Volunteer in Healthcare and Medicine in Guatemala

Volunteering with IVHQ in Guatemala was an experience I’ll always appreciate. I worked in a geriatric clinic, seeing patients every day, and it was both challenging and incredibly fulfilling. The work was hands-on, and I felt like I was actually contributing rather than just observing. Some days were tough, but getting to know the patients and seeing the impact of even small gestures made it all worth it. The local staff was supportive and really made an effort to involve volunteers in meaningful ways. IVHQ had everything well-organized while still allowing us enough flexibility to learn and engage. Outside of volunteering, getting to experience Guatemala—the culture, the people, the food—made the whole thing even more special. I’d definitely recommend this program to anyone interested in healthcare, volunteering, or just wanting to do something meaningful while immersing themselves in a new place.

My favorite moment was educating patients about their health and how they can play a role. It's so easy to treat the health concern in the moment, but educating them about the tools they need to lead a healthy future was a major highlight of my time in the clinic.

IVHQ's service, passion and commitment to their partner communities is incredible. As an IVHQ volunteer, you get the chance not to just contribute your skills to their programs, but to learn a great deal about the local community and local needs. Our group was able to provide basic medical attention to eight communities in just a week's time, and IVHQ accommodated our desire to perform additional needs assessment for potential engineering projects during our time. Our homestay was amazing, and our host mom was an absolute sweetheart. Without a doubt, I would push my friends (and anyone considering) to volunteer with IVHQ, as it's bound to be one of the best experiences of your life.