Social Impact Project for Development Experteer

How This Works

As part of the TRANSFORM Support Hub, you will learn how to advance your career while getting hands on experience on projects like this one.

Project Description and Impact

Development Experteer

Improving our development and fundraising strategy

Our mission at Maya Traditions is to be a true social enterprise where our operating and programming expenses are covered by our Fair Trade sales and revenue. While working towards this goal, we are still in need of donations to ensure strong educational and social programming to indigenous female artisans and their families and to cover operational costs. Join our team and work alongside our Director in developing a fundraising strategy and plan, identifying new sources of funding from private foundations, individuals, and government grants.

Learn social impact frameworks and use it for:

Empowering indigenous artisans and preserving Maya culture

Learning Opportunity

As an Experteer with Maya Traditions you will have the opportunity to live in Panajachel, which is located on the shores of majestic Lake Atitlan in the highlands of Guatemala. Guatemala is known as the ÂÂÂÂCorzan del Mundo MayaÂÂÂÂ or the Heart of the Maya World and by working with Maya Traditions, experteers will have the opportunity to experience this culture and its traditions first hand. Experteers will also have the opportunity to tour our medicinal herb garden and to visit surrounding villages to meet with participating cooperatives and experience the art of backstrap weaving and ikat dying. Finally, the experteer will have the opportunity to work as a part of a high-functioning, creative, multi-cultural and multilingual team.

Accommodation

The volunteer bungalows are located by the organization's organic medicinal plant garden. About 15 minutes walking from the center of town and 5 minutes to the Maya Traditions' office, the area is quiet and peaceful. Accommodation includes private bedroom and bathroom with hot water and access to a full shared kitchen.

Travel Stipend

Maya Traditions will cover travel when visiting our communities and artisans. We ask that the experteer cover their independent travel.

Additional Benefits

Experteers with Maya Traditions will have a variety of opportunities to learn new skills. As the majority of our team from Guatemala, experteers will have the opportunity to practice Spanish and also even learn some Kaqchikel, the local Maya language. You will also have the opportunity to learn about backstrap weaving, traditional Maya medicine, the management and growth of international social enterprises and the challenges and opportunities of working on a multicultural team.