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The Project
Volunteer in Belize and help elderly patients or rural families with disabled children who receive no physical therapy support. Kaya is working with a number of community projects that have identified the need for physical therapy support within minority groups, where even a basic level of guidance and instruction can make a great difference. This project works both with the elderly communities of San Ignacio and rural families from small villages to provide instruction and guidance on applying physical therapy to patients and the follow up care needed by the families of the patients.
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Why the project needs you
Physical therapy is considered a luxury available only to those that can afford to pay for it in Belize, and as a result groups that would typically benefit so much, such as the elderly and the disabled, are generally not given any guidance or support. Qualified practitioners, even at a junior level who are able to provide even a basic level of physical therapy can make a great deal of difference to patients and their families.
Project Location
Kaya's programmes are based in San Ignacio and the surrounding communities. San Ignacio, referred to locally as Cayo, is located 2 hours from Belize City along the Western Highway and is a tourist centre. The town and the surrounding communities contain a diverse mix of creole, Maya and mestizo populations. San Ignacio is also an attractive market town set among pleasant tropical hills. The friendly people of San Ignacio enable rich cultural exchanges and productive development projects.
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Project Facts
• Duration: 4 - 26 weeks
• Cost: £1265 ($2213) for 4 weeks, £235 ($411) for each additional week(contact us for a 3 month+ placement cost)
• Requirements: Age 18+
• Location: San Ignacio, Belize
• Project activities: Physio therapy support and education within local communities
• Working hours: Monday to Friday, 08:00-5:00
• Project availability: Project starts 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month. Project available year round.
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What is included
• Accommodation: Single/shared room in a home-stay or volunteer house (£20 supplement p.wk)
• Food: 3 meals a day
• Airport pick up and drop off
• Training: Orientation and project induction provided
• Support: 24 hour support
• Excursion Planning: Staff can help to suggest weekend activities (activity price will be extra). Trips may include; canoeing through jungle, caves, tubing, visit Mayan ruins, hiking and horse riding.
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What is not included
• Flights
• Insurance
• Visas
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Your life outside the project
In the afternoon walk downtown and check out San Ignacio. Grab a snack or meal at any of the local cafes or street vendors. Take a stroll to the river and go for a swim. Join in a soccer or basketball game at any of the number of parks around town. Meet up with other volunteers in the evening at one of the local hotspots to hang out, catch some live music, or possibly join a trivia game. There are local clubs for dancing where you can hear Reggaeton, Punta, Soca, and other music popular in Belize. Looking for a low-key evening? You can check out a movie in Cayo, go for ice cream, or get a fresh-squeezed juice from one of the many market stands. On free weekends, volunteers can organize a weekend trip to the coast to go snorkelling or enjoy the keys.
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Ideas for Independent Travel
Track Jaguars at Cockscomb Basin
The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best undisturbed nature centres in the country and easily one of the most beautiful with 600-1000 Jaguars prowling the land. Get involved in mapping and distribution research to help protect Jaguars and their prey.
Glovers Reef Atoll
70 miles southeast of Belize City brings you to Glovers Reef, named after the pirate John Glover. The atoll is a circular necklace of almost continuous coral reef around an 80-square-mile lagoon with depths to 50 feet; the various colors of blue in the water are so intense they seem unreal. Within the lagoon, divers will find 700 shallow coral patches and the remains of at least four sunken ships.
Kayaking the Belizean Waterways
Raft a 20-mile stretch of the Macal River. This small, steep, and technical route brings you through drop pools, mazelike channels, and big waterfalls in class IV whitewater. Led by guides who have rafted all over the world, you know it's got to be good when even they get excited about it. Groups are small (six people), and the wildlife abundant — tapirs, iguanas, and river otters are just a few of the species to be seen.
Project Quality
Kaya evaluates every project we offer to ensure that we only commit to programmes with genuine need for volunteer aid, not just financial assistance. We develop relationships with the projects and help shape initiatives to ensure in the long run that we do not encourage dependence on outside help, but rather establish foundations on which the people can build and develop themselves. We also ensure that the members of those communities are open and eager to learn and discover our culture, as we become a part of theirs. The quality and sustainability of our programmes are very important to us. We want you to have the most fulfilling and memorable time as possible, and be part of something that is going to last into future generations.
Accommodation & Meals
You have the option of staying in a local homestay or in a volunteer house (with a supplement of £20 per week extra). With either of these options you will either have your own room or be sharing with another volunteer and will be provided with either two or three meals a day. Staying in a homestay setting will allow you to experience first-hand the true way of local Belizean family life and will enable us to plough back more of your fees back into the local economy.
In-Country Coordinators
Each country coordinator is there to make sure your time in your programme runs smoothly. They will pick you up from the airport and take you on your orientation. All in-country coordinators are English speaking and are there to ensure you have all the information and resources for the best placement.
24/7 Emergency Support
As well as support from your in-country coordinators, you'll be given access to a 24/7 emergency phone line managed by Kaya staff, in case any problem should arise while you're overseas.
Kaya Help-desk
Each member of Kaya staff have worked, travelled, studied or volunteered abroad, and many staff have visited and volunteered in our projects knowing firsthand the country and nature of the programme placements. Their knowledge of international travel and volunteering is invaluable, and they can give you good advice and tips to make the most of your international placement.
Briefing Pack & Materials
Once you have booked a programme, an information pack will be sent out detailing everything you need to know - from specific project details and vaccinations required to the visa application process.
Airport Pickup
When you arrive at your destination a member of Kaya staff will meet you with a warm welcome at the airport and take you to your accommodation to get you set up for your stay.
Cultural Excursions
Kaya staff are at hand to help organise weekend excursions and activities, which can include visiting cultural places of significance and visiting various projects around the area. This way you can learn firsthand about each project and take part in local cultural and adventure activities.
Arrival Orientation
Shortly after you arrive you will be given your orientation by one of our in-country coordinators. They will show you your placement, local transport, take you into the local town, and show you things you can do in your spare time. Information regarding safety and security will be given along with some much needed lingo when moving and travelling around the area.
Funding for Individual Projects
If on your placement you wish to start up your own sub-project, a reasonable amount of funding will be provided. An example is: one volunteer arranged a basketball tournament for the street children where funding was provided for team shirts and trophies. This is a good chance to make your own lasting mark on a project and the people of your chosen country.
Local Community Benefits
Not only is your participation on your project of great help to the local communities, but so is the boost to the local economy that volunteers create while they are visiting.
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