Volunteer work in Guatemala

Guatemala is one of the least developed countries in Central America. It is also a place where nearly half of its inhabitants claim to be indigenous. Guatemala has a long history of violence and disenfranchisement of its indigenous peoples, and so VSO Guatemala is working to provide justice and equal rights for all in this country.

VSO’s work in Guatemala is primarily concerned with promoting women's right and access to health care and sanitation for women and children, as well as protecting Guatemala's natural resources and allowing those who live in communities with abundant natural resources to better manage these resources in a number of ways.

Volunteers in Guatemala strive to promote awareness of the human rights abuses and the vast inequalities in Guatemala society. Women and children often die in childbirth due to lack of basic sanitary conditions and malnutrition. Many of these women and children come from remote areas in the country and have limited access to state hospitals and health care facilities. VSO Guatemala is working to create a sense of equality between all groups in Guatemala.

VSO Guatemala is also working to help local people preserve and use their natural resources. This includes educational programmes about environmental conservation as well as ways to alleviate poverty. VSO Guatemala works to preserve these natural resources and to teach others to become empowered through these resources.

At present only volunteers eligible to apply through CUSO-VSO in North America are able to volunteer in Guatemala.