Volunteer with Street Children in Mexico

  Mexico

• Oaxaca: 
Oaxaca

Durations of Program: 7-12 months, 1-2 years and over 2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 7-12 months

Description: Volunteers with Canica de Oaxaca take part in all the activities of the organization from administrative work to working directly with the children and young people. Individuals can choose to volunteer in one of our 3 programs:

1) Attention Program for Children Working and/or Living on the Streets
2) Attention Program for Children Working and/or Living in the Market
3) Attention Program for Child Victims of Domestic Violence

Volunteers will spend time helping children with homework and day-to-day tasks as well as giving specific educational workshops and organizing activities. Volunteers are asked to spend 2 days a week helping in the administrative offices, searching for funding, translating documents, public relations etc.

Cost in US$: none

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Volunteers need to be dynamic, enthusiastic, adaptable and patient people, who work effectively as part of a team. Obviously volunteers enjoy working with children and would like to give their time to make a difference in the lives of the children we work with. Volunteers tend to have knowledge in areas such as psychology, sociology, social work, or other fields within the social and human sciences. We are also looking for volunteers with specific experience in fields such as health education and training.

Age Range: over 21 years

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Mexico Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Resume
• Written Application

Canica de Oaxaca A.C.'s Mission Statement: We work to promote the integral development of Oaxaca's street children, and its victims of domestic violence through a professional program of educational and social services that help them and their families actively and positively transform their personal, living, and social conditions. Within CANICA's three programs, we work directly with girls, boys, and youth who work in the streets: washing windshields, shining shoes, and selling various products; with those who work all hours alongside their families in the daily market; and those who have been the youngest victims of a domestically violent home-life. With each child, CANICA reinforces and promotes intellectual, social, and personal development. We reintegrate the children in a formal school setting, we emphasize the importance of health, nutrition, and personal care, and we provide a safe and comfortable atmosphere for them to grow socially and recapture parts of their childhood. Our children's families are an essential part of CANICA's success. Working with mothers and fathers provides a comprehensive program that fortifies the path of prosperity for each child. CANICA serves mothers and fathers, providing parental education, promoting responsible family roles, positive self-images, financial responsibility, and general life skills that will benefit the entire family.

Year Founded: 1992