Tlayacapan/Patrimonito

PROJECT DETAILS: The Patrimonito project is part of the World Heritage Program implemented by UNESCO’s World Heritage Center in cooperation with the Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service. Patrimonito integrates international workcamps as a means to raise awareness fo the local population about the importance of protecting their local heritage, to demonstrate the value of non-formal education and to create spaces for cooperation between the World heritage managers and the local population. The 2013 Patrimonito edition proposed by VIMEX comprises workcamps in 8 out the 14 ex –convents situated in the Slopes of the Popocatepetl volcano and Tlayacapan is one of them. Tlayacapan Monastery was built in between 1554 and 1572, highlighted for its Gothic and Renaissance features, proudly displays frescoes in the cloisters, sacristy and chapel open. In the small museum displays archaeological and colonial elements, as well as ten mummies of the eighteenth century represents a historical testimony for the conservation of clothing and footwear. It is very welcoming to visit Tlayacapan for its 27 temples and colonial portals of the main square.
WORK:  Volunteers will participate in the implementation of actions to sensitize the local population through workshops in painting, puppet shows, drawing among others, doing a presentation of World Heritage, giving English lessons and strengthening every day contact with local people by talking with them about traditions during their daily life in the community and at schools about voluntarism and through a power point presentation of the volunteers and the countries where they come from, showing their WH sites to local youth clubs and school, for children and young people.
 In parallel, they will do some improvement work in the site under the guidance of a professional restorer. They will also conduct actions to identify and value the intangible heritage of this region. Through environmental awareness activities, volunteers will organize cleaning campaigns around the building and nearby places., they also will be working in the renovation of the gardens, trees and weed in the atrium. The cleanings will be inside and outside of the sites under the supervision of a professional archaeologist. After work in the afternoon and evenings, the volunteers will visit different workshops. They will know different types of artisans, after all of it they are going to learn how to make sombreros, traditional candies, pottery and will know traditional dances.
The participation of professionals of preservation and conservation in order to introduce volunteers to different techniques will be a focal point.
LOCATION: Tlayacapan is located 10 km from Oaxtepec, Morelos
NEAREST STATION: Oaxtepec, Morelos
ACCOMMODATION: Lodging will be in a house in the village
FOOD: Meals will be prepared by volunteers. It has everything you need to cook and care for the food.
LANGUAGE: None. Speaking Spanish will be welcome in order to get in touch with the Mexican people.
REQUIREMENTS: Good disposal to the team work, dedication, be responsible and enthusiastic to work. Bring clothes according with the activities. Please bring your own insurance and sleeping bag.
FREE TIME: The volunteer will have the opportunity to visit historical and tourist places of greater relevance in Mexico such as the Convent Route, Route de Zapata, the archaeological sites of Xochicalco and Chalcatzingo and the magical town of Tepoztlan. Walks with local young people, excursions will also be part of the free time program.
REMARK: You can take the Intensive Spanish Course that we offer to the volunteers in our camps before to go to your camp. See the information and conditions at the section of the Spanish Courses 2013.
The meeting point will be at the VIMEX office before the camp starts because all the volunteers will go together to the project.