Volunteer Abroad: Guatemala | EIL Intercultural Learning

Guatemala

Guatemala is a country steeped in history and traditions. Once the centre of the great Maya civilisation, it contains a wealth of archaeological treasures including the impressive pyramids dotted around the countryside. The Mayan people still make up a large proportion of the population, and are famous for their exotic clothing and traditional music and dance.

Guatemala is also a country struggling to overcome vast social problems. The majority of its inhabitants lives in poverty, and the indigenous population in particular has long suffered from political oppression.

Volunteers can contribute their time and energy to inspirational local projects in Guatemala, while gaining a real understanding of the country and its culture. The programme includes one to one Spanish lessons and accommodation with a host family.

Main Features

Up to 4 weeks intensive language classes and orientation (depending on the length of your placement)
Homestay with a local host family
Projects: teaching, health, welfare, environmental, building and community development projects
From 2 to 24 weeks

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Projects

There are many interesting projects available in the categories listed below. The projects given here are an example of the projects in each category. Our goal is to match the skills and expectations of the participants with the needs of the local projects. Our volunteer coordinator in the field will suggest a project for you once they have your application. They are well placed to match your skills and interests to the right placements.

Welfare

Guatemala is one of the poorest countries in Central America, with 75% of the population living below the poverty line and a huge inequality in the distribution of wealth. Many returned refugees from the civil war are trying to start their lives again from scratch. Volunteers are needed in a range of projects dealing with problems such as homelessness, poverty and child labour.

Hogares Comunitarios is a day-care centre for children from very poor backgrounds, many whose parents have alcohol problems or are rearing them single-handedly. There are generally 20 children from 0-6 years old in each project. Volunteers are needed to help care and give attention to the children, play games and help with general chores.

Teaching

While public schools in Guatemala are free, it is still the case that many children do not receive an education. The rate of illiteracy is estimated at about 25% of the population. Volunteers are needed to help out in several charitable organisations which aim to provide an education for those who would otherwise slip through the system.

The IDM (Instituto de Desarollo Municipal) is a municipal high school which aims to provide education to poor teenagers. Courses are available in electricity, business administration and secretary. Volunteers are needed to assist English teachers and to facilitate other edcational activities.

Health

Many of the poorest people in Guatemala are unable to afford medical care, and it falls to charitable organisations to provide basic and emergency services. There are health placements in Santiago Atitlán, in the southwest of Guatemala. This project is aimed to provide medical assistance to poor people who are unable to afford medical care. Volunteers with a medical background are especially needed but non-trained volunteers can assist in a range of daily duties. Volunteers can also work with rural health posts from the Ministry of Health

Construction

If you like to get your hands dirty, have some DIY experience or have a background in building or civil enineering, you can help a local organisation which work in disadvantaged indigenous communities in the highland region of Guatemala.

Semillas De Ayuda (Seeds of Help) is a local organization located in Chiantla, Huehuetenango. Their aim is to support rural communities in Chiantla and neighboring communities through training, education, and low cost materials for their integral development. Volunteers are needed to assist in Building water deposits, latrines or schools and recreational facilities for children.

Conservation

Guatemala is a beautiful and fertile country, with dense rainforests, dramatic volcanoes and exotic wildlife. However, the natural environment has come under threat from population growth, deforestation, industrial development, lack of environmental consciousness and education, and an absence of environmental protection laws. Volunteers can assist in conservation projects that have been set up to combat these trends.

Corazón del Bosque is a local association in Santa Lucia Utatlán, Sololá. Their work is based on three objectives:

To maintain a project that benefits the community by promoting equal participation among its inhabitants, sustainable management of the natural resources, along with an effort to conserve and preserve the Mayan K'iché culture
To promote sustainable forestry by taking care of the regional flora and fauna in order to mitigate the deforestation that had been damaging Guatemala's environment
To promote a culture of protection and environmental conservation

The volunteer can provide assistance for the administration of the project by providing: general advise as well as ideas for marketing (improvement of marketing materials: webpage, pamphlets, signs, etc). The volunteer can also participate in environmental activities such as maintaining the trails and helping in the tree nursery for reforestation purposes.

Small Business Development

27% of the Guatemalan population lives in extreme poverty, especially in rural areas. Unemployment in these areas is high, particularly for women and youth. NGOs in this sector provide micro-credits, training and business advice to small entrepreneurs to better manage their businesses. Volunteers can bring a new perspective and knowledge to the beneficiaries of these programs.

We are placing our volunteers in women's co-operatives. These are co-operatives of indigenous women formed mainly by widows from the civil war. They use the traditional back strap loom to produce typical textiles. Volunteers can assist them on marketing strategies, advertisement, design, and business administration.

Human Rights

Volunteers can work on a varied Human Rights project in Guatemala. Many of these projects would focus on Women's Rights and Female Empowerment. In Guatemala, 41% of the women are indigenous and 37% are illiterate. This is a sector of the society which suffers from discrimination, oppression and domestic violence. Volunteers can be placed with Women and Children Offices from various municipalities around the country. These offices support the active and organised participation of women in the decisions of their communities and the full exercising of their human rights. The activities carried out by these offices include: informational/orientation/advice meetings for women about human rights; leadership/organisation training, assistance with domestic violence; training in health, nutrition, small businesses, etc.; literacy campaigns; Human Rights campaigns (specifically women and children's rights). Volunteers can participate in the design and delivery of training events, prepare teaching/informational materials, help with diagnostics of women's situations, participate/support information campaigns. Volunteers must have a working level of Spanish and a strong interest in these issues.

Other projects available in Community development, Environment and Women empowerment

Programme details

Arrival & Orientation

You will arrive in Guatemala City where you will be met and transferred to the beautiful city of Antigua. Here you will have your orientation before being transferred to your language school in Santa Lucia Milpas Altas, close to Antigua, where you will be placed with a local family and begin the language programme and further orientation.

Orientation will involve regular meetings with the volunteer co-ordinator to prepare you for the upcoming voluntary work.

Teaching is on a one-to-one basis and there is an emphasis on spoken language.

Accommodation

Your accommodation will be with an approved Guatemalan host family. You will have your own room and will receive three meals a day, Monday to sunday. Living with the family is an ideal chance to practice your Spanish and to gain an insight into Guatemalan life.

Start Dates

Programmes start on the last Thursday of each month (flexible if necessary).

Visas

Upon entry to Guatemala, you will receive a three-month tourist Visa. If you wish to stay longer you can extend this for a small cost (100 Quetzales - approximately 10 Euros). The co-ordinator at the school will assist you in this. As your work is unpaid, it is not necessary to apply for a work permit.

The EIL Development Education Network

Our volunteers work and live alongside local people in local communities in some of the most deprived areas in the world. It is in response to their experiences that the EIL development education programme was set up. On their return to Ireland we ask our volunteers to be the voice for the stories of the people they worked with and to highlight their experience of poverty and inequality. Then together we campaign to make a difference by promoting global justice, human rights, fair trade, debt relief and greater equality and respect among the peoples of the world. Our goal is to see global justice and equality reach the top of the Irish agenda.

The Application Process

Applying for the Volunteer Abroad programme is a straight forward process: after receiving your application and CV we will contact you to find out more about your interests and motivation for wanting to be a volunteer. We then send your information to our colleagues in the country of your choice and they make your placement. As soon as they confirm a suitable placement for you, we will send you all the information necessary to finalise your preparations. Although some countries can accept late applications, you should send your completed application 12 weeks in advance. The earlier you apply, the more time we have to find the most suitable project for you.

What you need to do:

Complete the application form ( Word / PDF ) and send it to us together with 2 recent passport photos, €350 deposit, and recent CV.
Do a telephone interview (or in person if you live in Cork and/or want to call in).
A confirmation letter of enrolment will then be sent within 10 working days.

If you prefer we can send you the application form by post.

For more information about applying to volunteer with EIL please see How do I apply? or contact Anton.

Cost & Details

We guarantee no hidden costs.

We encourage you to compare our costs with other organisations and a careful comparison of what is included and what is not included is always advisable.

What Is Included

Pre-departure information and preparation workshop
Airport pick-up in Guatemala City and orientation
Accommodation with host family, two meals a day.
One-to-one Spanish lessons (2 weeks programme: 20h, 3 weeks: 30h, 4 weeks: 40h, from 6 weeks: 80h)
Social activities organised by the language school
Placement in voluntary work project
Support for duration of the placement
Transportation and introduction to the local project
Free access to online TEFL resources
Debrief workshop on return to Ireland
Invitation to join the EIL Development Education Network

What Is Not Included

Cost of flights
Medical, liability and travel insurance (available for €10 per week)
Personal expenses
Airport drop-off at end of programme
Local Transportation

Costs

Duration	Cost
2 weeks	€860
3 weeks	€1045
4 weeks	€1235
6 weeks	€1475
8 weeks	€1645
12 weeks	€1925
16 weeks	€2225
20 weeks	€2535
24 weeks	€2855

Prices are subject to change and are reviewed annualy in November.

Visit our WHY PAY? and FUNDRAISING pages.

Protect the environment: EIL Carbon offset system

Compensate for the CO2 that your flight will generate by helping to plant trees in Guatemala.

Photos & Videos

Videos:

Click to watch First tank: Joseph McLean is spending 6 months volunteering in Huehuetenango, Guatemala where he’s working with rural communities to help with the construction and maintenance of Wells, Greenhouses, Rainwater Harvesting, Latrines and Crop Irrigation systems.

Access to clean water can be difficult particularly during the dry season, supplies are limited and often a long distance from the families that need it. This video he prepared which demonstrates the technique he used to help construct from basic materials semi-underground water tanks capable of holding around eight thousand litres. Water is channelled from the gutters of the houses into the tanks, providing a ready and clean supply of water for each family.

Click to watch Volunteer in Guatemala: <p>A 5 minute video covering what it's like to volunteer in Guatemala as told from the perspective of one of our volunteers Helen McCarthy.</p>

Photos:

Stories from the field

Stories from our volunteers:

A mind once exposed to a new idea never returns to its original dimensions!

11 Aug 2010 - 9:21pm

Well its been a while! Its very very overwhelming sitting here right now trying to think how on earth I am ever going to be able to explain my experiences of Guatemala and please know that it is simply impossible for me to say all that has happened here, even if I spent the whole night writing! To explain all the cultural differences that I have come across during my experiences here would take a book in itself, as would to explain the emotional cycles I have been through.

Guatemalan volcanoes-not to be confused with Iceland's!

3 Aug 2010 - 4:45pm

Once I had the chance to join a group visiting 3 communities somewhere in the mountains who distributed seedlings and other stuff for cultivation and taught them how to use the things they got. This was a very interesting experience as I would never visit those places otherwise and I could help a bit distributing the goods. Altogether I have to say that the people in Utz Samaj are really nice, it is more a language problem that I am not able to fully integrate.

The Battle before the Breakthrough in Guatemala

24 Jul 2010 - 5:30pm

Once again, apologies for the delay in getting my blog updated!

Ok where to begin and what to say. There is much gong on here every that it is simply impossible for me to even touch on everything! Anyhows here goes my attempt!...

Learning the Ropes and Finding my Feet...

15 Jul 2010 - 1:43am

¡Hola de Guatemala!

Apologies for the delay in getting my first blog posted but things have been so busy here over the past few weeks. I didn't want to have to write in a rush so decided to wait until I had some time and energy to write with ease. I'm now on my fourth week here but I'm gonna take you right back to the start where it all began...

Guatemalan hothouse has Padraig full of beans

23 Mar 2009 - 4:20pm

"Maybe he's overstating it, but if he's not Padraig Neylon is surviving on an infinite diet of black beans and rice these days. However, while the Kilmurry McMahon man is attempting to adjust to a Central American diet, his grasp of Spanish is improving. In fact, he maintains that he can even throw a few words together in the Mayan language, or at least one of the 22 Mayan dialects in Guatemala. On the top of that, Neylon, who is working voluntarily in Guatemala for a couple of months, is attempting to teach Irish to some of his Central American works colleagues."

Thoughts on volunteering in Guatemala, a volunteer passes on his experience

19 Jan 2009 - 9:40pm

Through talking to local people it become apparent to me just how important education is in Guatemala's future. English for example, with many of the schools being small and remote the teachers there that are supposed to be teaching English have virtually none themselves. English is necessary for many of the 'good' jobs or if the students are to progress onto higher level education.

Brian McCafferty volunteered in Guatemala, putting his engineering background to use by helping an agricultural project flourish.

19 Jan 2009 - 9:38pm

They have been having temperature and humidity problems though and this is where I am working to help them, i.e. with the use of sensors and logging equipment and software. I've also been helping with instruments and computer equipment issues in their center. When in Ireland I did not want to work in engineering as I thought it would be too much like my work, but that is definitely not the case! I am much happier in hopefully being able to provide some useful help.

A project organiser in Guatemala writes to thank an Irish volunteer

19 Jan 2009 - 9:35pm

I hope you doing well. I want to thank you for your contribution in our organisation - Utz Samaj. Your work with us was really helpful to our training school and since you monitored the RH% and Temperature in the greenhouse we have learnt and done a better improvement.

June Keohane from Co Cork has spent 4 months in Guatemala volunteering for ADISA, a centre caring for people with special needs.

19 Jan 2009 - 9:32pm

I felt that I was really accepted by the people I was working with and that they appreciated the effort I put in to the work I was doing. I also felt very much a part of my host family. They were so welcoming and made me feel at home, they were also very patient with me as I learned Spanish and even helped me when I got stuck and wasn't sure how to say something. I really feel that if I was to return to Santiago Atitlan in the future I would be welcomed back in to the community by all the people I can now call friends.

On returning from volunteering in Guatemala, Eoin McLoughlin shares his experiences.

19 Jan 2009 - 9:29pm

Sitting in Madrid airport waiting for the connecting flight back to Dublin my mind begins to wander. Five months previous and I was at the very same point on my outward journey to Guatemala. A country I knew next to little about. How quickly things change. I console myself by saying that this is not the end but merely the beginning; the beginning of a love affair with a country and its people. The strange sounds and exotic smells that will forever evoke a thousand different memories.

Country info

History

The Mayan civilization flourished throughout much of Guatemala and the surrounding region long before the Spanish arrived, but it was already in decline when the Mayans were defeated by Pedro de

Alvarado in 1523-24. During Spanish colonial rule, most of Central America came under the control of the Captaincy General of Guatemala. The first colonial capital, Ciudad Vieja, was ruined by floods and an earthquake in 1542. Survivors founded Antigua, the second capital, in 1543. In the 17th century, Antigua became one of the richest capitals in the New World. Always vulnerable to volcanic eruptions, floods, and earthquakes, Antigua was destroyed by two earthquakes in 1773, but the remnants of its Spanish colonial architecture have been preserved as a national monument. The third capital, Guatemala City, was founded in 1776, after Antigua was abandoned.

Guatemala gained independence from Spain on September 15, 1821; it briefly became part of the Mexican Empire and then for a period belonged to a federation called the United Provinces of Central America. From the mid-19th century until the mid-1980s, the country passed through a series of dictatorships, insurgencies (particularly beginning in the 1960s), coups, and stretches of military rule with only occasional periods of representative government.

Few exceptional leaders have graced Guatemala's political podium. Alternating waves of dictators and economics-driven Liberals were briefly brightened by Juan José Arévalo, who established the nation's social security and health systems and a government bureau to look after Mayan concerns. In power from 1945 to 1951, Arévalo's liberal regime experienced 25 coup attempts by conservative military forces. Arévalo was followed by Colonel Jacobo Arbenz Guzmán, who continued to implement liberal policies and instituted an agrarian reform law to break up the large estates and foster highly productive, individually owned small farms. The expropriation of lands controlled by foreign companies, a move supported by the country's Communist Party, was the signal for the CIA to step in (one of these foreign companies was the United Fruit Company, which interestingly was part-owned by the US Secretary of State). With their help a successful military coup was organized in 1954, Arbenz Guzmán fled to Mexico and the land reform never took place.

A succession of military presidents followed, and as both protest and repression became more violent, civil war broke out. Booming industrialization in the 1960s and '70s helped the rich get richer, while the cities became increasingly squalid as the rural dispossessed fled the countryside to find urban employment. The military's violent suppression of antigovernment elements (which meant the majority of landless peasants) finally led the USA to cut off military assistance, leading in turn to the 1985 election of the civilian Christian Democrat Marco Vinicio Cerezo Arévalo.

Cerezo's five years of inconclusive government were followed by Jorge Serrano Elías, who won the presidency for the conservative Solidarity Action Movement. His attempts to end the decades-long civil war failed, and as his popularity declined he came to rely increasingly on military support. On May 25, 1993, following a series of public protests, Serrano carried out an auto-coup. Lacking popular support, Serrano fled the country, and an outspoken critic of the army, Ramiro de León Carpio, was elected by Congress. Carpio's law-and-order mantle was taken up by new president, Alvaro Enrique Arzú Irigoyen, who attempted to heal his feuding and crime-ridden country with a neo-liberal technocratic salve. In December 1996, the government signed a series of peace accords with leftist guerrillas and the army agreed to reduce its role in domestic security matters. The greatest challenge to a lasting peace stems from great inequities in the basic social and economic power structure of Guatemalan society.

In November 1999, Guatemala held its first peacetime elections in nearly 40 years. Guatemala swore in a new government January 14, 2000, under its recently elected right-wing president, Alfonso Portillo, a lawyer and rightist associated with former dictator Ríos Montt. Portillo won by claiming that if he could defend himself, he could defend his people. He vowed to clean up the judicial system, crack down on crime, tax the rich and respect human rights. In March 2000, he invited UN observers to stay beyond their December 2000 departure date. However, his recent moves, including bolstering municipal police squads with national troops and sending most of his family to Canada in self-imposed exile, are particularly worrisome. In 2004, Oscar Berger from the coalition GANA won the election defeating Alvaro Colom from a left-centre coalition and Rios Montt from the ruling party FRG.

Climate

Guatemala is known as the land of eternal spring for its wonderful climate and is suitable for travel year round. The climate primarily varies according to elevation.

The northern part of the country, known as the Petén, is a lowland rain forest, an area of typical hot and humid, tropical climate with rain all the year round and maximum rainfall between May and September.

Conditions on the Pacific coast are similar in terms of the dry and wet seasons, but rainfall is heavier and there is little relief from the high temperatures at night.

The western and southern parts of the country are very mountainous with volcanic peaks rising to over 4.000 meters. Guatemala City and Antigua are located in this area with its typical and very pleasant highland climate. Rainfall here is moderate with a distinct dry season from November to April. There are warm days (20-25°C) and cool nights. At higher altitudes, the temperature can fall to 0°C in December and January; the average annual temperature is 20°C.

The best time to visit Guatemala is November-April, when there's less rain. It's always cooler in the mountains (usually between 15-22°C) and hot and humid in the lowlands (especially on the Pacific coast). Tikal can be very hot in the summer (33-37°C and humid), but take a sweater and long-sleeved shirt for the evenings and a jacket for Guatemala City. In September, when tropical storms move in from the Caribbean, it can rain for days on end.

Clothing

The Indian women dress in traditional costumes, while the general population, the so- called "ladinos" dress in a more modern way. Poverty does not prevent the men from wearing well-pressed trousers and a clean white shirts. The women usually wear dresses. Short dresses are not advisable. Light dresses/skirts are preferable. Torn jeans should not be worn.

In order to respect the population that wears traditional costumes you should not wear those clothes. Indian women coming to Antigua every day to sell their articles usually wear the traditional costumes, showing which town they come from. Only few Indian men still wear their traditional clothes, mostly in towns like Panajachel and Chichicastenango, or Todos Santos.

Very short skirts or shorts can be fine to wear on the beach, but not in Antigua or other towns.

FAQ

Questions

Is it safe?
Who volunteers?
Can I go with a friend or family member and can we be placed in the same project?
Is the deposit refundable?
Can I combine more than one country?
How long can I go for?
When can I go?
How much does it cost?
What’s the difference between EIL’s volunteer abroad programme and others?
Why aren’t volunteers paid/given expenses?
Why do volunteers have to pay for their programme?
I would like to participate in the programme but I didn’t realise how much it would be or simply can’t afford it.
How do I apply?
When should I apply?
Can I come in to discuss options?
What visa do I need?
What vaccinations should I get?
What are the age limits?
Do I need any special skills/qualifications?
Can I work on a specific project?
I already have a good language skills – can I drop/reduce the language course?
What is the accommodation like?
Will there be other volunteers going at the same time as me?
What does the optional insurance cover?
Can I apply from northern Ireland/UK/outside Ireland?

Answers

Is it safe?

We only place volunteers in locations where it is safe to do so. Traveling to a developing country can be challenging, but most people travel without encountering trouble.

Volunteers are briefed on safety issues during the predeparture workshop, during the orientation in-country, by the host family.

We have an emergency system in place with 24h emergency phones (in Ireland and overseas). It is advised to check government travel advice for your destination. Check the websites of the Irish Dept. of Foreign Affairs and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Also read the safety information that we send you and of course exercise caution in any country.

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Who volunteers?

EIL volunteers come from a range of different backgrounds. Our volunteers are:
- Students and young people willing to volunteer abroad during their holidays, between jobs or on a year out.
- Office workers, teachers, farmers, nurses, engineers, factory workers, waiters and just about anybody wishing to help, take some time out or just looking for a different experience during their holidays.
- Retired people who want to put their time and skills to good use.
- Apprentices and students who need to complete an internship or work experience.
- Youth clubs, family groups, clubs, school groups or groups of friends.
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Can I go with a friend or family member and can we be placed in the same project?

It is possible to apply with one or several friends, family members or a partner and to be placed in the same accommodation and project.

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Is the deposit refundable?

The vast majority of the applicants are accepted in the programme but if your application is not successful, we will refund your deposit. Otherwise, the deposit is not refundable.

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Can I combine more than one country?

It depends on the combination of countries. As we are dealing with two different programmes you will have two different programme fees. We may be able to look at a reduction of our administration fees but this is a small part of the fee. In the case of Latin American countries you may be able to do the language course in one of the countries thus reducing the fees in the other country. This will depend on our office in country and we need to make arrangements with them to do this.

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How long can I go for?

Programme lengths vary from minimum 2 weeks to 11 months, depending on which country you choose. 2/3 weeks programmes are available in Guatemala, Thailand and Vietnam. Though if you choose to go for such a short period it is important to have realistic expectation as regard as what you can achieve.

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When can I go?

You can join most of our programmes any time of year. Many of them have flexible start dates. We have set start dates in South Africa, Nepal, Nigeria, India, Morocco but they have at least one every month. If you are looking for a teaching placement we need to check the term times in that country.

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Will there be other volunteers going at the same time as me?

If this is a priority for you to be placed with other volunteers we will indicate you the programmes where you are very likely to be with other volunteers. If there are volunteers going to the same destination at the same time we will put you in touch via e-mail so you can become acquainted. There may well be other international volunteers from other countries working with you. However, be prepared that you may be the only international volunteer there. This is a greater opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture and get to know local people if you are not relying on other volunteers. Be prepared that you may feel isolated or lonely sometimes. Accommodation in volunteer house and volunteer camps (with other international volunteers) are available in Thailand, Vietnam and India.

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How much does it cost?

The programme fee varies depending on which country you choose and the length of programme. All the programme fees and what is included are on our website and in our country specific information sheets. To give an idea, programme fees start at €785. If the full length of language course isn’t needed, we maybe able reduce the programme fee. Our fees do not include flights, visas, vaccinations, medical and travel insurance, and personal expenses.

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What’s the difference between EIL’s volunteer abroad programme and others?
- EIL is an established Irish not for profit intercultural learning organistion
- We work with sister organisations who are members of the EIL worldwide network.
- We will thoroughly analyse your profile, needs and expectation and match it with the most suitable volunteer programme
- Our programme are flexible: placements are available in 15 couintries, from 2 weeks to 11 months with start dates year-round and a wide range of project is available
- Volunteers are placed in local projects supporting local initiatives
- We offer an authentic cultural experience including a full cultural orientation and most programmes include stay with host family.
- Safety is the first priority: our volunteers have 24-hour support in country from our National office, the local co-coordinator as well as mentors on the project.
- Our programmes fees are very competitive and cover accommodation, meals, transfers, support - with some exceptions.
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Why aren’t volunteers paid/given expenses?

We place volunteers in local partner organisations in developing countries. These organisations need volunteers because they can't afford enough paid staff and are not in the position to offer expenses/pay volunteers. EIL and the partner organisations we work with are not for profit making organisations and depend on the support of volunteers. Please see Why pay? for more information.

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Why do volunteers have to pay for their programme?

EIL and our in-country partner organisations are non-profit making organisations. The programme fee covers the cost of placing a volunteer in the project, to provide accommodation, meals, transfer and transport, pre-departure & in-country support and insurance. The projects volunteers are sent to in developing countries cannot afford to cover these costs themselves. Please see Why pay? for more information. Many volunteers cover some of the costs by raising funds. Fundraising support is available and we will send you a fundraising pack.

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I would like to participate in the programme but I didn’t realise how much it would be or simply can’t afford it.

We recognise that some of our participants are students and affording the programme fee is an issue. Many volunteers cover some of the costs by raising funds. Fundraising information and advice is available. We also have a number of travel awards and scholarships available every year. Keep an eye on our website for these awards.

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How do I apply?

Applying for the Volunteer Abroad programme is a straight forward process: after receiving your application and CV we will contact you to find out more about your interests and motivation for wanting to be a volunteer. We then send your information to our colleagues in the country of your choice and they make your placement. As soon as they confirm a suitable placement for you, we will send you all the information necessary to finalise your preparations. Although we are usually able to accept late applications, you should try to return this form not less than 8 weeks prior to your intended date of departure. The earlier you apply, the more time we have to find the most suitable project for you.

What you need to do:
- Complete the application form ( Word / PDF ) and send it to us together with 2 recent passport photos, €350 deposit, and recent CV.
- Do a telephone interview (or in person if you live in Cork and/or want to call in).
- A confirmation letter of enrolment will then be sent within 10 working days.
If you prefer we can send you the application form by post.

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When should I apply?

Although we are usually able to accept late applications, you should try to return this form not less than 8 weeks prior to your intended date of departure. The earlier you apply, the more time we have to find the most suitable project for you, and you will also need time to sort out your flights, visas and vaccinations.

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Can I come in to discuss options?

You can discuss options over the phone or if you live locally you are welcome to come in. Before you take the trouble to visit us at our offices, we recommend thinking about where you would like to go, what placement you are interested in, when you want to go, how long you want to go for and why you want to volunteer. Call to make appointment.

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What visa do I need?

The type of visa will depend on where you are going and for how long. Visa information is available on our website and on the info sheets we can post you. However you are responsible for your visa and you should contact the Irish Embassy or Consulate for the destination country in good time prior to departure for the requirements and application procedures.

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What vaccinations should I get?

For legal reasons we cannot give advice on this. Please contact your doctor or the Tropical Medical Bureau.

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What are the age limits?

You have to be over 18 for most programmes. If you are on the younger than 18 please contact us to discuss the options. There is no upper limit.

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Do I need any special skills/qualifications?

No. We are looking for people who are independent minded travelers. Living in a developing country demands flexibility, initiative, maturity and drive. Of course if you have particular skills and experience that you would like to use then we will take this into consideration when finding a suitable placement. Please see Is this for me?

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Can I work on a specific project?

You can indicate the type of project that you would like to work on and if you have a particular example in mind from our website then you can indicate it. This is not guaranteed. Our partner organisations will suggest a placement for you. They are well placed to match your skills and interests to the right placements.

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I already have a good language skills – can I drop/reduce the language course?

Sometimes this is possible – we would have to know what level you are at and check this with the national office in-country first.

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What is the accommodation like?

It will depend on the country and project, either with a host family, in a volunteer house / camp or with an independent room at the project site. It may be basic compared to the standards you are used to here. We will provide details of the family or accommodation you will be staying in before you leave.

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What does the optional insurance cover?

Basic travel, medical and liability and baggage insurance. Information on what it covers is available in the insurance booklet we will send to you. We can also check with our insurance company if you have specific queries.

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Can I apply from northern Ireland/UK/outside Ireland?
- Northern Ireland: we can take applications.
- UK: We will pass your details onto EIL UK and ask them to get in touch.
- Other: Please visit Federation EIL to find the nearest EIL office to you.
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EIL Intercultural Learning