Project Somos Children's Village ProjectProjects
Help build a village of orphaned and abandoned children...
According to UNICEF, Guatemala is home to more than 340,000 orphaned and abandoned children. Extreme poverty is the main culprit for this situation, but there is something being done about it. Project Somos is the main focus of a Vancouver-based non-profit organization called The Campassionfruit Society. For three years, the projects directors and volunteers have worked year-round to raise funds for the purchase of the land site in Guatemala, and now the land has been purchased and construction of the village can now begin!
The Children's Village will be comprised of seven homes with 7 mothers and 49 children. There will be buildings for Village activities, guest rooms, art and music workshops, a library, administration space and of course, a large playground and soccer field. As well as being designed to have an inherent beauty and harmony, the Village will be built to be eco-sustainable with alternative electric generation, rain water capture, grey water recycling, and solar energy. All means to be energy self-sufficient will be utilized. Organic agriculture will also be a part of the Village and will provide food for the moms and children. The Village will be managed by the Village Director, a local Guatemalan. Local Guatemalans will be employed in other areas as well. The children will attend the local community school and their education will be augmented with music, art and leadership. For more information visit www.projectsomos.org.
When booking your Project Somos Children's VolunTour, not only do you help build the village, you help fund it. Approximately 25% of the tour cost goes directly to Project Somos for materials and labour. Working side by side with local workersand families creates a cultural exchange experience that will change the lives of everyone involved. The specific projects include building Earthbag houses, gardens, playgrounds, pathways, fencing, and more. Help from volunteers is essential to make the village a reality for these children.
No construction experience necessary.
Itinerary: (10-nights)
Day 1: Arrival day into Guatemala City. You will
be met at the airport by your tour leader who will hold a sign with your name
on it at the arrivals area and then be transferred to the hotel in Antigua.
Your tour leader will then hold an orientation with the entire group that
evening.
Day 2: Travel day. This morning, after breakfast, we leave Antigua for Tecpan.
This will be an approximate 1.5 hour shuttle ride through the Guatemalan
highland countryside. Upon arrival to the hotel in Tecpan, you will check in to
your room, then head to the project site. This afternoon we will take a tour of
the project site then head back to Tecpan. Your evening is free to enjoy at
your leisure. (B,L)
Day 3: Workday. Today the group will begin general construction work. The
project coordinator will guide you along with your tour leader, so all you need
to bring are your work boots, work gloves, and the will to do some good honest
work. At the end of the workday, the group will head back to Tecpan to shower up and enjoy the evening at leisure. (B,L)
Day 4: Workday. (B,L)
Day 5: Excursion Day #1. This morning, the group will take a shuttle to
Panajachel on lake Atitlan. We will take a boat cruise to the Mayan Community
of Santiago and enjoy the different people and cultures in the area. There will
be ample opportunity to buy the fantastic arts and crafts of the Mayan
locals. We return to Tecpan for an evening of leisure. (B)
Day 6: Workday. (B,L)
Day 7: Workday. (B,L)
Day 8: Excursion Day # 2. Shuttle
to the Mayan Ruins at Iximche. This
ancient city was built around 400 – 200 BC, and many of the ruins are in great
shape. This is a fascinating day trip where you will learn about the ancient
history of the former Kaqchiqel Mayan capital. We return to Tecpan for an evening of leisure. (B)
Day 9: Half workday in the morning, with a farewell lunch with the Somos crew.
After lunch, the group will take the bus back to Antigua for an evening of
leisure. (B,L)
Day 10: After a morning at your leisure, we take a shuttle to the base of the
Pacaya Volcano and begin our hike up. Here is one of the only places in the
world where you can get close and personal with the flowing lava! (Lava flow
probable, but not guaranteed). Roast marshmallows right under your feet! This is not to be
missed. Tonight, enjoy your last night in Antigua. (This is a night for
celebration.) (B)
Day 11: Final day of the tour. This morning you make your way back to Guatemala
City for your flight home. Or perhaps you will wish to continue exploring Guatemala. There is so much to see and do in this magical country!
* Itinerary subject to minor changes if necessary.
Itinerary: (14-nights)
Day 1: Arrival day into Guatemala City. You will
be met at the airport by your tour leader who will hold a sign with your name
on it at the arrivals area and then be transferred to the hotel in Antigua.
Your tour leader will then hold an orientation with the entire group that
evening.
Day 2: Travel day. This morning, after breakfast, we leave Antigua for Tecpan.
This will be an approximate 1.5 hour shuttle ride through the Guatemalan
highland countryside. Upon arrival to the hotel in Tecpan, you will check in to
your room, then head to the project site. This afternoon we will take a tour of
the project site then head back to Tecpan. Your evening is free to enjoy at
your leisure. (B,L)
Day 3: Workday. Today the group will begin general construction work. The
project coordinator will guide you along with your tour leader, so all you need
to bring are your work boots, work gloves, and the will to do some good honest
work. At the end of the workday, the group will head back to Tecpan to shower up and enjoy the evening at leisure. (B,L)
Day 4: Workday. (B,L)
Day 5: Excursion Day #1. This morning, the group will take a shuttle to
Panajachel on lake Atitlan. We will take a boat cruise to the Mayan Community
of Santiago and enjoy the different people and cultures in the area. There will
be ample opportunity to buy the fantastic arts and crafts of the Mayan
locals. We return to Tecpan for an evening of leisure. (B)
Day 6: Workday. (B,L)
Day 7: Workday. (B,L)
Day 8: Excursion Day # 2. One-hour hike
to the Mayan Ruins at Iximche. This
ancient city was built around 400 – 200 BC, and many of the ruins are in great
shape. This is a fascinating day trip where you will learn about the ancient
history of the former Kaqchiqel Mayan capital. We will hike back to Tecpan for an evening of leisure. (B)
Day 9: Workday. (B,L)
Day 10: Workday. (B,L)
Day 11: Excursion Day # 3. Market Day in Chichicastenango. We will shuttle up to "Chichi" to experience one of the biggest markets in Central America. The market has everything from arts, crafts, textiles, clothes, food, and much more. This is a true Central American cultural experience! We will return to Tecpan for an evening of leisure. (B)
Day 12: Half workday in the morning, with a farewell lunch with the Somos crew.
After lunch, the group will take a shuttle back to Antigua for an evening of
leisure. (B,L)
Day 13: After a morning at your leisure, we take a shuttle to the base of the
Pacaya Volcano and begin our hike up. Here is one of the only places in the
world where you can get close and personal with the flowing lava! (Lava flow
probable, but not guaranteed). Roast marshmallows right under your feet! This is not to be
missed. Tonight, enjoy your last night in Antigua. (This is a night for
celebration.) (B)
Day 14: Final day of the tour. This morning you make your way back
to Guatemala
City for your flight home. Or perhaps you will wish to continue
exploring Guatemala. There is so much to see and do in this magical
country!
* Itinerary subject to minor changes if necessary.
Click here to fill out your booking information. An El Camino VolunTours agent will contact you within 24 hours to confirm your booking.
