Experience the Mayan culture while volunteering in Guatemala

Guatemala is one of the most important places in Latin America where Mayan influence and its legacy are still intact. By volunteering in Guatemala you will get a grasp of the unique local culture that retains much of the customs from centuries ago.

Volunteering abroad is one of the most incredible journeys a person can do, not only to contribute to a social cause and discover unknown regions of the world, but also to learn about oneself and grow as a human being.

Volunteering in Guatemala will lead you to find out about natives and ancient cultures that are still present in everyday life. Guatemalan population is a mixture of Mayan descendants and Spanish influence. When volunteering in Guatemala you will find a perfect blend between both cultures, with a little bit more of relevance from the Mayan side. Getting in touch with natives and discovering how they cope with poverty, malnutrition and many other issues while keeping their tradition firmly and alive, will open your mind to a new perspective you may have never previously encountered as you do your volunteering program.

There are various ethnic communities that coexist in the country, as for example the Kaqchiquel and Achi communities that have their own language and customs but share an equal ancestral background. While volunteering in Guatemala you have the chance to get in touch with this unique population and help them in different ways.

While volunteering in Guatemala you will discover that the purest Mayan influence is not only found in the remaining temples and ancient monuments, but also in the artistic expressions and crafts. The most important in this subject are the wooden productions of clothes. When volunteering in Guatemala the first thing you will come across are the colourful and bright dresses that distinguish the local people from any other population in the world. Other productions include pottery, straw baskets and wooden figures. By volunteering in Guatemala you will be astonished to see how traditional goods have such an importance in the local culture.

Around 50 percent of the population in Guatemala are direct descendants form the Mayan civilization. Nowadays, they are trying to keep their roots alive through education. This is a field that constantly attracts international students that want to do a volunteer program. In 2001 it took place in Guatemala the First Hemispheric Indigenous Education Conference. This event opened the door to a much bigger influx of international students wishing to volunteer in Guatemala. So nowadays is much easier to access this social field if you are interested on volunteering in Guatemala.
A widely chosen location in the country is Antigua city, a small colonial town with gorgeous landscapes and colourful traditions. As you volunteer you will enjoy street festivals, carnivals and typical celebrations.

Religion is another important feature in the country’s way of living. When volunteering in Guatemala you will find that locals still practice the traditional Mayan religious ceremonies. This was promoted by the whole of the society and the government through different peace accords.

When volunteering in Guatemala you will get to see all mentioned above and much more. Besides, you will feel rewarded by how much you will be contributing to such a beautiful community. Locals are very friendly and will make your stay a very enjoyable time.

While volunteering in Guatemala you will also discover impressive landscapes and gorgeous scenery. Tikal ruins are the perfect setting that combines both, ancient Mayan constructions and lush jungles to stroll all day long.

So just get ready to live up the most impressive journey ever. Volunteer in Guatemala and discover yourself and how much you can help others.

Learn more about travel abroad Internships and volunteer opportunities at http://www.mentorabroad.org; A complete guide; Teach abroad, Academic studies and Spanish courses. Enrique Helmbrecht is the president of MentorAbroad and an experienced traveler and language learner.

Article summary
Guatemala is one of the most important places in Latin America where Mayan influence and its legacy are still intact. By volunteering in Guatemala you will get a grasp of the unique local culture that retains much of the customs from centuries ago.

Enrique Helmbrecht