The first Peace Corps Volunteers arrived in Guatemala in 1963. Since then, more than 5,200 Volunteers have served in the country, providing assistance to rural families in cooperation with governmental and nongovernmental organizations. During an average year, approximately 100 Volunteers serve in Guatemala working with public and private institutions in health, youth, and food security program areas.
Pre-service training (PST) takes place in Santa Lucía Milpas Altas, Sacatepéquez, where the Peace Corps office is located. All volunteers receive 10 weeks of initial language, technical, cross-cultural, and health and safety training before beginning two years of service and receive an additional 4 weeks of in-service training during the course of their assignments. Some volunteers also receive special training in Mayan languages.
