THE MAYAN CONNECTION - LOS CIMIENTOSALLIANCE

Volunteering

Los Cimientos Alliance welcomes all those who wish to volunteer for this most worthy cause, but there are a number of characteristics which will enable both volunteers and the Alliance to get the maximum out of your time working with us:

Availability: The Los Cimientos case is a very complex issue. We want people to have time to get an understanding and make a valuable contribution to the cause, and so look for people to make a commitment of at least 14 days in Guatemala. The longer you can commit, the better. We can can also benefit from people who wish to help by providing shorter terms services such as translation, transportation, internet/Web Site or telephone/fax support.

Personality: Your personality is very important. Volunteers should be culturally sensitive, patient, understanding, and above all, have the flexibility to meet tasks as priorities change with rapidly changing events, frequently in crisis conditions. A spirit of forgiveness is essential and an earnest commitment to working as a Team.

Potentially useful: Skills such as Spanish (to help with translation of written materials or interacting with the community), computing skills (updating Web Page and computer based research of foundations for funding sources), the ability to drive (a car/truck to help with transport to meetings in Guatemala City and food aid deliveries to the north). Each of these services is of great value.

Longer Term Volunteers: We also accept those who wish to make a longer commitment of a month and more. This work is basically divided into 2 groups, though there may be a lot of crossover between work areas.

• Group 1. Administrative: This volunteer role may include:
  • Writing and editing documents sent out by the organization.
  • Translation of documents to or from English/Spanish.
  • Being international observers and note takers at meetings with the government and at refugee site.
  • Liaison and contacting other organizations, foundations and interested parties.
  • Helping raise awareness of the case both locally and internationally.
  • Helping in the generation of funds and aid for the community
  • Internet research and Web Page development.
    
    
• Group II. Field Worker: This volunteer role may include:
  • Liaison with the community on issues relating to aid relief and the land issue.
  • Observing living conditions of the refugee K'iche community, documenting and reporting them to the Alliance.
  • Helping deliver and oversee distribution of aid relief including the World Food Program "food for work" plan.
  • Liaison with national and international aid organizations working in the field.

Thank you for your interest in working with the Los Cimientos Alliance. We hope you choose to make a commitment to this very interesting and valuable work that would be based out of Antigua Guatemala. For further information please contact:

Francia Ala
Telephone: 502-507-0269 (Guatemala)
Email: mayan42@aol.com