О местной принимающей организации

Our local partner, One Two Tree, is a non-profit organization working on education in Central America. Why education? One Two Tree believes in education as a long-term investment to tackle poverty. Education creates an infrastructure for future economic development that will, one day, pay back these efforts to the communities where these children grew up. They are aware of more urgent and dramatic needs in these countries, security and hunger among them, however, they are taking the long term approach to face poverty. One Two Tree recognises the need to specialize them selves to be effective, therefore they have focused on English teaching. Why English? Speaking English in Central America is a valuable plus for many careers. The average level of the language is low and tourism is an increasing industry with huge potential both in the region. Tourism had a continuous double-digit growth in the past 10 years, and it represents almost 10% of GDP, providing labour opportunities to thousands of young people with little education. For these children, speaking some English will open doors in their country.  One Two Tree delivers its English language project in rural areas where English teacher resources are very scare, hence the need for volunteers to address the skills gap, their work cannot be replaced by the local workforce.

Презентация программы

Volunteers teach English to children in grades 4, 5 and 6 at public schools in Guatemala that have sought the support of the organisation. One Two Tree also has a learning centre at which volunteers teach English to kids, teens and adults in the community that are keen to learn. All teaching materials and resources will be provided to the volunteers upon their arrival. They will also receive an induction, teacher training and ongoing support from the local Volunteer and Project Coordinator. The organisation strives to make its teaching dynamic and enjoyable for students, this often includes music, games, singing and similar activities.The workload is up to 25 hours per week, which includes teaching and class preparation time, from Monday to Thursday. Fridays are free for volunteers to travel and visit the country as part of their 3-day weekends.

О размещении

Our partner has network of host families in Santiago that collaborate with us to receive volunteers in their homes. These families have been evaluated and selected based on a number of criteria to ensure these homes and families are appropriate for our volunteers. All the host families are settled in secure places and near the schools and/or the One Two Tree Learning Centre. Living with a local host family will greatly enhance the experience in Guatemala by introducing you to the food, culture, traditions, music, and daily family life of an ordinary Guatemalan family. Volunteers will be provided with accommodation options so they can choose a room or apartment that meets their privacy and budget needs. All options offer a private bedroom, and either a private bathroom and kitchen or access to shared facilities. All host families provide electricity, hot water and WiFi. Accommodation costs are paid directly to the family and range between pay between 200-400 USD per month (dependent on the type of room selected by the volunteer). 

О местоположении

Our project is based in Santiago Atitlán, one of the municipalities of Sololá, around Lake Atitlán one of the most beautiful places in all Guatemala and one of the principals touristic attractions of the country. It's about 4hrs away from Guatemala City and the airport.Almost 90% of the population of Santiago Atitlán preserves their indigenous origins, they wear their tradicional clothes and speak their own language (Tzu´tu´jl). The economic activity is mostly based on agricultural initiatives in the rural areas, and small businesses run by Guatemalans at their own place, and handcrafts houses where the artists make their own typical clothes and accessories that all visitors love. Although the indigenous population is more than half of the total population of Guatemala they suffer a lot of economic disadvantages while they see their indigenous identity and culture threaten every day. Volunteers should expect a low income country where some benefits and domestic advantages are not always be available. For example, electricity and internet connectivity may not be available at certain periods, particularly during the rainy season when flooding and blackouts are more common. We expect from the volunteers respect to the local culture, and get used to their manners and way of life.

О досуге

Guatemala is one of the most visited countries of all Central America, in part due to their indigenous culture, very attractive for the tourists. Guatemala is also one of the most beautiful countries of all the continent, with a huge variety of things to do and places to visit. From enjoying the history and culture of the country in Guatemala City or Antigua (the first capital of the country during the colonial era), the nightlife in Xela, the most cosmopolitan city and the second largest in Guatemala, or walk along the largest market of the country in Chichicastenango. Visit the cradle of Mayan Culture in the ruins of Tikal, or the indigenous communities around Lake Atitlán where the project is settled. You can also enjoy the Caribean beaches in Livingston, where the canyon of Rio Dulce is, one of the main tourist destinations, visit the natural pools of Semuc Champey in Alta Veracruz, crystalline pools of water that appear along the rout of the river that is hiding between the rocks. And, finally, for those who love trekking and adventure trips, Guatemala is a land of volcanoes with hundreds or walking routes; you can go up the Pacayá volcano, where you can see real lava rivers or Ipala volcano, famous because of the lake that now appears in its crater. For all this trips, volunteers have three-day weekends, from Friday to Sunday and they can get to any of this places by a very cheap public transports.

Требования

In order to participate in this project, volunteers must a good level English (Intermediate level or higher). An intermediate level or higher of Spanish is also recommended.  Volunteers should also be able to commit at least 6 weeks to the project and be 18 years old or over. Volunteers must also be willing to work with children, teens and adults and have experience working or dealing with people from different cultural backgrounds.Teaching experience, in English or otherwise, is not required but highly valued.