I’ve always contemplated volunteering abroad, but never found anything that truly fit my interests or price range. In January, my father embarked on a 6-week work trip to Belize, Honduras and Guatemala. He was particularly enthralled by his visit to Casa Guatemala, a school in Rio Dulce, which also serves as a home to several Guatemalan orphans.
I am an active volunteer around Boston but the idea of traveling alone to Central America to do so was both enticing and intimidating. I put in a minimal effort to recruit a travel companion, knowing that making the trip alone would be my most significant accomplishment to date.
Traveling to Rio Dulce was far less nerve-racking than I had anticipated. I was greeted at the airport by two Casa Guatemala affiliates who were kind enough to help me obtain a bus ticket to Rio Dulce. Although our conversation was limited and consisted mostly of smiles and nods, I felt oddly at ease navigating around the city in their seatbelt-less old pickup truck.
When I arrived in Rio Dulce, it was dark and bustling with locals and shop-owners selling everything from flip-flops (caites) to fried chicken. I stopped the first taxi I saw and paid Q.15 for a ride to Hotel Backpackers, a hostel operated bt Casa Guatemala. As a weeklong volunteer, or turismo solidario, I paid $235 for my accommodations, food and transportation to and from Casa by boat each day.
Solely accessible by boat, Casa Guatemala is located on top of the riverbed, its buildings cloaked by lush jungle terrain shared with monkeys, iguanas and tarantulas. A sprawling rural establishment, Casa boasts multiple dormitories, classrooms, a clinic, a hydroponic greenhouse, multiple gardens and farm animals, including one very brooding bull.
Because they receive no government funding, the administrators rely on both private donations and the sustenance from the farm and hotel. Many of the students and their families actually live and work on the grounds. The children wear blue jumpsuits while working, to differentiate their work hours and school time.
While some teachers and workers are paid, much of the day-to-day support is provided by volunteers who come from all over the world. Most volunteers stay for the minimum asked of them, which is three months. However, several volunteers have been with Casa for close to a year and many have returned for multiple stays throughout the years.
Being there for a week, I was only able to get a taste of the challenge these volunteers face every day. There are approximately 280 students attending school at Casa Guatemala. Some are orphans but many come from impoverished families who simply cannot make ends meet.
Many of the children commute by foot from nearby villages and can’t even afford $2 sandals to wear to school. Coming from unknown backgrounds and sometimes unspeakable living situations, it is not uncommon for the children to be suffering with parasites or worms, their bellies swollen and distended.
Because my Spanish skills are lacking at best, I was assigned to work with the “maternal” group-babies and toddlers. My week at Casa Guatemala harkened back to a summer-long stint at a local day care in Rhode Island, although far more rewarding. I spent most of my time wearing a Baby Bjorn and carrying a mild-mannered 8-month old (both of us sweating profusely).
Despite the oppressive heat and humidity, the children were happy just running around all day, visiting the pigs and playing in the dirt. To say they were adorable would be an understatement.
Although there were typical toddler episodes (crying, potty-training and food-wearing), I found myself instantly missing their mischievous smiles and contagious laughter each time I left for the night. At first I felt regret that I couldn’t contribute the same way the long term volunteers would be able too. My fellow turismo solidario helped me realize that even if we were taking just a little bit of the daily stress away from the other volunteers, we were making a difference.
Over the course of the week, I became impressed with how structured and regimented the students and staff were. Students attend a wide variety of classes all day including English, Art and PhysEd. Before lunch, each child is responsible for finding their designated cup and plate and washing their hands with soap. After lunch, each student washes their own dishes, brushes their teeth and takes a vitamin.
The chiquitos (toddlers) take naps and change into fresh clothes for the afternoon while the older children and teens have daily chores to perform. The volunteers and workers run a small shop where the children can purchase sweets and beverages and local village children and mothers sell frozen treats and empanadas throughout the compound.
Overall, I found the entire experience to be a fantastic challenge. I have nothing but the utmost respect for all of the fulltime workers and volunteers who make Casa Guatemala the well-oiled establishment it is today. As with many non-profits, there are things that could be improved on, if only funds would permit.
If you are looking for a mission trip, I highly recommend visiting Casa Guatemala. Purchase a pair of homemade earrings from the art class, take in the river view or become a human jungle-gym for dozens of kids who would love to be your best friend.
© Cheapflights Ltd (Story and photos by Leah Lovgren)
