Rock Point, Arizona-- Navajo Nation

  United States

Rock Point

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: May 23-30, 2009; September 12-19, 2009

Description: Rock Point is in a remote and beautiful area in the four corners region of Arizona, about a five hour drive from Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is located 50 miles north of Canyon de Chelly National Monument, and Chinle, where the closest doctor, hospital, bank and supermarket can be found. The population is widely dispersed throughout the area. Rock Point consists of a Chapter House, where the local government resides, the Rock Point Community School, a gas station/convenience store, a post office, laundromat, senior center, a Church of God church, a Native American Church and the Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Church. The population of Rock Point is around 2,600, with unemployment at 60-70 %. Local people enjoy rodeos, sporting events, hiking and horseback riding.

The Navajo Nation consists of about 200,000 Navajos located on 25,000 square miles of land in New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. Navajo families own land-use permits issued by the tribe that allows them to live on a particular piece of land. These lands together make up the Navajo Reservation. About half the people work either as artisans or for the tribe in the capital in Window Rock. Navajo society is matrilineal and homes and occupancy of the land passes through the mothers. The traditional home is a hogan, an octagonal building made of wooden poles, tree bark and mud. The doors of hogans always open to the East to welcome the sun and receive good blessings. Some families still live in hogans and many others have one on their land where they grow corn and raise their sheep.

Highlights: The GCN experience is time in the host community, which allows for plenty of time to get to know the local community in your own way. Often team members like to explore the surrounding area for an occasional day trip. Team members have opportunities to hike among the beautiful local rock formations at Canyon de Chelly and Monument Valley, which are two hours away. Many team members like to extend their stay in Arizona and New Mexico to explore, hike, and visit other historical sites.

Qualifications: Although no special skills are required to participate, we believe everyone has skills--some yet to be discovered. Each participant contributes what they can. If any expertise is needed for a project, the local community will provide these skills.

Cost in US$: $975

Many people ask why they have to pay to volunteer. GCN receives primary financial support from program fees and individual donors, while relying heavily on volunteers to make our work successful. Also, while individuals may be able to travel for less to many of these places, GCN provides the entrance into a village and exposure to a culture that one could not receive if traveling solo to these places. Through the long-term partnerships that GCN has established with communities around the world, participants immerse themselves into the daily life of villagers and gain a unique perspective, while making a contribution in the lives of others.

Credit Available: yes

Salary / Pay: Experience of a lifetime.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Participants range in age from 8-80+ and come from the U.S., Canada and beyond. Students, nurses, computer programmers, social workers,teachers, families, individuals and retirees...these are just some of the people who join our trips.

Age Range: 8-88+

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to United States Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 6-12

Scholarships are Available. - Global Citizens Network scholarships are awarded on the basis of financial & circumstantial need. Because our Scholarship Fund is very limited, we generally award scholarships to those who would otherwise not be able to participate without financial help; please keep this in mind when you are applying. Scholarships are awarded for up to $250(domestic) $400(international) per individual, $500 per family per year.

Application Process Involves:

• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Global Citizens Network's Mission Statement: Global Citizens Network recognizes the interdependence of people around the world, and that social and economic injustice, racial and ethnic inequality, and ecological loss affect all people. But through cooperative effort, individuals of all cultures can experience and enhance their ability to make a difference in their community and their world. To foster that cooperation, Global Citizens Network sends short-term teams of volunteers to communities in other cultures where participants immerse themselves in the culture and daily life of the community. Each volunteer team is partnered with a local grassroots organization active in meeting local needs. Global Citizens Network creates a worldwide network of people and organizations committed to addressing global issues. By providing participants the opportunity to learn about the society, knowledge, art and livelihood of other cultures, Global Citizens Network seeks to honor and help preserve those cultures. By providing the resources of participating volunteers and project grants, Global Citizens Network seeks to assist human and community development in those cultures. By creating a network of people and organizations, Global Citizens Network also seeks to enhance participants' impact on issues of local and global concern.

Year Founded: 1992