Guatemala Volunteers

Devereaux Swaim

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Written by Administrator | 27 July 2010

Dates at project: September - November 2009, February - May 2010

"I love the happiness and joy of everyone in the school...everyone is so happy to be in the school and it´s seriously contagious."

"In the classroom, I help Profe Hugo correct the students´ work, keep control of the children when Hugo has to leave the classroom for some reason or another, and I attempt to explain mathematic concepts...In addition, I´ve devereauxmade quite a few posters, illustrating different concepts from maths, language and communication, and citizenship. I help give out the snack during the morning and juice during lunchtime."

"The day that I returned to the school for the second time, after two months of not being there, was one of the best days of my entire life."

"It seems to me like the teachers are extremely well chosen and qualified for their work. And a great variety of classes are offered at the school so that the students can receive a great education to well-prepare them for life. I´m amazed at how well the school runs and the pace at which the students learn and can only tell you guys to keep up the good work."

"If it´s possible, do it [volunteer at the school]. And, once you´ve arrived at the school, make the most of every single moment that you spend there with the children...Get to know them and find out their stories. It will mean so much more to you if you do. And, who knows? Maybe you´ll end up like me, totally in love with every single aspect of the school."

"During recess, play with the children as if you were still a child. Enjoy your time at the school. This project has seriously changed my life and I hope to continue returning here for the rest of my life."

To read the full interview with Devereaux, click below.

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Sandy Reid

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Written by Administrator | 29 June 2010

Dates at project: October 2008- February 2009

You get a lot of attention from the kids and you get to give it back- that's pretty cool

I've been staying with a family- it's OK, the food isn't quite what I would have expected though. I like the accomodation and if I came again I would be quite happy to stay with the same people.

sandy

I've never volunteered before- I've never volunteered for anything, as my Grandfather said!

I heard about the project when I got to Guatemala- from the Spanish language school I was studying at and also from the girl that I'm sharing the house with.

I decided to volunteer when it came to the end of the Summer- my work is very seasonal and I usually spend the winter hanging round, waiting for the summer to come again. This year I thought I would do something positive to try and cleanse my soul somewhat!

A typical day is get up at 6.30, shower, then a mile and a half walk to the school. At 8 O'Clock class starts, then you're just trying to take some pressure off the teacher, talking with the kids, trying to help them with stuff. They help me with Spanish, I help them with English. We play football at breaktime- 8 aside and there are about 6 games going on simultaneously on the same pitch! And then, the kids get a nice little roll or something to eat. They're a happy bunch, a really happy bunch.

The best thing about volunteering.... there's probably a few things. I love their smiling faces- it's pretty special. You get alot of attention from the kids and you get to give it back- that's pretty cool. The kids here give you a lot of love. It makes you feel good volunteering, it resets your moral compass and it makes you stand up a couple of inches taller when you walk down the street.

There's nothing that I've really disliked- getting up a 6.30 ain't no walk in the park you know but getting up in the morning's not my thing anyway!

For future volunteers I'd really recommend coming out here and getting involved with the culture- I think some people don't quite understand sometimes if they come out from our systems in europe. We have a lot more money and things are quite different out here. Before you come read up on the place. Learn a little about the history, learn a little about the culture and don't come in blind- coz I think some people do and it's a bit of a shock to them. Have some idea of what you're coming to- that's my advice. Get involved! Also Antigua is a great place- get involved, go out and socialise and enjoy the whole experience.

Susan Peattie

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Written by Administrator | 10 April 2010

Dates at project: August 2008- November 2008

The best thing about being here is the fact that the children want to learn so much. They are all very loving.

I've been volunteering since 25th August this year. I'll be here for five months in total. I'm staying in Ilsa's house which is in Antigua- I like it. It's clean, wesusan have good food. We're given breakfast, lunch and dinner through the week and we're given breakfast and lunch on Saturday and then nothing on Sunday- but that's nice because it's nice to travel on the weekends.

I've also volunteered in Kenya before, in a school and an orphanage.

I heard about this project because my friend in the UK sponsors a child here.

A typical day involves getting here at 8 oclock. The first job is to let the kitchen know how many children there are so that they make the right number of meals. Then the children do dictation, practising their spelling and their accents, reading, we usually have a break, then do maths. Sometimes I put examples on the board. The class I'm teaching is 3rd grade- their age ranges quite a lot and there's different ages- the youngest ones are 8 but we also have a boy who is 16.

The best thing about being here is the fact that the children want to learn so much. They are all very loving.

I think future volunteers should be aware that they will be teaching assistants within an already structured day. You have to go with the flow and try to fit in with the system here.