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Council for Mayan
Communication Volunteer Program
The
Council for Mayan Communication Solola functions as a network of
non-profit organizations and educational institutions primarily in the
Department of Sololá, Guatemala, the most beautiful part of the highlands
surrounding Lake Atitlán.
 Because
each of our members has projects of their own in diverse areas of rural
development, a program through us can be tailored to suit the
particular interests of the volunteer, always including a
communications aspect.
Rural
organizations often serve a variety of needs out of one office, including
local healthcare, education, and micro-enterprise. Some of our
participating organizations have web-pages on our site, but many more are
accessible in person, having inadequate access to computers or local
internet connections. Our main challenge - and our dream - is the
construction of a sustainable technical infrastructure for communications.
Right
now, this means using multi-medias to build connections between people who
don't read or write and the information highway. A volunteer might
do this by:
- taking digital
photos and adding to the website
- teaching groups
of high school students how to open a hotmail
- finding practical
ICT resources for local organizations, ex. internet healthcare
diagnoses, or free downloadable software for elementary school
children.
- setting up
listserves and email exchanges among participants with common
interests
- helping students
with searches - research for studies or for scholarships abroad
- organizing a
handicrafts sales page for rural vendors
 Technicians
with advanced skills might choose:
- editing digital
video for the website
- teaching website
development
- anything else you
can think of - we are flexible - we have to be. Any level of
technical ability is acceptable - as you will see, we work on the
technical edge of the world.
Other volunteer
opportunities include:
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rural healthcare
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traditional medicine and local herbs
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midwifery
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rural education,
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micro enterprise,
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gender roles
LANGUAGE
The population here is mainly indigenous, representing three of the twenty
four official indigenous Guatemalan languages: Kaqchikel, Tsutujil,
and K´iche. Spanish is a second language
to the majority, and some, especially women in rural areas, don't speak it
at all. We encourage communication in any way possible - photos, smiles,
sharing food - you can find a million ways. In spite of that, our guides
are fluent in Spanish, and volunteers are advised that minimal Spanish is
essential to successful communication.
LIVING CONDITIONS Our
organizations are rurally located, high up in the mountains or in small
villages around the lake. Most places are accessible by a
combination of 'chicken' bus, pickup (spelled pikop), and a bit of a hike.
The scenery is breath-taking - the people are heart-breaking. The
conditions are challenging, but we promise to find you a living situation
with a shower, a toilet that flushes, and a bed with a mattress.
If you prefer to stay in Panajachel, where modern services and good
restaurants are available, we can create a program that includes day
visits to your organization, with transport by boat or bus to nearby
villages.
PROGRAM
COSTS
The cost of the program are as follows:
Application Fee: US $275.00 Dollars. The application fee covers
volunteer placement, administration, marketing, program information, and
arrangements with host communities. This fee is paid prior to
arrival.
Program Fee: US
$350.00/month. This covers 3 meals a day plus lodging. Program
fees may vary according to accommodation and meal requirements. This fee
is paid upon arrival.
Short Term
stays available by negotiation.
Long-Term stays an be negotiated, including, or discontinuing the media aspect of the
program. Many organizations prefer a volunteer who will stay several
months. In that case, after the preliminary orientation, the cost will be
minimal.
- View other costs
Application Process
All, applicants will be notified by email as to whether their application
has been successful.
- Complete the Application Form:
Preliminary volunteer application processing is carried out by our
U.S. based partner InterConnection. Fill out the application form
- Contact You: If you are successful we will then email you a
letter of acceptance.
- Decision Point: Once you have read through the letter of
acceptance and we have answered any questions or concerns that you might
have, it is time to pay your application fee. Once the application
fee is paid arrangements will be initiated with the host organization
for your stay and volunteer project. Please note that we will
NOT refund your application fee if you decide not to go.
- Confirmation: Once
an appropriate volunteer site and program is arranged you will be
emailed or faxed a confirmation form.
- Communication & Support: Throughout your volunteer
placement we will communicate with you to see how you are progressing and
discuss any issues.
OTHER COSTS
TRANSPORT AND ACCOMMODATION:
Costs for living and transport vary greatly and will be estimated
separately.
The following prices will give you an idea of additional costs that may be
associated with your volunteer expereince.
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End |
Backpackers Special
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TRANSPORTATION
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The
cheapest way to get here from the airport:
- arrive
before 2PM
- take a
taxi to the 'Revuli' - the downtown bus station - cost Q.35
- around $5.00 US
- helpful 'Revuli' people will put you on a direct bus to Panajachel
or Solola - cost up to Q25. - around $3.50 US.
- we will
meet you in the town closest to your stay and get you
situated locally
Total cost -
less than $10.00.
General
Public Transport Buses and pickups between towns, from $.50 to
$1.00 each leg.
Launches - Boats to cross the lake to towns like Santiago
Atitlan, San Pedro La Laguna, San Marcos or Santa Cruz, the
fastest way is to take the public boat service. Regularly
scheduled transport - around $1.50
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ACCOMMODATIONS
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- Panajachel
hotel room with cable TV – between $50 - $95 nightly
- 2 room
cottage with bath and kitchen monthly - $350; weekly - $100.00
- Clean but
simpler rooms nightly - $10.00 - $15.00: weekly - $65.00
- in a
family home with some meals included weekly - $75.00
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Rural
a couple of rooms with a shower and a table-top gas stove (no
fridge)
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Monthly - app. $100.00
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Weekly - $30.00
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in a family home with some meals weekly - $55.00
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FOOD
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- Panajachel
Restaurants of every international persuasion Meals from $3.00 up
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Meals with families are not usually that interesting.
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Restaurants
offer simple fare – Meals from $1.00
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Warning: Peel
or Rinse in Bleach all Fruits and Vegetables.
Buy purified water.
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The other costs you will need to meet are:
Your flights, travel/health insurance and corresponding
airport departure taxes. Also you will need a weekly budget of up to US$20
to cater for all your other expenses like personal items, beverages and
entertainment.
- Contact Information
- Founder and Technical Director: Padma Guidi
- Telephone from the US: 011-502-293-5756
- Postal address
- Barrio Jucanya
- Panajachel, Sololá
- GUATEMALA
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