Volunteers work to help these at-risk children stay in school and pursue their dreams of an education. They provide help with homework, activities, clothes and food. In reward for going to school, the children earn points and receive a bag with clothes and food once a month. If not for this reward, the children would be working at the garbage dump with their parents. The extra attention and care you give these children, will help them gain back their pride and self confidence so they can continue school and provide opportunities for themselves in the future.

No specific qualifications are required to join the street children's project in Guatemala. However, interested individuals should have a passion and eagerness to help less fortunate children as well as have a strong personality to deal with these children's often unfortunate situations and demeanors. While Spanish is preferred it is not required.

Rustic Volunteer Travel arranges volunteer meals, accommodations and strong field support for the duration of projects and optional travel packages. In Guatemala, volunteers generally stay with host families and accommodations are simple and clean homes in safe neighborhoods. Volunteers usually have a private bedroom, but occasionally rooms will be shared with a same-gender volunteer. Our host families are well screened and are respected members of their communities who live in affluent neighborhoods. Most of our host families have experience with hosting international volunteers. A host family stay is a great chance for cultural immersion and exchange. Orphanage volunteers may stay at their project as many orphanages have special rooms set aside for international volunteers and these accommodations are normally shared with a same-gender volunteer.

Volunteers receive three local meals per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner). We can provide vegetarian meal options, but needs must be detailed in a volunteer's application. Snacks and beverages outside of mealtimes are not provided; however, there are local restaurants and grocery stores near the residences in which we place volunteers.  

Rustic offers unparalleled field support to volunteers to ensure a safe and rewarding experience. Once in Guatemala, there are many layers of support for you. The most important support comes from our country coordinator/field staff. The secondary support comes from the host project staff and members of host families and/or a homebase staff. Volunteers will have access to our country coordinator's mobile number and they are available 24/7. Throughout the volunteer project, our local staff stays in contact with volunteers either with face-to-face visits or via email/telephone. Our field staff will visit regularly (every 2-4 weeks) to make sure things are going well and as planned. However, if placement is far from our local offices, staff members will stay in touch via email/ phone. Volunteers are also welcome to stop in the offices at any time.

Specific details regarding accommodations, food and contact details for our local coordinator will be provided in personalized volunteer placement documentation prior to arrival.

Street children projects are available in Quetzaltenango (Xela). Touted for its great tasting coffee, Guatemala has a rich and distinctive culture from its long mix of elements from Spain and the native Maya people. This diverse history and the natural beauty of the land have created a destination rich in interesting and scenic sites. It's full of contrasts: from traditional culture and history to modern urban infrastructure and offers the tourist all the services and commodities as expected from any other city.

Volunteers can organize different possible excursions during and after the project to visit places of interest. There is a tourist infrastructure already in place the volunteer can use during weekends. For example: architecture, volcanoes, beautiful church ruins, zoos, museums, parks, walking tours, hiking, restaurants, hotels, and many more.