Forest Conservation & Community Resilience - A perfect initiative for volunteers who want to contribute to social change and nature conservation

This exciting program is located in Malinalco, located only 50 km south-west of Mexico city, the capital. Because of its colonial character, Malinalco is one of the Pueblos Mágicos (Magic towns). Aldeas de Paz has established a collaboration with a Malinalco grassroots NGO, one of the most prestigious civil society organizations in the municipality of Malinalco in central Mexico. This extraordinary successful NGO was created in 2007 with the aim of promoting community participation as well as preserving and protecting the natural, social, historical and spiritual heritage of Malinalco, State of Mexico. Through its programs, FCM builds capacities, accompanies and finances community projects to strengthen the diversity of communities that live in Malinalco. The central aim of this joint volunteering program is to be able to enhance the Culture of Peace and the processes of conflict transformation in the forestry field in Malinalco, as well as to strengthen the activities and goals of the Forestry Culture Program of the FCM in the region.

About Aldeas de Paz programs in Mexico

Our Mexican programs are focused on socio-environmental conflicts management and transformation. Aldeas de Paz has partnered with local grass root NGOs that are committed to these tasks and that are helping us generate local change and impact. It is possible for any volunteer to divide its time on the different locations and programs. A two weeks minimum stay is required in any program. We encourage volunteers to take advantage of the different areas to visit in Mexico and we propose activities to do and places to see. Help us establish these programs and let’s start generating local changes in the different communities where we are working in Mexico. With Aldeas de Paz you can travel around Mexico and get to know new projects, people and challenges. This program is the first of its kind with Aldeas de Paz!

Volunteer placement, apprenticeship or internship

You can join this program as a volunteer, apprentice or intern. As a volunteer you are free to commit any number of hours per week. That's up to you! As an apprentice or intern however you probably have to fulfill requirements set by your school or university. Please inform us of your school or university internship requirements in advance so that we can work out your personalized work plan together. Also tell us about your personal expectations and goals. We are happy to give students academic credit or provide a report outlining the learning outcomes and deliverables achieved during the placement.

What to expect

We seek volunteers to be part of activities to ensure that the ecological environment of Malinalco maintains its sustainability in the short, medium, and long term, through the care and protection of our forest resources, with strategies such as reforestation, fire prevention and eradication. Also, the program enhances links with community brigades, reactivation of forest nurseries, training of young environmental guardians, and the implementation of firewood-saving stoves, among other activities. A weekly work agenda is built in a personalized way with each volunteer in which they can choose to participate in activities from a variety of projects that suit their personal or professional interests.

Activities can include but are not limited to

• Be part of the construction and socialization of firewood-saving stoves in rural communities
• Participate in monitoring and evaluation visits to forest fire response brigades in rural communities
• Engage in peacebuilding and conflict management processes in which FCM and Aldeas de Paz México collaborate
• Conduct the process for the creation of a workshop on the SDGs in rural schools
• Be part of social and environmental projects monitoring and community development in Malinalco
• Design and implementation of educational activities and learning processes for environmental guardians
• Being part of the teaching staff of an English class to a group of students from selected rural communities
• Work with local NGOs allied with the Malinalco Community NGO
• Generate an art contest with users of wood-saving stoves in rural communities
• Generate a diagnosis on saving firewood with users of firewood-saving stoves

Requirements

No previous experience or special skills are required. A typical forest conservation and community resilience volunteer/intern needs to be enthusiastic, willing to learn, ready for a challenge and has to have a desire to take initiative; friendliness, care, commitment and patience are among important qualities. Motivation and desire to learn about the community development field as well as passion for community work and grassroots development. We seek that the volunteer experience supports both a comprehensive experience for the person who participates and for all the members and beneficiaries of our community. We expect that volunteers adapt to program needs with flexibility, responsibility, commitment, patience and perseverance, among other significant qualities. It is necessary for volunteers to meet certain requirements:

• At least 18 years of age at the start point of the volunteering period
• At least intermediate Spanish competence (B1 completed)
• Respect for the other and openness to discover new ways of life and cultural practices
• Preference will be given to those candidates who have work experience with people in vulnerable situations
• A valid medical insurance throughout your stay is mandatory
• Candidates will be interviewed through video call by the NGO staff.
• An ideal volunteer is proactive, result-focused but still patient and willing to engage in activities autonomously while still having our support and supervision.

Availability

This program is ongoing throughout the whole year

Time Commitment

A minimum time commitment of 2 weeks is required and can be extended up to one year. Activities are usually held during weekdays from 10 am to 6 pm, but a personalized schedule will be organized with each volunteer on a weekly basis.

Placement Location

Malinalco, México

About your Placement Location

Malinalco is a small town with just under 12,000 inhabitants and capital of the approximately 30,000 inhabitants of the municipality with the same name in the southeast of the Mexican state of México. Because of its colonial character, the place is one of the "Pueblos Mágicos" (Magic towns).

Travel Logistics

The Foundation will do everything to make sure our volunteers remain safe during their arrival and stay in Mexico. On arrival at Mexico city airport you will be welcomed by our english speaking driver who will help you personally during your transit from the airport to the bus terminal granting you peace of mind and tranquility. The driver will purchase your bus ticket while you catch the direct and comfortable bus to your placement location. Travel-time on the bus is one hour only. On arrival at the placement location, fellow volunteers and our Staff will welcome you and bring you to your accommodation.

Costs & Benefits

Aldeas de Paz works hard to keep the required financial contribution to an absolute minimum and to offer financial transparency by practicing an open book policy. The minimum contribution starts at US$ 155 per week (after the second week) and includes Spanish language classes and accommodation at our fully equipped guesthouse apartments, a special program donation as well as a personal welcome service and pick-up at the airport, transfer to the bus, bus fare and free transfer to your placement location.

This is included:

• Airport welcome service & transfer transfer by land from the Mexico City airport to Malinalco
• Accommodation at a shared bedroom with maximal four people
• Wi-Fi internet
• Kitchen and washing machine available
• Placement introduction
• Certificate after completion and the possibility of student credit
• Follow-up meeting at work once a week
• Free regular Spanish lessons throughout your placement
• Full support and 24/7 backup from local staff
• Information about adventure packages & in-country travel

Special Offer

Volunteers and interns receive free language lessons throughout their placement duration. Classes focus on developing four basic communication skills: listening, comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. Students are encouraged to speak Spanish right from the very first day, using it in typical real-life situations as soon as they step outside the classroom where learning continues as they are immersed in the Spanish language and Mexican culture.

Contact Information

Project/charity name: Fundación Aldeas de Paz

Address: Samana, Dominican Republic

Whatsapp: +1 829 7055 123

E-Mail: mail@peacevillages.org

Webpage: https://www.peacevillages.org/malinalco-forest-conservation/

Facebook: https://www.facebook/AldeasdePaz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AldeasDePaz

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AldeasDePaz

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/Peacevillages