Date Announcement Coming January 15th!
Apply to be selected for this 10-day service learning and cultural immersion experience for Boys Hope Girls Hope Scholars and affiliate team members in the U.S., in partnership with Esperanza Juvenil (Boys Hope Girls Hope of Guatemala).
Application Deadline: Saturday, March 15th, 2025
WHAT
Participants will experience a personal introduction to the heart of the Mayan world through the eyes of their fellow Guatemalan BHGH scholars and team members. They will have an opportunity to share in the lives, daily routines and future hopes of the Scholars and Staff of Esperanza Juvenil’s Elementary and Middle School and eight residential homes. Each day will also provide a path to learning about the rich history, customs, activities and traditions of the most populous country in Central America.
WHEN
10 days during the month of July
WHO
10-14 Scholars (9th – 12th graders) and 3 Boys Hope Girls Hope Affiliate Team Members
WHERE
Guatemala – Guatemala City, Lake Atitlan, and Antigua
SUPERVISION
Boys Hope Girls Hope Network Headquarters team members and Affiliate team members
WHY
- Develop linkages with other US and Guatemalan BHGH scholars to support one another after the program
- Visit with innovative leaders of Guatemala and learn how they are creating positive social change in their communities
- Volunteer in various Guatemalan communities in side-by-side service with Esperanza Juvenil Scholars and Staff
- Explore connections between spiritual growth and service learning
- Experience the ecosystems of the central Guatemala highlands, the colonial charm of Antigua and modern development of Guatemala City
VIDEO ESSAY
For BHGH Scholars applying to the Guate-Maya Service and Immersion Experience, please submit your application and 1–2-minute video essay at the application link above to include answers to the following:
In what ways will your participation in this program contribute to your personal development, cultural understanding, and spiritual growth? Upon your return to the US, how will you apply lessons learned in your school and/or your community?
For BHGH Team Members applying to the Guate-Maya Service and Immersion Experience, please submit your application including a short essay of 500 words, typed, 1-page, double-spaced that answers the following:
In what ways will your participation in this program contribute to your professional development, cultural understanding, and spiritual growth? Upon your return to the US, how will you apply lessons learned in your affiliate and/or your community?
COST
For the 2025 experience, scholars will be responsible for a $500 program fee. This fee is all inclusive, meaning Boys Hope Girls Hope Network Headquarters will cover the cost of roundtrip flight to and from Guatemala as well as on-the-ground costs while in country. Affiliates are encouraged to help scholars develop a plan to participate in local fundraising to cover the $500 cost.
For team members, Boys Hope Girls Hope Network Headquarters will provide a $400 stipend to participating team members in addition to covering the costs of flights and in-country expenses. The affiliate is requested to approve time off for participating team members to use PTO or unpaid leave.
ELIGIBILITY
All BHGH Scholars and team members* interested in participating in the Guate-Maya Service and Immersion Experience should complete the online application and essay by Saturday, March 15, 2025. Applications will be reviewed by Boys Hope Girls Hope Network Headquarters team members to select 10-14 scholars and 3 affiliate team members.
If you choose to apply and do not currently have a valid passport, we highly encourage you to begin the passport application process prior to notification of your selection due to long processing times with the U.S. State Department.
*Team members must be regular full-time employees of at least 18 months, in good standing, and currently working at least 36 hours/week in a non-administrative, direct-care capacity for at least 75% of daily responsibilities. The affiliate executive director or program director, or equivalent, must provide approval, if selected. Team member must demonstrate willingness to be fully engaged with all activities involving scholars and partners, and must be able to fulfill physical requirements of travel, in-country physical activities, on-ground community service and other aspects of the immersion to be determined.
QUESTIONS?
With questions on the experience or for application help, please email Erin Beezley at ebeezley@bhgh.org.
HERE IS HOW YOU CAN PROVIDE HOPE
Working to nurture and guide motivated
young people in need to become well-educated,
career-ready men and women for others
