Our Mission
Hike Volcanoes, Help Kids
Our Mission
Quetzaltrekkers is dedicated to supporting local communities in the highlands of Guatemala through sustainable tourism.
We are an international collective of volunteers who organize unique, thoughtful, and educational trekking experiences that positively impact both people and planet. 100% of our profits directly fund Escuela de la Calle (EDELAC), providing quality education, safe housing, and social support for vulnerable indigenous children in Xela.
Our Vision
We envision a future where sustainable tourism helps communities grow by creating positive economic, cultural, and environmental impacts.
Quetzaltrekkers believes tourism should honor and respect local cultures, create fair work opportunities in the community, and channel funding towards fighting social inequity in the region.
Objectives
To guide our work and measure our objectives at Quetzaltrekkers, we use four pillars of impact:
Economic
- Support education for vulnerable children in the region by channeling all profits to fund EDELAC’s social projects, such as the primary school and safe home.
- Create fair and meaningful employment opportunities for local tourism providers.
- Reduce inequality by equitably distributing the economic benefits of tourism among all stakeholders.
Cultural
- Advocate for mutual respect as a foundational principle of sustainable and resilient tourism.
- Facilitate cultural exchange among stakeholders to foster awareness and understanding across diverse cultures.
- Address social inequities through education and open discussion of social issues.
Environmental
- Minimize our ecological impact by reducing waste, adopting sustainable operational practices, and prioritizing local suppliers and products.
- Support environmental initiatives that educate through participation and raise awareness of regional environmental challenges.
Organizational
- Foster transparency through clear communication and documentation, ensuring stakeholders have accurate and timely information.
- Promote collaborative decision-making by encouraging inclusion, representation, and regular feedback opportunities.
- Provide meaningful learning opportunities for everyone involved in the organization
To learn more about the impact that Quetzaltrekkers has and the many ways that this incredible team of volunteers is making a difference, we encourage to read more about our finances and our full Annual Report here:
Asociación Escuela de la Calle
Quetzaltrekkers is part of a nonprofit social project here in Xela, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. Asociación Escuela de la Calle (EDELAC) operates a primary school for over 150 children and a safe home for over 20 children, primarily funded through our treks.