Experience with Casa Guatemala?

March 17, 2007 3:49 PM

Anyone have experience volunteering with Casa Guatemala?

My mind's about 90% made up to volunteer for 6+ months with them (if they'll take me), and I wanted to poll the hive mind for wisdom.

Any experiences (positive or otherwise) from someone who's been there? Any recommendations for being a successful applicant? For being successful as a volunteer?

posted by night kitchen to Society & Culture (3 answers total)

While Casa Guatemala gets high marks in my office, have you thought of working in Nicaragua? The economy is a lot more stable, there is less crime in the major cities, and the countryside is incredible. The Quixote Center can help you find a program to get there.
posted by parmanparman at 4:35 PM on March 17, 2007

Response by poster: Thanks, parmanparman -- I appreciate your input. Looks like I found one of the rare things that doesn't quite overlap with the hive mind.
posted by night kitchen at 6:16 PM on March 20, 2007

I'd be interested to hear how this went. I recently met a guy on Amtrak who'd volunteered with them for about six months, and though he loved working with children, was really cynical re: the corruption and mismanagement of the organization. Also, Rio Dulce is a beautiful area, but if I were to pick ten places to spend half a year in, in Guatemala, it wouldn't figure on the list!
posted by soviet sleepover at 2:05 PM on August 19, 2007