Location
San Andrés is a small town located on the northern shore of Lake Petén-Itzá, the third largest lake in Guatemala. The Petén is the largest department in Guatemala, occupying nearly 1/3 of the area of Guatemala. It is home to the Mayan Biosphere Reserve, the largest rainforest reserve in Central America.
About the project
Volunteers are welcome to join this facinating project to assist local staff with the preservation of a beautiful nature reserve and educational activities for the Mayan people in the region.This project focuses mainly on a 150 acre reserve in the town of San Andrés. The goal of the reserve is to convert it into an outdoor educational center as well as to preserve its integrity as an ecological reserve. The park encompasses 3 km of trails, a botanical garden, tree nursery, an organic farm, an agro-forestry demonstration area, reforestation areas, small animal projects, an arts and crafts center, a museum and educational center, volunteer housing, and a basketball court. The park is fenced in and designated an ecological reserve. A full time caretaker oversees and maintains the perimeter of the park, including the maintenance of the trails and the protection of the Mayan ruins that are located in the park. Educational programs are also run with local schools and community centers. As a volunteer in this project, you will assist in varied activities connected with the nature reserve and relevant local educational programs. You will live with a local family and have the opportunity to learn Spanish, experience the Mayan culture and meet new friends from around the world.
Volunteer work and contribution
As a volunteer in this project, you are expected to take part in many of the programs listed below:
- Ecological Management - This involves daily work in the nature reserve: trail blazing, reforestation, working in the tree nursery, restoration projects, learning about medicinal plants, working in the Natural History Museum, gardening and agriculture.
- Environmental Education - The nature reserve educational program runs from February until September. Over 1200 students are transported to the reserve in groups of 10-15 for ecological courses. Activities for the students include adopting a tree, recycling, planting trees, making maps, measuring trees, identifying birds, etc., depending on the grade level. Volunteer responsibilities involve organizing classes, organizing resources for classes, teaching (basic Spanish needed), maintenance of museum and education center, and outreach programs.
- English education - One of the most valuable resources a volunteer can offer is the ability to communicate in two languages, English and Spanish. Volunteers can work with a variety of schools, including elementary, junior high, or high school levels, or work with groups of adults that have a special interest in learning English.
- Rural literacy program - You can work at the newly established library in San Andrés and other reading initiatives within schools and communities in the region.
Accommodation & Facilities
As a volunteer you will live with a local family in San Andrés. You will live in a separate house adjacent to the host family or in a separate room that has its own entrance. Rooms include bed with all bedding material, mosquito netting, desk, lights, electrical outlets, chairs, shelving, and an electric fan. Rooms are made of concrete blocks, have wooden or metal doors, and typically tin roofs. Host families are trained to cook healthy meals, wash all fruits and vegetables properly, provide purified water, and maintain clean living conditions for the volunteer. Host families are not required to do your laundry; however, most families do offer this service. It is easy to find local women who will wash your clothes for about $3 per load. The most difficult part about living with a family is communication. None of the host families or staff members (with the exception of the director) speak English. It is advisable to learn some basic Spanish before coming. However, by living with a family, volunteers can feel more like a member of the community, and families will help introduce volunteers to other members of the community.
Not just work...
As a volunteer, you will have the opportunity and time to explore a fascinating area. In comparison to other "tourist" areas of Guatemala, San Andrés is very rural. It has neither banks nor hotels. It does, however, have two comedors (very small restaurants), a billiards hall, local cantinas, small stores that sell common goods, a hardware store, basketball courts, small internet café, and soccer fields. The roads are dirt and usually in very poor condition. Luckily, the road to the park is relatively flat with no hills, so riding a bicycle or walking to and from the park is very easy. Most houses have electricity, and most roads have lamps that are illuminated throughout the night. There are public phones in the center of town that take prepaid calling cards, some families have cell phones, and only one or two families have direct phone lines. The beach is only a few minutes away by foot, and there are some nice public beaches where the water is safe and clean for swimming. Other activities include field trips and movie nights. It is also possible to go to the ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal (one of the most significant archeological finds in Central America) and jungle treks can be arranged in the spectacular Mayan biosphere reserve (for a low cost). Spanish lessons can be arranged individually for $4 per lesson.
Minimum requirements
- Min age 18
- Families with children are also welcome
- Basic English or/and Spanish
- Good physical fitness
- Motivation to work with people and nature
- Full travel & medical insurance
- Immunizations (please consult your doctor)