El Proyecto 123
Volunteering Activities
What We Need
We need volunteers who:
- Like to work with children,
- Want to provide insight into environmental topics, or
- Are nurses or medical students
Teaching:
We work with children aged 6 to 12 years offering basic English classes and environmental education. Usually, we work in the mornings and the normal class schedule is 7:30 AM - 12:30 PM. It is also possible to work in the afternoon in a different local school. Volunteers have the option of working two, three, or more hours a day. Spanish skills are not required for teaching English; support from our staff members can be given. Volunteers will have access to materials and art supplies (e.g. coloring books, reading materials in English, markers, crayons, and paper) to facilitate classes as well as a computer, printer, internet, and teaching board.
Nurses and medical students:
Volunteers are also welcome to support our health center (puesto de salud).
When & Who
What we Provide
Volunteers can stay in host families ($75/week) or hostels ($10-$25/day).
Host families will provide a private room for volunteers.
Another accommodation option includes a hostel in the Monterrico Nature Reserve (8 km).
Meals will be provided (3/day) by host families if volunteers choose the homestay option.
Vegetarian and even vegan food can be prepared. Beans, rice, corn-tortillas and vegetables are part of many meals. Fish, shrimps or prawns are often on the menu, since family members are going fishing. Please let us know what you can't or won't eat.
Our Fees
Volunteers have to pay for their stay in hotels, bungalows, or homestays. Hostels cost about $10 (dorms) to $25 per night. A family stay will cost about $75 per week.
4 Reviews
At first I was a bit afraid of teaching by myself in the classroom (I do not have a background as a teacher), but I soon realized that there was no reason for that - the children are charming and very eager to learn which makes the whole experience much more enjoyable and satisfying! I felt that even my basic knowledge helped them a lot.
I was staying with a family and it was great! From the first moment I arrived the family did everything to make me feel at home and as comfortable as possible, helped me with any problem or question I needed, and made all this experience even more positive and unforgettable." - on 30/09/2017
More Services we Offer
Boat tour in the wooden "lanchas" in the canal-sytem (canal de Chiquimulilla), somtimes when schedule allows, joining going fishing. Adventurous and cultural experience since many people live of fishing (no fee is taken)
Liberation of new born turtles in the see. A new "tortugario" (breeding station) from on the 24th August 2018 has been opened in Aldea la Candelaria. (no fee is taken, donations are welcome in order to buy turtle eggs which are searched during night and sold to the breeding station by the local people)
Searching turtle eggs at the beach. Between june and november sea-turtles lay their eggs during night at the beach. An unforgettable event if you're lucky to observe one. (no fee is taken)
Any family event is open for volunteers as well, as birthday parties, social meetings of the community as voting in the community hall, school events (no fee is taken)
Visit a "rancho de la playa" with the oportunity to refresh in a swimming pool. Never a guarantee but often possible. (no fee is taken)
Transport can be organized from the airport to Antigua (many times a first stop) or directly, if possible, to our village. Help in organizing trips to other places in Guatemala, as to Semuc Champey, famous Tikal, lago de Atitlan, etc, is offered. (no fee is taken)
Contact Person
Other Ways to Help
Tortillas, tamales, quesadillos, enchilados are all based on corn. You will have the opportunity to put hands on all the process from the pure corn to the delicous result. Contribution to the cost of ingredeants will be appreciated.
Traditional fishing: in small wooden boats people go fishing in the canal of Chiquimulilla. Opportunity to learn and participate how to fish with different kind of nets. Since many people of the community live on fishing it is an adventurous as well as cultural experience. ( costs for gasoline if using the motor would be about 7-10 $)
A day in the school: if you are not sure to give classes, you can have a look at the primary school. The teachers are happy to let you have a look insight into school life.
Learning books (English - Spanish), storybooks for children, writing material (pencils, crayon), USB sticks, jigsaws, reusable bags (there are so many plastic bags used)
Additional Info about Us
Aldea La Candelaria is located 8 kilometers from Monterrico Nature Reserve on the Pacific Coast. The Channel of Chiquimulilla is situated close to the north side of Candelaria.
In Candelaria, volunteers will have access to a supermarket, health center, pharmacy, gas station, library, and schools (primary, basic, and diversified).
“El Proyecto 123” was founded in 2009 by Jorge Pérez with the assistance of 2 volunteers.
The first objective of the project is to give children in the community the opportunity to learn English and relevant language skills. We believe that English language skills are important for every child’s future. We also recognize that a greater environmental awareness is desperately needed in our community. We wish to implement an environmental education that informs our community about the best practices concerning waste disposal and recycling. Problems such as plastic waste disposal have become large concerns for the community of Candelaria. In order to fulfill our objectives, we require volunteers like you to help us in our small community on the Pacific coast of Guatemala.