Organic Agriculture in Guatemala

Project Details

The project is in a fair trade, organic coffee and macadamia plantation owned and run by a cooperative of forty Guatemalan families. All profits raised by the community are divided amongst the community members and are used to improve the health, education and living conditions within the cooperative. Third generation plantation workers, the members are incredibly generous and curious group of people who will welcome you into their family.

The collective works according to principles of Direct Democracy and currently boasts within its organizational structure a Women´s Committee, and Education Committee and other groups dedicated to ensuring that all workers have equal rights and the principles of collective, well being are the ultimate goal of the collective. They have been running a very successful tourism business out the newly renovated colonial mansion once occupied by the land owner. Taking advantage of a natural spring within the community the collective are introducing their purified water into the national market. The process used by the community is environmentally sensitive and the plan is to compete with other large producers who extract water using pumps and wells rather than tapping a natural source.

Volunteer work:

You will have the opportunity to participate in agricultural tasks such as collecting macadamia, picking coffee, planting trees, sorting and classify macadamia. Also will work in eco-lodge renovations activities such as painting, sanding and decorating. Community service assist delivering water to the near communities, water process collecting, teaching English or another language, promotions and publicity for the community´s products.

Location:

The project is located about 1000 meters above sea level in the Guatemalan - Quetzaltenango. It is about 45 minutes drive into the mountains north of the tropical coastal town of Retalhuleu.

Accommodation and Food

You will live at the lodge located within the project. Typical Guatemalan food (rice, beans, vegetables, fruit). Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided by the association.

Travel Arrangements and Transportation

Booking travel is your responsibility, but we are more than happy to help you as needed. You will fly into the airport in San Jose where you will need to take a taxi to the hostel where you will stay for 1 night to receive your orientation. During this time, your lodging is included but you will be responsible for food. After orientation you will then be taken to a bus station where you will board a bus to travel to your new host community. Upon arrival, the project coordinator or your host family will meet you at the bus station. After Project finishes, you will be provided a night in a hostel and a RJI staff member will meet you there so you can provide us with feedback about your experience.  You will have to arrange your transfer for the airport.

Buses are the main form of transportation in Costa Rica and are extremely inexpensive. Depending upon where your family is located, you may need to take a short bus ride each day to and from the project. Reto Juvenil will cover the bus fare used in transit to the work site, but won´t cover any other transport you use during your time in project.

Dates, Duration and Application Deadline

• Individual or group volunteer (maximum 6)
• Duration 1 to 8 weeks
• Age 18+

Requirements

An intermediate level of Spanish is required. Experience or education in counseling, and/or teaching is helpful, but not required.

Program Costs