PROJECT: For many educational institutions and for many people in the world, it's important to promote environmental awareness. In this project we are looking for very motivated volunteers who are willing to contribute to change and improve bad habits and raise the need to take care about the environment, to reduce pollution levels in water, air and soil, which bring as a result the phenomenon of called global warming. The international volunteers will design and develop activities and actions that focus to reduce our consumption levels of unnecessary products, encourage the reuse of natural resources, practice the separation of solid waste, implement alternative Eco techniques and promote sustainability for the local communities as well. The objective is that students of the local schools at Zacapoaxtla Town and international volunteers participate and collaborate in environmental care activities, promoting environmental ideas, applying techniques for the development of organic compost and vermicomposting and learn techniques for the improvement and health of degraded areas, contributing to mitigate the effects of climate change.
WORK: The volunteers will participate in the organization of the World Environment Day, facilitating environmental education workshops in an informal way in different high schools, and elementary schools of the region. Mexican and International volunteers will inspire and train environmental promoters. Submit success stories of different countries about environmental education, solid waste management, alternative energy and Green Technologies. Volunteers will have an active participation in field activities, through the opening of firebreaks that will prevent the presence of forest fires in the dry season, you will also participate in the reforestation of degraded areas. It is recommended that volunteers have some knowledge about the environmental practices such as those mentioned above and that they are interested in participating in outdoor activities and be able to handle different tools.
LOCATION: Zacapoaxtla City is nestled in the cool elevations at Puebla State, belonging to the Sierra Madre Oriental. The extinct volcano Apaxtepec, southeast, attests to the volcanic origin of the topography. The region is known as the "Puebla´s State Switzerland" for his abrupt separated by deep valleys where rivers run mountain ranges, these, fed by streams rushing down the steep slopes, cause numerous waterfalls such as La Atepolihui or Veil Bride 300 m high, the highest in the area. The climate is temperate and humid, with frequent rain and formation of dense fog banks. The town was founded in 1540 by Jacinto Cortés, who later became a minority missionary of the Order of San Francisco, known as Brother Belts. At its center is the Plaza de Armas or the Constitution, also called in Spanish Zocalo; picturesque portals flanking three sides. In between a monument of commemorative commune in the battle of May 5 against French stands; it was built in 1888 by zacapoaxtecos who participated in the combat and had its capital in some of the weapons used in the battle. Around Zacapoaxtla there are countless sites of extraordinary beauty like the Paulco Valley cloistered in an immense canyon, where there is an aquaculture breeding center for rainbow trout. The Zacapoaxtla-Cuetzalan road crosses the valley and climbs to the summit Paulco highlight of this mountain, descending sharply to the coastal plains, where the vegetation becomes tropical, with lush palm trees, impenetrable thickets and dense ferns groups growing on the hillsides. Below, the extension of the coffee plantations are awesome.
LEISURE ACTIVITIES: During the weekends, the volunteers are able to enjoy the marvelous Cuetzalan sustainable community and get to know Archaeological Sites and Magical Towns. You must have a walk through Xochitlán de Vicente: Ancient Caves and La Cueva del Diablo (Devils Cave). Volunteers will have a tour and will learn about the Handcraft workshops of the region, Cantona: Archaelogical Site. Volunteers can also visit Cholula, the biggest pyramid of the world (coronate with a catholic Church built in the time of the conquest of America by Europeans that in comparison to the pyramid looks very tiny!) and the beautiful city of Tlaxcala.
HOSTING: Volunteers will be hosted in a particular house with all services at disposal: Hot Water, Electricity, Restrooms, Showers, Kitchen,
Fridge, Laundry room, Safety Box and Wi-Fi connection.
SPECIAL REQUIRMENTS: Warm Clothes for rain or cold weather, jeans and working shoes. Do not forget to bring a raincoat, working gloves and boots. Sunglass, Sunscreen and a Cap.
SPECIAL OFFER FOR VOLUNTEERS: For all the volunteers accepted in the Vive México Workcamps there are FREE SPANISH courses all year round at the Vive Mexico International Cultural Center at Morelia City, come and take place in a FREE Spanish course one week before your Workcamp starts!.
EXTRA FEE: 120 EURO
INCLUDES (only during the project days), Hosting (according to the conditions specified at the project description) 3 meals a day, Local transportation with project purposes, Administration and organization expenses, tools and materials.
DO NOT INCLUDE: Airfare to Mexico, Transportation from international airport to the project place, Leisure activities, Insurances