Study Spanish and Volunteer in Guatemala

  Guatemala

• Other Cities in Guatemala: 
Quetzaltenango

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: year-round

Description: El Nahual is an educational community center funded by its non-profit Spanish school for foreigners. Located in the western highland city of Quetzaltenango, El Nahual provides free educational programs to some of the poorest communities in the area.

We seek motivated students who desire both an intensive Spanish immersion experience and the opportunity to impact some of the poorest communities of Quetzaltenango. Helping to develop our educational programs is interesting, rewarding and challenging work!

Conscious of the many social problems that face the people of Guatemala, we started a school that would use all its profits to give back to the community. The Spanish school is composed of a team of professional teachers with years of experience in teaching Spanish to foreign students from begining to advanced levels. We also offer specialized Spanish courses for health and legal professionals, social workers, and activists.

Students study Spanish 4 hours a day, 5 days a week and volunteer in our educational social service programs in their free time (5-15 hours a week). El Nahual offers regular cultural activities including a Guatemalan cooking class, a weaving class, free salsa lessons, Latin American movie nights, and a weekly lecture on the history and politics of Guatemala.

Highlights: All students and volunteers are given the opportunity to stay with a Guatemalan family during their time at El Nahual.

El Nahual is a Mayan term that means protective spirit of each person. Our vision is to become a guiding force for those who need us. We strive to encourage personal growth and human rights awareness by providing access to education.

The El Nahual community center offers a:
* Free school for children ("Manos de Colores")
* Free adult school
* Organic community garden

El Nahual also runs its "Manos de Colores" educational programs at 3 other low-income schools in the area.

The majority of our volunteer opportunities involve teaching English, art and/or music at 4 schools/ after school programs. Other opportunities include teaching English to adults in a 14-and-over primary school, working in our community garden, fundraising, and constructing our new community center.

Our philosophy is "educando para desarrollo social," or "educating for social development." We invite you to partake in our mission.

There is no cost associated with volunteering.

Volunteers' Spanish level may determine the type of project they work in. All levels are welcome and all are guaranteed volunteer work. Beginners, when teaching, will be paired with a more advanced speaker.

Qualifications: We are currently looking for people who will teach art, computers, music, English, science, and other enrichment activities for children (age: 10 to 16) as well as people with health knowledge. Any other ability might be of interest for us.

Cost in US$: 162/ week

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: A commitment of one month or more is preferred.

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Guatemala Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program Services Include:

• Job and Internship Network

El Nahual Language Center's Mission Statement: El Nahual Community Center is a non-profit, non-governmental organization funded by its Spanish language school. All of our proceeds return directly to the community through our educational programs for children, which involve teaching English, art, Spanish reinforcement, mathematics, science, theater, and more at four sites on the outskirts of Quetzaltenango (Guatemala's second-largest city). The children we serve often come from families who have been marginalized by poverty, indigenous Mayan heritage, or rural backgrounds, and many lack access to the privilege of a primary school education even though six years are theoretically provided free of charge under the Guatemalan system. Our foreign volunteers provide creative, thoughtful instruction and activities which these children would otherwise not receive. To that end we seek dedicated and enthusiastic individuals who are motivated to give back to some of the most disenfranchised communities in Quetzaltenango. If you are interested in learning about grassroots social development work through education, want to gain valuable international teaching experience, and improve your Spanish through work with kids, El Nahual Community Center has a place for you!

Year Founded: 2004