PROJECT
Vive Mexico has been organizing this project regularly in Rincon de Guayabitos, Nayarit since 2014. The main achievement of the project is to protect the sea turtles with the help of volunteers who will be cooperating with a team of biologists. Up to now, the project has been quite successful and has reached extraordinary results. Participating in sea turtle conservation is a great opportunity to discover the rather charming life of sea turtles. If you are a social person with group management skills, this camp can be for you! The camp language is English but as being the leader you should have some knowledge of Spanish.
WORK
The volunteer will be the project leader and will be the responsible for the coordination of the activities that the group of international volunteers will engage in. Each MTV includes two short term projects that will be led by a volunteer. Your tasks will be the following:
1. The volunteer has to arrive to Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico on the first day of the workcamp for a compulsory leader training course. During the training all the tasks will be explained in detail (reception of the volunteers, management of extra fee, recreational activities and time management). The volunteer will be traveling to La Penita de Jaltemba, Nayarit after staying for six days in Morelia. The travel costs to the workcamp will be covered by Vive Mexico. After finishing the workcamps in Guayabitos, the volunteer can directly leave, he/she does not need to go back to Morelia.
2. To coordinate the reception of the volunteers
3. To organize activities with the local coordinator
4. To organize free time activities with the group
5. To submit reports of the activities planned to Vive Mexico
6. To take photographs during the workcamp
7. To encourage the volunteers to participate in the activities
The volunteers will be working at night from 20:00 to 08:00, four days per week with an average of thirty hours. Depending the number of turtles that come ashore, two teams might be formed among the volunteers. In this way, each group will be taking turns, working one night and taking the next night off for recovery. In addition, the weekends are also spared for resting. Some of the activities to be performed are:
1. Finding adult turtles and collect their eggs.
2. Moving the eggs to a protected place called Vivero.
3. Releasing newborn baby turtles into the sea.
4. Patrolling the beaches at night.
5. Making some reconstruction in the most important turtle camps of the region.
ACCOMMODATION
Volunteers will be hosted in a hotel in a shared room with all facilities at their disposal namely, private bathroom, hot water, swimming pool, WIFI, and air conditioning. The food will be provided.
In Morelia, the volunteer will be staying at a hostal free of charge but the volunteer will be paying for food.
LOCATION
MORELIA, founded in 1541, was one of the first Spanish cities in Nueva España. The first viceroy, Antonio de Mendoza, named it Valladolid after the Spanish city and he encouraged Spanish nobility to move here with their families. In 1828, after Nueva España had become the Republic of Mexico, the city was renamed Morelia in honor of local hero José María Morelos y Pavón, a key figure in Mexico’s independence.
Morelia is the state capital of Michoacan and it’s a dynamic and beautiful city. Also, Morelia is an increasingly popular destination, and rightly so: the colonial heart of the city is so well preserved that it was declared a Unesco World Heritage site in 1991, and its cathedral is not just gorgeous, it’s inspirational. You can walk in downtown which has many cultural activities and discover the variety of historic buildings and monuments.
To learn more about Morelia;
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/mexico/western-central-highlands/morelia http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/585/gallery/
RINCON DE GUAYABITOS, also known as Guayabitos, is a beach located in the astonishing Sierra Madre Occidental, in the state of Nayarit and bathed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean. It is a popular tourist destination due to its proximity to the cities of Tepic, Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta.
LEISURE TIME
During their stay in Morelia City, leaders can take a walk in downtown which has many cultural activities throughout the year, and discover the variety of historic buildings and monuments, for those looking to surround themselves by natural wonders, Morelia offers many options: 45 kilometers from Patzcuaro´s lake and the ancient pyramids of Tzintzuntzan, the magical towns of Cuitzeo, Patzcuaro and Santa Clara del Cobre, the islands of the Pancada, Janitzio among others that the native cultures identified as the border between worlds, and several ceremonial centers of the Mesoamerican pre-Hispanic times.
Once in Guayabitos, leaders enjoy various activities in one of the most attractive destinations in Mexico. The area extends approximately 300 kilometers along the coast, integrated by mountainous jungle and facing coastal islands. For those seeking a more rural and rustic side of Mexico, the Riviera has a massive open space for everyone along the Nayarit coast beaches, for those who want to relax, quiet beaches and other beaches with heavy waves for surfers. In their free time leaders can go on their own to Bahia de Banderas, Nuevo Vallarta, Punta Mita, Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit.
WHERE TO ARRIVE
CLOSEST BUS STATION: For the training, Terminal de Autobuses Morelia (Bus Station in Morelia)
CLOSEST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: Mexico City International Airport, Guadalajara International Airport, Morelia International Airport
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
It is mandatory to speak English and basic level of Spanish would be appreciated. The volunteer also has to participate in the leader training. It is mandatory to have international travel insurance.
CAMP LANGUAGE: English (Basic level Spanish is required!)
VEGETERIAN FOOD AVAILABLE: Yes
OPEN FOR FAMILIES: No
OPEN FOR DISABLED VOLUNTEERS: No
PARTICIPATION FEE
There is no participation fee for this project. The volunteer will be receiving a compensation of 1000 Mexican pesos for each workcamp.
SPECIAL NOTES: For volunteers who are interested in learning Spanish, a Spanish course will be organized in the city of Morelia, Michoacán before the start of each project. Total Cost: 120 Euros. It includes accommodation for 7 days at a Youth Hostel in Morelia city, Spanish classes with an experienced teacher for 15 hours, required materials to study and activities to practice Spanish. Only meals are not included. Please contact us at least two weeks before the start of the course for registration.