In Guatemala, the Project Mosaic Guatemala 1 Av Sur 21, Antigua (tel 813 5758, fax 832 7337, www.pmg.dk ), has links to over sixty groups, including projects to help street children and reforestation work. Another good walk-in resource centre in Antigua is El Arco , at 5 Av Norte 25B (tel 832 0162, fax 832-1540, www.adventravelguatemala.com , elarco@guate.net ). The best place to head for in Quetzaltenango is the language school Casa Xelajú , which has excellent contacts with dozens of development projects.

As for paid work , teaching English is the best bet: check the English schools in Guatemala City (listed in the phone book). In addition, all Spanish language schools employ student co-ordinators to liaise between staff and pupils - but you'll need near-fluent Spanish. In Antigua, there are always a few vacancies for staff in the gringo bars and sales positions in jade showrooms. The English-language press ( The Revue and the Guatemala Post ) and noticeboards in the popular bars and restaurants in Antigua and Quetzaltenango also occasionally advertise vacancies. To work anywhere in Guatemala you'll need to speak some Spanish.