Mexico volunteer
One fully funded volunteering opportunity in an eco project in Oaxaca
Deadline passed: No further applications being accepted
The co-operative project in the beach village of La Ventanilla in Oaxaca State which was set up to stop the killing and selling of turtles and their eggs and has grown in to a sustainable development project which generates alternative sources of income for the 25 families who live in the community.
The Co-op now organises guided tours and horse riding along the mangrove swamp. Other projects include a tree nursery, a crocodile farm and nurseries for turtles and iguanas. Volunteer activities might include cleaning and preparation of the eco-friendly tourist cabins, to assist in the community owned restaurant "El maíz azul" ("The blue corn"), helping in the rehabilitation of confiscated animals and the release of newly-hatched turtles into the ocean.
Details
Age profile: Over 18 on 1st June 2010.
Travel dates: Summer 2010 for 8 weeks.
This Travel Award includes:
- Return flights from Ireland to Mexico, insurance, orientation programme and overnight in Mexico City
- Transfer to Oaxaca city for 2 weeks/30 hours Spanish language classes, cultural activities and homestay with local family
- Accommodation and meals during volunteer project
- Volunteer work for 6 weeks on the island
- Local mentor and support
How to apply
To enter for an award you need to tell us…
“What you could bring to this experience and how you could benefit from participating in it”
You can do this by using any one of the following formats:
- An essay of not more than 700 words;
- A project format of not more than 8 A4 size pages combining pictures, clippings, art, drawings and writing in any combination you wish.
Each entry needs to be specific to the country you wish to apply for i.e. you cannot use the same entry for more than one country. You also need to complete a specific Travel Award Application Form. You will need to complete this task and forward it in hard copy with an application form to reach EIL by 5pm on March 26th 2010. Application forms are available from EIL. A selection committee will shortlist a number of entrants and these will be invited for interview in Dublin on a Saturday in mid April 2010. The winners will be announced in May 2010. The decisions of the adjudication panels will be final.
Blogs
31/08/2010 - Roll the credits - Marie-Claire Walsh
Mexico 27/07/10 - Gastro Wars: The Empire Strikes Back!
21/07/10 - The Chronicles of MC; the Turtle, the Doctor and the Cabin
05/07/10 - Earthquakes, Elections and Excursions!
Chris Callaghan won an EIL Travel Award that helped sponsor his voluntary work in the Mexican village of Bara de Potosi.
Patrick Bowen, an IT specialist and a future Teacher from Co Cork, volunteered for 10 weeks at a teaching project in the town of Amecameca in Mexico
Clare O'Gorman, a student from Galway, spent 6 weeks volunteering with Volunteer Abroad in Mexico working with the children of Barra de Potosi.
Arran Sadlier won a EIL Travel Award to Mexico. After an orientation programme and Spanish Language course he went on to volunteer at two projects.
Maria Cronin from Dublin volunteered in the village of Barra de Potosi, Mexico.
Mairéad O'Reilly helped the community of Isla del Viejo Soyaltepec, Mexico
Terms & Conditions
- Applications should only be made with the full permission of the young person involved
- Shortlisting may take place and interviews will take place pror to final selection
- Each successful applicant must complete all necessary supplementary application forms as required by EIL (including parental/guardian permissions if under 18)
- Selected applicants forfeit their place on the programme should he/she not be able to fully participate on the programme on all the dates as specified
- Young people will need to demonstrate an appropriate level of maturity and responsibility in order to participante
- All persons making nominations and all the young applicants agree to accept the decision of the EIL adjudication panel as final.
Get involved with EIL on: 
EIL Intercultural Learning, 1 Empress Place, Summerhill North, Cork, County Cork, Republic of Ireland.
email: info@eilireland.org telephone: +353 (0)21 4551535 lowcall: 1850 292939 fax: +353 (0)21 4551587
cc by-sa 2010 EIL Intercultural Learning