worldwide adventures: Learning Spanish and Volunteering

Flor del Maiz Spanish School
in San Pedro

a great way to study spanish and experience traditional and local way of life

The school has been highly recommended by my brother. So I did not have any second-thoughts when booking my spot for the school. The homestay was included in the rate, which made it a lot easier. I did not have to search for a hotel anymore, plus I was able to experience local family life and practice my spanish pretty much 24/7. Looking back, I can totally assure that it is most effective staying in a family. Not only for the crucial progress in the spanish language, also for the overall impression and understanding of local culture and customs.

I studied spanish 4 hours daily, from 8 am to 12 pm. Personally, that was the perfect amount of time. The weather was bearable at that time of the day (afterwards it did get very hot at times). As I had to start from the scratch, there was a lot of input, like grammar and stuff like that, to deal with. So it was good to study and revise things in the afternoon and be able to shut my mind off and simply relax for a while. Besides, I had plenty of time to enjoy the outdoors in San Pedro and surroundings. Swimming in the lake, visiting nearby villages and towns, hiking and lots more…

All classes are conducted one-on-one which increases your learning progress tremendously. Every morning coffee/tea is served, as well as well fresh fruits or local snacks. An enjoyable way to learn spanish! A must-check out location when visiting San Pedro!!!!

http://fdmspanishschool.org/

The school also provides a wide range of activities and other volunteer opportunites (more in 2nd part below)

the classroom, surrounded by squirrels and birds' twittering

maestro y estudiante, working hard together

taking a deep breath and revising things gradually

taking a walk during workbreak

Agua pura (still water) to keep the mind fresh and focused

Roberto, another student and amigo from the school

maestros

Hablamos espangol!!

lunch in the family after school

Volunteering in San Pedro and surroundings

Trek for Kids – HELP local children

This is the perfect way to combine pleasure/outdoor activity with a contribution for a good intention. Trek for Kids is a non-profit organization, run by Flor del Maiz Spanish School in San Pedro La Laguna.

The organization´s goal: In order to lay the the foundation for a better future in San Pedro and ultimately in Guatemala as a whole, by investing in our most valuable citizens – the children.

This project, run by local people, provides education for village children, while maintain their identity and dignity as Mayans. At the same time, it encourages respect and care for the environment.

You will get to climb up various volcanoes in the Lake Atitlan area and enjoy breath-taking views from the top. Also you get to experience everyday life in the villages, located behind the mountains. You will walk through interesting local markets and experience the ongoing hustle and bustle.

You can see a list of the children who will receive the donation on the website. It is also possible to visit them and spend time with them. Also small donations could mean the difference between local coordinators being able to take on another child, or him or her missing another year or school.

http://www.trekforkids.org/

joyful kids

happy guy, part of the project

smiley kids :)

Families in San Pablo La Laguna – Donate now

and MAKE A DIFFERENCE

I visited 2 local families in San Pablo La Laguna. These families are being supported by donations, brought from a few donators in North America. Seeing the humble living conditions, really made a great impact on me. I mean, I got to visit a single mother, sharing 1 bed with her 5 kids. The father of the kids abandoned the family due to excessive drinking. The mother is suffering to make ends meet, not to mention to enable access to education for at least some of her children.

That is where you can contribute and MAKE A DIFFERENCE. By donating, the families get enough to eat and some of the kids can go to school. They are full of life and want to learn. They have a deep desire to change the situation in their rural area for the better. In order to do that, education is the KEY! Any donation is highly appreciated and can change the life of those families tremendously and ultimately improve the overall situation of this particular rural area in Guatemala.

Furthermore, an additional ongoing project requires more funds to construct a sustainable home for these families. The material of these small houses is fragile The aim is to provide a safe and sheltered home with dignified living conditions.
For more information you can contact me via email or directly the coordinator on location:
javier.navichoc@gmail.com