Volunteers and Visitors Returning To The School Of Hope

Over the last 16 years visitors and volunteers have brought their unique skills and experiences to enrich The School of Hope. As we reorganize to get every student back to school every day in 2022, we have opportunities to participate, in line with Guatemalan government regulations and the Foundation’s safety protocols.

Volunteering

Volunteers are critical to our vibrancy and community but participation must be balanced with your safety and that of our students and staff. Therefore, we have developed a new volunteer program, which will still allow a meaningful, fun, contributory experience in Guatemala.

We are hoping to start the new volunteer program from mid April 2022, as long as current regulations remain as they are. As the situation in Jocotenango is very volatile, we strongly encourage you to call us to chat through your specific plans and circumstances. Please email boo@eftc.org.uk to arrange a chat.

If you speak an advanced level of Spanish, there will be the opportunity to be a Teacher’s Assistant. If you have English as a Second Language (ESL/TEFL) qualification or experience, we’d love to hear from you, as we will have some tutoring opportunities with our Further Education students.

If you don't speak Spanish, there are still plenty of opportunities to get involved. You'll be delivering lunches to classroom bubbles, guiding students to and from classes, preparing classroom materials or working in the office with our education admin team. 

We will assist you with your volunteer placement to make sure that your experience is meaningful but please be aware that travelling to Guatemala and working at The School of Hope is at your own health and financial risk. It is mandatory for volunteers to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and to wear a mask at all times unless eating or drinking in assigned locations. You will be required to follow a number of Covid-safe protocols around social distancing and quarantining should you become exposed to Covid-19 whilst in Guatemala.

Visitors

We can now also welcome visitors to the school. If you are in Guatemala as part of an organized trip or vacation and would be interested in finding more about the Foundation, please get in touch:

Prospective Visitors can experience an in-depth tour of the school, including participating in a social distanced fun activity. (Maximum of 9 per tour.) We'd also love it if you would help with delivering lunches to classroom bubbles

If you are a Student Sponsor, we are able to welcome you as follows:
a. Sponsors will be able to verbally interact with students under Covid protocols.
b. Sponsors with multiple students will be able to interact 1 student at a time, unless the students are siblings.
c. Scheduling will revolve around the students’ class time.

Please note either proof of vaccination or a negative test taken within 3 days of your visit will be required before you can visit the school. Masks are mandatory unless eating or drinking in assigned locations. 

Prospective volunteers or visitors interested in a placement in 2022:

1. Register your interest by emailing visitors@eftcfoundation.org

2. You’ll receive details of specific position(s) which will be tailored to your length of stay, skills, preferences and experience. You’ll be able to read and agree to detailed information about new Covid volunteer protocols before your visit. Each volunteer will be required to sign an updated version of the ‘EFTC Visitor and Volunteer Agreement’ and pay the volunteer fee of £50/€70.

3. You’ll have the opportunity for discussion with our visitor coordinator in Guatemala and then agree to sign-up to a specific position before you travel

4. Please be aware that current regulations state that upon arrival in Guatemala volunteers will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test taken within 3 days of entry. Regulations are constantly changing and we advise you check with your country’s travel regulations to Guatemala before you book.