AVIVARA
Invite reviews
My first trip to Guatemala was 3 wonderful weeks in Jan/Feb of 2012. Recommended by a friend of my traveling companion Avivara was our choice. The website is full of all kinds of vital information and Gary was always available to answer questions and make suggestions. They arranged our homestay, travel to and from the airport, walking tour of Antigua, accompanied us on our first chicken bus ride, and supplied us with cell phones with their contact & emergency numbers. Based on our limited spanish (none for me) Gary suggested that the hospital may be the best volunteer place for us. As it turns out we were also welcomed with open arms at the Escuelita in San Pedro that Avivara operates and were touched by the 20 elementary aged kids that attend 3 days a week. The last 3 days of our trip were dedicated to visiting some of the villages and schools that Avivara serves. I'm happy to report that our Parish and Parish school is now entering into a partnership with one of these schools. We look forward to many years of partnering with Gary, Ann, and Gustavo on their journey of Avivara's mission. Please explore their website which details their mission and approach to their success!
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
In February, I helped lead a group of 10 high school students from the Seattle area on a service learning experience in Guatemala through Avivara. From the initial contact to the follow-up after the trip, Avivara has been nothing less than excellent. I was initially nervous about starting this type of trip at our school, but became confident through Avivara's guidance. Gary, Ann, Catherine, and Gustavo were outstanding guides, organizing and helping us with all the details throughout the experience. I would highly recommend Avivara for anyone looking for a solid group service learning experience.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
Earlier this month (February 2012) I returned from a three-week stay in Antigua, Guatemala, a trip I initiated with Avivara at the suggestion of a friend. I had very little mission experience, had never been to Guatemala, knew very little about the country and had never studied Spanish. I explored the Avivara web site, wanting to know more about their mission, and discovered all kinds of information - their focus, of course, and the programs they offer. But I was delighted to learn about the country, its problems and its beauty. The "Visiting Guagemala-FAQ's" convinced me that Guatemala was a place I could visit and Avivara was the organization that could help me make the journey. My emails were promptly answered and I even received a phone call after my first piece of paperwork was submitted. Gary Teale walked me through each step and had even sent along an itinerary for my first few days. My plan was to learn more about Avivara, to which I had been donating, and the children and schools it supported. In addition I wanted to volunteer at the local hospital. Gary arranged a contact with the volunteer coordinator there and I spent several afternoons there. Gary's itinerary covered the first several days of the trip, arranging our homestay, introducing me and my companion to Antigua and to his community. He was quite the tour guide, even assisting us at the bank and on our first ride on the "chicken bus." Once he and we felt we'd gotten comfortable, he said we were on our own to the extent we wanted. If we needed help, he and his wife were available, but if we wanted to be on our own, we could do it. With his help and with the selection of a school for Spanish classes, we were on our own and delighting in our independence. We actually spent more time with the escuelita that Avivara runs (the afterschool program in one of the villages) and venturing out to see the other schools with which Avivara has affiliated. To meet the teachers in the various villages, to hear the stories and needs, to learn about the impact of education on the lives of these students, to meet scholarship students and hear their plans - all speak to the importance of the work of Avivara. I'm so excited to have had a chance to see and participate in their work. And I'm hoping that our experiences will lead others to take a chance. That web site is clear, easy to navigate, chock full of information; but the best source of information and support lies in the people of Avivara. It was a great trip and if I could add stars to the rating, I would.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the relationships developed with the students of San Pedro but also in observing the interaction with the staff at the various schools.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?
I felt it was a great experience and cannot suggest improvements.
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
I learned some Spanish and felt quite successful in making my way around a foreign country. I developed an appreciation for the desire for education that these students must have to overcome obstacles. I never want to hear how peope from this part of the world are so lazy; the effort expended to get to work, to build a house, to make their way to school.
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
Very humble.
My fiance and I spent four months in Guatemala between May and August 2011. I was working as an education policy intern with USAID during that time, and Avivira helped my fiance locate a physical therapy internship in a hospital in Antigua. Neither of us had been to Guatemala before, so we were understandably nervous before we left. Avivira greatly helped us with information and specific answers to our questions before we left. The project staff was incredibly responsive to our concerns and always responded promptly to any emails we sent. Upon arriving in Guatemala City, Avivira staff met us at the airport and took care of everything to ensure an easy transition. They were very informative, especially regarding safety concerns and locating essential shops and services in Antigua. They dropped us off directly at our homestay, which they had arranged in advance. The homestay turned out to be fantastic, and we honestly did not have a single complaint about Avivira the entire time we were in Guatemala. The organization was there to assist us whenever we had questions or concerns. Their local expertise was especially helpful during the first few weeks in the country. I can't say enough great things about this organization. Their work in supporting primary schools in rural villages around Antigua is incredibly important, and their support of volunteers who come to Guatemala to make a difference is impressive.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
rural villages near Antigua, Guatemala
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
multiply their efforts. Avivira is a very small organization that manages to make a large impact in the few dozen rural villages where they work. Their grassroots educational reform approach is excellent, as their close ties with the communities and families they serve helps maximize their impact and support the sustainability of their efforts. Guatemala is a country desperately in need of educational reform, and Avivira is helping to achieve that goal one village at a time.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?
Honestly, I there isn't a single change that I can recommend. The staff and Avivira took great care to ensure that all of our needs were met before, during and after our trip to Guatemala. Their professionalism, generosity, and attention to detail helped make our volunteer trip go smoothly. Perhaps the single piece of constructive advice I would have is for Avivira to market their organization more online or through university study abroad offices so more people can take advantage of the amazing and life-changing opportunities they help facilitate.
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
Yes, both my fiance and I had life-changing experiences in Guatemala. We improved our Spanish language skills, had the opportunity to work on important social projects aimed at the most marginalized members of society, and made many great friends while there.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
My friend and I are both part of our school's Engineers Without Borders student chapter, and developed a proposal that was funded by scholarships and private donations. Our goal was to see how our collective experience in developing country engineering might be of use in Guatemala.
As we worked on our proposed project goals, we were able to use Gary and Ann as excellent resources for every aspect of our trip, and because we were able to visit communities that Avivara had an established presence, we were quickly able to develop a trusting relationship and get a very honest and candid perspective from the community leaders. This process would have taken us weeks, perhaps months, to develop and we would never have been able to gather the information and data in our two weeks that we were able to obtain.
Because Avivara is primarily involved in improving education and related projects, our engineering-related goals were a new experience for them as well. I was amazed at how resourceful and flexible everyone was that we interacted with, and I am still processing all of the experiences that we were able to have. Needless to say, our project would NEVER been as overwhelmingly successful at what we were trying to accomplish without the help of Avivara.
Our goal is to develop an ongoing project and sufficient funding to collaborate with Avivara in future endeavors in the Antigua region, and when we return, we definitely look forward to working with them again!
Photos
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Guatemala
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
multiply their current efforts by 1,000!! With our experience with aid organizations both locally, and abroad, if all organizations could tailor their efforts to their specific communities like Avivara does, I think many would be much more successful. Obviously their model of assistance wouldn't work for every scenario, but the impact they are making is large and obvious, and perhaps most importantly, it is a very personal impact judging by the way they are greeted when they arrive at the schools.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?
Perhaps giving a better description or review of the local home-stay options they typically use. Not that there was anything wrong with where we stayed, but other than talking with Gary, we really had no idea what type of situation to expect.
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
While it made me very aware of so much that we take for granted here in the U.S. (and somewhat guilty for that fact), it is an incredible feeling to see face-to-face what impact your presence and interest generates.
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
As an individual, oftentimes I feel like "What impact can I make?", but when you get in these situations where even by listening and showing you care, you are making a positive impact - it is an incredibly powerful experiences!!
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
When I first traveled to Guatemala to volunteer, I expected to stay for three months. Struck by the natural beauty of the country and the warmth and generosity of the people, as well as the tremendous need, I found that three months was wildly insufficient to grow my understanding of this special place and establish the bonds of relationship that would allow me to function effectively as a volunteer. I called my boss at home and told her I wouldn't be returning within the year. Since that year, I have returned annually for a couple months each time, with plans to continue, renewing relationships forged over that first year, and getting to take advantage of Avivara's permanent presence. Ann and Gustavo's daily travels to the communities with which they work have built a strong a dynamic network of educators and students benefiting from resources to which they would not otherwise have access. I have seen a common pitfall among nonprofits - the imposition of external goals and worldviews on the people being "helped." Avivara's philosophy of service strives to avoid this. I have seen Gustavo and Ann facilitate many meetings with school staff or scholarship students, providing a platform for the interchange of ideas and inspiration among staff members, or the mutual support of high schoolers struggling through the same challenges of long walks and bus rides, homework, and the competing pulls of rural home and the new urban community. Sharing stories that otherwise would have gone unspoken, people gain strength and build community to help them through their challenges. I am proud and pleased to work with an organization that operates in this way. I have gotten to watch four of my shy English students from the town of La Trinidad be chosen for scholarships, begin school in the "big city" with trepidation, mature into well-spoken and confident young adults, and hold their own in conversation in a circle of a dozen parents and Avivara folks over plates of tamales and shared laughter. These are the experiences to treasure in working with Avivara. The small scale and well-considered philosophy of the organization allow personal connections to grow and flourish - the kind that change lives in deeply meaningful ways - both students and teachers in Guatemala, and those of us from abroad who are lucky enough to be involved.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
many layers of involvement both in Guatemala and the US. I have seen elementary students who never pick up a book on their own give up a sunny afternoon of soccer in the weed-fields to cluster around to hear the end of a chapter book be read aloud.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
grow the resources available to Avivara to allow the staff more regular visits to the US for fund-raising and storytelling purposes, while still maintaining a majority involvement in the daily workings in Guatemala.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the friendships with good people I would never have met without Avivara. The enthusiastic teachers of El Yalu, for example, who hike the mountains and share a homemade meal with us on a day off, and make tornadoes in a bottle with their students...
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
committed and passionate, graceful and sensitive in their cross-cultural dealings, flexible with the inevitable challenges of the dynamic nature of the work.
Ways to make it better...
I could somehow live in Guatemala for more of every year. The connections and opportunities for involvement just compound with time; at every departure I leave more English students, more workshop possibilities, more friends.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
balancing the sharing of stories and experiences with us from the US who can contribute, while maintaining the personal connections with people that enable the work, and the trusting relationships with the communities that they have established.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
Three trips to Guatemala and a 4 year association with the founders of this organization have convinced me of three things: (1) the beauty of Guatemala and the resilience and resoursefulness of the Guatemalan people; (2) the tremendous needs to develop an educated and fully employed population - especially in the rural areas; and (3) the need for a caring and culturally sensitive approach to assisting small communities who are struggling with poverty and a long history of neglect or repression. Avivara's approach of partnering with schools and teachers to help achieve improvements that they choose is one that works. Increased student attendence, teacher capabilities and study opportunities are immediately available. Their personal friendships with parents and students are lasting and genuine. They have accommplished a lot in a short time and with few resources. They select their projects and plan carefully for their success - making the best possible use of donations of money and time. I would recommend Avivara to anyone interested in making a positive impact on the lives of rural Guatemalans.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have seen the excitement in students, their teachers and their parents as they recognize the new opportunities that are available to them. The really important results will appear as more students are becoming educated leaders in their communities.
More feedback...
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About once a year
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
This is an amazing organization!! I have seen through firsthand experience the positive impact that Avivara has made on children and their families in communities in Guatemala by empowering the community and working alongside them. As part of the SAGE program, I had an excellent orientation with Gary and Ann about Guatemalan communities and Guatemalan culture in general and I got to spend some time in the afterschool learning center with some great kids. After seeing how well-utilized each resource is at Avivara and how far my money goes, I am deeply committed to this organization. There is so much more I could write here, but let me say that Avivara has staff members with heart and integrity. They dedicate their lives to understanding and improving the lives of others and at the same time help people like me better understand why there is such a critical need to support the education of youth in Guatemala. Thanks Avivara!!!!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
seeing all of the young faces that come into the after school learning centers every day to have a finish their homework and have a positive environment to be in and by seeing the supplies sent to communities where school supplies is greatly needed.
More feedback...
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
This was a positive experience. I enjoyed learning about the culture and staying in someone's home. For me personally, I think that as a group, staying in the hotel is probably the best arrangement and the lines of communication are more straightforward. The homestays might be a consideration after the service project (s) is/are completed. In my mind, Maybe this could be a two week (or more) commitment. We could give one solid week of service and transition into other travel activities, rather then mixing it up each day worked. Gary, Ann, Catherine and Gustavo were delightful and positive leaders during this time in Guatemala.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
More feedback...
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
If this organization had this money, it would have access to more resources and would allow it to build its outreach and educational goals. Assisting communities in need of repair and funding for building materials and supplies.
Ways to make it better...
I had been more prepared physically and knew more Spanish.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
One time
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
Filter by reviewer role:
Support This Nonprofit
Help this nonprofit get more reviews
5 tips for getting reviews