We try to match your skills with local needs. We perpetually have construction projects or repairs. Carpentry, masonry, and painting projects are always on the agenda. One of the most requested is putting together 2 and 3 level bunkbed kits. These are Ikea-like kits and very easy to assemble and VERY rewarding. The children attending our programs always enjoy a little extra attention, and the school next door loves to get an English class. We also regularly host medical, dental and educational teams.
Our Story
Jody and Vicki Dalia answered the call to ‘Open an Orphanage in Guatemala’ in 2003. And it’s been a wild ride with a lot of learning along the way. We had 18 children: 10 bio and 8 adopted from inside the U.S. We feel that all children should have life’s basic necessities: food, shelter, education and love. These values undergird our programs.
When we moved the orphanage from Guatemala City to Lake Atitlan, we were startled at the poverty we saw. It seemed that almost every child needed to be in an orphanage. The cruel tentacles of endemic poverty were crushing their future. Gradually, we started helping with feeding and educational programs and encouraging medical and dental teams to visit. For the same amount of money it took to house a few kids in an orphanage, we could help many more at home. This crystallized into the “orphans at home” philosophy that now undergirds are programs.
Because we had so many children ourselves, we always tried to make our lives as self-sustaining as possible. And this goes for the work in Guatemala. While we have had large donations and a few grants from time to time, our day-to-day programs do not run off them. Rather it is program sponsors and volunteer teams that sustain our operations.
We have passed the torch to our kids who now do most of the work managing our programs in Guatemala.
Safe Homes is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to improving the safety and quality of life for children in their own homes. All donations are tax-deductible.
Our Mission
Our mission is to enhance the lives of Guatemala’s least fortunate by nourishing their bodies as well as their minds with nutritional, educational and medical initiatives. We also have construction projects to improve their life at home.
How You Can Help
Our goal is to make each volunteer vacation successful. Whether it’s a family or a volunteer team, we want them to feel welcome. We provide the structural undergirding to make each team’s visit successful: safe transportation, comfortable living quarters, meals adapted to your tastes, projects tailored to your expertise, and a little fun sightseeing to cap it off.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. We have translators who assist in volunteer projects. It does help in understanding the local culture. When shopping, most booths/stores speak enough English to complete a sale.
Most volunteer teams come for about a week, or a few two weeks. Let us know if you want to stay longer and if you have special useful skills. We have had interns who stay longer and are planning Spanish language immersion.
The Ikea-like bunkbed kits are very simple to put together and we have staff to help. There is always something that needs to be painted. The children love to sit in your lap and have you read to them or draw pictures or sing songs. You can always sponsor a piñata filled with candy and the kids will love you.
As with any third-world country, you should take certain precautions. Leave any expensive jewelry or watches at home. Don’t travel at night unless you know the roads. Be discreet when handling money and don’t give money to strangers or in public. We have more detailed guidelines that we send to visitors, but in general, if you follow basic commonsense rules, you will enjoy your trip without incident.
Our projects are located about 2 1/2 hours from the Guatemala City airport. We have an excellent shuttle service that we have been using for over 10 years, and they can handle an individual or a large team. They pay attention to safety concerns, and we have had no problems when using them.
The town of Panajachel is about 15 minutes away. There are many nice restaurants to suit a variety of tastes, and the main street is lined with native craft booths. (Don’t forget to bargain.) From there you can travel anywhere on beautiful Lake Atitlan. Google those two names for more details. From Panajachel you can take a shuttle to a number of other points of interest.
Guatemala is called “the land of eternal spring.” In the Highlands where we are located the temperature usually ranges from the 50s at night to the mid-70s during the day. A light jacket or sweater will be the most you will need. The rainy season starts in May and lasts through October. Come prepared for an afternoon shower each day. If you leave the Highlands the temperatures can increase by 20 degrees.
Our cooks are used to cooking for volunteers from first world countries. We always rinse our vegetables in a clorox solution and use purified water for cooking and drinking. If you tell us ahead of time what you want or don’t want to eat, we will work to accommodate your requests.
Yes. We love family teams with grandparents, parents and children. We have personally brought children down who were less than one year old. Even as young as six months.