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 of 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 Zacualpan is one of them. In 1535 construction began on Zacualpan convent near Canyon Amatzinac under the patronage of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. In its first phase the temple was a very simple construction, then church and convent were markedly improved, gaining recognition in 1550 of the Viceroy. Zacualpan has a long tradition of the Trueque an ancient method of exchanging goods and in which money is not involved and which exists still today and holds a annual celebration for the Rosario Virgin with a feast that is part of the intangible heritage of the village. This is one of the 6 Patrimonito projects that VIMEX together with the municipality, is organizing this year.
WORK: The building is in good condition and will be the task of the volunteers to do some side and minor work in the building and some cleaning and renewal guided by a professional restorer. These tasks will be complemented by awareness that the volunteers will carried out with children and youth of the place: workshops on the identification of heritage values, heritage site tours in the village, presenting some heritage sites of their countries and states with high school students, secondary and primary, animations with children, cleaning campaign around the village and systematization of experience. The volunteers will also participate in the preparations of the annual festivities of the Feast for the Rosario Virgin which is the main celebrations of the village.
In addition, the volunteers will participate in the following tasks:
- Volunteers will paint with traditional techniques the outside wall of the ex convent which is done every year before the annual festivities and will conduct several minor works in the atrium.
- Volunteers will participate also in the preparation of the Festivities of the village as the design/construction of the Mojigangas, creating the local seed-designed frescoes among other tasks.
- Presentation about World Heritage and their countries at the primary and secondary schools in order to sensibilize the students; Improving the schools – planting trees, cleaning specific areas, etc.
- Volunteers will make a power point presentation of their own countries and the most representative heritage they have.
ACCOMMODATION: In a house in the village
LOCATION: Zacualpan is located 20 minutes from the city of Cuautla
NEAREST STATION: Cuautla, Morelos
ACCOMMODATION: In a house in the village
FOOD: Food will be prepared by volunteers in the kitchen. It has everything you need to cook and care for the food.
LANGUAGE: Speaking Spanish will be welcome in order to get in touch with the Mexican people.
REQUIREMENTS: Good team work attitude, 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