Volunteers for Construction Project in Antigua, Guatemala

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Our Project Partner is a non-profit organization offering basic housing to families living in extreme poverty. As Guatemala has an acute problem of inadequate housing: a typical house is made of cornstalk walls, a dirt floor and a scrap material roof. Facilities for basic hygiene like clean water and bathrooms are most often non-existent. Beneficiary families participate in the construction of their home and also pay back one fourth of the total cost of their house over four years. The Project Partner aims to improve the living conditions of poor families and let them involve in the financial commitment, and make them financially more conscious and independent.Building a complete house takes 2 weeks, so depending on how long you stay, you can build one or several houses for a Guatemalan poor family. For the minimum time of 2 weeks, they are looking for Volunteers for Construction project in Antigua, Guatemala

VJD-No.: VJD23
Type: Helping Hands
Online Project: No
Location: Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala
Minimum Stay: 2 weeks
Max. No. of Volunteers: 20
Project focus: Architecture, Construction
SDG: 09 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

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TASKS

  • Assist in the construction of a new house for a certain family
  • Help in the building process (foundations, cutting blocks, make cement)
  • Interact with the benefiting family

REQUIREMENTS

  • No experience in Construction or Engineering required
  • Be aware that the work can be physically challenging.
  • Each volunteer is expected to fundraise USD 500 for “your” house to build. You give this money to the project partner on the first day.

What services are included

- Pre-departure support and discounted services
- 24-hour emergency phone
- Airport pick-up & drop-off
(unless otherwise stated)
- Long term experienced staff
- Safe and basic accommodations
(sometimes shared)
- All meals
(unless otherwise stated in field manuals)
- Welcome and introduction meeting
- Orientation on teaching methods and techniques, language, culture and religion (if applicable)
- Location orientation
- Complete immersion in the local culture
- 24-hour in-country support
- Volunteer certificate

What services are not included

- Flights
- Visa costs
- Vaccination costs
- Medical and travel insurance
(can be arrange for 1,35 Euro per day)
- Extra local excursions
- International and domestic airport taxes
- Personal Equipment

Estimated Cost

Cost for the 1st week:

140 Euro

Cost for the following weeks:

125 Euro per week

Visit our FAQ page for financial help.

We offer you the possibility to engage yourself in a culturally and professionally challenging environment. Besides giving something back to the world; you get an excellent opportunity to further develop your personality and intercultural competence. We find a social project that perfectly matches your qualifications and preferences; prepare you for your new assignment; guide you before and during your volunteering experience, help to fundraise your mission and following up on your achievements once you get home. For this service we charge 1.600 Euro (net).

In short: We will make sure that all you need for a successful mission is provided to you!

or how this project makes a difference:
Long Term aim (desired impact):

The NGO to improve the living conditions of poor families and let them involve in the financial commitment, and make them financially more conscious and independent.

Short Term aim (desired output for the individual volunteer coming):

Building a complete house takes 2 weeks, so depending on how long you stay, you can build one or several houses for a Guatemalan poor family.

Accommodation on arrival:

You are transfered right away from the airport to the host family in Antigua.

Project is closed: 

Limited construction from Dec. 23rd to Jan. 3rd approximately.

Social activities (organised by partner):

Many day tours and weekend trips are available, such as Lake Atitlan, Monterrico beach, Semuc Champey and Tikal. Prices vary.

Language lessons: Spanish classes are given at a local Spanish school, with a private teacher.
$130 weekly, for a full-immersion course of 20 hours weekly.
$110 weekly, for a course of 15 hours weekly.
Guidance:

The project has a volunteer coordinator who is always available in Antigua. Do Guatemala staff is available by phone, and once every 2 weeks average we visit you in Antigua.

Internet:

WiFi is available at the homestay at no extra cost.

Other relevant information:

Process

First Contact

Please contact us by phone, email or apply free of charge and without any obligation here as an individual and here as a company.

Consulting

After extensive consultation on the process, the services, the costs and preparations, we will present the first suitable projects.

Agreement

After an extensive consultation and presentation of the first suitable projects, we will conclude a written agreement. In order to have planning security for all stakeholders.

Presentation of  Volunteer Profile to Project Partner

Your application documents will be presented to the project partner.

Successful Placement

If the project partner decides for you, he documents this on the so-called Confirmation of Assignment (COA).
This is an indication for us that the pure mediation process is completed here and we can start with the preparation.

Preparation

You will be prepared individually according to your previous knowledge.

Project Work

During your project work, a fixed contact person is at your disposal at any time.

Reporting

At regular intervals, we as well as the project partners expect a short documentation of your project results and progress.

Evaluation

At the end of the project a feedback round takes place and the project work will be evaluated together with all participants.

Qualified Letter of Reference

After successful implementation of the project, you will receive a qualified letter of reference.

Do you think that this project perfectly fits you?

In that case we welcome your resume and motivation letter in English. Please mention the assignment title and its VJD-No. as reference. We will of course ensure complete confidentiality and discretion while processing your inquiry.

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR APPLICATION!

All information is correct to the best of our knowledge, but we cannot guarantee its accuracy and completeness.

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