Green Builder Volunteer needed in Guatemala

4.5

(27 reviews)27

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The experience

Looking to participate in a radically green development project? We have constructed a self-sustainable 18-building green campus in the Western Highlands of Guatemala. Using alternative methods and materials, we are empowering the youth of this community, the majority of whom are Kaqchikel Maya, to be the architects of their own futures. Our volunteers will be part of the construction team and will work together to complete our Campus.

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What you offer

30 hours of help per week

Arts: Help with painting, graffiti, sculpting or drawing.

Painting & Decorating: Help with painting or decorating the property facilities.

Building & Repairing: Help with a wide range of repairs or building.

Additional fee required

Amount: US$ 85 Per week

Fee pays for: Materials for volunteer activities and Donation to project

Description: This fee goes partially to your lodging and partially to organizational costs (building materials, builder salaries, teacher salaries, etc.)

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What you get

2 days off per week

Shared Dorm: You will have a bed in a shared room, which means you will share the same room with other travelers.

Free Laundry: You can use our laundry room freely.

Free Tours: We’ll take you on tours and rides around town. For free!

Use our equipped kitchen: Feel free to use our kitchen and make your own delicious food.

Certificate: Get a certificate of completion after you finish your experience.

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Requirements

Intermediate English or Intermediate Spanish

Between 18 and 80 years old

Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers

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What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

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Program Details

The organization is located and works primarily in the community of San Juan Comalapa, in the western highlands of Guatemala. We work to improve the lives of the community through environmental education and alternative construction projects that turn trash, old tires and plastic bottles into beautiful and resilient buildings. We have constructed its flagship school, Centro Educativo Tecnico Chixot in this style. This school offers an integrated green construction and democratic education curriculum that equips students to lead their communities with innovative solutions to complex local and global challenges.

Currently we have 147 students K-9, and employ over 40 local residents between the school and construction staff, impacting not just local educational options, but the economy as well! We have already turned over *400 tons of trash* into 14 buildings and, with your help

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Activities & Shift

Volunteers will experience a variety of tasks that may include pounding tires with rammed earth, using bottles stuffed with trash to form fences, creating and placing glass bottle bricks for natural lighting, doing concrete or harvesting cactus pads for a natural sealant.

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Rules

Our volunteers will receive a digital copy of our volunteer manual and volunteer contract (the latter must be read and digitally signed).