Info

MAKE A DIFFERENCE to healthcare in Guatemala. About 70 children here have physical and/or mental handicaps. The patients here are taken care of by general staff, nurses, doctors, dentists, physiotherapists and YOU!!!

An amazing opportunity to learn more about physiotherapy and have a truly hands-on experience to add your CV/Resume! The centre is looking for people with a background or interest in physiotherapy to assist them with their daily work. You'll most likely assist and shadow the physiotherapists while they work with the children and you may help to care for the children, including feeding them, giving them baths, and possibly even assist with cooking or with the laundry. You are here as an assistant physiotherapist, but you must be prepared to muck in with other activities too!


LOCATION:

With majestic volcanoes rising out of lush green rainforest, highland villages steeped in tradition and vibrant, spirited people, Guatemala put quite simply is a magical destination! Beautiful Antigua, where all of our placements are based, is arguably the most picturesque city in Central America, characterised by a mellow, yet distinctly international feel. The local residents are warmly referred to as Green bellies or panza verde due to the abundance of avocados that grow in the region.

Antigua's splendour is protected by three giant guardian volcanoes Agua, Fuego and Acatenango, providing a stunning setting which attracts thousands of visitors every year. Antigua is one of the most popular places in Central America to learn Spanish so you are bound to meet lots of other students and travellers!


WHAT YOU WILL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT
• An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into undiscovered Central America.
• New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.
• An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market
• The enormous satisfaction of helping disadvantaged children and knowing that you made a difference to them
• And maybe best of all ... an unforgettable experience!


ACCOMODATION AND FOOD

Accommodation with host families means that Travellers volunteers get to eat, sleep, work, socialise and generally live like a Guatemalan. Local family homestays enable you to fully experience the local culture from the inside. Many of our volunteers remain friends with their host families long after they leave Guatemala and in some cases they return to the country later especially to visit their family. Some homestays are more like small hotels, which can accommodate between 1 and 10 volunteers at any one time. Many offer the option of single or shared rooms, and generally houses within the same town are in close proximity with each other. The accommodation is comfortable, with a ‘western-style’ bathroom.

All of your meals will be provided from Monday to Saturday, leaving you free to sample local eateries on Sundays. Expect to develop a taste for corn tortillas, tostadas and tacos in plentiful supply! Although it could be said that the emphasis with Guatemalan food is more nutritional than culinary, western and international dishes are also easily available in Antigua. Although Guatemalans are big on eating meat, we can easily cater for vegetarians.


ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES YOU CAN DO ON WHILE ON YOUR PROJECT:

Whether you’re an adventure-mad extreme sports enthusiast or a nature-loving bird-watcher, Guatemala’s awesome unspoilt natural habitat will have something for you. The extraordinary terrain around the volcanoes and caves provides the perfect setting for mountaineering and caving (spelunking) whereas the fast-moving rivers are ideal for boating, white-water rafting and windsurfing, with Lake Atitlán also popular for diving. There’s also a nearby turtle sanctuary.

Besides this you can also find ample opportunity to go mountain biking, bathe in hot springs surrounded by lush green jungle, or indulge your passion for nature in one of the country’s national parks.

Travellers' placements are very flexible and you can combine this project with any other Travellers project, either in the same country or in different countries.


WHAT TO DO NEXT
-Talk to us - We're there to help you. +44 (0) 1903 502595.
-Most of our team are ex Travellers volunteers and are ideally qualified to offer advice and guidance because they know what you're looking for. They'll help you find your perfect project - and then make it all happen!
-If you'd like more information about this or any of our projects, please email or call us!
-If you'd like to apply for this project, please go to our website and complete the application form. As soon as we receive it, we'll liaise with you and then start making your travel adventure happen.
-It's as easy as that!


OUR PARTICIPANTS SAY...

"Antigua is absolutely STUNNING. I cannot stress how stunning it really is. I wish I could zap you all here just so you can see it for yourselves."

"I really feel that I was very well informed and it was as I expected. I met many volunteers there and have to say that of them all I was the best prepared for my stay in Guatemala. I also feel that the team were in constant touch with me and answered all my concerns and queries immediately. As an older volunteer with a family, it was importnat that I had support, which I certainly did. THANK YOU VERY MUCH for making it so much easier. I was very happy with every aspect of my stay.”

Duration

Available all year round. Our placements are very flexible, you can choose your own start and finish dates.

Start Dates

Flexible start and finish dates you choose. Our placements are flexible and can be tailored to match your preferences. For availability please contact the office.

Costs / Benefits

Costs vary depending on length of placement, but starts at £995 for four weeks. You can participate for up to one year, subject to visa requirements.

Included is full support from the moment of booking and throughout your placement to your return home. There are support staff 24/7 in all our destinations worldwide and a 24 hour emergency international telephone line direct to the Head Office. All meals are provided, unless otherwise stated. Accommodation is provided (whether a rented house, a hotel/hostel, homestay, apartment or flat).

You’ll be met at the nearest airport on your arrival by our in-country manager who will take you to your accommodation and give you a full induction into the area. He/she will also be on call 24/7 and you’ll see them frequently.
Pre-departure you’ll receive comprehensive information about every aspect of your placement and necessary preparations, ranging from what to pack, to visa information, to what to do on your weekend travel in the country. Your safety, well being and happiness throughout your placement are our primary concerns and we will keep in touch with you throughout. International flights not included.

Requirements

We recommend that you have intermediate Spanish skills (these can be picked up in Guatemala). You also need to have an interest/qualification or some knowledge about physiotherapy to take part in this project. No other qualifications necessary. From 17 years old upwards, and all nationalities. This placement would suit anyone who wants to make a real difference, wants first-hand experience of a different culture and has initiative.