Community Service-Learning Program

Community Service-Learning Program

Are you looking to support of some of the world s most disadvantaged communities? To make a meaningful and sustainable impact? To have an unforgettably dynamic educational experience? If so, EntreMundos invites your group to participate in a Community Service-Learning Program EntreMundos is a registered Guatemalan non-profit association. Since 2001, EntreMundos has connected volunteers with over 100 organizations looking for various types of support. Additionally, EntreMundos offers training and IT courses to the staff of over 200 organizations, and publishes a free bi-monthly, bilingual magazine (in Spanish and English) about development and human rights issues. Based in Quetzaltenango, EntreMundos priorities are helping volunteers make a maximum impact for minimal cost. As an NGO committed to the projects with which we work, the proceeds from your trip go directly back into serving the organizations and communities of Guatemala. EntreMundos is run by a small dedicated team of Guatemalan and foreign staff. The Community Service-Learning Program EntreMundos carefully chooses host organizations where volunteers can make a truly meaningful and sustainable impact in Guatemala while having a life-changing educational experience. Our program is based on a balanced combination of participation in hands-on community service work and educational cultural activities to provide a deep understanding of Guatemala and its socio-economic and cultural context. We pride ourselves in our flexibility, with roughly 100 networked community projects, and our status as a local organization, we are well-positioned to create a program that meets your group s objectives and interests.

Community Service Work Working in consultation with your group leaders, EntreMundos use our wide range of contacts to tailor the Community Service aspect of your trip to your group s objectives. Alternative A: Broadening Horizons To increase participants understanding of a wide range of issues, your group can participate in various volunteer activities. Service work can include: Work in a tree-nursery and reforestation project Construction projects like stoves, chicken coops, or a kitchen Educational or recreational programs for children Painting community schools and repairing classrooms Work for an organic garden or permaculture project Cook for beneficiaries of a food support program Clearing and cleaning trails for local eco-tourism projects Alternative B: Delving Deeper Volunteer work can be arranged around one specific project, allowing the exploration of a specific issue in depth. This can either mean participating in interrelated projects at the same site, or dedicating more time to a larger project, like water tank installation or nutritional education. Alternative C: A Community-Based Program The Community Service-Learning Program can be based in a rural community. In this case, all service work will involve projects specific to that community, like construction, agriculture, or community tourism. Depending on group interest, home-stays can be arranged for a community-based program, through which students can live witness Guatemalan s lives first hand.

Cultural Learning Although Guatemala has tremendously complex social issues, it also has amazing cultural traditions and a fascinating history. Therefore, EntreMundos can arrange educational and cultural activities to enrich the educational perspectives gained through community service. These provide participants with a deeper understanding of the context and challenges within which they are working, By working with your leaders, EntreMundos will identify activities that compliment your group s community service, educational and recreational objectives. Activities are varied, and can include: Exploring themes connected to the history and culture of Guatemala through an educational talk Taking in the local sights and smells through a walking tour of a local market Witnessing a traditional Mayan ceremony Making traditional Quetzalteco chocolate Visiting a Coffee Finca to learn about the coffee process Participating in an educational conference or workshop Learning the region s famous moves with a salsa dancing class Enjoying a Guatemalan cooking class to make a traditional dish Participating in a weaving lesson using a backstrap loom Visiting the local volcanic hotsprings Hiking to a sacred crater lake, or up a volcano Enjoying a day of relaxation at Lago Atitlán, or the historic sights of Antigua

Cost As a registered Guatemalan non-profit NGO, EntreMundos priority is the maximum benefit for the community at minimal cost for volunteers. for the Community Service-Learning Program. EntreMundos asks an all-inclusive donation of $50 to $75 per participant, per day. This cost depends on group size and the chosen itinerary. } What does this donation include? Pre-departure support and information All of the itinerary s group transportation, plus the accompaniment of an extra emergency vehicle to all project sites. Suitable accommodation with breakfast Hygienically prepared lunches (sandwich, fruit and drink) Evening meals in local restaurants including one non-alcoholic drink A bilingual guide to accompany and translate during all the group s activities All costs associated with community service work A donation to each of the host projects All fees associated with cultural learning activities All gratuities for food and transportation services A donation to EntreMundos, ensuring that we can continue our projects supporting over 200 local organizations and projects working for positive social change. Not included in the program donation: International flights to and from Guatemala Health/travel insurance and medical expenses Any alcoholic drinks Personal spending money Fees associated with bank transfers We look forward to helping you make a lasting difference to Guatemala and to your own lives. Contact Details For more information please contact the Volunteer Programs Coordinator at volunteering@entremundos.org or at (502) 7761-2179. EntreMundos, 6a calle, 7-31, Zona 1, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala Asociación No Lucrativa Registrada (Registered Non Profit) No. 5686617-8