Volunteer in Oaxaca, Mexico!

  Mexico

• Oaxaca: 
Oaxaca

Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: Summer

Description: Volunteers in the beautiful, culturally rich southern state of Oaxaca will collaborate with the Secretariat of Health and Education to facilitate programs for youth and other community members. This year, there are two projects in the region of Oaxaca.

1. Community Nutrition - Volunteers will work with Sec. of Health, Un Kilo de Ayuda, and Purente a la Salud to improve nutrition issues in the surrounding communities of Oaxaca. Focusing on a plant called amaranth, volunteers will educate community members about its health benefits, how to plant and harvest the crop, and how to incorporate it into the diet. Volunteers interested in public health, medicine, and nutrition are strongly encouraged to apply. Additionally, volunteers will work with women's groups on cooking and gardening projects, working with children to carry out health education activities, and working with the community to develop and implement a Community Based Initiative (CBI).

2. Cultural Preservation (TECHNO) - Volunteers will work with the Instituto Estatal de Educacion Publica de Oaxaca (IEEPO) to promote the understanding and use of digital technologies (computers, digital cameras and video cameras) to further the investigation and documentation of local culture. Volunteers will promote and educate community youth and adults on the use of digital video, audio, photography, computers, and Internet through hands-on projects focused on the documentation and preservation of local Oaxacan culture. Additionally, volunteers will work with the community to develop and implement a Community Based Initiative (CBI).

Highlights:
* Language Immersion
* Host Family
* Work with Youth
* Cultural Understanding
* Diverse Organization
* College Students Only

Qualifications: To serve as an AMIGOS Volunteer in Oaxaca, you must:

- Be at least 18 years old by September 1st of the year of volunteer service
- Have completed two years of high school level Spanish, or the equivalent
- Adhere to the AMIGOS' Standards of Conduct and Community Behavior
- Fulfill fundraising and training requirements
- Receive required immunizations

Minimum Education: High School

Cost in US$: 3,995

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Amigos volunteers enjoy experiencing other cultures, are motivated, take intitiative in starting projects, have studied Spanish, enjoy being around children and enjoy sharing about themselves to a host family. Amigos volunteers believe in collaborative community service.

Age Range: 18-27

This Program is open to American, Canadian and European Participants.

Participants Travel to Mexico in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 2-4 per community

Scholarships are Available. - Applicants can apply for financial assistance through Amigos de las Americas. AMIGOS can also assist applicants to find other scholarships or grants. AMIGOS is committed to placing in the field program every potential volunteer who meets program requirements and displays proven interest and determination to participate. AMIGOS feels strongly that no potential volunteer should be prohibited from participating because of the participation cost. AMIGOS has many support networks in place, such as the fundraising activities and chapter and international office and financial aid programs, to assist you in your efforts. The International Office has also put together a fund raising booklet that contains suggestions that have been proven successful by veteran volunteers. This booklet is made available to those potential volunteers who submit a preliminary application. AMIGOS also views fund raising as an integral part of the training process. Fund raising is necessary not only to defray the cost of operating the field program, but also so volunteers may become comfortable with making presentations that explain AMIGOS and your reasons for participating. When you arrive in the host community in Latin America, it may be that only a few people know about AMIGOS. It will be necessary for you to promote AMIGOS and yourself before you begin to promote public health and community education. Those skills that are crucial to your success in the field can be learned and better developed through the fund raising process.

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Job and Internship Network

Amigos de las Americas's Mission Statement: Amigos de la Americas (AMIGOS) builds partnerships to empower young leaders, advance community development and strengthen multicultural understanding in the Americas.

Year Founded: 1965