Guatemala

Integrated Development and Mayan School Improvement

Guatemala is the gateway to Central America and is a land filled with heart, wisdom, and opportunity for human development at all socioeconomic levels.

The intent of this volunteer program is to support regional efforts to meet Millennium Development Goals that strengthen the quality of primary and pre-primary education in extremely poor rural areas. Through distribution of donated and locally produced and procured food at school, these rural programs are working to increase enrollment and improve the daily attendance of students to increase graduation rates.

During this journey, you will deeply engage with communities that are developing their own strategies to balance rural agricultural labor practices with the need for continued access to education. Work alongside community members to improve local school infrastructure. Your group will visit Guatemala City, Iximche archaeological site, and stay in Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your group may also visit the village of San Antonio Aguas Calientes and learn from a successful micro-credit cooperative of traditional back-strap loom weavers. Traveling on to Tecpan, you will see first hand what sustainable agriculture and education look like in rural Mayan villages.

Your experience will be interwoven with the perspectives, culture, history, and current reality of Mayan peoples. You will learn about the legacy of The Civil War, government and education structures, and the new challenges of migration and globalization.

Starting in Guatemala City, you will visit the Plaza Mayor, called the “Center of all Guatemala,” where the four great strands and powers of Guatemalan society converge: the government, the church, the army, and the people. You will learn about current issues visit an educational advocacy program dedicated to supporting children’s rights to access primary education in stable and vibrant schools.

Traveling on to Tecpán, you will spend time in a small Mayan Community specifically selected for your group. Community activities will include opportunities to explore and learn about sustainable development, rural agriculture, the educational system, and community initiatives for vulnerable groups. These service projects often include painting, light concrete, and miscellaneous school improvement tasks. We will work directly with community members to provide a dynamic cultural exchange designed to uplift the collective spirit as well as impart community knowledge to volunteers.

The week will conclude at one of the most historic and cherished Spanish colonial centers in all of Central America – Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This charming city of cobbled brick roads is full of bright colors and thriving culture, providing a grand backdrop to celebrate your time in Guatemala. From here you can embark on an afternoon adventure and hike up Pacaya, one of the world’s most active volcanos.

Many traditional foods in Guatemalan cuisine are based on Mayan culture and prominently feature the key ingredients of corn, chilis and beans. While in Guatemala, there will be opportunities to try various traditional dishes including tamales, delicious black beans, and Pollo encebollado (chicken in onion sauce) among others.

In Tecpán the fare is more rural with foods specially prepared for the group by local chefs and that include some specialities of the region. Menus and meals can be adapted for those food allergies or special dietary needs.

In Tecpán, a modest local hotel will provide double accommodation. This lovely hotel is located near the main square in Tecpán and is walking distance to the local market and coffee shop. While in Antigua a small local hotel is provided directly in the heart of downtown Antigua just one block from the city center.

Groups will arrive and be greeted at La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Ground transportation including a Private Driver plus an In-Country Tour Guide and Translator are included from time of arrival, until departure. The Tecpán region where we will be working is an ideal program location because of its easy access from Guatemala City, Antigua, and Panajachel. Trips can be arranged for any length of time, however our most popular programs run 7 days to 3 weeks.

Upon arrival and after resting from the flight, an orientation will be provided including an introduction to Guatemala including facts local customs and culture, safety, rules and expectations. Volunteers will also learn about the critical issues facing communities, including access to education. The orientation will provide an overview of activities for the week and background on the projects, people, and places we will be visiting and working with.

Via Guatemala has worked in rural communities in the Highlands of Guatemala since 2006 to contribute to a prosperous, fair and respectful society in Guatemala. Via seeks to create opportunities for all, working in the poorest areas of the country and supporting vulnerable families and communities. The work is based on a participative methodology working in close relation with organized groups in rural communities to develop instruction programs in health and nutrition, education, and agriculture.

Loyola University Maryland

"l highly recommend Via International as a great host agency for meaningful immersion programs, both domestic and international. They are rooted in the community with years of experience and relationships, organized and offer great educational input for the participants. They have everything you need fora comprehensive experience.

Andrea Coicochea, Assistant Director International Immersions

The Impact

The experience of an immersion program impacts post-travel

Discover how international migration and the Civil War present socio-economic challenges at the community level.

Analyze the unique interdependence between Spanish and Mayan cultures.

Participate in community-defined service projects improving local schools and student health.

Learn how community leadership is demonstrated through communal programs involving access to education.

Understand how indigenous identity can keep its roots while adapting to modern living.

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