Volunteer in Mexico

The Global Volunteer Network currently has opportunities to work with disadvantaged rural communities in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. Volunteers can work in a variety of projects in different villages after an appropriate preparation period in the city of Ciudad Guzman (also known as Zapotlan).

The Program

Ciudad Guzman is one of the largest cities in the state of Jalisco. It is located about 80 miles from the capital, Guadalajara, the city with the closest international airport. The city has a population of about 100,000 people and is ideally located in a valley at the foot of a range of mountains: "La Sierra del Tigre". Within a 15 minute walk you will find yourself in the middle of the forest. The beach can be reached in about an hour via a modern toll road.

The program runs August 1-31, 2008. You will be placed where your skills are most suited; and will be best to look at the available options before the training program begins and make a final decision in consultation with our partner organization. Due to the nature of the situation, there can be no specific guidelines as to what project you will work in until you arrive. An orientation and training will take place upon arrival and you will be placed according to the current needs and requirements, with consideration of your skills and background.

Stage 1 - Personal Development: Our volunteers first go through an initial training period consisting of sessions designed to enhance personal development, and introduce the volunteer to rural living conditions. The personal development program includes "self evaluation" exercises to become aware of the strengths and weaknesses each of us have in order to maximise our potential and discover/develop the skills we need so that we are able to share the best of us with those in need. A typical schedule of activities is available. To help with language, "one to one" conversation clubs are conducted. Locals trade "Spanish for English" with our volunteers at scheduled times during the first two weeks. Initially, volunteers may live with an urban, middle class host family with all the amenities of home. When ready they may choose a cultural immersion experience living in a village, with a rural family. In Stage 1 volunteers are trained in what anthropologists call "non-obtrusive observation" and are asked to keep a field diary to enrich the data needed in the design of intervention strategies implemented by the Jalisco State Rural Development Secretariat. Volunteers become inspirations; behavior models for sustainability. They lead by example and must conform to high moral standards.

Stage 2 - Specific Placements:After the personal development stage of the program, volunteers will begin their specific placements where they will stay for the rest of the month. The types of placement work you could be involved with may include:

Community Empowerment: The Rural Development Secretariat in the State of Jalisco, Mexico, works in collaboration with the UN, in a program designed to identify disadvantaged families and help them pull themselves out of poverty as well as teaching them to implement technologies directed towards sustainable development. Facilitators trained and coordinated by various NGO's are collaborating with the government. They evaluate families in rural villages, document their needs and potential to grow, and help them access resources that may consist of appropriate training, mentoring, or securing the loans they need to break the poverty cycle. Volunteers help those identified families in a number of ways: helping them improve their homes and use technologies that better their health and the environment through things like construction and use of bio-filters, wood saving stoves, organic gardening and responsible tourism. Volunteers may also help to improve the "aesthetic" appeal of the village by collaborating on activities such as painting, or disposing of rubble, etc. but the main goal is to help implement basic environment-protecting technologies and organic gardening. In return, volunteers enjoy a diverse range of locally grown fruits and vegetables, natural products, or learn to cook Mexican dishes and improve their Spanish.

Childcare: There is also an opportunity to work with disadvantaged children in urban settings. In the city of Guadalajara there is an enormous need for volunteers to help care for children and maintain their surroundings in government programs throughout the city. Volunteers assist teachers and health professionals, play with the children, help with facility maintenance, and participate in the organisation of the activities designed to meet the physical and emotional needs of the boys and girls who have been abused or abandoned by their families.

Teaching: Volunteers can work teaching English to students and members of the community. Times and class size can be determined to suit the skills of the volunteer.

Environmental and Waste Management: Volunteers can help with the design and implementation of environmental projects in both urban and rural areas.

Research and Writing: Manuals, books, video and other educational materials are necessary to maximise the impact of our program. Our partner needs volunteers to search the internet and establish liaisons with other organisations so that they can have a wider impact and join the global effort on sustainability.

Program Location

The program is located in Ciudad Guzman, Jalisco state, Mexico (there are also opportunities to work in the city of Guadalajara). Volunteers will be picked up by our staff at the international flights main exit in the Guadalajara international airport on the first of the month at 6pm with a 30 minutes "grace period". Please be sure that your flight arrives earlier that day. Otherwise you can take a taxi to the specified address in Guadalajara before 9pm. Volunteers may be accommodated in either single or shared rooms (depending on availability); may walk or use inexpensive public transport in town; or be transported to more distant placement sites by a staff member.

Program Requirements

Volunteers for this program must:

• Be at least 18 years of age - no upper age limit if healthy
• Be in good health
• Be a native speaker of English (fluent)
• Basic Spanish is required
• Be eligible to obtain a tourist visa to Mexico
• Respect the culture and religious beliefs of the community
• Be willing to lead by example and conform to high moral standards.
• Must adhere to the program and community's code of conduct
• Have a strong interest in social and environmental issues
• Be willing to learn from the experience
• Be enthusiastic, optimist and at ease in impoverished environments

Program Schedule

Volunteers will begin their placements on the 1st of August and finish on 31st August 2008.

Program Cost

A US$350 application fee will secure your place on the program, with your program fee due for payment eight weeks before you begin your placement. You only pay your application fee once and then you can access any of GVN's volunteer programs over the next 5 years.

Your application fee includes the following benefits:

• Personal Staff Support
• Your Mexico Program Guide
• Your Fundraising Guide and Software
• Access to Your Own Online Journal
• Online Video - Preparing For Your Trip

Once your application fee is paid the remainder of the cost for your time in the Mexico program is:

• Cost for 1 month - US $1397

To see the cost in your local currency, we recommend you .

The in-country fee covers administrative charge, meals (except dinners on Sundays), accommodation during placement, and supervision.

The other costs you will need to meet are your flights, visa, vaccinations, travel insurance, transport between the airport and Ciudad Guzman, daily transport, and airport departure taxes. You will also need to bring additional funds to cater for all your other expenses like bottled water, personal costs, beverages and entertainment.

Your program fee includes the following benefits:

• Your In-Country Fee
• In-Country Support
• 24hr Emergency Line
• Membership To The Change Makers Club
• All Safe Travel Alert Service
• Letter Of Completion

Apply for the Mexico Program

Your application process is free and seamless and if you are successful we will provide you with a choice of application fee payment options that include a secure online service. We also are one of the few organizations that offer a money back guarantee on your application fee up to two calendar months before the month your placement begins.
Click here to apply for the Mexico program.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have put together the following page, which answers the majority of questions people have. Click here to read our Frequently Asked Questions.

Volunteer Journals

If you would like to read about the experiences of some of our volunteers who are currently volunteering, you can do so here. This journal service is provided free to all our volunteers.
Click here

Application Process

All applicants will be notified by email as to whether their application has been successful.

(1) Complete the Application Form: Fill out the application form below. Upon receipt of the form we will assess your suitability for the program within two working days.

(2) Contact You: If you are successful we will then email you a letter of acceptance.

(3) Decision Point: Once you have read through the letter of acceptance and we have answered any questions or concerns that you might have, it is time to pay your US $350 application fee to secure your place on the program. Please note that we will refund your application fee if you decide not to go (refer to our Terms of Service for details on the refund policy).

(4) Confirmation: Once the application fee is paid, our volunteer partner will contact you to ensure everything is organized. We will also send you the link to our program guide which covers topics such as country information, travel links, visa application process, fundraising ideas and much more!

(5) Communication & Support: Throughout the application process, we are committed to working with you to answer any of your questions or concerns. During your placement we are also available as a form of support to you as a volunteer and will email you while in country to discuss how the program is going.

To apply for this program, click here