El Nahual is almost entirely staffed by volunteers from Guatemala and abroad. Without their energy, commitment and enthusiasm, the organisation would not be able to survive or grow and increase the impact that we have on the local communities. We envision our community center as a cooperative in which all participants make decisions and accept advice and assistance. To this extent, we value the contributions of all of our staff members equally and the working atmosphere is one that fosters creativity and innovation whilst maintaining mutual respect at all times. Unlike many organisations, we do not stipulate a "payment fee" for those people wishing to donate their time and effort to help the local community. Such "fees" are viewed as contradictory to the spirit of volunteering. Our only financial pre-requisite is that volunteers contribute to the long term maintenance and feasibility of the El Nahual Centre by taking part in publicity and/or fundraising events in their respective countries before coming or upon return. As a full-time volunteer at El Nahual, you will form the foundation of the diverse projects in which we work. An important part of your role will be to ensure the efficient and organised running of our current projects. For example, if working in the Manos de Colores program, you will prepare materials for the classes in advance, collaborate with the other teachers on themes and events, and be the principle teacher and contact point during class time. Alternatively, if taking the leadership role in the community garden, you will be expected to delegate the required tasks to other volunteers and develop strategic improvement plans for the aggrandizement of the program. However, we also expect our full-time volunteers to demonstrate a high-level of leadership and creativity with respect to the future direction and developments within the center. It is important to understand that upon completion of your assignment with the organisation, we want you to leave feeling that you have contributed in a unique way to the programs' continuation and reach into the community. Volunteers in the past have developed distinctive workshops for local teenagers which approach questions of cultural identity, developed classes on nutrition for women in the community and organised successful “event days” which incorporate all the staff and children and further foster the community atmosphere that we strive for. ** In July 2007, we started a new project within the Mujeres de El Nahual program, which will provide the local women with a specialised course in “cocina” (cookery). The long-term aspiration for the project is that the women will combine their skills to start the first El Nahual co-operative through opening a local bakery. We are currently looking for a committed full-time volunteer who can drive this project to realisation and provide the women with the necessary training in co-operative methodology. For further information, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at manosdecolores@gmail.com ** ** The positions of International Coordinator and Volunteer Coordinator arise periodically and can be found adverised on the webpage www.idealist.org ** |