The Issue
Guatemala is a developing country where more than 50 percent of the population lives in poverty. Particularly alarming are the numbers of infants and children in need. More than a third of them suffer hunger and poverty. Of 1000 born children, 40 do not even survive their first birthday. Until the health care system of Guatemala is sufficiently developed to deal with this problem, it will certainly take many many years. There are hardly any public subsidies and initiatives, but rather associations of private donors and initiators who want to help those who can not take care of themselves, primarily children and babies.
The Program
The same applies to this Volunteer Center in Guatemala, where you support a health center for malnourished infants and children under the age of eleven. The charity, which was founded in October 2008, includes a fully-equipped medical infirmary, a kitchen, a dining room, areas for the most critical cases of malnutrition, common areas and a small garden. The aim of the center is to stabilize the health situation of malnourished children, to get them used to normal food intake and to educate them about nutrition. The goal is always to give them a carefree childhood. For this purpose, staff and helpers do their best every day, creating a safe, clean and fun atmosphere in which the little ones can feel comfortable and happy. Without the help of volunteers, it would not be possible to keep the work in the facility at the high level that children need for their path to a "normal" life.
The Location
Antigua is a beautiful colonial town in the south of Guatemala about an hour from the capital, Guatemala City, and surrounded by perfectly shaped volcanoes. Antigua is one of the most visited places in Central America. The city is famous for its Spanish colonial buildings, picturesque courtyards, interesting markets, beautiful churches and a colorful labyrinth of streets. The city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage since 1979. Antigua is located in the highlands of Guatemala at about 1,600 meters above sea level. Antigua has an abundance of tour operators and agencies that offer exciting tours to all parts of the country. Whether you want to get to know the jungle, the Mayan culture, the Pacific coast or you are looking for cultural activities, in Antigua you are guaranteed to find someone who organizes exactly what you are looking for. Antigua has an average daily temperature of 20 °C all year round, while the nights are quite cool. The rainy season is from June to October, the dry season from November to May.
