Volunteer in Oaxaca

MID-MAY START DATE AVAILABLE!!

APPLY NOW AND BEGIN YOUR PROGRAM MAY 21ST, 2012

Our internship programs have taken off in Spain and parts of Latin America while in Oaxaca, we focus on the same program highlights but with an emphasis on VOLUNTEER work rather than internship work. The difference is in nuances: Volunteer work has a more socially involved connotation, whereas Internship is straight up business oriented. Volunteer work most definitely gives back to the community, whereas Internship benefits you really more than the community abroad you live in while participating in our programs. When you look at our list of Volunteer Assignments, you will notice that there are a large number of ways to positively impact the people of Oaxaca when you sign up for this program, whether it is for just one month or for longer, on up to 12 months.

Oaxaca is a beautiful old colonial city in south-central Mexico. Located along the Sierra foothills, the city is home to towering Zapotec pyramids and high plains desert. It's an idyllic, vibrant thoroughfare for artisans and craftsman from the surrounding indigenous pueblos and a gateway to many mountain and beach destinations. Home to ancient Zapotec, Mixtec and Aztec peoples, the culture is rich with diversity.

Influenced by these deep roots and a history of upheaval and change, the people are both warm and resilient. The Alcala, a cobble stone street lined with old stone buildings, churches, shops and restaurants ends at the Zocolo, the colorful plaza at the heart of town. Yet throughout the city you'll find food for every palate and budget, cafes, shops and markets.

Fiestas and parades occur almost daily, reflecting the spirit and congeniality of the people who call it home. Mexicans generally credit the food as the best in the nation.

We have used our years of experience sending candidates abroad to Spain to develop the same valuable and customized Volunteer program in Mexico. Here is what makes what we offer you better and different:

• The amount of time you choose to volunteer is flexible, with program lengths ranging from 1 to 12 months
• Program can be done for academic credit
• 2 weeks of intensive Spanish language classes are included in the fee, plus 3-4 excursions.
• Lodging is included. Live like a Native in a shared apartment with other Adelante candidates or elect to live with Mexican roommates.
• Come with a friend and live together during your adventure in Oaxaca.
• You will be met at the airport or bus station when you arrive in Oaxaca, and taken directly to your apartment
• Volunteer for 4 hours each day in locally owned companies, museums or grass-root organizations. You will gain real, international experience to add to our resume.
• Some excursions are included during your 2-week intensive Spanish coursework. We also organize events each month which you are welcome to participate in -- some have a small fee, others are free. This program is meant to be 50% work experience and 50% cultural / language acquisition and immersion. To that effect, we help cultivate the cultural side of the program for you by organizing these events.
• Oaxaca has been called the craft capital of Mexico and fairly far south, past Mexico City. Its population is around 210,000 and the weather is mild year-round. It boasts one of the largest Saturday markets in the country and each nearby village has its own craft specialty from rugs to pottery to linens to hand-carved wooden animals. Find out more about Oaxaca and Mexico by going to any number of search engines and typing in "Mexico"
• The Adelante Director in Oaxaca speaks English fluently, having taken graduate coursework in Michigan, and is a native of Oaxaca. Our Director is available to all candidates as needed for counsel and assistance.

IT IS OUR GOAL TO HELP YOU EXPERIENCE ANOTHER CULTURE THROUGH OUR INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER AND IMMERSION PROGRAM. TO DATE WE HAVE PLACED 100% OF OUR CANDIDATES IN PROGRAMS ABROAD. WE HAVE GOOD SUCCESS MATCHING CANDIDATES WITH THEIR DESIRED SECTORS, BASED ON THEIR SKILLS AND AVAILABILITY. CANDIDATES THAT ARE BEGINNING SPEAKERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE BY APPLYING FOR TEACHING ENGLISH ASSIGNMENTS.

NOTE: If you want to intern in a Sector you don't see here, then with a minimum of 60 days advance notice we can make an effort to find a placement in your desired field.

ARCHEOLOGY

• Government Institute in charge of the preservation, restoration and organization of archeological sites and museums of Oaxaca.

ARTS

• Contemporary & Mexican folk art gallery
• Contemporary and Mexican folk art studio and classes
• Graphic arts museum, library and art events
• Center for Human Rights - teaching music and painting workshops in communities in order to teach basic human rights
• Oaxacan artist women's cooperative store.
• Teaching English to Artisans dedicated to the creation of wood carving figures and helping with the marketing of their works.
• Restoration project of wall paintings (murals) in a XVIII century church 20 minutes from Oaxaca City - good hand-skills and patience required.
• Help in the daily activities of a natural dyes and cochineal center, 20 minutes from Oaxaca City. Candidates will work in the lab, in the field with plants and insects (taking care and harvesting), dying workshops and organization of large annual events (November)

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

The following positions are all within an organization that promotes the cultivation and consumption of amaranth as a way to improve health.

• Develop a profitable business for a program that is currently run as a non-profit organization.
• Research, write and edit grant proposals.
• Local business outreach/marketing - approaching local restaurants, food stores and clothing stores to educate and promote the organization and their work (advanced Spanish required).
• Monitor and evaluate the program through interviewing participants and analysis of date. (Oct - Jan only)
• Program development by observing and analyzing, then providing suitable workshops and training. (advanced Spanish required)
• Provide organizational assistance in areas such as fundraising, human resources, budgeting and program development.

COMPUTER - DIGITAL ART

• Alternative university program including education of community based social development and research, need website design and assistance in research and organization
• Developing, designing, and/or translating web pages and logos for low income NGO's, local artisans, and small family businesses, within a network of Graphic Design Studios in Oaxaca City.

CULINARY

Not really a Volunteer position, but we have excellent placements in this sector. From an upscale restaurant, wine/mezcal store and mezcal production entity, to "alternative" vegetarian and vegan cafes to traditional restaurants with excellent kitchens, where candidates will learn the art of making the famous "mole" sauces, and more. Culinary candidates look no further: Oaxaca is one of the culinary hot spots in the world.

• Work with alternative innovative Oaxacan-Mexican cuisine, combining traditional ingredients in new and novel recipes, served up in contemporary presentations. The avant-garde architect-designed setting makes this establishment one of the most exciting places to eat in Oaxaca. A formerly derelict colonial patio now sports high adobe-brick walls, tall wooden columns and cool pools of water in an impeccably contemporary configuration, half open to the sky
• Going a bit higher end, and in a classy, yet casual setting. It's nueva cocina, traditional Mexican food with smart, interesting modern touches, but without ever losing respect for the traditional
• Another placement declares with pride that all its antojitos are made out of maiz criollo, meaning that the variety is indigenous and native to Mexico. (Criollo also means a Mexican of Spanish descent)
• More in line with our Volunteer push in Oaxaca, is cooking and serving breakfast and lunch to 120 children and teenagers in an marginal community near Montealban within an NGO's social program

LAW

• Judicial center to provide alternative of mediation to public of Oaxaca. This center helps employees to deal with their employers regarding labor matters and employee rights. The center provides mediation in the beginning and where required, they assist the employee to sue the employer. The office is a local office part of the government's Justice Secretary and mostly helps people that do not have enough money to go to a lawyer.

MEDICAL / HEALTH

• Very low cost general medical clinic
• Emergency ambulance and paramedic for large non-profit
• Dental and medical clinic
• Alternative medicine including floral baths, herbs and acupuncture
• Conduct a scientific study to determine whether the daily consumption of amaranth can assist children with overcoming malnutrition (advanced Spanish required).

PSYCHOLOGY

• Judicial center to provide alternative of mediation to public of Oaxaca including counseling

SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

• Organization that certifies organic farms in Latin America
• Non-governmental organization that provides help in product development, design, market research and communications to local Oaxacan communities. One of their projects is in regards to sustainable wood market
• Non -governmental organization that provides analysis of small communities to assists them in planning eco-tourism, product production and market research
• Non-government organization that assists small communities in analyzing biology and geography of their community including projects in fiber and other materials
• Promoting cultivation and consumption of amaranth to improve life in rural Oaxaca.
• Promoting PET recycling with kids, schools, and public as well as activities, proposals, translations, and managing PET recycle within Oaxaca City.
• Assistance with organizing, promoting, and attention to customers in the organic market initiative and certification process, twice a week in Oaxaca City.
• Volunteer work for a non-profit organization in Oaxaca City whose focus is to teach the public about a variety of social issues apparent in Mexico, including animal rights and welfare, ecological responsibility, health, disability rights, human rights, education, children, and farming.

SOCIAL WORK

• Organizing, publicizing and teaching workshops in communities to teach basic human rights
• Judicial center to provide alternative of mediation to public of Oaxaca
• Center to assist Oaxacan's that plan to immigrate to the US
• Low risk boys juvenile hall
• Children's center providing daily free lunch, preschool, computer an other classes, hygiene care, school uniforms, homework help for Oaxacan's "street" children
• Civil association that promotes a woman's right to vote and equal participation in the government
• Non-profit organization that provides research and works on particular projects that relate to women and families and in particular reproductive health and provides low cost counseling and gynecological exams
• Young women's dormitory and center for indigenous girls from local villages that provides housing during high school, university and emotional assistance and workshops
• Providing basic medical and health education, as well as helping children with their homework, at the primary school level within Oaxaca City. Same site, preparing and serving food to children at the primary school level within Oaxaca City.

TEACHING ENGLISH

• Public primary school
• Government office for human rights, teaching employees
• Low risk boys juvenile hall
• Government office for social assistance, academic and cultural activities for the youth of Oaxaca.
• Teaching English to Artisans dedicated to the creation of wood carving figures and help with the marketing of their works.

TEACHING COMPUTER SKILLS

• Government office for social assistance, and cultural activities for the youth of Oaxaca.
• Courses of cultural, academic and sport activities for the general public.

THEATER

• Theatre group that presents plays in indigenous communities. The group prepares plays and goes out to towns and presents them in schools (primary or secondary ones), and main plazas of indigenous communities. They are usually plays for kids and sometimes for adults. The themes vary, for example, health, environment, etc. The group also works on their costumes, sets and props.

WOMENS' STUDIES AND HEALTH

• Young women's dormitory and center for indigenous girls from local villages that provides housing during high school, university and emotional assistance and workshops.
• Non-profit organization that provides research and works on particular projects that relate to women and families and in particular reproductive health projects, provide low cost counseling and gynecological exams
• Civil association that promotes a woman's right to vote and equal participation in the government

WORKING WITH CHILDREN

• Children's center providing daily free lunch, preschool, computer an other classes, hygiene care, school uniforms, homework help for Oaxacan's "street" children
• Low risk boys juvenile hall
• Young women's dormitory and center for indigenous girls from local villages that provides housing during high school, university and emotional assistance and workshops.
• Courses of cultural, academic and sport activities for the general public.
• Orphanage for children and young adults coming from indigenous communities.

All work assignments must be confirmed in advance as space depends on availability and candidates experience and interests. Other Volunteer opportunities in different fields - ask us, they may be available on request.