Guest blogger Michelle Berkowitz writes about getting involved in social activism in Guatemala:

When I first arrived in Guatemala I knew I wanted to get involved in social activism but had no idea where to even start looking. A recent Sociology and Latin American Studies graduate, I looked frantically for work in NGO’s, institutions, and education centers. Finally, I ended working for a multi-million dollar American corporation in Guatemala City. However, I could not neglect my passion. For so long I had wanted to do some good - you know, to actually make a change in the world. So when opportunity knocked on my door, there was no hesitation - I said “yes".

I started work at Community Enterprise Solutions about six months ago. CESolutions is a social business that promotes wellbeing products. We are currently helping thousands of people in Guatemala through our water filters, reading glasses, seeds, and energy-saving light bulbs. Aside from that, CESolutions has started and supports many other initiatives throughout Guatemala:

Restaurant El Descanso: located in Nebaj, Quiche, this restaurant is very popular amongst tourists of the area. The profits go to two local after-school education centers called “Asociacion Centro Explorativo”. You can check out the website at: www.centroexplorativo.org

Empresario Rural: this initiative started as a website but has now expanded to our first newspaper edition. Within its pages you can find information on how to start a business, how to maintain it, accounting, legal transactions, marketing, and much more! Check out the website at: www.empresariorural.com

ParaLaComunidad.com: is perhaps one of the coolest projects. The website is a database of all the resources that work in Guatemala – NGO’s, associations, cooperatives, and institutions. Each of these has their own profile page where their contact information, and organizational objectives are displayed. Photo Gallery soon to come! Check out the website at: www.paralacomunidad.com

New Life Cards: women from low-income backgrounds create and design recycled cards that we sell in Antigua and online. Seventy-five percent of the profit goes back to these women who spend that money on on their families’ education, nutrition, health, etc. Check out the website at: www.newlifecards.com

These are just some of the many, many projects being carried out in Guatemala by Community Enterprise Solutions. But don’t get discouraged! If you have the will, motivation, and passion to help there are HUNDREDS of organizations who need your help. And guess what? A lot of them will pay for your experience, knowledge, and good heart. So if you want to volunteer or look for a job with an organization in Guatemala, visit our website: www.paralacomunidad.com or go to “Proyecto Mosaico” in Antigua, Guatemala for information on all volunteering positions available.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has”.
- Margaret Mead