Project presentation G_H.12

G_H.12
G_H.12
 Social work
 Education
Reincorporation of children into their families and
society in Quetzaltenango (Xela).
Update: 07_2014
G_H.12
Project Facts
Objective:
This institution tries to decrease the number of children and
adolescents on the street by reincorporating them into their
families and society. Their general goal is to fully attend to
the working and street children of Guatemala in order to
create a developed, humane, and just society.
What they do:
The project maintains a school and an open home serving
children. Its work revolves around human rights and
children’s rights established by the International Convention.
They aim to prevent at-risk youth from turning to the street,
to stimulate their development by strengthening their family
relationships.
They accompany and aid families with primary education and
work training for children and adolescents who are on the
street or at risk to live on the street. Also they establish a
space that pays full attention to children`s rights. Finding
new homes for children and adolescents who are not able to
reestablish connections with their families is also part of their
work.
G_H.12
Your tasks
Types of work (just to give you an example, you can
initiate other workshops or activities):
Parents school:
In this project, the fathers are the social actors of the lessons
shared, developing the following subjects: self-esteem, a
happy family, problem-solving, controlling aggression, values,
alcoholism, family communication, and life as a couple.
Early stimulation:
These workshops happen twice a month, and demonstrate to
mothers how they can help the physical, emotional and
intellectual growth of their children in the first three years.
Topics included: multi-sensory development, values,
movement, brain functions, language development, and
family communication.
G_H.12
Your tasks
Preventative Health Workshops:
Among the discussed topics are: relationships and sexual
health, body hygiene, puberty, friendship, and dental hygiene.
Carpentry and Music Workshops:
Marimba lessons have been given twice a week, and as a
result, students have done various activities and
presentations for public and private institutions. They have
earned 9 awards of recognition. In the case of the carpentry
workshop, the children have made cutting boards, small
chests, pencil cases, cooking utensils and more.
G_H.12
Social work:
The organization has put on trainings on various social topics,
both individual and group-based for children and families.
Topics have included a personal hygiene social project, the
delousing of all the children with the coordination of
community leaders, help in social and legal cases, child
advocacy, an education project, culture, and other topics
coordinated with public and private institutions in
Quetzaltenango.
Culture and Sports:
The school has organized activities such as a marathon,
soccer games, inter-scholastic sporting events against nearby
schools, inter-class sports, and inter-class chess competitions.
Cultural activities have included civic activities discussing
national symbols, celebration of the Day of Peace, field trips,
an inter-culture congress, and a theatre group.
As a volunteer you can join in all types of work but in school
you can generally assist teacher in class for primary school,
giving reinforcement class and teaching arts or physical
education. In the open home you give individual classes, play
with the children, advise the families in educational questions
and give psychological support to the families.
Work schedule:
Where to stay:
The working hours in
school are from Monday till
Friday from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
In the open home the
working hours are flexible,
but normally you work in
the afternoons.
- Stay with a host family
Vacations:
From mid-/end-October until
the end of January, Easter
week
G_H.12
Requirements
The project provides the opportunity to contribute with your
own ideas and skills.
 You are creative and imaginative
 You like passing time with children
 You are flexible and patient
 It will be helpful if you have experiences in working with
children, teaching, psychology and social work but it`s
not necessary
Spanish level: Basic
Stay at least two months!
G_H.12
Volunteer feedback
“At the end of my time in Guatemala, I felt very much at
home. Next to getting to know the language, culture and the
people, I learned how little it takes to be happy. I have
received so much thankfulness, love and respect and I
learned that it is possible to achieve and change so many
things with tolerance, patience, ambition and understanding,
without many material things. I will never forget my time in
Guatemala and I will always be grateful for everything I was
able to experience.”
Kerstin (Germany)
In this project, one has to find out for himself, what he can
contribute to the project, but when one has found something
to do, work will be really great.
Maren (Germany)
G_H.12
Location
http://www.larutamayaonline.com/guatemala/maps/western_highlands.php
How to get there (from Guatemala City, airport):
Route:
Guatemala
Quetzaltenango
Antigua
Transportation:
Shuttle
Price:
~ 80 US$ (incl. 1 night in Antigua)
Min. Time:
~ 4.5 hours
Proyecto Mosaico e.V. will provide you with more detailed
travel information after you completed your registration
G_H.12
Quetzaltenango (Xela)
Quetzaltenango facts:
•
City with a population of approximately 140,000
inhabitants on an altitude of around 2,200 m
•
“Xela” derives from Quetzaltenango’s indigenous name,
“Xelajú” and is commonly used as its nickname
•
Xela is the second largest city in Guatemala and is known
there as "The City that is the Soul of Culture"
•
The climate is moderate but it can be cold sometimes
•
It’s located near the popular highway “Panamericana”
Quetzaltenango (Xela) prices:
Family:
~ 400 Q per week (incl. 3 meals a day)
Hostel:
~ 6 – 10 US$ per night
Spanish School
(Antigua)
120 US$ per week
Taxi (no buses!):
3 – 6 US$, 7 – 8 US$ at night
G_H.12
Things to do in and around Quetzaltenango:
•
Visit the “Cerro de Baúl” and have a nice view into the
valley or hike the volcanoes “Santa María“, “Tajumulco”,
and “Santiaguit”
•
Rent a bike and cycle the city and its surrounding areas
•
Xela has a lot of culture to offer, therefore you go to the
“Casa de la Cultura de Occidente” or to “Allianca
Francaise de Quezaltenango”
•
Visit the “Museo de Historia Natural” or the “Centro
Intercultural de Quetzaltenango”
•
On first Sunday each month the “Quetzaltecos” bring their
handicrafts to the market on central park where you can
do some souvenir shopping
 Banks and ATMs
 Internet Cafés
 Supermarkets as well
as any other types of
stores