Quetzaltrekker Guides
Quetzaltrekker guides and office staff are all working as volunteers. We have a minimum three month commitment to the project, but most people stay with us for far longer and often return to their homelands and continue to fund raise for us. Where possible, we employ local Guatemalan labor to complete our team. Each hike is guided by a qualified tour leader, a second guide, and often one or more extra guides that add knowledge to our treks. This provides added factors of safety and expertise with respect to our routes (in the case of Todos Santos for example). Our tour leaders are all bilingual and have lived in Guatemala for some time, working in tourist services, mountain guiding, social/development projects, medical projects, etc. The tour leaders are happy to explain the different cultures that you encounter and the significance of the buildings / sites / places that you visit. They will accompany you throughout the tour, ensuring a smooth, stress-free, safe and enjoyable time.
Want to volunteer with Quetzaltrekkers?
We are always looking for people to come and support our team! We have had volunteers from countries all over the world working in our different programs. Our project offers several positions to volunteer with.
Volunteering as a trekking guide
We have 6 treks between one and six days that we offer around throughout the highlands of Guatemala. The proceeds from these treks provide the main source of funding for our programs. We look for volunteers who possess the following skills. Strong experience is not necessary, if you have the desire to work with us. We will welcome the skills that you bring and help train you in the ones that you lack.
• Be able to commit for three months
• Have previous trekking experience
• Speak minimum intermediate Spanish
• Enjoy working as a team member
• Eager to help with fund raising events
• First aid certification
• Experience working with people
• People who take on projects on their own initiative
As a guide, your responsibilities include: recruiting customers for our treks, preparing food and equipment for the treks, maintaining and cleaning equipment, shopping for trips and guiding at least three weekends each month. As a guide you receive; all expenses and food paid for on the treks, a discount on a room in Casa Argentina (where our office is located--see below for prices) or a bed in our guide house (aprox. Q300 per month, depending on availability), experience in guiding, experience in cooperatively running a volunteer organization, and most importantly, the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the children here in Xela. For those potential guides with climbing experience and equipment, please bring it with you so we can run our climbing trip again.
For more information about volunteering as a trekking guide, please e-mail us at quetzaltrekkers@gmail.com.
Volunteering in our Street School (EDELAC) in Las Rosas
We currently offer free education to over 225children (between 5-15yrs) in the economically poor neighborhood of Las Rosas, just on the outskirts of Xela (a 10min. busride). If you are interested in volunteering in our school we ask the following from you;
• Be able to commit for a minimum of 3 months, 5 days a week
• Speak intermediate Spanish
• Be flexible, adaptable and take initiative
• Have some experience working with children
• Help with fundraising events
Possible work at the School is limited only by the imagination and funding resources. Current needs; (co)-Teachers, Social workers, Health care workers etc. Working in our School you will most likely be working in the mornings unless you want to help out with computer classes in the afternoon. Co-teaching with one of the local teachers you will be involved in all teaching aspects. Helping children to learn to read and write, class discipline and in all other areas were needed. Our teachers are open towards any ideas or plans you have. Volunteers receive discount on a room in Casa Argentina (see below for prices).
Estimated cost of living in Casa Argentina for volunteers:
(as of November 26, 2009, you get 8.29 Quetzals for US$1 and 12.44 Quetzals for EUR€1)
Room 600Q per month US$72.36/EUR€48.22
Food 400Q per month US$48.24/EUR€32.14
Other 200Q per month US$24.12/EUR€16.07
Total 1200Q per month US$144.73/EUR€96.43
**This will vary depending on your entertainment expenses**
