School Supply Missions – Volunteer in Guatemala – Department of Retalhuleu
The Department of Retalhuleu, Guatemala
The Department of Retalhuleu (Departments in Guatemala are similar to states in the U.S.) is on the southwest coast of Guatemala, bordering the Pacific and not too far from the southern Mexican border. It is usually reached by commercial air to Guatemala City and then a drive along the highway to the town of Retalhuleu, the department’s capitol. The people of the Department are largely of K’iche or Mam Maya descent, and many speak their indigenous Mayan language as their first tongue, though most speak Spanish as well. While the town of Retalhuleu is relatively modern, with many conveniences, the surrounding Aldeas (villages) are definitely not. The people of the villages are mostly very poor campesinos (farm workers) who sustain themselves on what little food the can grow and generally live on less than $1.50 a day.
NO, YOU DON’T HAVE TO SPEAK SPANISH!
A typical school supply mission in Retalhuleu.
Mornings It’s up early and out for breakfast before heading out of town to the village. School starts early and is out at noon, so we don’t have a lot of time for late risers. The roads can be rough and even short distances take longer than you would expect, so supplying one school per day is the usual. Arrival at the school is usually a festive occasion for both the students and the teachers, who often the have prepared a little presentation or group thank you cards for us. If there are enough volunteers, we usually set up a little assembly line to fill each students bag with supplies (pens, pencils, crayons, notebooks, pencil sharpeners, maybe a toothbrush, etc.) as they go by, if not, we hand each student their own prefilled bag. Often there is a little toy and a lollipop as well… they get few toys or candy outside of our visits. We deliver to the teacher any supplies they have requested for their classroom and usually a soccer ball or two, as the typical Guatemalan schoolyard is awfully hard on balls. We talk with the teachers about how they are doing,what they need, and if they notice anything physically wrong with any of their students. This one-on-one contact with the teachers and students also gives us a chance to find those in need of medical care and to gauge the well being of the community. It’s a rare trip that doesn’t result in us transporting or referring at least one sick or injured child for medical care. After the visit and usually extended farewells, it’s back to town.
Afternoons Returning to town for lunch at one of our favorite inexpensive restaurants makes a nice close for the day’s mission. We discuss what we did, how it went, what the school may need in the future, then plan for the next day’s mission. Returning to the hotel, we will pack and organize for the next days trip, then perhaps visit another village, explore downtown’s Spanish architecture or visit Tak’alik Ab’aj, the Maya ruins just outside of town. For the overheated, there is the Xocomil Water Park and for the younger set, the Xetulul Amusement Park, home of the largest roller coaster in Central America. Dinner in town, personally I would eat at Carnitas Rosy every night, but there are many good, inexpensive restaurants to choose from, even a few fast food joints that would be familiar to U.S. and Canadian volunteers. Then back to the hotel for a good night’s rest before getting up early for a new school tomorrow.
It’s up early and out for breakfast before heading out of town to the village. School starts early and is out at noon, so we don’t have a lot of time for late risers. The roads can be rough and even short distances take longer than you would expect, so supplying one school per day is the usual. Arrival at the school is usually a festive occasion for both the students and the teachers, who often the have prepared a little presentation or group thank you cards for us. If there are enough volunteers, we usually set up a little assembly line to fill each students bag with supplies (pens, pencils, crayons, notebooks, pencil sharpeners, maybe a toothbrush, etc.) as they go by, if not, we hand each student their own prefilled bag. Often there is a little toy and a lollipop as well… they get few toys or candy outside of our visits. We deliver to the teacher any supplies they have requested for their classroom and usually a soccer ball or two, as the typical Guatemalan schoolyard is awfully hard on balls. We talk with the teachers about how they are doing,what they need, and if they notice anything physically wrong with any of their students. This one-on-one contact with the teachers and students also gives us a chance to find those in need of medical care and to gauge the well being of the community. It’s a rare trip that doesn’t result in us transporting or referring at least one sick or injured child for medical care. After the visit and usually extended farewells, it’s back to town.
Returning to town for lunch at one of our favorite inexpensive restaurants makes a nice close for the day’s mission. We discuss what we did, how it went, what the school may need in the future, then plan for the next day’s mission. Returning to the hotel, we will pack and organize for the next days trip, then perhaps visit another village, explore downtown’s Spanish architecture or visit Tak’alik Ab’aj, the Maya ruins just outside of town. For the overheated, there is the Xocomil Water Park and for the younger set, the Xetulul Amusement Park, home of the largest roller coaster in Central America. Dinner in town, personally I would eat at Carnitas Rosy every night, but there are many good, inexpensive restaurants to choose from, even a few fast food joints that would be familiar to U.S. and Canadian volunteers. Then back to the hotel for a good night’s rest before getting up early for a new school tomorrow.
A Typical Volunteer Week Itinerary
SUNDAY
Arrive at the Guatemala City airport before 2 pm.
We meet you after customs and drive to Retalhuleu. (abt 3 – 3 1/2 hours – a good tour of Western Guatemala).
Check into the hotel, have dinner and relax.
Orientation and preparation for the 1st school visit.
MONDAY
Breakfast 0700
School Project Escuela El Esfuerzo, Aldea San Felipe
Lunch 1:00
Visit Old Spanish Retalhuleu
Return to Hotel. Prepare for next days trip.
Dinner in Town 7:00
TUESDAY
Breakfast 0700
School Project Escuela El Eden, Aldea Nuevo San Carlos
Lunch 1:00
Free Afternoon
Dinner in Town 7:00
Prepare for next days trip
WEDNESDAY
Breakfast 0700
School Project Escuela Granada, Aldea Granada
Lunch 1:00
Relief mission to Aldea Granada, a village of abandoned and widowed women and children
Dinner in Town 7:00
Prepare for next days trip
THURSDAY
Breakfast 0700
School Project Escuela Vuelta El Mango, Aldea El Xab
Lunch 1:00
Visit Takalik Abaj, Maya Ruins
Dinner in Town 7:00
Prepare for next days trip
FRIDAY
Breakfast 0700
School Project Escuela Las Brisas, Aldea Santa Fe
Lunch 1:00
Visit Xocomil
Dinner in Town 7:00
Prepare for next days return to Guatemala City.
SATURDAY
Breakfast 0700
Travel to Antigua, Guatemala
Lunch and the afternoon in Antigua
Return to Guatemala City
Check into hotel
Dinner in Guatemala City 7:00
Prepare for next days return home.
SUNDAY
Breakfast
Travel to the airport for your return trip.
Our Future’s so bright… we gotta’ wear shades…
Arrive at the Guatemala City airport before 2 pm.
We meet you after customs and drive to Retalhuleu. (abt 3 – 3 1/2 hours – a good tour of Western Guatemala).
Check into the hotel, have dinner and relax.
Orientation and preparation for the 1st school visit.
Breakfast 0700
School Project Escuela El Esfuerzo, Aldea San Felipe
Lunch 1:00
Visit Old Spanish Retalhuleu
Return to Hotel. Prepare for next days trip.
Dinner in Town 7:00
Breakfast 0700
School Project Escuela El Eden, Aldea Nuevo San Carlos
Lunch 1:00
Free Afternoon
Dinner in Town 7:00
Prepare for next days trip
Breakfast 0700
School Project Escuela Granada, Aldea Granada
Lunch 1:00
Relief mission to Aldea Granada, a village of abandoned and widowed women and children
Dinner in Town 7:00
Prepare for next days trip
Breakfast 0700
School Project Escuela Vuelta El Mango, Aldea El Xab
Lunch 1:00
Visit Takalik Abaj, Maya Ruins
Dinner in Town 7:00
Prepare for next days trip
Breakfast 0700
School Project Escuela Las Brisas, Aldea Santa Fe
Lunch 1:00
Visit Xocomil
Dinner in Town 7:00
Prepare for next days return to Guatemala City.
Breakfast 0700
Travel to Antigua, Guatemala
Lunch and the afternoon in Antigua
Return to Guatemala City
Check into hotel
Dinner in Guatemala City 7:00
Prepare for next days return home.
Breakfast
Travel to the airport for your return trip.
we gotta’ wear shades…
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Frequently asked Questions
UPCOMING MISSIONS
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