Volunteer in Malinalco!
Forest Conservation & Community Resilience Program
Learn about nature conservation, experience a foreign culture and develop your skills for social conflict management and climate change mitigation, the Malinalco Forest Conservation.
This exciting program is located in Malinalco 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.
Activities
- 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
- 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.
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. (At least 4 hours per day.)
Availability: This program is ongoing throughout the whole year
What's Included
Your donation helps us to help others while we also take care of you!
• Airport welcome service & transfer transfer by land from the Mexico City airport to Malinalco
• Fully equipped Accommodation in Malinalco, Mexico at a shared bedroom with max. four people
• Wi-Fi internet (50Mbps)
• 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
What to do in Malinalco?
Malinalco has many activities and places where you can learn and enjoy the Mexican Culture, here we have some recommendations:
1.Malinalco Archeological Zone, located just west of the town center on a hill called Cerro de los Idolos, which rises 215 meters above the town. On its sides are a number of pre-Hispanic structures built on terraces built into the hill.
2. Museo Vivo, it’s a “live museum” where you can learn about butterflies, reptiles and many other species of the region.
3. Camping & Outdoor Activities, You can find many options to experiencie the natural beauty of Malinalco.
*This activities are not part of the volunteering program and are not included.
Donations per week
The left row represents the lowest donation requirement and includes standard accommodation
Shared room apartment accommodation
– standard –
| WEEKS | TOTAL | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | € 1000 | |
| 3 | € 1124 | |
| 4 | € 1248 | |
| 5 | € 1372 | |
| 6 | € 1496 | |
| 7 | € 1620 | |
| 8 | € 1744 | |
| 9 | € 1868 | |
| 10 | € 1992 | |
| 11 | € 2116 | |
| 12 | € 2240 | |
| 13 | € 2364 |
extra week €155
Single room apartment accommodation
– upgrade –
| WEEKS | TOTAL | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | € 1136 | |
| 3 | € 1328 | |
| 4 | € 1520 | |
| 5 | € 1712 | |
| 6 | € 1904 | |
| 7 | € 2096 | |
| 8 | € 2288 | |
| 9 | €2480 | |
| 10 | € 2672 | |
| 11 | € 2864 | |
| 12 | € 3056 | |
| 13 | € 3248 |
extra week €240