Become a hiking guide to help local children in Xela, Guatemala

  • Favourited 393 times
  • Last activity: 28 Mar 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: 1 month or more

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Details

  • Description

    Description

    Our Vision: Hike Volcanoes, Help kids! Social change, one step at a time.

    Our Mission: Since 1995, we have been the primary fundraiser for the social projects of our parent nonprofit, which provides education, housing, and social support to disadvantaged children in Xela. We achieve this by running safe, fun, and educational trekking experiences around the Western Highlands of Guatemala, led by volunteer guides from around the world. Through our treks, we aim to sustainably support these education projects, as well as the local communities that we hike through.

    Guide Job Overview: Hike Volcanoes and Help Kids! Live and work as a trekking guide at our organization, leading hikes in the volcanic highlands of Guatemala to help raise sustainable funding for the local education projects of our parent nonprofit. This is a full-time volunteer position, with a 3 month minimum time commitment.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Charity Work
    Language practice
    Teaching
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Hospitality/Tourism
    General Maintenance
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    -Community - Close communal living with amazing people from all around the world who love to hike and help. In addition, we get to have regular futbol games and dinner with the kids we support.
    -Personal growth - This is a great place to build new skills and knowledge, especially for guiding treks, practicing wilderness first aid, nonprofit management, and learning local geology, ecology, and culture.
    -Supportive environment - All kinds of people are welcome here. We aim for a balanced environment that works for everyone, so that people can leave their mark with their own strengths and passions.
    -Meaningful work - Be part of a unique organization that connects incredible hiking experiences with an important educational project for local kids, and see your direct impact in the community.
    -Fun - Being a guide can be hard work, but it is incredibly rewarding and unbelievably fun. You will definitely have some unforgettable experiences during your time here.

  • Help

    Help

    Overview: Hike Volcanoes and Help Kids! Live and work as a trekking guide at our organization, leading hikes in the volcanic highlands of Guatemala to help raise sustainable funding for the local education projects of our parent nonprofit. This is a full-time volunteer position, with a 3 month minimum time commitment.

    Roles and Responsibilities: What it means to be a guide:
    -Lead safe, fun, and educational treks for groups of clients.
    -Participate in preparation of gear, food, and logistics for treks.
    -Run informational pre-trek meetings for clients.
    -Understand and manage basic finances.
    -Perform other responsibilities around the office.
    -Participate in organizational improvement

    Required Qualifications - Necessary for becoming a guide:
    - 3 month minimum time commitment
    -Availability for 3 days of hiking each week
    -Availability for 2 days of prep each week
    -English language skills - Conversational
    -Spanish language skills - Basic
    -Ability to hike 20 km and carry 20 kg

    Who is a guide?
    We strive to be as inclusive as possible and welcome anybody who meets the required qualifications for the position to apply. We have also noticed certain qualities and attitudes that serve guides well here, foremost among these being an eagerness to participate, learn, and grow. We hope that you can get excited about hiking, education, volcanoes, guacamole, and even washing dishes. People skills like relationship building and public speaking can be very helpful, as well as an interest in group living. As a guide, flexibility, teamwork, attention to detail, and remembering that all jobs are valuable (including those dishes) can help a lot in our work. Our organization loves and is loved by people who care about the work that we do, why we do it, and the chance to jump in and take part.

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent
    Spanish: Fluent

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    -Housing - Free private room provided in Casa Argentina, nice hot showers, fully stocked communal kitchen, office computers and WiFi available.
    -Food - All on-trek food (and other expenses) is covered for guides. Shared tip money pays for communal groceries in the office, and often other basic living expenses. Communal kitchen with everything you'd need.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    If this all sounds intriguing to you, we encourage you to apply! Please find our website in order to submit our guide application form directly, or send us an email for any questions or more information.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    3 hiking days and 2 prep days each week

Host ref number: 345583696222

Feedback (2)


Photos

Feedback

These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.

Accuracy of profile: (5.0)

Cultural exchange: (5.0)

Communication: (4.5)




Volunteer at our Learning Village & Organic Farm in the beautiful Central Highlands of Guatemala
Help to change the appearance of our beautiful place in front of Lake Atitlán in San Pedro La Laguna, Guatemala