Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sangre Latina
( 7768-3270; info@sangrelatina guatemala.com; 7a Calle 14-27, Zona 1)
Centrally located, Sangre Lat-
ina is staffed by internationally prominent instructors. If you're just looking to make a
night of it, the dance club La Parranda (
Click here
)
offers free salsa classes on Wednesday
from 9pm.
Weaving Courses
trama.textiles@yahoo.com; 3a Calle 10-56, Zona 1)
offer backstrap weaving classes and operate fair-
trade fabric shops. Both places charge Q325 for 10 hours of instruction, in which learners
produce a scarf, Q650 for 20 hours, and the chance to make an embroidered table runner.
For a simple demonstration of techniques they charge Q35.
VOLUNTEERING IN XELA
The Quetzaltenango area has many nonprofit organizations working on social projects with the local K'iche'
Maya people that need volunteers. Volunteer jobs can range from designing websites for indigenous organizations
to working in animal shelters. You can volunteer part-time for a week or two while also studying Spanish, or you
can live and work in a close-knit indigenous village for a year. Indeed, some schools exist primarily to generate
funds for social projects and can help students to participate in their free time. Skills in fields such as medicine,
nursing, teaching, youth work and computers are prized, but there are possibilities for anyone with the will to
help. Volunteers must normally meet all their own costs and be willing to commit to a project for a specified min-
imum time. Three months is fairly typical for full-time posts, though the minimum can be as little as a week or as
long as a year.
1; 2-5pm Mon-Thu) is a nonprofit that works with NGOs and community groups, offering capacity building
workshops and computer classes to local NGO workers. Its website has details of 100 projects all over Guatemala
looking for volunteers, and its free bilingual bimonthly magazine features articles about social development and
human rights issues, as well as local volunteer opportunities. EntreMundos asks a donation of Q25 for drop-in
visitors wanting to be placed.
Below are a few of the short-term volunteer opportunities provided by EntreMundos.
Amigo Fiel
An animal-rights project with a shelter and focus on street-dog rehabilitation.
Chico Méndes Project
Reforestation project in rural village just outside of Xela.
Fundabiem
A foundation providing social and medical support to individuals with physical and mental disabilit-
ies; two-week minimum.
La Red Kuchub'al
Fair-trade organization working with over 20 community organizations; two-week minimum.
Trama
Women´s Weaving co-operative designed for education and production.
