I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.

Edward Everett Hale

Volunteering

Volunteers are an integral part of Mayan Hope. Since we have no paid staff, volunteers manage and oversee all of the Mayan Hope projects. All volunteers work hand-in-hand with local indigenous counterparts and thus are both teachers and students imparting new skills and knowledge to others while learning about another culture and lifestyle. We always gratefully welcome anyone willing to give of their time, labor, and knowledge in order to help the organization, and the community where we work, grow and develop.

Volunteers on-site in Guatemala generally work long, hard hours with minimal benefits except for the knowledge that you are doing an important job. Generally we expect volunteers to commit for a minimum of two months and preferably three months or longer except in special cases such as medical personnel. In most cases it is essential that these volunteers are capable of communicating at least in a basic level of Spanish. Classes in Spanish are available for those that need them or just wish to improve their language skills. It is necessary that volunteers are self-starters, capable of working with a minimum of supervision under far less than ideal conditions, and with minimal funding. You must have a driving desire to see the project succeed and a mature attitude in working with people whose life-style, needs, goals, desires, and values may be different than yours. This is a job that requires a high level of dedication and drive.

All volunteers coming to Guatemala must be a minimum of 18 years of age or be accompanied by a parent. There is no upper age limit and senior citizens are always welcome. We do recommend that you be in relatively good health as you will generally be working at a fairly high altitude (approximately 6000 feet) and in rough mountainous terrain and living conditions may seem primitive at best.

For any volunteers coming to or considering coming to Guatemala we strongly recommend practicing certain safety precautions and reading everything you can about visiting and/or living in Guatemala. For starters we recommend reading the U.S Department of State Consular Information Sheet. In addition we recommend that you check with your personal physician or local health service to be certain that you have proper vaccinations and any prescription medicines that you nay need while in Guatemala. You may also wish to consider the purchase of a traveler's health insurance policy to cover the period of time that you will be traveling.

While we are always open to new ideas and concepts, some potential volunteers with special interests or skills may intrigue us sufficiently to consider additional projects and volunteer work opportunities. However at present the following positions are open to interested volunteers.

Volunteer Positions Available With Mayan Hope

Teacher's Aides: 1 or 2 positions available from February 1st thru October 30th yearly

Teacher's aides will normally be working with special needs children on a one-on-one basis, assisting the local teacher with classroom activities, working on lesson plans, as well as possibly helping with home visits, working with parents and siblings of students, escorting children to and from school, and a variety of other duties such as possibly tutoring children after school hours. These individuals need to possess a strong desire to work with children and considerable patience. Volunteers willing to commit to a minimum of 3 months are generally preferred over shorter-term volunteers.

Eco-Tour Guides: 1 or 2 positions available year round with heaviest need in June, July, and August. The vast majority of tourists coming to the Nebaj area are looking to take trekking trips into the surrounding mountain areas passing through isolated villages located throughout the area as there are few other tourist attractions in the region. Mayan Hope works closely with a trekking guide service called Trekking Ixil and have several standard local treks available ranging from 1 to 4 days in length. In addition we are now mapping and planning additional trekking tours that will go up to 5 days in length and some may include river rafting segments. Volunteer guides will work alongside local indigenous guides leading small groups of trekkers on these often rugged tours as well as designing, mapping and planning new trekking opportunities. Individuals working in these positions must be people oriented and physically fit. These volunteers must also be familiar with or acquaint themselves with emergency medical procedures, health and safety precautions, map reading, outdoor food preparation, local flora and fauna, as well as local history and sacred Mayan sites.

Agricultural Production and Marketing: 1 or 2 positions available year round. The vast majority of families in the Ixil Triangle area of Guatemala live on tiny subsistence farms of no more than about 1/2 acre in size on average. Nearly every square inch of cultivatable land (including many steep hillsides that should not be cultivated) is planted in corn sometimes interspersed with beans both of with have made up the staples of the diet here for millenniums. If the corn crop is good these families are thus able to make their tortillas. However, the local diet often suffers from a lack of protein and other nutrients and few families have any type of cash crop to purchase other basic commodities. For most the only alternative they have is selling their labor in large fincas or plantations, spending months of the year harvesting sugar in the coastal regions, harvesting coffee in Mexico, or more often going for the brass ring and heading north to the U.S. risking their lives, liberty, and property for the slim chance to make it big while leaving behind a high social and economic cost. While it is a complex and long-term project, what we hope to do is to develop new crops in this area both for local consumption and as cash crops as well as develop and/or demonstrate new and more productive ways to produce some of the more traditional crops. Agricultural volunteers will find this a challenging and demanding area of work as we will be attempting to grow a very unusual variety of plants that may or may not be uniquely suited to this climate, altitude, and soil types as well as working with a variety of small animals and poultry all using organic farming methods. In addition we need to develop new markets for these products, new methods of marketing, and, once a product is proven, to work with potential local producers to establish local cooperatives for the production, processing, and distribution of products. In this manner we hope to eventually provide individuals here with an alternative source of income and reduce the need to migrate to other areas in order to survive. Agricultural volunteers will work with our local beekeeper cooperative, local women's groups, and in our own experimental garden. Volunteers will need to be very responsible and conscientious and some background in small farming practices and/or gardening would be very beneficial but not mandatory.

Maintenance Person: 1 position available year round. Physical plant maintenance is a constant problem as a result of climate, generally sub-standard construction techniques, and just normal wear and tear on two fairly large structures. This volunteer position requires someone with a strong mechanical aptitude, good at working with their hands, and capable of effecting minor repairs over a wide range of disciplines such as painting, carpentry, masonry, plumbing, electrical, appliance repair, sheet metal and tile roof repairs, etcetera. As proper tools and or parts are often unavailable or difficult to obtain, this person needs to be innovative and capable of thinking "outside the box." At times this volunteer may be required to assist and/or supervise local workers on larger or more complicated work and may be called upon to assist local individuals with documents and paperwork needed to obtain housing through the organization Habit for Humanity.

Restaurant and Hostel Workers: 1 or 2 positions available year round and up to 3 during June, July, and August. Popi's Restaurant and Hostel (Restaurante y Hospedaje Popi's) is a self-sufficiency project of Mayan Hope and an integral part of the overall operation here in Nebaj. Popi's is one of only two restaurants in the town with a menu specifically directed toward tourists, backpackers, and foreigners. However about 50% of our customers are Guatemalans. We are a small restaurant and hostel with seating for about 30 people maximum and we can sleep 15 in the hostel mostly in dormitory type rooms. Popi's also has a bakery, laundry, trekking guide service, book exchange, and other tourist services. In addition to providing several local jobs, the restaurant and hostel provides a sales outlet for several local products such as weavings, area produced coffee, and local honey from the cooperative as well as providing daily meals to the school and other community services. Popi's also provides a location for locals to taste a variety of foods unavailable anywhere else in the community. Our menu has a wide range of international dishes and we produce from scratch and in house our own soy milk, tofu, soy ice cream, veggie burgers, jams and jellies, apple butter, pickles, salsas, salad dressings, wheat flour tortillas, breakfast sausage, hash browns, gravies, spaghetti sauces, pesto, and occasionally things like corned beef, pepperoni, boiled ham, sugar cured hams, and many other items. Of course we also bake in house all of our own breads, hamburger buns, pies, cakes, cookies, brownies and other baked goods. For traveling backpackers and tourists, area volunteers, Peace Corps workers, and others, we are sort of a home away from home. We frequently host a wide variety of groups such as Quetzeltrekkers, numerous rotary clubs, Doctors without Borders, Engineers without Borders, Where There Be Dragons, Peace Corps groups, Water for People, and various Guatemalan tour and volunteer groups. Finally Popi's provides a base location for Mayan Hope and of course all profits go to Mayan Hope projects. While the restaurant and hostel does operate in the black, profits are minimal and volunteers are always needed and appreciated to help keep the operation functioning. Restaurant and hostel volunteers need to be people oriented and have a strong sense of responsibility. These volunteers will work daily with local employees and will have a wide range of duties including things like food preparation and baking, customer service, marketing and procuring, menu preparation and pricing, ambiance and customer satisfaction, providing local information, accounting, sanitation, school lunches, and may include things like volunteer coordination, and filing bureaucratic documents.

General Volunteer Information

Spanish Language Instruction: All volunteer positions require at minimum a beginner to intermediate level knowledge of the Spanish language. Those with no or very little knowledge of Spanish should consider a Spanish school or classes. A number of good Spanish schools exist throughout Guatemala or you may consider Spanish classes here while beginning your volunteer time. We can provide private Spanish classes with a qualified teacher at a cost of 30 Quetzals ($4.00) per hour and recommend a minimum of 2 hours per day for the first four weeks of your time here. This would be 1200 Quetzals or $160.00 U.S. dollars for the month (40 hours) of classes. At that time you may evaluate your capabilities and need for additional instruction.

Health and Safety Issues: Guatemala is for the most part an impoverished developing nation where crime and violence are rather commonplace factors. Furthermore should you happen to be the victim of a crime it would probably do you little good to report it to the police. The Guatemalan justice system is seriously broken. The fact is that many of the crimes in Guatemala are actually committed by police officers. Statistically, out of 100 murders in Guatemala, one person will see the inside of a prison. It is for this reason that vigilante justice is not uncommon here especially in remote villages where police presence is non-existent. None of this however means you cannot travel, live, and work in Guatemala without a reasonable expectation of security and safety. However, you must use common sense while here. In reality many of you may live in areas of high crime rates and may statistically be more likely to be accosted in your own home town than you are here in Guatemala. The difference is that in your home town you know the rules even without thinking of them. There you are in your comfort zone. Here you are going to be out of your element and out of your comfort zone. At minimum when you travel in Guatemala:

Guatemala is also filled with all types of bacteria and other little creatures like amoebas and giardia that just can't wait to take up residence in fresh new bodies often with weakened immune systems brought on by living a lifetime in an artificially sterile environment. The common term for this condition is Montezuma's Revenge and at best is likely to give you a strong desire to stay in close proximity to a toilet for a few days.. Bacteria can come from anywhere. A simple act like touching your lips with your finger can put a multitude of little creatures into your system. Food poisoning can come from any number of tainted foods. Refrigeration is a rare commodity in most outlaying communities and therefore some foods - particularity poultry and meats - can spoil quickly. Hepatitis A is generally contracted as a result of kitchen workers and food servers not washing their hands after going to the toilet whereas amoebas and giardia are both waterborne creatures and a single drop of tainted water can carry any number. The fact is that Guatemala is a country with little refrigeration and, more often than not, poor sanitary habits. If you spend any time here there is a high probability that you will get sick at least once. However, any illness you get is not likely to be life threatening and you can limit your exposure by following a few simple rules.

In the end your safety and health are your responsibility. We can only provide your with a few guidelines and cannot possibly cover all circumstances that you may encounter. Certainly feel free to consult your family doctor for any medical recommendations. We are not doctors or medical specialists and can only guide you from our experience of many years here in Central America. At minimum we would recommend that you get a vaccine for Hepatitis A and a Tetanus booster. If you are taking or need any type of prescription drugs, bring a supply with you and a copy of the prescription. If you normally use any type of birth control - including condoms - you may wish to bring them with you. If you use eyeglasses or contacts, bring at least one extra pair. In general prescription drugs are cheaper here but the exact prescription that you need may not be easy to obtain or just not available.

Housing and Climate: Mayan Hope volunteers will normally stay at the volunteer house about 5 or 6 minutes walk from the restaurant and hostel. This is a secure and comfortable facility where volunteers live in bunk house type rooms normally with no more than 4 volunteers to a large room. The house is also the location of the school and garden. Volunteers have access to a communal kitchen with gas stove and oven as well as a wood burning cook stove. In addition there is a large outdoor grill and a wood burning Mayan style sauna. During the school year two young Mayan girls also live at the house in a small separate room and help to keep the house and classroom clean. However, volunteers are responsible for maintaining their own living quarters.

Because of the latitude of Guatemala, most people think of the climate here as hot and muggy and in the lowlands of Guatemala this may well be the case, but here in Nebaj we are located in the highlands at an altitude of approximately 1900 meters or 6000 feet. Typically here during the summer months we will have warm mornings and cool nights with rain during the afternoon and possibly throughout the evening hours. The rainy season lasts from the end of May until the beginning of November normally and we will have at least some rain nearly every day during that period. During the winter months the climate can get quite cool especially at night, but we never actually have freezing weather. However, because of the constant high humidity and the fact that there is no such thing as central heating or insulation in the area, you will find the climate quite cool. Due to the altitude, those that normally live at or near sea level may also experience a shortness of breathe, headaches, and/or find that they get tired easily for the first week or two of their stay here until they adapt.

Volunteers will need to be certain to bring some warm clothing with them as well as rain gear. In addition most volunteers will want to bring good hiking shoes, work clothes, and sun block. The UV rays here can result in sunburn very rapidly. Since most volunteers will want to spend some time traveling to other areas of Guatemala while they are here, you may also need some summer clothing, beachwear, sandals, and mosquito repellant for visits to the lowlands and beaches.

Prior to arrival in most cases volunteers will be sent information by email on how to get to Nebaj and how to get to Popi's restaurant once here. On arrival all volunteers will be required to sign a wavier and release from liability form and you will need to either purchase a cell phone or place a small deposit down on one of our phones to use while you are here. The deposit will be returned when the phone is returned on your departure. In addition you will be escorted to the volunteer house and assigned living quarters, given keys as needed, provided a map of the community, introduced to the other people that you will be working with, and assigned a Spanish instructor if required.

Volunteer Costs: Volunteers will be required to make a donation of $600.00 U.S. for the first two months of their stay which will cover all housing costs. Volunteers will be responsible for their own food costs. A donation of $150.00 U.S. per month will be required after the first two months. All donations will go to Mayan Hope projects. In addition volunteers may need funds for Spanish classes as needed and funds for food, travel, and incidentals. We would recommend that volunteers have available a minimum of $100 to $150 per month for food, travel, and incidentals besides the cost of any Spanish classes.

We do want any Mayan Hope volunteers to have an educational, enjoyable, and rewarding experience. Volunteers will have ample opportunity to travel and explore other areas of Guatemala and Central America during their stay. Normally volunteers will work a five day week and from 5 to 8 hours per day with time off for lessons and sightseeing. We hope that all volunteers understand that your donations and time here will be helping a needy and deserving people with the projects they will be working on, but the person that will reap the greatest benefit and be rewarded most by the experience is you.

For additional information please feel free to write us with your questions at admin@mayanhope.org or complete and submit the volunteer application form below if you wish to apply for a volunteer position. We hope to see you soon.

Mayan Hope Volunteer Application Form

Please complete all questions in the form

* Required Fields

Full Name*
Your Age*
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Email
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What level of Spanish do you speak?

Please give us a brief summary of your background, experience, and/or education. If you have specific experience in any of the projects of Mayan Hope, please let us know.

Please tell us any other information that you think may be pertinent to your volunteering at Mayan Hope such as when you might like to start, etc.