Kaya Volunteering for Educational Projects in 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: Kaya provides many English teaching placements but we also provide alternative education programs such as working with blind, deaf and children with Down syndrome. Education for these minority groups is poor and they are in great need of outside help. Be ready for minimal teaching aids and know now that you will be the main teaching resource. It is a great opportunity for the children to learn from a native speaker and hear the correct pronunciation, and all you need is a good level of English to participate in many of the placements.

Tutoring Disadvantaged Teens in Mexico

Tutor disadvantaged youths at this unique non-profit learning center, which offers free tutoring/ mentoring sessions to students aged 14 and up. The students who live and study at the center are usually from small villages throughout the state of Oaxaca. Typically they have few financial resources, often living away from their families for the first time and struggling to adjust to city life. Most come from environments that have not supported good study habits or academics. They have come for a unique opportunity to dramatically improve their lives and their families'.

At the center, the youths learn mathematics, chemistry, physics, and Spanish. Also offered are English language classes and tutoring as well as computer literacy, typing, and counseling. For many, the center becomes a home away from home where they always feel welcome, have a place to share experiences with other students, seek advice from the tutors and staff, build confidence, and improve academically.

Special Education for Children in Mexico

Help a struggling school for kids with special needs: auditory, visual, motor and mental disabilities up to 6th grade. Many of the children are not capable of learning to read or write.

The largest challenge for most of these children is that once they are out of the system they have no developed skills to help them fend for themselves. They often are forced to become dependent on their families and can never enter the work force. You will help find innovative ways to better prepare the children for adulthood, work on a micro-business program to raise funds for the school and teach the children practical skills, and will work with the mothers who travel 2 to 3 hours from surrounding villages to the school.

Literacy Development in Mexico

Provide illiterate adults and teenagers with a vital tool for improving their social and economic circumstances. The Kaya literacy program generally teaches adults to read and write within 3-8 months, depending on the level of individual attention the students can get. Many of these students grew up in rural Oaxaca and, due to family circumstances, were unable to get basic education as children. They are eager to learn to read and write.

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: Experience and passion for working in the community and interacting with the people are needed. Participants must also possess enthusiasm and a willingness to learn about the environment and the place's culture.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: 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.

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