Volunteer with Indigenous People in Oaxaca, Mexico

  Mexico

• Oaxaca: 
Oaxaca

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: The first Saturday of every month

Description: Work amongst ancient archaeological ruins volunteering with indigenous people in Health, Conservation, Education and Community projects. Enrich your life whilst helping a struggling school for kids with special needs: auditory, visual, motor and mental disabilities and protect the natural habitat that provides water, climate control, and sustenance to those living on and near the San Felipe Mountains.

Programs:
1. Literacy development
2. Sustainable ecosystems program
3. Botanical conservation and research
4. Environmental conservation
5. Work with hearing-impaired children
6. Tutoring disadvantaged teens
7. Nutrition and community health
8. Animal rescue
9. Equine therapy with disabled kids
10. Work in a children's shelter
11. Social and medical care
12. Cultural preservation
13. Agri-nutritional education and research
14. Special education
15. Empowering women
16. Elder care
17. Work in a public hospital
18. Rural healthcare

Kaya's programs are designed to enrich volunteers' values and knowledge about Mexican culture, tradition and people. Furthermore, participants are taken good care of while in the congenial and warm support of Mexico's people.

Highlights:
As most of the world knows, Mexico has some of the most amazing white sandy beaches, turquoise waters and marine life on the planet, but it also has so much more to offer. It is making great strides economically. Nonetheless, income inequality between rich and poor, north and south, and between urban and rural is a major problem. As a result around 30%, or 31 million Mexican people are still living in poverty.

Great White Shark Cage Diving :
The iconic great white is one of the most feared ocean dwellers of all time due to its awe-inspiring size, power, and predatory abilities. It is the largest flesh-eating fish in the ocean today. Off the shores of Mexico is the Isla Guaudalupe, considered one of the best places on the entire planet to view great whites in their natural habitat -- from the safety of a sharkproof cage, of course.

Veracruz River Rafting:
Veracruz, located on the central gulf coast of Mexico, is a world-famous location for river rafting. There are 40 rivers in Veracruz with many originating from the volcanic mountains in the area. The best whitewater rivers are Pescados, Actopan, Antigua and Filobobos, with rapids ranging from class 2 to class 5.

Huasteca Canyon:
Located 15 minutes from Monterry City are the renowned limestone cliffs of the Huasteca Canyon. There are endless opportunities for rock climbing for people at all skill levels, with more than 200 bolted routes of varying difficulties. These limestone cliffs are stunning and can provide quite a challenge even for the experienced climber.

The richness of culture and landscape make Oaxaca a great place to explore! The weather is favorable year-round. There are many museums that explain the historical and cultural importance of the city and state in Mexico's history.

With the abundance of activities, Oaxacans generally have an active social life. It's also important to mention the culinary offerings of Oaxaca, which is said to have some of the best food in Mexico.

Qualifications: A Kaya volunteer shows enthusiasm, spirit and life to stimulate and bring something new to the residents; love, patience and a listening ear for the people; and a good motivator with a positive and optimistic attitude.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: A Kaya volunteer shows enthusiasm, spirit and life to stimulate and bring something new to the local residents; love, patience and a listening ear for the people; and a good motivator with a positive and optimistic attitude.

Age Range: Must be more than 18 years old

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

Participants Travel to Mexico Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Kaya Responsible Travel's Mission Statement: Kaya's mission is to promote sustainable social, environmental and economic development, empower communities and cultivate educated, compassionate global citizens through responsible travel.

Year Founded: 2008