G_M.05. Work in a school for handicapped children (and adults) in San Juan la Laguna (Lago de Atitlán).

Transcription

1 Physical therapist Education Social work Administration PR and Marketing Work in a school for handicapped children (and adults) in San Juan la Laguna (Lago de Atitlán). Update: 07_2014

2 Project Facts Objective: The mission is to serve temporarily and permanently disabled children and young adults from four Mayan villages. What they do: The organization represents social justice effort providing humanitarian, educational, and medical assistance to a rural Guatemalan community, with a focus on assisting persons with disabilities. The project is based on respectful relationships developed between Project volunteers and the Maya people living in the highlands of Guatemala on the shores of Lake Atitlán. They provide physical and occupational therapy, speech therapy, and functional living skills that meet the educational needs of the children in a loving and caring atmosphere. Also the project provides an activity center and educates the families and the community on disability issues.

3 Your tasks Type of work: The project supports programs in three areas: direct services for persons with disabilities saving lives mainstream education for children with disabilities Volunteers can work in a medical position at clinics, work with seniors at a daycare center, work with children in the center. The center needs volunteers who assist the teachers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers and psychologists. The work includes: cleaning the center preparing the food pick up the children at home and bring them back after school to assist at the therapy or at class take care of the children, playing with the kids supporting the director in administration issues (internet, answering, English mails) Other volunteering possibility: Help the connected project to sell their handmade craftwork by supporting them in PR and Marketing

4 Stay at least three months! Working time: Working hours are Monday till Friday morning and afternoon. Where to stay: You can stay with a local family for a very reasonable price. Vacations: The project closes from mid- December till mid-january.

5 Requirements ü Enjoying the work with handicapped children ü You are flexible and patient Spanish level: Intermediate

6 Volunteer feedback Even it is not so easy in the beginning to settle down and to get used to all the new things, I enjoyed the time here very much. The people are friendly and the working atmosphere is really pleasant. Anna (Sweden) My stay and my experiences in Guatemala led to my decision to do even more volunteer work in the future because I have seen how useful it can be. Sebastian (Austria)

7 Location How to get there (from Guatemala City, airport): Route: Guatemala Antigua San Juan la Laguna (Lago de Atitlán) Transportation: Price: Min. Time: Shuttle On request ~ 5 hours Proyecto Mosaico e.v. will provide you with more detailed travel information after you completed your registration

8 San Juan la Laguna San Juan la Laguna facts: It is located on the Lake Atitlán on an altitude of around 1,500m. The population is approximately 95% Tz`utujil. Agriculture is most important factor for the economy. San Juan la Laguna prices: Family: ~ 3-15 US$ per night Hostel: Spanish School (San Pedro La Laguna) Tuk Tuk/Taxi (no buses!): Various in San Pedro la Laguna ~ 5-10 US$ per night 104 US$ per week (20 h) 5-10 Q (~ 1 US$)

9 San Juan la Laguna Things to do in and around San Juan la Laguna: Visit the Art Gallery of local customs Xocomeel and Open Sky Museum and discover portraits of daily life, customs and traditions of San Juan la Laguna Participate on a Maize Tour and walk through the milaps and cornfields to learn about the Mayan cosmovision and why the Maya consider corn a sacred part of their culture. Walk to the sacred mountain towering above San Juan. Visit the Municipal Park Panán which offers you a beautiful scenery of lush vegetation, magnificent forests and natural springs. ü ü ü Internet Cafés NO banks but ATMs NO supermarkets but small stores

10 Lake Atitlán Things to do in, on and around Lake Atitlán: Visit the Reserva Natural de Atitlán, watch monkeys and butterflies or go ziplining Go swimming, diving, hiking, kayaking or just relax in the sun Participate in a cooking class for traditional Mayan cuisine Take a cruise on or cycle around the lake Visit the villages San Pedro, Santa Cruz or San Marcos Climb the volcanoes Atitlan, Toliman or San Pedro Visit the market in Chichicastenango