Help us develop our dog shelter at Lake Atitlán, Guatemala!

Help a sustainable project: 5 travelers confirmed that this host is actively contributing to a more sustainable future for everyone!
Higher chance of approval: This host has recently approved volunteers and is looking for more applications.
Connect with nature: 6 travelers recommend this experience for reconnecting with nature
Connect with international travelers: 5 travelers recommend this host to meet travelers from all around the world
Accepts couples and pairs of volunteers

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What you offer

30h

Hours per week: Help out and collaborate with your host only a few hours per week.

Farming: Plant crops, sow seeds and help in outside tasks.

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

Gardening: Help grow plants and cultivate gardens

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

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What you get

Days off per week: Have some time off for yourself, go explore the city or rest for a while.

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

Tent: You will sleep in a tent at a camping site.

Lunch: You are entitled to a free lunch, every day of your stay.

Basic Internet Access: Basic speed internet for you to work remotely

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

Support: Get help from the Worldpackers support team in case you need it, at any point of your trip.

Verified Host: This host has been verified by our team before joining the community.

WP Safeguard: Did something not go as planned? Contact our team.; Learn more

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Availability

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Stay at least: 2 weeks

The Experience

We run a dog shelter in Tzununa, a small town on the lake. We have a new location that needs a lot of development, with jobs including dog walking and feeding, gardening, cooking, building, digging, cleaning, social media... and much more! Volunteers will have shared dorms with access to a shared kitchen, WIFI, bathroom and hot shower. Some food is provided. All work is shared - DO NOT apply if you can't work as a team. Message for details!

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Requirements

Intermediate English or Intermediate Spanish
Between 18 and 70 years old
Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers

What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

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Talk to those who have lived the experience

In our community, you can talk to worldpackers who have already collaborated with this host and get your questions answered directly.

You can ask things like:

a) How was your experience with this host?
b) How was your day-to-day routine?
c) How much did you spend on this trip?

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Become a Verified Member and exchange ideas before your trip with other worldpackers who will be volunteering in the same place as you.

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UN Sustainable Development Goals

Join the host in pursuit of these goals and contribute to building a better and more sustainable future for all.

Life on land

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.

Peace, justice and strong institutions

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development.

Partnerships for the goals

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

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7 Reviews

4.5

Host & Team

4.5

Hours & Tasks

4.0

Animal Shelter

4.0

Learning & Fun

4.5

How this experience will transform you

6 Get in touch with nature
5 Meeting international travelers
4 Creating true social impact
3 Immersing in the local culture
3 Developing social awareness
3 Developing environmental awareness

This host contributes to Sustainable Development Goals

3 15. Life on land
3 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions
2 17. Partnerships for the goals

Gaby

Guatemala

The the shelter is a whole experience. You can connect with the animals and the people around them. It's a very special and rewarding feeling. I'm very grateful for what I learned and for what I was able to contribute. The dogs are wonderful even though there are many of them, you connect with each one individually.

3 days ago

Vroni

Germany

Super impressive how the dogs act in the pack. Aaron created a loving environment for every the shelter! It made my heart so full to spend time with the dogs. However it was very intense and I was always ready for a good night of sleep in the evening. The whole place is still developing and you should know, that the facilities are quite basic. Take it as an invitation to help improve the level of comfort for everyone. The staff community is nice and I really enjoyed cooking dinner together every night.

about 2 months ago

Robert

United States

Within the first week at the the shelter, I had already decided to stay on extra past my term. The work is challenging at times caring for 50+ dogs and all of their needs, but it's well worth it to see the positive impact you're making on a daily basis. This is not a place for the weekend warrior philanthropists. It takes dedication, commitment and the flexible necessity to take mostly all of it as it comes because every day is a new challenge.

5 months ago

Jessy

Netherlands

I spent two great weeks at the the shelter Tzununa. Aaron is one of the greatest hosts you'll ever have. Clear, flexible and a very professional communicator. I won't lie, in the beginning I got overwhelmed by the dogs, but in a few days they became my barking besties, with each the shelter approaching differently due to their unique personality Just don't come in expecting a limited "5-hours-and-you-leave" volunteering. You live with about 10 dogs on the same compound, meaning that you're with them all day. You work, chill, cook, rest and hangout all in the same place. Definitely off the beaten path

12 days ago

Francis

United Kingdom

I enjoyed it. Very fulfilling to help the dogs if you can handle hard work.

3 months ago

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About the host

Hosted by Aaron

Response Rate: This host usually answers to 80% of the messages
Response Time: This host usually writes back in 6 days
1 published videos: This host has 1 published videos showing a little bit about their place

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