Location
Multiple Locations +4
  • Mexico
  • Peru
  • Belize
  • Costa Rica
Length
2 to 12 weeks

Program Details

Language
Spanish
Age Min.
18
Age Max
90
Timeframe
Short Term Spring Break Year Round
Housing
Host Family Hotel
Groups
Small Group (1-15) Medium Group (16-30)
Travel Type
Budget Family Senior Travelers Solo Women

Pricing

Starting Price
$150 USD
Price Details
Funds will cover your housing, meals, transportation to and from the airport, and a dedicated counselor
What's Included
Accommodation Equipment Meals Transportation
What's Not Included
Activities Airfare Domestic Airfare SIM cards Visa
Jun 21, 2021
Apr 28, 2021

About Program

A village intern is a passionate volunteer who wants to not only CONNECT a meaningful service opportunity but wants to become part of the village. Someone who wants to CHANGE lives and change their own life in the process. Someone who knows how education can EMPOWER others to rise out of poverty, and knows the power of books.

If this is you, then join us!

You will stay with a host family in the village who will teach you the local cultures and customs, and be your family abroad. Host families are handpicked and are usually leaders within the community. You will work alongside the teachers at the Village Library to create a reading culture by visiting homes, teaching classes, helping out at the library, and working with local families.

You are encouraged to propose and lead your own projects in addition to the projects already mentioned. As you actively seek to connect with the village and immerse yourself in the culture, you will become part of the village family. Apply below

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Programs are available year-round, for only $150 a week, for between 1-12 weeks
  • Fee includes, 3 meals a day, accomadations, airport pickup and drop off, and 24/7 support from your intern counselor
  • Extensive culture and humanitarian training so you can become a world citizen
  • The opportunity to enter the homes of the villagers and understand their way of life
  • Spend your weekend going rafting, mountain biking, helping on the farms or seeing the many sights with your village family

Program Impact

Creating reading habits with young readers will change the course of their lives and their future.

Related Programs

Program Reviews

9.9 Rating
based on 29 reviews
  • 9-10 rating 100%
  • 7-8 rating 0%
  • 5-6 rating 0%
  • 3-4 rating 0%
  • 1-2 rating 0%
  • Impact 9.8
  • Support 9.8
  • Fun 9.8
  • Value 9.9
  • Safety 9.8
Showing 1 - 8 of 29 reviews
Default avatar
Emily
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

The best 3 months of my life

I was completely immersed in the Spanish language and culture. I made lifelong friends in Mexico and was honored to have had the opportunity to be a part of a great cause. The best decision I ever made was to spend 3 months in Mexico through Village Book Builders. If you’re thinking about going DO IT. Working in a tiny school in the beautiful mountains of Mexico is not an everyday opportunity. The people I met there have taught me how to love and work hard and cook! Bring some suero and anything you can from the US to give to the kids❤️🇲🇽.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Not being super comfortable with Spanish and then getting up in front of a bunch of little kids that don’t speak any English was pretty intimidating at first but they were so loving and happy to have a new friend. They made me feel right at home.
11 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Rachel
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

El Olvido Mexico library trip 2021

I went to Coscomatepec Mexico to visit the El Olvido and Cuchapa libraries. I’m an avid traveler and this trip is one of the best I’ve been on! The host family was incredibly welcoming, the food was amazing, the sites were beautiful, and the kids and parents were so grateful for the opportunity to have books! It honestly couldn’t have been any better! Village book builders is doing amazing things for children, parents and entire communities around the world! I highly recommend volunteering with VBB. They are an organization that is changing the world and I want to be part of it 🌎

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Do the program. Get on the plane. Enjoy yourself! You will be volunteering with some of the most incredible people and the cutest kids ever! It doesn’t matter if you don’t know the language, an experience like this will change your life.
13 people found this review helpful.
Response from Village Book Builders

So glad you could come stay with us Rachel!

Default avatar
Kevin
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Village Book Builders - Belize

This was such a great experience! You get to see the people in the country you go to in a way that you never do through other travels. You can not only connect with locals but also see their appreciation for the help you are providing and the opportunities they are being given. The people love the chance they are given to empower themselves as a result of the service that you do and you get amazing travel experiences along the way. Everyone is kind and respectful and wants to help the volunteers and locals have the best experiences possible.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
If you are considering going on a trip, stop considering and just go.
14 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Tim
9/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Building a Library in Belize

The Village Book Builder Experience in Belize was amazing. It was a great feeling to serve the children in a school that had minimal library and computer resources and see the impact we can make for their future. The coordinators were great, the contacts in country were great, and accommodations were great outside of the normal tourist areas. We also got to go on a couple excursions to see Mayan ruins and go cave tubing. This helped us gain an appreciation of the country itself along with the great relationships we met through the school. My 13 year old daughter also came with me and had a great experience. I would recommend it to anyone.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
On our Cave Tubing excursion, our Tour Guide taught us that termites can be eaten as a good source of protein for survival. So, I bit into a termite and ate it.
13 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Gayle
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Make a difference!

My experience opening a library with Village Book Builders in the village of Darwin in Peru was incredible! To bring that resource to this community was life changing for me as well as the people of Darwin. The coordinators from Village Book did an excellent job making sure the volunteers had everything needed to do our jobs. Our comfort and safety was always a priority with them. The children of Darwin were so excited to have us in their village. They were thirsty for the knowledge the library was bringing. We visited every home in the village to share the news of the new library and promote family reading. The people were so gracious and grateful to us. It was a very humbling experience, one I will never forget. I highly recommend Village Book Builders. You can be sure every dime is going to improve the lives of people who truly need it! I plan to volunteer on another library with them soon!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Alligator! Surprisingly delicious! The villagers brought some to the library opening celebration. Then on our excursion to the Amazon jungle it was served for lunch and dinner!
13 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Ivonne
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing expirence

If you want to plant a seed of good in this world and at the same time have fun, meet new friends in a great place and fulfil your propose in life this is the place for you. So sign now and enjoy life!! You are not going to regret it!!!!!
The experience of Build a Village Library in Mexico was amazing in so many ways. We have the opportunity to make a huge change in children lives and maybe for you and me sound easy because we have access to some many things but for them reading gives them the opportunity to dream, to expand their dream and ergo to achieve more for their own families, community, country. region and who could know... maybe even the world. Besides we had the opportunity to meet new friends, eat a lot of different and really tasty food while we visit one of the world wonders.

What was your funniest moment?
It is so difficult to pick just one...mmmmm could be the opening moment where the town could see finally the library finish and all the faces astonish and very very happy
13 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Paul
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Village Book Awesome Charity

Our trip to Mexico with Village Bookbuilders was one of the best personal experiences I have had in a foreign country. The growing organization is well-managed our trip was well planned. We were able to enjoy a couple of side trips to add to our vacation but the best part was being with the people of Mexico and making a difference in the lives. I would recommend Village Bookbuilders to everyone. Everyone should send their teenagers on one of these trips. We had a choice to live with one of the families we were helping or stay in a nice hotel. My wife and I chose the hotel. After seeing how much fun my son-in-law and my grand son had staying with a family we will definitely try that next time. Travel arraignments were great food was good the company was great!

What would you improve about this program?
I have followed this charity and have been impressed with there for site and the number of new libraries they have built. My wife and I and possibly some grandchildren are planning a trip with them soon.
13 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Michael
9/10
Yes, I recommend this program

#onlywithVBB

My wife Kaylin and I had such a fulfilling trip with Village Book Builders in the Yucatan. The cultural immersion was my favorite part. We didn't spend the entire time building a structure. We taught classes to the children and went into the community to speak with the villagers about why we were there. We were even invited to spend new year's eve at a local home and experience their traditions.

As a cherry in top, we had an amazing time seeing the local sites. We swam in a cenote, saw pyramids and snorkeled with moray eels.

I cannot recommend this experience enough. We will go on another expedition as soon as we can.

Or group had a diverse group ranging from students to older folks. We had couples, kids and solo travelers. Everyone got along incredibly well.

12 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers