VOLUNTEER WORK FOR T.E.S.S. UNLIMITED

Our foundation is primarily searching for volunteers, willing to work in a supporting capacity of a small Public Basic School in Santa Catarina. The idea is, apart from the formal curriculum taught by regular teachers, to offer additional English lessons in the morning. We then continue in the afternoons with extra English and computer lessons, as well as creative activities such as Arts and Crafts, Sports, Singing and Dance, Plays, etc.

VOLUNTEERS’ SCHOOL DUTY ACTIVITIES – DURING REGULAR CLASS CURRICULUM:
- Mornings Monday, Wednesday, Friday: English lessons Group 3 to 8 (ages 7 – 12)
- Mornings Tuesday and Thursday: English lessons Group 1 and 2 (ages 3 – 6)
- Each weekday morning : general assisting of regular classroom teachers.

VOLUNTEERS’ SCHOOL DUTY ACTIVITIES – APART FROM REGULAR CLASS CURRICULUM:

Weekday afternoons. ( Lesson content is based on own initiative and preparations).
- Extra English lessons to students, parents, and/or teachers.
- Arts and Crafts (drawing, painting, etc.)
- Computer skills for children and adults.
- Creative, free- form expression (play/acting, song/dance, music, etc)
- Sports and game playing.
- Volunteers’ own ideas, unique skills and talent(s).

OTHER OPTIONAL CHORES:
- Green Tumbs: help to grow and maintain fruits/vegetables garden.
- Book Worms: organize and implement schoolbooks borrow-system of our library.

NOTE: T.E.S.S. Unlimited welcomes new ideas and suggestions. Our dreams and goals are to give all students a better start in life by improving the quality of education as best we can. It is our hope to give all our volunteers an enjoyable and rewarding experience in Guatemala!
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HOSPITAL, OBRAS SOCIALES DEL SANTO HERMANO PEDRO, ANTIGUA

 
Most parents live too far from the hospital to visit their sick child on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Their remaining children at home demand all their attention and money. As a result parents often see their baby only after dismissal from the hospital, and that could be a very long time.
T.E.S.S. Unlimited welcomes volunteers to give these small needy babies the love, care and warmth they so much crave and deserve.
A maximum of 2 volunteers are placed in the baby department. The request for volunteers is done through T.E.S.S. Unlimited, and all decisions are made by the hospital without necessary consultation with us. After all, the hospital is ultimately responsible for creating a calm and tranquil atmosphere,necessary to heal the sick patients in its care.
When taking care of little babies we often have a pretty picture in our minds. In Hermano Pedro Hospital this picture is often disturbed by the harsh reality. It is for this reason that this particular work demands volunteers who possess a strong ability to adapt, relate and are flexible in their work ethics.
Hermano Pedro Hospital also has a department for mentally and physically challenged children, women and men. Here the work of volunteers are meaningful and very much appreciated as well. All the work done by our volunteers in each department of the hospital consist solely of the care and feeding of patients. (www.obrashermanopedro.org)

FOUNDATION POR ESO

 
This foundation, started by Jolanda in 2002, focusses mainly on the healthcare and hygienic conditions of underprivelaged people. Most homeless people tend to congregate in Antigua, an attractive place for many tourists and the home of rich Guatemalans. Because of the harsh treatment by the City, it has become nearly impossible for the homeless to improve their pittyful existence or build a new life. Many look for small jobs in the streets, ie. “garding cars” that pay 10 Q (0,90 Eu) per evening. Others work in a garbage belt sorting empty cans, for a mere 3 Q (0,27 Eu) per pound.
Unfortunately, the abuse of alcohol and drugs are a common way to escape reality. Many street kids sniff pure adhesives and alcohol from plastic bottles or sandwich bags hidden in their sleeves. These addictions cause an irriversable damage of the liver and brains.
T.E.S.S. Unlimited provides volunteers an opportunity to help us during our 2 hours, weekly “homeless tour” by distributing vitamines, clothing, etc. We believe, by giving some attention and showing that we care, we give a little hope and light on a dark road. (www.poreso.org)

VOLUNTEER PACKAGE:

Very few people in Guatemala have some knowledge of the English language due to a lack a education. However, it is important to know that Spanish is a requirement in our projects as well as in the streets. T.E.S.S. Unlimited has put together the following Volunteer Package: (cost: $ 495,- )
- 10 hours Spanish lessons, via Skype before departure
- airport pick-up and drop-off taxi service
- 40 hours private Spanish lessons at our office in Guatemala
- Lesson material, notebook and pen
- Coffee or tea and snack during lessons
- 3 salsa dance lessons by the BEST salsa instructor in Guatemala
- Mobile phone during your stay
- Dutch and English are spoken for your convenience
- Certificate for Spanish course and Volunteer work

T.E.S.S. Unlimited will adjust the Volunteer Package for those who are advanced in Spanish fluency!

SANTA CATARINA:
A small quaint village, 3 km outside Antigua, population 600 people. The majority of families in this small village live in a one-room house, built from sun-dried clay or limestone tiles, mixed with straw, wood, or bamboo. Plastic sheet pannels are commonly used for roofs and the floors are made of limestone. The cooking is done outdoors in a makeshift kitchen on a primitive cooking element.
Most women spend their time doing the most important tasks of working the land, raising poultry, and producing textiles and handy crafts. Those women who do not possess a piece of land, work day jobs in one of the neighboring farming companies or do housekeeping duties. Unfortunately, these women are hardly schooled and many are even illiterate.
A host family in Santa Catarina cost $60,- per week, paid directly to the family without involvement of T.E.S.S. Unlimited.

ANTIQUA
Population approx. 35.0000 people. Antigua is a picturesque, colonial city surrounded by vulcanos. In the heart of the city you will find “Parque Central”, and its fountain is known to be the meeting spot for many people. The small restaurants and stores, as well as the traditional markets make Antigua a jewel to visit in Guatemala. Nearby the local market places you will find many good and inexpensive restaurants to eat. The air in the streets by the park is filled with aromas from around the world.
In Antigua , to stay with a host family cost $70,- per week, paid directly to the family without involvement of T.E.S.S. Unlimited.
The host families are personally selected by T.E.S.S. Unlimited. This way volunteers have the opportunity to practice their Spanish and to experience the culture and way of life. You will be given 3 meals a day, except on Sundays. You will also get your own room, kept clean and taken care of by the host.

T.E.S.S. Unlimited is your anchor in Guatemala. Do not hesitate to ask questions or to inquire more information. Dutch and English are spoken for your convenience.