Guatemala: Lending Heart & Hand to an Orphanage

Overview

Guatemala City, Antigua, Rio Dulce, Tikal

Volunteer travel is a great opportunity to experience first-hand, the specific environments and local communities’ way of life; feeding the soul and volunteering in a meaningful way through tailored projects and activities. It is a chance to connect with the locals in their own environment by working and learning side-by-side.

Guatemala is a beautiful country with great people. For such a small country, only slightly larger than the U.S. state of Tennessee, Guatemala has a lot going on. Besides possessing abundant natural and cultural richness, the country has a great concentration of well-preserved UNESCO heritage sites, some of which are part of our itinerary.

Guatemala is a mountainous country with one-third of the population living in cool highland villages. It has 18 ecosystems, over 300 microclimates and more than 37 volcanoes, of which Santa Maria, Santiaguito, Pacaya and Fuego are active. Originally known as Goathemala, “land of trees,” its biological diversity of the isthmus has enabled Guatemala to rank among the 25 countries with the greatest variety of natural resources in the world.

Contributing to the cultural richness is the ethnic diversity. Guatemala was the heart of the flourishing Maya Indian civilization from 500 A.D. to 900 A.D. After the collapse of the lowland Maya cities in late 800s A.D., the Maya cities of the central highland mountains continued until conquered by the Spanish, who first arrived in 1523 A.D., and colonized the area. Before the Spanish Conquest, the Maya civilization was probably the most advanced in the Americas at that time. More than half of Guatemalans are descendants of indigenous Maya people and mestizos (a mix of European and indigenous ancestry). This is the only Central American country where the indigenous people are in the majority, and their culture is vividly conveyed in their bright, often hand-woven textiles and most of the population lives in rural areas.

The official language is Spanish, but it is often the second language among some the indigenous population. Several Maya language dialects are still spoken, especially in rural areas.

Up to 1996, Guatemala was a military dictatorship but since then three very successful democratic elections for president have occurred and the country has been in peace. By using common sense, Guatemala is a safe country to travel in.

Cost: $1,695
Tread Light Travels

Activity Level: Mild Activity

• The crown jewel of this trip is the children you will meet and assist during your four full days of volunteering. This is the work that will fill your heart with joy and put smiles on the face of the children. The faces you see and friendships you make are going to be the memories that will truly last a lifetime. Here is your opportunity to make a difference and leave a positive imprint.
• Learn about Antigua through an amazing walking tour of this 1500s colonial town. Discover some of its beautiful architecture and history.
• Visit the Quirigua Archaeological site dating back from 426 A.D. to 810 A.D. Come and see beautiful Tikal, at sunrise or sunset, an amazing Mayan site located in the jungles of Guatemala.

Itinerary

Day 1 | Aug. 15. Arrival Guatemala City Transfer to Antigua
Arrive in Guatemala City, the capital of the “country of eternal spring,” and transfer to our first destination of Antigua, Guatemala. Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a charming colonial city that will transport you back in time. It was built in the 1500s and has a magnificent colonial and baroque architectural style of the Americas. Just walking the cobblestone streets and taking in the architecture, the people, and the scenery makes one’s imagination soar. If you arrive in Guatemala City by noon, enjoy some sightseeing, visiting monuments and churches. Gather in the evening for a welcome dinner.
(D)

Day 2 | Aug. 16. Transfer to Rio Dulce
Leave Antigua in the morning for our five hour motor-coach ride to Rio Dulce, our volunteer destination. To break up the road trip, we will stop to visit the amazing Quirigua, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. With more than 85 acres of dedicated conservation land, the Archeological Site of Quirigua has seventeen monuments that were carved between 426 A.D. and 810 A.D., and make up this great city. It is one of the Mayan’s masterpieces. Quirigua is an outstanding display of artistic skills with monolithic stone monuments carved in sandstone without the use of metal tools. After our visit, continue to Rio Dulce and the orphanage where we will be spending the next four days volunteering. A representative from the orphanage will join us for dinner to go over volunteer opportunities for the next four days.
(B, L, D)

Days 3-6 | Aug. 17-20. Casa Guatemala Volunteer Days
The next four days are the core reason why we chose this trip; it is the heart of our trip to lend a hand. The project at the orphanage will change according to the organization’s necessity and the skills you bring. While we volunteer here, you have the option to stay at the Backpackers Hotel, whose profits go to support the orphanage. See the accommodations tab for more information on accommodation options. We will be going back and forth each day by boat. The boat usually leaves the hotel around 7:30 a.m. and returns around 4 p.m., but these times are subject to change based on the logistics of the day. Breakfast is served at the hotel. Lunch is enjoyed with the children at the orphanage, and your dinner is at the hotel; however, we have left a couple of evenings unscheduled for you to explore Rio Dulce on your own.

Volunteer duties and projects will depend on the schedule of the volunteers and activities at the time of our arrival. Usually, volunteer participants are involved in activities such as: arts and crafts; reading with the children and helping in the library; aiding with English, computer or physical education classes; working on maintenance projects or on the farm; helping in the kitchen; and any other areas where help is needed. There are lots of opportunities to play soccer with the kids during their lunch break and participate in other games and activities. If you have an idea for a project or have specific skills to offer, by all means, let us know.
(B, L, D)

Day 7 | Aug. 21. Transfer to Tikal
After breakfast, depart for Tikal. It is a four hour motor coach drive, and we’ll arrive at our hotel in the afternoon after enjoying lunch en-route. Take a dip in the hotel pool or stroll around the property. Today is a good opportunity to wind down and take some time to relax. There should be a beautiful sunset over the ruins of Tikal this evening.
(B, L)

Day 8 | Aug. 22. Tikal
After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of Tikal. This amazing site differs from Chichen Itzá, Uxmal, Copán and most other great Mayan sites, because it is fairly deep in the jungle. Certainly the most striking feature of Tikal is its steep-sided temples, rising to heights of more than 145 feet. Its many plazas have been cleared of trees and vines, and its temples have been uncovered and partially restored. But, as you walk from one building to another, you pass beneath the dense canopy of the rain forest. The first thing one might notice is the rich, loamy smells of earth and vegetation, a peaceful air, and animal noises - all of which contribute to an experience not offered by other, readily accessible Mayan sites. Towering pyramids poke above the jungle's green canopy to catch the sun. Howler monkeys, swing noisily through the branches of ancient trees as brightly colored parrots and toucans dart from perch to perch in a cacophony of squawks. When the complex warbling song of some mysterious jungle bird tapers off, and the buzz of the tree frogs swell into the background noise, it may dawn on you that this is indeed hallowed ground. Tonight, gather for a farewell dinner reflecting on the week’s experiences and highlights.
(B, L, D)

Day 9 | Aug. 23. Tikal to Guatemala City
Depart this ancient site and catch a morning flight to Guatemala City as you connect back with flights home. An optional city tour is available for those with later flights.

Accomodations

Antigua: 1 Night

La Posadita (Economy)
Located just a few blocks from the church Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes, the quaint La Posadita hotel offers comfortable accommodations with private facilities. Throughout the property, enjoy furniture made locally with a colonial touch. Each of the 12 rooms offer a cozy and quaint atmosphere with private facilities, television, phone and internet in public areas. The hotel has a restaurant offering a variety of casual and local dishes.
www.hotellaposadita.com

Casa Capuchinas (Upgrade)
Casa Capuchinas Bed and Breakfast is a Spanish style colonial home built in the heart of Antigua’s historical conservancy, conveniently located within walking distance to shops, restaurants and museums. Rooms feature private bath, direct dial phone, cable television, coffeemaker and fireplaces in most rooms. Antiques, local handicrafts and weavings are also displayed throughout the property.
www.casacapuchinas.com

Rio Dulce: 5 Nights

The Backpackers Hotel and Restaurant (Economy)
The Backpackers Hotel and Restaurant is a business that supports the Casa Guatemala Orphanage and School. By staying here, you are directly benefiting the orphanage. The hotel is a budget hotel, dormitory style rooms with shared facilities. The hotel sits on the river’s edge catching the breeze, and is the coolest place to be on the river. The atmosphere is casual and friendly, with backpackers from around the world. The hotel has a restaurant and bar with music in the evenings.
www.hotelbackpackers.com

Hotel Hacienda Tijax (Upgrade)
Hotel Hacienda Tijax is a special place to be in touch with nature. The hotel is part of the Hacienda Tijax Project which is a large farm nestled in a magical and natural surrounding at Rio Dulce. The hotel is dedicated to conservation, ecotourism, light adventure tourism and sustainable farming. Trails surrounding the property are ideal for hiking, learning about trees and medicinal plants, and bird watching. The hotel features a restaurant and two bars in a unique jungle setting. Each cabin has its own private facilities.
www.tijax.com

Tikal: 2 Nights

The Jungle Lodge 
The Jungle Lodge is ideally situated within the Tikal National Park and offers the closest accommodations to the temples and pyramids. Surrounded by a pristine forest in Petén, the Jungle Lodge offers different types of accommodations to fit one’s budget. The property features a beautiful swimming pool built on the top of a pyramid. Admire keel-billed toucan, howler and spider monkeys right on the property. Scarlet macaws and ocellated turkeys are often seen on the grounds as well.
www.junglelodgetikal.com

Jungle Lodge (Economy)
Jungle Lodge offers 12 rooms for clients who are looking for a combination of economy and quality. These rooms with shared bathrooms have one double bed or two single beds and ceiling fan. These rooms originally were built to house the first archaeologists that came to work in Tikal Park.

Jungle Lodge (Upgrade)
Jungle Lodge offers 36 spacious bungalows with two double beds, private bathrooms with hot water and (limited) electricity. High ceilings and whirling ceiling fans keep the rooms cool and each bungalow has its own small porch with lounge chairs.

Additional information about the Jungle Lodge
In 1952, the Guatemalan government assigned a piece of land to Mr. Antonio Ortiz Contreras (founder of Jungle Lodge), for the construction of a hotel which would help with the logistics of the TIKAL PROJECT, and room and board for the archaeologists. This project was supervised by the University of Pennsylvania with the collaboration of many other universities around the world. From 1956 to 1969, 113 scientists worked on the Tikal Project, making it one of the longest archaeological projects in the western hemisphere.

Casa Guatemala
What do a butcher’s shop, a farmer’s market stall, a backpacker’s hotel, a farm and an orphanage have in common? They are all run by a visionary and dedicated organization, Casa Guatemala. The mission of Casa Guatemala is to provide a safe home, love and nurturing, proper health care and a well-rounded education to the vulnerable children of Guatemala who are abused, abandoned, malnourished, or living in extreme poverty.

Located on the isolated shores of the Rio Dulce in eastern Guatemala, this unique facility provides a loving home, education and medical care for 250 children. The organization is funded by its own revenue-generating projects and has as a goal to be completely self-sufficient. It is incredible and inspiring what they have accomplished since it was founded in 1991. Local staff and volunteers run each of these linked projects and you’ll experience first-hand how they interconnect to form a sustainable community. This casa strives to equip the children in their care with the skills and education needed to become upstanding, empowered citizens in their community.

On this volunteer vacation, you devote four full days of work at the Casa Guatemala orphanage where there is ample opportunity for you to make a difference. This is your chance to enliven your mind, body and soul by playing alongside children, becoming a role model and making new friends. Through this unique human engagement, your heart will be touched as you gain a different perspective on life. You will receive as much or more than you give.

Prior to departure, you will receive a questionnaire to see how you will best be able to assist. What are your skills and passions? What would you like to share with the children or staff? Examples may include arts, crafts, gardening, storytelling, theater, computer skills, language arts or whatever you are motivated to give. We will do our best to fit your talents and interests with the jobs needed.

When volunteering, no act is too small – truly! In this case, a smile, a hug, a friendly ear, a good laugh, a hand on the shoulder, a compliment; such human contact can brighten a child’s life, and in turn, kindle new inspirations.