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 and a climbing activity 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 basic/intermediate Spanish
• Enjoy working as a team member
• Eager to help with fund raising events
• First aid experience
• 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,
discount on room in Casa Argentina
(see below for prices), which is where our
office is located. We
also have a guide house that houses about 6 guides, aprox. Q300 per month,
depending on availability. Experience in
guiding and 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.
Volunteering in our Street School in Las Rosas
We currently offer free education to over 195 children (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:
(these days you get 7.60 Quetzals for US$1 and 11.30 Quetzals
for EUR€1)
Room 600Q per month US$78.93/EUR€53.12
Food 400Q per month US$52.62/EUR€35.41
Other 200Q per month US$26.31/EUR€17.70
Total 1200Q per month US$157.86/EUR€106.24
**This will vary depending on your entertainment expenses**
If you have anymore questions, please don´t hesitate to contact
us. If you would like to join our team, just let us know when you will
be coming down and for how long…contact
us at: info@quetzaltrekkers.com
