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
Amecameca is a nice, quiet town nestled in the foothills of the active volcano Popocatepetl and the inactive volcano Iztaccihuatl. Like the rest of Mexico, the area is steeped in culture and myth. Festivals occur at the drop of a hat and some weeks are one long party. Churches, convents and monasteries are common place; always richly adorned and beautifully decorated. The people are friendly and lead busy and uncomplicated lives. They combine History, Religion, Culture and Politics into a hectic and colourful lifestyle.
The school is situated right in the centre of town. It is run by the very kind and warm Sanchez family. Here English, French and Italian are taught to the highest standard, in an enjoyable and proactive atmosphere. The students range from 5 to 50 years of age. All of them share a love of learning and curiousity in the outside world. I often taught for 7 hours a day and hardly noticed the time flying by.
Amecameca is but a 90 minute bus drive from the madness that is Mexico city, which has to be seen to be believed. Smaller colonial towns like Puebla and Cuernavaca are also within easy reach.
I can fully recommend the EIL - Volunteer Abroad programme, Amecameca and the Sanchez family to anyone wanting to teach, learn Spanish or sample a slice of Mexican life.
Slán agus Beannact,
Patrick Bowen