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El Nahual is an educational community center funded by its non-profit Spanish school for foreigners. Located in the western highland city of Quetzaltenango (Xela) El Nahual provides free educational programs to some of the poorest communities in the area.

Conscious of the many social problems that face the people of Guatemala, we started a school that would use all its profits to give back to the community. The Spanish school is composed of a team of professional teachers with years of experience in teaching Spanish to foreign students.

“El Nahual” is a Mayan term that means “protective spirit” of each person. Our vision is to become a guiding force for those who need us. We strive to encourage personal growth and human rights awareness by providing access to education.

The El Nahual community center offers a:
• Free school for children
("Manos de Colores")
• Free adult school
• Organic community garden

El Nahual also runs its "Manos de Colores" educational programs at 3 other low-income schools in the area.

We seek motivated students who desire both an intensive Spanish immersion experience and the opportunity to impact some of the poorest communities of Quetzaltenango. We seek motivated students who desire both an intensive Spanish immersion experience and the opportunity to impact some of the poorest communities of Quetzaltenango. This is an opportunity to gain invaluable international teaching and volunteer experience and language skills while supporting grass-roots community development.

Our philosophy is "educando para desarrollo social," or "educating for social development." We invite you to partake in our mission. El Nahual offers year-round opportunities for as little as 1 week to as long as you want to stay!

Job opening (to start in June 2009):
Volunteer and Program Coordinator

Requirements:
- Fluent English
- Advanced level of spoken Spanish
- Minimum 3-4 month commitment (6-12 months preferred)
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Passion for social service work and the mission of our school
- Ability to multi-task and the energy, creativity and enthusiasm to work with limited resources

Responsibilities:
- Coordinate existing educational social service projects, including Manos de Colores program at 4 locations
- Communicate with potential volunteers via phone or email, providing information about the Spanish school and educational programs
- Recruit long-term volunteers
- Participate in school and volunteer activities
- Placement and management of volunteers in projects according to their interests and Spanish abilities
- Placement of volunteers in Guatemalan homestays and communication with those families
- Orient new volunteers to life in Quetzaltenango and at El Nahual when they arrive; ongoing support
- Support the International Coordinator in management of the organization
- Translation of conferences and announcements
- Commit approximately 40 hours/week

For more information on our school and our projects, please visit our website at: www.languageselnahual.com

This position is unpaid, but provides free housing.

Please email:
- your C.V./ resume
- list of 2-3 references
- 1-page cover letter detailing your motivations to work for El Nahual, relevant work experience and date when available to start

to Sarah Lemon at manosdecolores@gmail.com