Project Name
One Summarizing Sentence
Organization for the Development of the Indigenous Maya (ODIM)
Project Description
Organization for the Development of the Indigenous Maya (ODIM) is a small group
of volunteers and paid local staff working at the grassroots level in the villages of
San Juan La Laguna, San Pablo La Laguna, and surrounding rural areas on the
shores of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. Our two areas of focus are health and
education. We have built a medical and dental clinic in San Juan La Laguna that
provides affordable services including medicine to members of the local
communities. Throughout the year, we host various teams of foreign medical and
construction teams to work with our organization. As the organization grows, we
have added additional programs including a health education program, a nutrition
program, a children’s scholarship program and a roof-top medicinal herb garden.
We are currently in the process of building a second clinic and classroom space in
San Pablo La Laguna to support the great need of this community.
San Juan and San Pablo La Laguna, Solola, Guatemala
2008
Education / Health and Medical
General Location
Founding Year
Category of Volunteer Work
(pick a maximum of 3)
We work within the Guatemalan community addressing educational and
healthcare needs.
Volunteer Information
Position Description
We are looking for a full time volunteer to join our team to work with the
approximately 15 teams that come to work with us each year. We host on average
5 medical teams and 10 construction teams. This position would involve
coordinating all of the logistics for teams in advance of their trip and having full
responsibility for teams while they are in the country. The majority of our teams are
Methodist Church groups. Flexibility and comfort dealing professionally with a wide
variety of people, including a wide variety of ages, is important. Religious affiliation
is not required but respect for people of all spiritual backgrounds is essential.
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Requirements
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Handle all correspondence with team leaders in the months leading up to
volunteer trips and ensure teams are fully informed and expectations are
properly managed
Respond to all team requests in a timely and professional manner
Prepare budgets and reconciliations for team expenses and manage
payments in a timely manner
Arrange all hotel, transportation, food and free day activities for teams
Work with ODIM staff to plan out a team’s work schedule during the week
Hire local translators and construction staff as needed to work with each
team
Accompany and be responsible for teams from the time they arrive in
country until they leave
Lead team orientations, providing information about ODIM and our work in
Guatemala
Direct teams throughout the week, serving as translator and liaison with
workers on the construction site or logistics coordinator and translator for
medical teams
Manage team email lists, process evaluations and distribute thank you
notes
Further develop our processes, tracking systems, and volunteer guides
Ensure that teams have a great time volunteering with ODIM!
College graduate with several years working experience
Advanced English and Spanish proficiency and comfort translating in either
direction
Knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel
Demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills
Attention to detail in handling team requests and all aspects of trip
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Spanish Level
Time Commitment
Application Process
Other comments
planning
Financial proficiency and budgeting skills
Self-starter and ability to deal with uncertainty and multiple responsibilities
in a diverse cultural environment
A strong interest in sharing Maya culture with volunteers from abroad
Prior experience leading volunteer teams is a plus
Experience living in developing countries is a plus
Advanced
Minimum 1 year commitment. Work schedule varies depending on team
itineraries, but will include weekends and evenings when teams are in country.
If interested please send your resume and cover letter to
odimguatemala@gmail.com
Our preference is to hire a volunteer who is currently in Guatemala and would be
available for an in person interview at our clinic in San Juan La Laguna.
A Q3,000 per month stipend will be offered to cover living expenses plus
reimbursement for work related phone, internet and travel expenses. Free basic
healthcare is available at the clinic.
Información de contacto
Contact person and spoken
Languages
Contact email(s)
Contact telephone
number(s)
Website
Address
Noelle Battle (English or Spanish)
How to arrive at your
project from Xela.
Camionetas are available from the Terminal to San Pedro La Laguna. It
takes about 2.5 hours by bus to reach San Juan La Laguna from Xela.
odimguatemala@gmail.com
odimguatemala.org
San Juan La Laguna, Solola, Guatemala