Volunteer work within Maya communities in Yucatan, Mexico

  Mexico

Chichen Itza

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks and 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: May 2010 to Oct 2010

Description: Volunteer programs include: Teaching Second Languages such as English, German, or French. Position requires a bit of Spanish from the volunteer to communicate with the group. Volunteer teachers can work with both, teenager groups in the Mayan communities or adults at work. Groups are small and need basic and intermediate level courses.

Health related volunteer positions are available specially in the area of children mal-nutrition prevention, family care, and programs to help teens values, self-esteam, personal relationships and job skills.

Highlights: The Hacienda Chichen Resort has donated volunteer rooming for the Maya Foundation In Laakeech social work programs, volunteers also get meal discounts at this Colonial boutique hotel dedicated to Sustainable Tourism and to preserve the Mayan culture and traditions of Yucatan. The property is located a few steps from the world famous Mayan Archaeological Site of Chichen Itza, and has been selected as one of Mexico's best eco-wellness destination by National Geographic Travel. Hacienda Chichen offers volunteers also a variety of eco-cultural activities to learn and experience the Mayan heritage with unique eco-cultural activities within its vast Mayan Jungle Reserve.

Qualifications: We welcome 21 years or older volunteers that have a relax, well-manner personality and can dedicated at least four hours of teaching various tourist industry job related skills to Mayan young adults, specially English, German, French classes; volunteer should create class curriculum to meet job related studies to help Maya people find jobs within the growing tourist industry in the area.   A bit of Spanish is required to communicate with the groups.

Cost in US$: free

Volunteers in our "four or more weeks" programs have Free housing and free lunch meals daily during their volunteering; plus 20% discount on meals and non-alcohol beverages ordered in the hotel, no other service is offered.

In these FREE volunteering abroad program, volunteers need to pay their own transportation, food, medical services, insurances and other related travel and volunteer time expenses.

Experience Required: yes

A bit of Spanish is required to communicate with the community served.

Typical Volunteer: Friendly, responsible, creative, active adults sharing thier skills with the Maya people and learning about the Maya culture, holistic healing traditions. Nature lovers that enjoy teaching others job related skills within the Tourist Industry or Social health and Nutrition programs. Volunteers enjoy their free stay at Hacienda Chichen Resort a few steps of the Mayan archaeological site of Chichen Itza and normally support various aspects of our non-profit civil team as well.

Age Range: 21 to 65 years old

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Mexico Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Job and Internship Network

Maya Foundation In Laakeech A.C.'s Mission Statement: the Maya Foundation In Laakeech (pronounced "in lakech) and the Hacienda Chichen are dedicated to the social sustainable welfare of Mayan communities within Chichen Itza's rural region in Yucatan, Mexico. Our innovating sustainable eco-cultural tourism vision includes volunteer programs in areas such as adult job-related education, ESL teaching, Mayan children nutrition and health programs, youth education, and environmental care and awareness programs, as well as sustainable tourism eco-cultural experiences and activities to increase the financial opportunities of Mayan rural people.

Year Founded: 2006