Call for Volunteers: Guatemala 2020

Join us this spring as we travel to the Miguel Angel Asturias Academy in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. Since 2010, we’ve helped the school realize and grow their dream of an open stacks, circulating school library. What started as cinder blocks in 2010 is now the vibrant center of the school!

We invite you to work alongside us this year from April 23 to May 3, 2020.

This year’s work at the Academy will include collection management activities (purchasing, cataloging, processing, and adding new items), library programming for students through the always popular Library Days, and training for parents and teachers. LWB works with Asturias to also provide edutourism activities for trip participants that will help nurture a comprehensive understanding of libraries, education, and culture in Guatemala.

Housing and Food

While in Quetzaltenango (Xela), participants will stay and eat most of their meals at the COFA Catholic Retreat Centre. Dinners plus all meals on the last weekend will be eaten at local restaurants and will be the responsibility of volunteers. Vegetarian options are available but are limited.

Expectations

All trip volunteers are expected to:

Attend online meetings (3-4) to discuss projects and receive training on the Asturias Library and local culture. These meetings are mandatory for all volunteers.
Join and contribute to a working team before the trip.
Plan activities and prepare materials before the trip.
Participate in post-trip assessments (e.g. evaluation surveys and project reports).

Program Fees

The program fee is $1324 CAD* (= $1000 USD) for 11 days. This total covers lodging (except for two nights), all breakfasts and lunches in Xela, transportation (except shuttle to the airport on the last day), entrance to all activities within Guatemala, and a fundraising fee to support LWB’s Guatemalan programs. Trip participants are responsible for paying their own airfare to and from Guatemala, for lodging fees while in Antigua, shuttle trip to the airport on the last day, and dinners for 6 days.

There is a $500 CAD (= $378 US) non-refundable deposit due by all accepted applicants by February 28. The remainder of the fees ($824 CAD/$622 US) can be paid at the same time or by March 13.

In addition, all trip participants are expected to bring extra spending money for additional purchases such as souvenirs and snacks, dinners, and lodging in Antigua ($300-$350 CAD/ $225-$265 US is adequate).

Note, in previous years some participants have created crowdfunding campaigns to wholly or partially offset the costs of the trip. LWB uses its social media channels to assist in promoting those campaigns for participants.

Important Dates