PROJECT
The main objective of this project is to promote voluntary work among young people towards the indigenous communities of Mexico and support their sustainable development, through the active participation of young people.
Yaxunah is a community of 600 people of which 100% belong to the Mayan culture, its economy is based on tourism, which is why the project is focusing on work in urban improvement projects with a group of ladies called “MAJAN NAJ”, which provide lodging to domestic and foreign tourists.
This workcamp is organized by the civil association “Formadores Sociales A.C” in collaboration with the “Yaxunah Community Cultural Center”.
WORK
The objective is to build 10 “palapas” (rustic and open construction, made with sticks or logs, and with a palm roof, common in very hot places) with traditional materials, these will be built outside the houses that already function as lodging.
SKILLS AND CERTIFICATIONS
By participating in this project, you will acquire the global skills of Adaptability, Global Awareness, Strategic Thinking and Collaborative Planning, after the participation in the project volunteers will receive an official letter certifying these skills.
ACCOMMODATION
Volunteers will stay inside the Yaxunah community cultural center which is located in the heart of the community, has two “palapas” of Mayan architecture which were designed to accommodate volunteers for more than 10 years, and within the “palapa” has electric light and voltage outlet.
Just two years ago the internet came to the community, the cultural center can provide the internet but for a specific period of time.
Volunteers will be offered 3 meals from Monday to Friday, breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the duration of the camp. It will be only two free weekends, where on Saturdays only lunch will be offered and on Sunday dinner.
LOCATION
Yaxunah is a community of 600 people of which 100% belong to the Mayan culture, its economy is based on tourism. It is one of the places where you can appreciate in the broadest way the Mayan culture of past times and today. They are in the state of Yucatan in Mexico
WHERE TO ARRIVE
CLOSEST BUS STATION: The bus line that leads to the community 20km from the Yaxunah workcamp community is call ADO.
CLOSEST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: International airport Merida and international airport Cancun.
OTHER POSSIBLE AIRPORTS: Mexico City International Airport
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Because the project is of construction activities, only people between 18 and 30 years old will be accepted.
VEGETERIAN FOOD AVAILABLE: Yes
OPEN FOR FAMILIES: No
OPEN FOR DISABLED VOLUNTEERS: No
LEISURE TIME
Visit Mayan architectural areas in the community, museums, craft workshops and visit popular natural areas such as “cenotes” (it is a natural freshwater pond supplied by an underground river that is formed in many places of the Yucatan Peninsula due to soil erosion). These are some of the activities that can take place in the community of Yaxunah.
To learn more about Yaxunah:
https://www.elcaminomascorto.es/yaxunah-gran-sabor-a-cultura-maya/
PARTICIPATION FEE
There is no participation fee for this project.