Build classroom space in a overcrowded school
Working with our local host partner OPEN WINDOWS FOUNDATION, community leaders, and local tradesmen, this DWC project will expand the Learning Center attended by hundreds of local children. New, individual classrooms will provide a secure and pleasant environment for numerous activities.
This project will see the completion of a second story on a two-story building. The first level was constructed in 2020 with space for two classrooms. It is made of masonry block with reinforced concrete. Rebar was installed for a second level, but work was left unfinished through the pandemic.
The location of this project is San Miguel Dueñas and is an agricultural town of 12,000 people. For most families, sending their children to school presents significant financial difficulties. Although San Miguel Dueñas is a mere twenty-minute drive from the prosperous tourist center of La Antigua, very few residents of the town benefit from its proximity. The town has a substantially lower standard of living, with most members of the community working in the local coffee plantations and flower nurseries. The average monthly income is less than $200 per month.
In Guatemala
Indigenous peoples in Guatemala face disproportionate levels of poverty and human development than non-indigenous people. With 60 percent of indigenous Guatemalans living in extreme poverty. It is clear that the government must address the institutional practices contributing to their social exclusion and economic deprivation.
There is an extreme level of income disparity in Guatemala, with less than 1 percent of the population in control of half of the country’s wealth.
Volunteer to make a differenceA Typical Workday in Guatemala
The volunteer team will travel to Guatemala to work on a community development project in San Miguel Dueñas. San Miguel Dueñas is an agricultural community of about 12,000 people who live 15 kilometers from where you will be staying in the tourist city of Antigua.
In general, expect to work 6-8 hours per day. Breakfast starts at 6:00 or 7:00 am. After breakfast, the team is transported to the project site (by private bus). There will be lunch in the middle of the day, which is provided by our host partner. Your workday will end around 4:00 pm. You will be transported back to your hotel for an evening filled with a dinner out, cultural experiences, team bonding or R&R.
Your group will be led by a trained DWC team leader and will be working with a local site supervisor, translator and laborers to complete this project. The worksite will have various types of task to support all skill and strength levels of your team. No building experience is necessary, but a desire to connect with the locals and pitch in as you can is one of the best parts of DWC projects.
This trip includes all accommodations, airport pickup/drop off, in-country transportation and 3 meals a day for the duration of the trip dates.
Antigua is a Center for Guatemalan History
There is plenty to see and do. Antigua, where our volunteers stay, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its Spanish Baroque style of architecture and church ruins. The region was hit by several earthquakes in the 1700s (hence the historic ruins). Not to worry, though, there haven’t been any quakes of note in the past couple of hundred years or so.
You can expect a warm and humid climate during your stay in Guatemala. It’s an excellent time to visit with temperatures averaging between 20°C to 30°C (70°F to 80°F) making it comfortable for indoor or outdoor pursuits. Past teams have visited a chocolate maker, open markets, monuments, fountains, plant nurseries and even volcanoes. Some have gone for wilderness hikes or ziplining. There are lots of options for your free time.
Trip Details
Each trip is coordinated by DWC with the help of a Team Leader, who has travelled with DWC previously, is First Aid Certified, and has completed a Criminal Record Check. Your Team Leader will liaise with DWC and ensure all your questions are answered. Your Team Leader will handle all team finances through the trip and travel with you to ensure the best possible travel and volunteer experience for their team! They also facilitate fun, cultural experiences where possible, ensuring group cohesion. See your Team Leader Biography here:
Hélène Ferreira
Born and raised in France, Hélène has lived on three continents and is now based in Vancouver, Canada, though she is perpetually traversing the globe for leisure, volunteering, or business. She speaks English, French, and Spanish and holds an MBA in Business & Entrepreneurship. Before dedicating herself to entrepreneurship by creating Hélène Ferreira Coaching & Consulting in 2022, she thrived in Sales for ten years.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Hélène finds purpose and joy in dancing, performing on stage and volunteering for impactful non-profit organizations like the BeaYOUtiful Foundation and Developing World Connections. She has also worked with Living Heart Peru and Action Against Hunger in the past. Her genuine passion for uplifting others drives her commitment to success, and she believes coaching, with its profound impact on personal and professional lives, is the ultimate Success Accelerator for individuals and companies alike.
Travel Light Offset Your Carbon Footprint
Carbon offsets are used to compensate for the greenhouse gasses that we create through certain activities, such as flying. For every tonne of carbon released into the atmosphere, an ‘offset’ is a carefully designed project that absorbs or stores the equivalent CO2 emissions. You can choose to offset your own flight, your whole family’s, or do this as a gift for a friend.
Offset Your Carbon Footprint
Joy
Volunteer Program Manager