Guatemala - Social Work in a Hospital

Location: Guatemala: Antigua

Program Duration: 2-4 weeks

Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks

Dates: 4 weeks Minimum

South America Inside

Andrés de Fuenzalida 17, 0f. 51 Santiago, RM 7510077 Chile

Description

The hospital is a large public hospital that can hold up to 500 patients and is funded through domestic and international donations from organizations and individuals. The hospital takes in babies, youth and adults and is dedicated to helping people who come from families with difficult financial situations or who lack sufficient time or skills to take care of their loved ones. Some of the patients have been abandoned; others are old or crippled in need of recuperation and rest that is not available in their homes. The patients are of all ages and have many different problems or illnesses. They come from all over Guatemala to seek treatment in this hospital.

The tasks you will do depend on the area of work that you think you are most capable of and interested in. As a volunteer, you can choose the area of the hospital that you want to work in:

Center for children recovering from malnutrition:
- Care for children with different degrees of malnutrition
- Play with the children, read to them, comfort them and take them for short walks

Center for mentally and/or physically handicapped children:
- Care for children with Down Syndrome, Quadriplegic, Hidrocefalia, or other disabilities
- Stimulate them by singing to them, talking to them and simply giving them attention, care and love
- Assist in giving them physiotherapy and speech therapy

Center for elderly people:
- Take care of the elderly that have no home and that suffer from different disabilities
- Offer them personal care and attention and create educational activities

Center for babies and little children:
- Care for babies and children with illnesses
- Play with the children, read to them, comfort them and take them for short walks
- Change and feed them

Your working schedule will be from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm, though it is possible to work in the afternoons as well. Many volunteers can work during the same time. The hospital has room for about 500 patients, so the more help, the better!

Highlights

Free Lodging and Meals:

Every effort is made to ensure that your stay is as pleasant as possible. Accommodations are carefully chosen and regularly assessed. During your volunteer program, you will live in a single room with a local Guatemalan family. Living with a Guatemalan family gives you the opportunity to practice your Spanish skills and build relationships with the locals! Accommodations include a private room with a shared or private bathroom and three meals per day (except on Sundays). The family will warmly welcome you allowing you to experience the real Guatemalan way of life!

Alternatively, you can live with other students in the student residences or guest houses. You will have a private room but share common areas as well as a bathroom with your housemates. Living in the student residences can be a lot of fun and is a great place to meet other travelers to explore the city with! (Prices are available upon request and based on availability)

Qualifications

Language:
Spanish skills required (you can book your Spanish course in Guatemala with us!)

Skills:
No professional skills or experiences required.

Age:
18+ years

Vaccination:
Not required. Please consult us and your doctor for specific recommendations.

Insurance:
Full travel and medical insurance is required. You can purchase a full coverage, no deductible health and travel insurance at a special rate for our participants by contacting your South America Inside representative.

Visa:
Tourist visa valid for 90 days. For further information regarding visa requirements please contact us and the corresponding embassy or consulate in your home country

Languages
  • Spanish

Cost in US$:

USD 520 for four weeks

Cost Include Description:

Credit Available

no

Volunteer Types
  • AIDS
  • Childcare/children
  • Culture
  • Disability Issues
  • Drug Or Alcohol Recovery
  • Elderly
  • Food
  • Handicapped
  • Health
  • Health Care
  • Health Education
  • Hospital
  • Human Rights
  • Playgrounds
  • Social Services, Social Work
  • Street Kids
  • Youth
This Program is open to

Worldwide Participant.

Typical Living Arrangements
  • Guest House
  • Home-stays

Application Process Involves
  • Other
Typically The Application Process Time is
Flexible
South America Inside's Mission Statement

Our programs are addressed to the humanitarian traveler, whether you are a student, professional or retiree. Anyone who wants to explore Latin America not as a mere tourist, but rather as an insider through an experience that goes beyond the ordinary, we invite you into our community! We organize Spanish and Portuguese courses as well as internship and volunteer work positions in nearly all countries of Central and South America. We help in organizing language courses, internships, volunteer work projects as well as in choosing the right country for you. We aim to select partners who are just off the beaten path and/or entail unique and special features to make your experience unforgettable!

Year Founded

2003

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