Volunteer in Mexican Orphanages

  Mexico

• Oaxaca: 
Oaxaca
• Cuernavaca: 
Cuernavaca
• Guadalajara: 
Guadalajara
• Monterrey: 
Monterrey
• Pacific Coast: 
Chiapa de Corzo,  Chilpancingo (Chilpancingo de los Bravos),  El Paso,  Colima,  Morelia,  Guaymas,  Hermosillo,  La Manzanilla,  Los Mochis,  Tuxtla Gutierrez,  Tapachula,  San Cristobal,  Puerto Escondido,  Poza Rica,  San Carlos,  Taxco,  Tlalixtac,  Tepic
• Central Highlands: 
Guanajuato,  Celaya,  Chalchihuites,  Chihuahua,  Dolores Hidalgo,  Queretaro,  Huauchinango,  Jesus Maria,  Leon,  Linares,  Sabinas,  Sabinas Hidalgo,  Saltillo,  San Pancho,  Santa Fe,  Torreon,  Valladolid,  Xilitla,  Hidalgo del Parral,  Zacatlan
• Gulf Coast: 
Xalapa,  Reynosa,  Michoacan,  Orizaba,  Tampico
• Yucatan Peninsula: 
Campeche,  Playa del Carmen,  Chetumal,  Dzemul,  Puerto Morelos,  Merida
• Baja: 
Ensenada,  La Paz,  Loreto,  Mexicali,  Tecate
• Puebla: 
Puebla

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months, 7-12 months, 1-2 years and over 2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: year-round

Description: Duties vary with skills and needs. Assist local staff with children's activities, games, tutor/education, food preparation, cleaning, construction/maintenance, gardening/farming, etc.

Highlights: Work in local orphanage homes or shelters for abandoned children. All of these children have come from poor families and suffer from malnutrition and neglect. Assist the limited staff to care for these children. Organize recreational activities, educational activities, sports, arts & crafts, and be the nurturing heart and helping hand that can encourage the children and local staff.

Volunteering in Mexico Offers:
* An unforgettable experience helping and improving Latin American communities
* A chance to broaden your perspective and worldview
* A chance to participate in and learn local cultural activities (e.g.: language, crafts, dancing)
* Memorable travel experiences with the chance to see exotic sites you have always dreamed about
* The ability to make lifelong friends from around the globe
* A valuable work experience that strengthens your resume, exhibiting your diligence, independence, and intercultural experiences
* A great way to develop and support your self-confidence and interpersonal skills   

Cultural Embrace Offers:
* Assists Volunteer Placement Prior to Departure
Cultural Embrace pre-arranges your volunteer project before you leave home to ensure an easy and hassle-free transition to your new life abroad.   
* Housing
Basic, clean, and comfortable housing will be included with at least 2 meals per day, 6 days a week are included.
* Included Spanish Lessons (Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico)
First two-weeks (~15-20 hours) Spanish language except in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Peru. Additional Spanish or Portuguese lessons are available for a nominal fee.
* Visa Assistance
Cultural Embrace will assist you with information to obtain a visa (if necessary), but we have no control nor the ability to guarantee government issuance and/or visa availability.
* Travel Insurance: International Traveler's Medical Coverage
Our policy provides a comprehensive insurance included for all Volunteer projects abroad.
* Arrival Pick-Up and Transfer
We will arrange an airport pick-up and transfer for you upon arrival.   
* Arrival Orientation
Receive training and orientation upon arrival from our local
* Cultural Embrace Kit
Useful tips, advice, and information to prepare you for the amazing adventure of living and working abroad.
* Full-time Representation
Cultural Embrace provides representation in the United States and your host country prior to, during, and after your placement.

Qualifications: You must be at least 18 years of age, or with adult consent. Enjoy providing a service and working with others. Capable to live and work in basic and sparse conditions. Spanish knowledge preferred but not required.

Cost in US$: varies w/duration and location

Salary / Pay: Basic Room and three meals per day. Arrival assistance. Major medical traveler's insurance. Pre-departure and local support

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Volunteers that share the compassion of helping others and trying to improve the lives of others, while gaining a new perspective and respect of their own.

Age Range: all accepted

This Program is open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Mexico Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of <12

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Other
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Resume
• Transcript
• Written Application

Cultural Embrace's Mission Statement: Our mission is to encourage people to recognize and appreciate cultural diversity. We believe that visiting a place firsthand allows one to truly experience the authenticity of a culture and develop his/her own impressions. Our goals are to provide quality service and opportunities for people to explore their world and enlighten their eyes, mind and heart. Traveling is a reciprocated flow of communication and interaction between people...the more you seek, the more you learn. "Discover the Similarities - Share the Differences"