Guatemala House Building Volunteers

Location: Guatemala: Antigua

Program Duration: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks

Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks

Dates: First Monday of the month - you will need to arrive the Sunday before.

Real Gap Experience

61-63 Chatham St. Fifth Floor Boston, MA 02109 United States

Description

This project works in the poorest areas of Guatemala to rebuild homes and to supply health and education to some of the most disadvantaged families.

Many Guatemalan families live in poor quality makeshift homes that are built of nothing more than cardboard or sugar cane walls with dirt floors. The use of makeshift building materials and poor construction resulting from a lack of resources leaves families extremely vulnerable to the harsh weather conditions during the storm season.

Highlights

Volunteer Role

Changing lives block by block - each house takes around six days to be built from start to finish which allows volunteers to see completion of a project and (most rewarding) the final results, a very happy and very grateful family whose lives you have helped change beyond all expectations.

The Goal

Once the house is completed the family can move their belongings into their new home and are handed the keys. This is always a very emotional time for both families and volunteers alike and an extremely rewarding moment that you'll never forget.

Poor quality, dilapidated housing fuels health problems, and destroys family unity and hope. Working with this project gives you the opportunity to help directly with some of the world's poorest families to build or rebuild houses making them strong, safe, culturally appropriate, and affordable to maintain. These homes become the foundation for a community building process.

Languages
  • English
  • Spanish

Cost in US$:

from USD 1,109.00

Cost Include Description:

* Accommodation throughout your programme with a host family
* Two meals a day
* Airport transfer on arrival from Guatemala City airport
* Transfer back to airport at the end of the programme
* Orientation upon arrival
* Full support and assistance from your coordinator throughout your project
* 24-hour support number and contact for emergencies

Credit Available

no

Volunteer Types
  • community development
  • health education
  • housing
  • volunteering
  • youth
Age Range
Minimum 18 years, maximum depends upon individual participant's health
This Program is open to

Worldwide Participant.

Typical Living Arrangements
  • Dormitory
  • Group living
  • Home-stays
  • Other

Application Process Involves
  • Online Application plus Application Assessment
  • Other
  • Written Application
Real Gap Experience's Mission Statement

We offer over 250 projects and travel options in over 35 countries. So whether you are interested in volunteering, community work, conservation, paid work overseas, teaching English, learning a new skill, adventure travel or sports and expeditions, you will find what you are looking for with Real Gap. Not only about we passionate about responsible travel, we also want to make sure you have a good time too! Our travel advisers have traversed the globe and taken their own gap years, so they can give you all the advice you need to plan yours. You will also get support from both our on-site and office staff who understand the needs and expectations of Real Gap travelers.

Year Founded

2005

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