Anyone living in Latin America?

[harrisey]

We are hoping to spend 5 years or so living in C, America - volunteering (have been invited to work with an established project).
Just wondered if there were any other Mnetters out there? Looking at moving out in 2007.

Sorry, only just seen this. I'm in Brazil, not quite Central America I know, any good to you?

OOhh hello!
I'd just like to chat to someone who lives out there! WHat are you doing out there? Do you have family connections or is it work?
We are hoping to work with a little community based development project that is setting up a travelling health clinic (dh is a doc) and womens literacy programme (I'm a teacher). Would love to find out how you get on with children there? We took ours for a 3 week visit (to Guatemala) last year and it was much easier than I thought it would be and they loved it.
Nice to meet you!

Which country are you going to?

where in guatemala?

We're here for work but by coincidence DH is actually Brazilian so there are family connections too although I try not to think about the in-laws who are totally bonkers. I'm in Brasilia which is a purpose build city and apparently has the highest quality of living in South America...but it's still not 1st world IYSWIM. The Brazilians are very child friendly so it has not been difficult for DS (6) although he is bi-lingual which obviously helps. But the weather and open spaces make it a great place for kids. We arrived (from Italy) in November and are just in the process of buying our first ever house, it's very exciting and very beaurocratic. I would advise you to do your 5 years, it is invaluable for the kids and a fantastic experience for you too. Just be warned though, you may never want to go back to the UK again...I left England in 1989 for 11 months and never went back on a permanent basis, don't s'pose I ever will now either.

wow it is nice to hear there are other people out there.
We have been invited to work as a doc (dh) and adult educator (me) in Chichicastenango in the highlands of Guatemala. It is something we have hoped to do since before we got married and are really excited about moving there, probably in 2007. We know it will not be easy but it seems to us immensely preferable to a life in British suburbia and we know ir will be a great thing for us.
We have been learning some Spanish as a family and have friends out there who have been very very helpful. But it is very nice to knwo I will not be the only latin american mumsnetter!

i would be really wary about going to live in Guatemala as a woman. it is one thing to fall in love with a country on a holiday and an entirely more complex thing to live there.

Guatemalan society is v. machismo.
Guncrime - (murder, robbery, rape) have reached appalling levels of commonality and brutality. Guns are so prevalent in Guatemala that many, many people routinely carry them.
Kidnapping for ransom is common.
For these reasons many guatemalans live behind high security fences, have guards and guard dogs and live under lock and key. In the minds of many third world peoples, being white equals you have money - hence a robbery or kidnapping target.
I have a Guatemalan friend who is married to a UK citizen who has said privately to me that she would never return to live in Guatemala. 10 yrs ago when she was left, it was an amazingly violent society. it has become more so which, even I find hard to believe.

You really need to ask some hard questions regarding your living environment and security arrangements in a place like Guate.

please visit here to get an idea of what I mean. sorry to be so negative. I love Guatemala myself.

hi harrisey, i lived for a year as a volunteer worker in guatemala. I was in Quetzaltenango (Xela), which is not that far from Chichi. I was there 1993-94 so i expect things have changed loads. Also, i was young free and single then so had a totally different perspective. all in all probably not much used to you but i did love it and made some great friends and had some great experiences.

thanks kiskidee
we have looked into the issues you raise, and the fco website is very useful - we have also been in contact with them regarding our plans,
We didnt just fall in love during a holiday as I have spent a lot of time in Guate - this is a much planned, much discussed, very much hoped for plan, and we have taken into account all you have talked about - but thanks very much for your concern.

vitomum I also first visited Guate in 1993 - it blew me away then and even more so on subsequent visits,
its amazing how a place can just get a hold on you

Hi again, everything Kiskidee said is also true about Brazil but it doesn't mean we live in fear. Yes we are careful, far more so than anywhere else we have lived, I for one look like a wealthy tourist (red hair, blue eyes), houses are behind high security fences with alarms or guards and big dogs ect. ect but on the other hand I was mugged outside my door in London - not so here. I wouldn't go walking around London late at night on my own, nor would I here. You know, it's not so different! Do be cautious, do be aware of your surroundings but don't get everything out of proportion. Just enjoy it.