Creating opportunities for sustainable development of indigenous communities in Mexico

  Mexico

• Pacific Coast: 
Morelia

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: July 23 - August 11, 2008

Description: The local host is an organization which works in many activities, such as cultural and environmental, to promote sustainable development and divulgate the richness of the indigenous communities in Mexico. In this project, a group of international volunteers is invited to participate in activities with the community called Mata de Platano, to help in a program that seeks to promote the creation of activities for sustainable development.

Project dates:
July 23 - August 11, 2008
August 20 - September 8, 2008
January 21 - February 9, 2009

The volunteers will help in the construction and maintenance of a community center, called "La Casa del Volcan". The construction has already been started by the local people, but volunteers will help at the creation of a place that can receive tourists as a camping zone, since Mata de Platano is surrounded by very beautiful natural environment. Moreover, the group will gather some elements for the opening of a community museum.

The community of Mata de Platano is a small town located in La Huacana Municipality in Michoacan.

There is an extra fee of 210 Euro for participation in this project, intended to support the local host.

Cost in US$: $290 US

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: motivated to work voluntarily within an international team, tolerant, open-minded and cooperative young person with adventurous spirit.

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to American and Canadian Participants.

Participants Travel to Mexico Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

CADIP - Canadian Alliance for Development Initiatives and Projects's Mission Statement: CADIP promotes peace, cooperation, tolerance and understanding in international, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural surroundings. The organization also promotes patterns and examples of civil activities focused on serving others, on building social ties and strengthening communities, on supporting civil society development. Aims and general objectives: * To promote volunteering as an expression of civic contribution * To strengthen the international contacts among young people * To build tolerance and understanding in multicultural and multi-ethnic surroundings *To promote multiunderstanding among youth all over the world * To facilitate the individual growth of the volunteers through the acquisition of work, life and learning skills * To work for the recognition and promotion of non-formal learning * To support the community initiatives and assist in community development.