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| Guatemala Literacy Project (GLP) Tours |
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| General Information | Sample Itinerary | Sign Up | FAQ | More Travel Information |
 Open to members of Rotary International, the Guatemala Literacy Project (GLP) Tour offers a week of celebrations and opportunities to interact with the children and families served by CoEd and its partnership with Rotary, the GLP!
Deliver badly-needed textbooks and inaugurate brand-new computer centers at impoverished Guatemalan schools. Learn about Guatemalan history and culture, as well as the challenges faced by people in the developing world, all the while sharing in the fellowship of other Rotarians from the U.S., Canada and Guatemala.
"The trip FAR exceeded our expectations in every way. It was inspiring to be with such a fine group of caring people and to have an opportunity to make a difference in a hurting and needy world."
–Judy & Dick Martin, Glendale-Kachina, AZ Rotary |
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| General Information | Sample Itinerary | Sign Up | FAQ | More Travel Information |
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| 2012 Tour Dates |
Feb. 3-12, 2012: Rotary-GLP Tour
(members of Rotary International & spouses only)
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Cost
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US$1,375 plus airfare for double occupancy*
US$1,575 plus airfare for single occupancy
NOTE: Trip expenses may be tax deductible.
*If you do not have a traveling companion, we will happily match you with a roommate in order to secure the Double Occupancy rate.
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| Details |
- The application deadline is January 1, 2012.
- Each tour is limited to 35 participants; acceptance is on a first-come, first-served basis.
- The minimum age is 21.
- A non-refundable deposit of US$200 is required at the time of application.
-Apply online now or contact Jennifer Sands, Marketing Coordinator, jennifer@coeduc.org or 513-731-2595, ext. 101. |
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Sample Itinerary:
Note: This itinerary shows real experiences and approximate travel times, but does not coincide with actual itineraries.
Friday: Arrive in Guatemala City
Saturday: Panajachel, Lake Atitlán
12:00pm Check into Hotel Porta del Lago
4:00pm Free time & dinner in Panajachel
Sunday: Santiago Atitlán, Lake Atitlán
9:00am Boat to Santiago Atitlán
11:00am Free time in Santiago
5:00pm Project Overview Presentation
7:00pm Dinner and free time
Monday: Huehuetenango
1:30pm Book delivery at Chimusinique School
7:00pm Dinner and free time
Tuesday: Huehuetenango
9:00am Book delivery at Paquix School
1:30pm Book delivery at Quisil School
7:00pm Dinner and free time
Wednesday: Huehuetenango
10:00am School supplies delivery at Tocal Primary School
1:30pm Book delivery at Bacú Cooperative School
7:00pm Dinner with the Rotary Club of Huehuetenango
Thursday: Quetzaltenango (Xela)
9:00am Tour of Zaculeu Mayan Ruins
2:00pm Computer Center inauguration at Buenabaj School
7:00pm Dinner in the homes of Xela Rotary Club members
Friday: Chimaltenango
8:00am Depart Xela for Chimaltenango
11:00pm Celebrate the re-inauguration of Tecpán Computer Center
3:00pm Depart Chimaltenango for Antigua
7:00pm Dinner and free time
Saturday: Antigua
10:00 am Historical tour of Antigua
11:00 am Free time and shopping in Antigua
Sunday: Depart Antigua for Guatemala City airport |
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How to Sign Up for a GLP Tour
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Click here to download the application for Feb. 3-12, 2012: Rotary-GLP Tour (open to members of Rotary International & spouses only) (PDF)
You can also request a mailed, paper application from Jennifer at jennifer@coeduc.org or 513-731-2595, ext. 101. |
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Fill out the application and return with a non-refundable US$200 deposit (payable by check made out to "Cooperative for Education"). Or click here to pay either your deposit or your entire tour balance by credit card. |
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You will receive email confirmation that your application and deposit have been accepted and that you have a secured place on the tour. Along with the confirmation, you will receive advice concerning immunizations, packing, and more. |
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After you receive confirmation of your place on the tour, purchase a plane ticket to Guatemala City (GUA). Click here for resources to assist you in finding lower-priced airfares.
You should arrive in Guatemala anytime on Friday, Feb. 3 and depart anytime on Sunday, Feb. 12. (NOTE: Your Sunday morning departure will likely be from Antigua, about 1 hour from the Guatemala City airport. If you prefer to avoid a pre-dawn departure, please book your return flight accordingly.) |
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Please send your flight itinerary to CoEd as soon as possible, or by Jan. 1 at the latest. Please include airline, flight number and time for both your outgoing and return flights so we can make arrangements for your transportation from/to the airport in Guatemala City. |
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The balance of your payment for the land portion of the trip (hotels, food, travel within Guatemala) is due to the Cooperative for Education office by Jan. 1, 2012. If you are sharing a room, the balance will be US$1,175 per person (for a total of US$1,375, including the deposit). If you are not sharing a room, the balance will be US$1,375 (for a total of US$1,575, including the deposit.) This is payable by check made out to "Cooperative for Education." Or click here to pay your tour balance online. |
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You will need a passport with more than 6 months to expiration at the time of travel to enter Guatemala. Many post offices have the necessary application, or you can download an application from the U.S. State Department’s website. |
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Frequently Asked Questions
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What will I do on the GLP Tour?
You will spend a week in Guatemala traveling by chartered bus, visiting schools and computer centers supported with Rotary funding. For most of the schools, these will be the first textbooks or computers they've ever had. You will be welcomed by parents, teachers and students, who will share their culture with you through plays, dances and songs.
You will make an important contribution to the Guatemala Literacy Project by showing local communities that the program is well supported and will be around for the long term. You will also give local people the opportunity to learn about North Americans and their lives and culture. You will gain experience and insight into the challenges faced by people in the developing world, all the while sharing in the fellowship of other Rotarians from the U.S., Canada and Guatemala.
In addition, you will experience the breathtaking natural beauty of Guatemala as well as have time for shopping, sightseeing, and relaxing. |
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Where will I stay?
Accommodations will be clean and comfortable—about the quality of a mid-level motel in the U.S.
See our Guatemala Travel page for links to typical hotels we use. |
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 Who will travel with me?
The tours are enjoyed by Rotarians of all ages who like to travel and are willing to take time out of busy schedules to help the Guatemala Literacy Project. You will meet a group of like-minded individuals who are fun, friendly and flexible. You will also be joined by many of CoEd's U.S. and Guatemala staff. |
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Will I be safe in Guatemala?
Asociación CoEd has been operating tours in Guatemala since 1998. In that time, not one of our tour participants has ever been a victim of a serious crime. However, in Guatemala, as in other developing countries, crime is a significant problem. Traveling in these countries is therefore not without risk. Click here to see CoEd's Statement on Safety. |
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Can I arrive before the tour and stay after?
If you plan to arrive a day before or stay a day after the tour at the hotel in Guatemala City (where the delivery tour begins on Saturday morning), we can book those nights for you. Please contact Jennifer by Jan. 1 at jennifer@coeduc.org or 513-731-2595, ext. 101 to make the arrangements.
However, if you would like to travel in Guatemala outside the official tour, you are responsible for making your own arrangements. Click here for a list of several Guatemalan travel agencies. |
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Can I leave hotel contact information with my friends or family?
Yes, just before your tour we will send you a complete list of hotels and contact information, which you can share with your family in case of emergency. |
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 Do I need to speak Spanish to go on the tour?
Absolutely not! In fact, the majority of our tour participants speak little to no Spanish. Most tour activities are translated. When interacting with the students on an individual basis, our travelers find other ways to communicate and interact with them: showing family photos, playing soccer & basketball, and other games. |
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Can I donate school supplies or other items to CoEd's projects?
Yes. Please click here for CoEd's Supply Donation Overview (PDF), including the list of items we accept for donation. |
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Can I learn about the tour from the perspective of a previous volunteer?
Absolutely. We have many delivery tour veterans who are enthusiastic about sharing their experiences with you. Feel free to contact any of these volunteers to learn more about their perspective: |
Dick & Helen Anderson
La Quinta, CA Rotary
(760) 777-1712 anderassociates@aol.com
Glenn Chamberlain
Ephrata, WA Rotary
(509) 754-3739 gchamberlain@homenetnw.net
Jeff & Suzanne Taylor
The Jeffersons, NC Rotary
(919) 880-1077 tjtsbt@aol.com
Pieter Vos
Sun City Del Sol, AZ Rotary
(623) 546-5711 pavos4@aol.com |
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