Guatemala Volunteering with IVI - Trusted & Safe Programs

My friend and I went to Antigua, Guatemala for over a month and participated in the volunteering of child care and construction. We absolutely loved this experience and all the people from all around the world. We did volunteering from about 8:30-12 every day and it was full of laughs and great conversations while creating a change in the world. We build soccer goals and a treehouse in a school, it was so much fun and rewarding. My highlights included meeting new people from all around the world every single week and it was so nice to have a support network while travelling overseas. I would highly recommend for friends and families and anyone and I would certainly do again.

The accommodation was amazing, my friend and I stayed with a host family and it was the best experience. The room was clean and it was nice staying with other people from across the world too. Our host mum cooked us breakfast and dinner everyday and we loved trying the local food while improving our spanish. The local team was so supportive and was there to answer any and all questions.

Since we stayed for a long time it was very easy to go see the amazing attractions Guatemala offers like the volcanos, Mayan ruins and lakes. They were all so gorgeous and it was defiantly exciting getting to see a new culture. We mainly did construction volunteering with Fredy and it stared at 8:30 in the morning which was a really good time and went till 12. We helped out a special needs school and got to supply them with a more colourful and fun environment with a treehouse that could double as a private classroom for one on one sessions. Overall it was an unforgettable experience that will be cherished.

I stayed with a host family (Jessica) and they were so accomodating, the room was lovely and the food was delicious even though I definitely had to try some new things. The local team was always happy to help with questions and were very flexible with getting you the schedule you desired,

My son had a wonderful experience. He went with a friend, being that they were not yet 18 years old they were assigned a local chaperone who showed them around Antigua and made the day to day a ton of fun. I corresponded with the local staff and they helped coordinate a surf excursion and a mountain bike excursion, which they loved. My son took two hours of Spanish a day and did service work in the coffee plant fields. He said the work was tough but he enjoyed it. Michael learned a lot in a week. Thank you and a special thank you to Rose for making sure my son found the right volunteer service and was safe.

This organization is very structured and welcome. We worked with children of elementary school. I fall in love with them from the first seen. They are very friendly, sweet, and smart. I was suprised by many of the kids of their talents. They are outgoing when we do outdoor activities. They are super sweet when they bring drawings and handcrafts. There are so much more to discover from these wonderful children. And the family of this organization is very nice with big heart. They appreciate life and all the books and materials I brought to them. They would do everything to help educate these children. I would suggest anyone who come here, be prepared to get your heart melted here with lovely smiles.

The month I spent in dog shelter Abaj Tacalik in Antigua, Guatemala was amazing! I got to really bond with the people and the dogs at my placement and loved going there everyday. We helped out with walking the dogs, cleaning and just giving them love. Next to that, with fundraised money, I was also able to contribute by helping rebuild parts of the shelter and providing them with food and medicine.

In the morning I had private Spanish classes which I really enjoyed and which really helped me in learning the language even faster and being able to talk to my host family and the people at my placement. My teacher Alma was great and made the classes fun and interactive.

The city Antigua is lovely to live in and the host family I stayed with so kind. I easily felt a home at my host family and loved walking around the streets of Antigua in the morning and working out ideas in one of the many coffee shops. During the weekends we had enough time to travel and stroll around the city.

The staff, especially Katia, have given me good support. Katia is super kind and stayed in touch and provided the resources needed at the placement. Whenever I needed something, the staff were always willing to help. Also, when I needed to see a doctor in the evening they immediately let him come and gave support.

I would advise all future volunteers to be open-minded and believe in your own abilities to make a (small) change! Look at the resources you have available and try to make the most out of it! I had an amazing experience and I would highly recommend anyone to sign up for a volunteer placement like this.

Greece was an incredible experience for me and it really opened up my eyes to everything that is happening in Chios and the overall Refugee Crisis.

Toula is incredible and her team are amazing! I have actually found returning very difficult and I would love to go back to be honest haha. It was incredible!

The highlights of the trip for me is actually how much I learnt from the Refugees, I don’t think you actually know what these people have been through until they tell you and you see it. I think a lot of things we are hearing in the media is always misleading, so actually seeing the refugee crisis and being a part of the boat arrivals was incredibly sad but also very moving. Because you know that by doing this work you are actually helping and making a difference. The volunteers truly made my experience as well, I love Anushka and I was blessed to have her as my room mate. She is amazing and we would have de-briefs in the evenings which was super helpful after having such intense and full on days.

Since being back it has motivated me to keep fighting for these people as well and their human rights. Which for me is a huge highlight because it grounds you to know that these people are beautiful and warm people who are just looking for a better life, so it is a highlight that I feel motivated to keep helping them.

I found the food in Greece incredible. I loved the famous cheese “Mastello” and the local places near Sun Rooms were amazing as well. The food is so fresh and delicious and cheap as well, mastello pita wraps became a big favourite to be honest. I also loved the Greek Yoghurt, so sweet and creamy. Amazing!

Toula and Sun Rooms was awesome and right next to the beach which was so nice for early morning swims! I love running in NZ but I soon change to swimming when I realized how hot it is.