Pachamama 3

Project: Tsomanotik is an educative and demonstrative agro-ecologic center focused on sustainable
development.
Their activities are realized in two parts:
§ Intercultural projects integrating youth of differing social strata
§ 2. Solidarity projects with the interest of local community development.
The center work allows participants to reflect on varied cultural and social conceptions in the hopes of
motivating movements of solidarity on local and global scales. The vision of the association is to awaken a
consciousness of solidarity in youth and instigate the discovery of the causes of poverty and injustice so
that they may play a role in the creation of a more just and cooperative world. The agro-ecologic center
seeks to promote sustainable development by demonstration of appropriate technologies and practices.
There are composting toilets, gray water treatment systems, rain catchment cisterns, an organic garden,
composting areas, apiculture (beekeeping), rabbits and chickens, mushroom cultivation, and corn
cultivation and processing.
Work: During the first week, volunteers will receive training about sustainable development and
community life through workshops, films, demonstrations, and other activities. They will also travel to
visit nearby points of interest, including two “trapiches” (mills used for the extraction of sugarcane juice
and sugar production), an organic coffee plantation, the beautiful Montebello Lakes, and the spectacular
Chiflon waterfall. The second week, volunteers will be involved in agro-ecological activities, such as
agricultural work in the organic garden, composting, lombriculture, tending the rabbits and chickens, and
work in the milpa.
Accommodation: Volunteers stay at the Tsomanotik center in shared rooms (male and female
separate). Be prepared for hand washing your own clothes (or send them to a laundry). Try to be
environmentally friendly as possible and use resources with care and modesty, especially because your
behaviour is part of the project ;)
Location: Tzimol, community located 10 minutes away from the city of ComitAn. The State of Chiapas,
where Tzimol is located, is also one of the regions with the most biodiversity in the world. It offers many
sights and adventures such as waterfalls, white-water rivers, lagoons, mangroves, tropical jungles,
canyons, ancient Mayan ruins, and magnificent Pacific coast beaches, all within a half-day’s travel.
Guatemala is also a few hours away. Volunteers will have a wealth of opportunities to discover and
experience this cultural richness.
Language: English is the most common language used in workcamps, however, being able to
communicate in Spanish can be very useful. Taking the opportunity to learn or improve your Spanish while
here, will greatly enrich your experience!
Comment: You are invited to join the Intensive Spanish Week Program for Volunteers, or also a Mayan
Language Week Program if you are a Spanish speaker and you would like to discover the richness of the
Mayan living culture. The courses take place a week before your workcamp.
Terminal: The closest international airport: Angel Albino Corzo, Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas (TGZ). Bus
Terminal: OCC San Cristobal de las Casas.
Extra-fee: Since we do not receive funds to support your participation in the camp, you are asked to
contribute 3,400 Mexican pesos (195 euros aprox.) . It includes accommodation, food,
administrative costs, transportation within the project, and some extra activities. The fee has to be paid
by volunteers to campleader or to Natate’s Workcamps Coordinator upon arrival to the meeting point.