization (money, school supplies, clothes, etc.)
Dinner and overnight in host families.
Day 3
Meeting with the teachers and guides at the language school.
Breakfast
A.M.: Outing at Lake Atitlan. On arrival in Panahachel, you will board a boat and visit a few small characteristic villages surrounding the lake. Lake Atitlan, perched at 1560m above sea-level, is surrounded by 4 volcanoes.
Lunch at your own charge in Santiago Atitlan.
P.M.: Departure towards Panajachel where you will visit the local crafts market on Santander Street.
Back to Antigua.
Dinner at your own carge in restaurant in Antigua.
Overnight with the host families.
Day 4
Breakfast at your own charge
Excursion to Monterrico where you will enjoy a day at the beach on the Pacific Ocean coast.
Lunch and dinner at your own expense in a restaurant in Monterrico
Overnight in host families.
Day 5
Breakfast
Departure for an excursion to Guatemala City. It’s the capital and largest city of the Republic of Guatemala and Central America. Guatemala City offers all the modern amenities along with important historic sites that a world class city can be expected.
Arrival in Guatemala City for a guided visit with a local guide. During the visit you will see, the centro historico, the Palacio de la cultura, the Catedral Metropolitana, the Mapa en relieve, the Museo Arqueologica y Etnologia, centro comercial Miraflores, etc.
Lunch box provided by the families
Departure for Antigua at the end of the day.
Dinner and overnight in host families.
Day 6
Breakfast
Visit of the Centro Cultural la Azotea: Coffee plantation and Museum, Music Museum and arts and crafts museum.
Return with the host families for lunch
Voluntary work at « Mi Angel Guardian »
Dinner and overnight in the host families.
Day 7
Breakfast
Visit of the Macadamia ecological project (introduction to the local arts and crafts). This is a Guatemalan organization that aims to prevent global warming, assist indigenous peoples in the development of autonomous agriculture, and educate the public on the environment. The project gives non- grafted macadamia seedlings to indigenous people as an alternative to slash and burn agriculture, which contributes to global warming.
Salsa Lessons (1 hour)
Return with the host families for lunch
Voluntary work at « Mi Angel Guardian »
Dinner and overnight in the host families.
Day 8
Breakfast
Meeting at the school with a teacher.
Departure for an excursion in San Antonio Aguas Calientes. You will learn more about the traditional clothes, traditions and customs of the village, food, artisanal coffee, etc. You will be able to buy souvenir.
Back to Antigua.
Return with the host families for lunch
Voluntary work at « Mi Angel Guardian »
Dinner and overnight in the host families.
Day 9
Meeting at the school with a teacher.
Departure for an excursion at the Pacaya Volcano. The Pacaya volcano (2580m) is located twenty kilometers away from Antigua. The exhibition is impressive: fumaroles, sulphuric exhalations and heat coming from the lava and from the ground which trembles under your feet. Many teachers from the school will accompany you.
Breakfast on-route provided by the host families
Back to Antigua.
Return with the host families for lunch
Free afternoon with your host families
Dinner and overnight in the host families.
Day 10
Transfer to Guatemala City airport.
Breakfast at your own expense at the airport
Return flight from Guatemala City.
Destination on map
