No matter where in the world you are, we welcome your involvement! From hosting a Sharing the Dream sale in your community to volunteering at our brick and mortar store, to giving your time and talents to our efforts in Guatemala, opportunities abound. Read on below to learn more about how you can help. We are an ever-evolving and multidimensional organization that for many years has engaged in diverse projects committed to collaborative efforts, economic sustainability, and fair trade. Successful volunteers typically are flexible in accepting varied duties. We appreciate your interest, and we welcome your participation! Take a look at our opportunities in Guatemala and locally.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN GUATEMALA To see our most up-to-date volunteer positions, please visit Sharing the Dream on Idealist.
Lend a hand in the following areas:
Jewelry Group Volunteers assist our bead shop director with new and creative product design ideas for the beaders and help with inventory control and finding new fair trade markets. Required: creativity and interest in beadwork, computer and photography skills Preferred: basic communication skills in Spanish
Elder Center Volunteers assist with meal preparation for the elders and with delivery of "meals on sandals," visiting the elders in their homes. Required: experience and interest in working with older people Preferred: basic communication skills in Spanish
Artisan Development Volunteers assist our artisan director in providing workshops to our artisans at our offices or in the villages. They also collaborate with the artisans in creating new designs and look for new fair trade markets. Required: interest in back-strap weaving, design, creativity, photography skills Preferred: basic communication skills in Spanish
Grant Writing and Development Volunteers assist with all of our projects in Guatemala by researching appropriate funding sources, applying for grants, and spearheading efforts at capacity building. Required: knowledge of grant writing, dedication to a one-year commitment, written and oral ability in Spanish Preferred: experience writing grant applications
English Teaching Volunteers instruct the Guatemala staff, our scholarships students, and members of our artisan groups in English language skills tailored to their needs. Required: written and oral ability in Spanish Preferred: experience working with kids
Teaching Assistants In our rural schools, volunteers assist teachers in classrooms with a large number of students, and they also tutor individual students. Required: an understanding of elementary education and basic Spanish skills Preferred: experience working with kids.
To become a volunteer in Guatemala, please fill out the application below.
Fees and Accommodation: Registration fee: $50 (non-refundable) payable with the completed application. Monthly fee: $250 per month payable to Sharing the Dream in Guatemala in the U.S. at least fifteen days prior to departure to cover administrative costs and on-site coordination of the volunteer activity. This fee includes living quarters at Casa de Sueños Panajachel or at Casa de Sueños Santiago Atitlán, which both have a shared bathroom, communal kitchen, living room, Wi-Fi, garden, US phone line and laundry facilities. Volunteers pay for their own transportation and food costs.
Time Commitment Volunteers commit to work forty hours per week for a minimum of one month. During their period of service, volunteers keep a log detailing their volunteer experience in order to facilitate a smooth transition for the program.
U.S. BASED VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
IN-STORE OPPORTUNITIES
Sharing the Dream in Guatemala also offers volunteer opportunities in the United States at our two store locations in Southeast South Dakota in Sioux Falls and Vermillion. By volunteering at one of our stores, you will have the opportunity to promote fair trade values, help foster sustainability, and gain nonprofit experience. We offer fair trade items hand-crafted by artisan groups in Guatemala in our efforts to foster growth and sustainability in these communities.
VERMILLION, SD LOCATION Volunteer in the city where our first store opened in the beautiful town of Vermillion. The community is also home to the University of South Dakota -- the state's oldest public university. Contact: Lauren Vaske Email: [email protected] Phone: 605-624-6895 10 W. Main Street | Vermillion, SD 57069
As a Dream Team Ambassador, you will help Sharing the Dream to grow in your community. Ambassador duties are tailored to the interests of the individual but may include hosting sales for Sharing the Dream at your church or another local venue, helping to find new markets in your area for our products, and sharing our social media posts with your friends and family. If you are interested in becoming an ambassador or would like to learn more, contact Lauren at [email protected].
You can also help by hosting a sale in your home/church/community. Please contact us to find out how!