GENERAL: Things are done differently with volunteer teams all over the world and we realize that people have been on trips to other places. Some of these policies may be new to teams who have been here before. We are providing information that helps you here, in Guatemala. Any suggestions that the Guatemala VIM Office makes to teams are given based on years of experience, working with teams and local communities. Our first suggestions to you are what we have found to be tried and true. VIM Guatemala requests that you come through your UMVIM Jurisdictional Office. We also advise that all team leaders go through Team Leader Training. More information on VIM and team leader training can be found at
CONTACTING US: The VIM Guatemala Coordinator (coordinator@guatemalavim.org ) is your primary contact. If you are bringing medical personnel, please copy Dr. Phil Plunk of Salud y Paz with your e-mail (pplunk@pchtx.com ). Teams should direct any questions about medicines or clinics to Phil. The VIM staff can answer any other questions about your trip and stay here and make arrangements. To minimize confusion, please have one contact person for your team so that there aren’t repeat questions and answers. The team leader should copy other team members with needed information and answers to their questions. Some teams choose to divide the “chores” and this only works if you copy each other with our responses.
The VIM fax number is 011-502-7761-9986, and the U.S. Salud y Paz fax number is (860) 831-8972; however, we prefer to communicate through e-mail.
TEAM SIZE: The ideal size is 20 members. One reason is that if you have more people, you lose the “fellowship” dynamic. Also, the best financial scenario is for 20 people because it’s cheaper per person than for a team of 5. This year, there will be additional fees for teams of more than 20 members. We recommend a minimum age limit of 15. If you feel like there are good reasons to make an exception, please seek our advice first.
TRANSPORTATION: Transportation is a vital part of your trip. It is never a good idea to “cut back” in this area. All arrangements for ground transport while your team is in Guatemala will be made through the VIM office. We use people and vehicles that are reliable, not for the profit of the VIM Office, but because we have some control if problems come up. We know these people and their prices are competitive. Teams should not make independent plans from the States through travel agencies for transportation. Rental vehicles are fine, but we will make those arrangements for you, based on your team size, needs, and what your budget allows. We have established relationships with rental companies.
LODGING: All arrangements and reservations will be made by the VIM office. We will provide our recommendations for places that are comfortable and affordable. When options are available, you will have a choice based on our suggestions. All land arrangements will be made 30 days prior to your arrival and cannot be changed.
WORK LOCATIONS: The Executive Committee of the Iglesia Metodista has a prioritized list of needs. VIM matches a team’s skills and size to the appropriate project. Sometimes teams have preferences as to where they would like to work. When possible, we will accommodate you. We want to make sure that the priority needs are met first.
ORIENTATION: A list of the Guatemala VIM “Do’s and Don’ts” is available on this website and should read, shared with the team, and understood before leaving the U.S.A. The team leader should see that each team member receives a copy. This way, there will be no “surprises”. When possible, VIM representatives will meet your team at the airport and provide an orientation on your first night in Guatemala to discuss the points from the “Do’s and Don’ts”. Your team is responsible for paying their expenses. If for some reason VIM representatives are unavailable to meet your team on the first night, we will see you within the first few days.
INTERPRETERS: VIM requires that you hire at least one local interpreter per team. We have a list of reliable people that we will hire for you. Some teams have a couple people who “speak Spanish” and the team leader informs us that they do not need to hire interpreters. Conversational Spanish is very different than the vocabulary needed to translate for medical, construction or Bible school work. In most cases, these people will be from the community the team is working in. If not, the team should be prepared to pay for their meals and lodging. Teams are expected to provide lunch to any interpreters, counterparts or volunteers working with you while at the worksite. Sometimes it is possible to find volunteer interpreters also. Teams have better experiences when they can openly communicate with the people they work with. Consider that many people speak indigenous languages and not Spanish. In these cases, the translation is English – Spanish – K’iche and can require two interpreters.
SPECIFICS FOR MEDICAL TEAMS: DO NOT BRING EXPIRED MEDICINES. They can cause you many problems trying to get through customs. The Iglesia Metodista of Guatemala has established a minimal-fee policy for patients who are able to pay (no one is turned away if unable to pay!). Please respect this policy and learn the cultural reasons behind it. Keep in mind that “quality of care” is preferred to “quantity of care”. We realize that it is hard to turn people away, and a higher number of patients makes it feel like you did more. The time and attention is what the people will remember you gave them! Dentists who are coming should know that in many cases, electricity can be provided at the sights to do fillings or more advanced work. This gives an option besides just pulling teeth. In even rural areas, you should bring supplies to have as clean a “clinic” as possible. AIDS and Hepatitis are found here so you should plan to bring plenty of gloves to change between patients. Proyecto Salud y Paz is the official medical program of the Iglesia Metodista of Guatemala. Therefore, all teams coming to do any medical or dental missions must come through Dr. Phil Plunk of Salud y Paz. He will answer your questions about the clinics, provide a list of needed medicines, tell you what services you will be providing and, along with the Executive Committee, decide where your team will work. Teams will bring their own medicines, equipment and supplies needed for their clinics. Do not practice “shotgun medicine’. Do not give out more than 30 days of vitamins nor medicate for more than the patients’ immediate needs. Do not try to medicate entire families without proper individual examinations. Always refer patients back to Salud Y Paz Clinics for ongoing care. The VIM office will still work on your teams’ transportation, lodging, meals, payments and interpreters. Your team needs to provide lunch to anyone working or volunteering with them. Excess medicines and medical/dental equipment and supplies should be left with a VIM representative. This allows the supplies to be utilized to the best advantage of the people of Guatemala.
SPECIFICS FOR CONSTRUCTION TEAMS: Most every project here involves mixing concrete by hand (and shovels), laying blocks, and tying rebar. Painting, light carpentry, electrical work and tile laying are also common needs. The construction methods are different here than in the U.S.A. and we hire experienced local foremen to work with you. Keep in mind that while you may have very useful suggestions, it is up to your hosts as to what the final decision is, and you shouldn’t insist on “doing it your way”. Based on where you go to work, VIM will provide a list of tools you need to bring. Otherwise, materials will be bought here and be at the site when you arrive there to work (please remember to be flexible as this often happens on Guatemala time). Most any tool can be purchased here. If you want to leave tools in Guatemala after you finish working, they should all be left with the VIM office or with Salud y Paz to be made accessible to future teams to use for other projects. It is not appropriate to leave expensive tools with specific individuals. You will need to provide lunch for any hired locals working with you.
We sincerely appreciate your interest in the people of Guatemala and for the Iglesia Metodista. We want to help make your trip beneficial to you and the people you come to serve. Please let us know how to do this as best we can.
May God bless you as you serve Him through missions!
VIM Guatemala?Project Salud y Paz
