Volunteer in Chalma!
Cultural Recovery & Social Activation
The Aldeas de Paz work center in Chalma is made up of a group of young professionals, committed to the social and cultural recovery and cultural well-being of their community.
The main objective is social integration, through cultural and recreational activities with the different sectors of society, elderly, youth and children. Aldeas de Paz is promoting a new community center that is located in one of the most important pilgrimage sites on the continent. Chalma’s needs and problems are huge, but also there are a lot of solutions that we are promoting. We want to promote social change but also to face one of the big challenges in town: look after abandoned dogs. Dogs attach to pilgrims while they walk to town and they don’t take them back with them. Every year, dozens of new dogs arrive in Chalma and the local population doesn’t have the capacity to shelter all.
One of the main tasks of the community center is to recover the history, culture, and traditions of Chalma through proper and systematic documentation (taking photographs, drone videos, interviews and organizing the international folklore festival in its fifth edition in 2023).
Activities
- Be part of cultural documentation activities such as photographic activities, filming videos, conducting interviews and documenting Chalma’s life.
- Work at the Aldeas de Paz work center in Chalma in community activities, such as planning tasks, care for the elderly, promotion of dance, culture and health.
- Help Aldeas de Paz’s team to find solutions for abandoned dogs on the streets (a huge problem in pilgrimage sites). This is a common phenomenon in Chalma derived from the large number of pilgrims who arrive.
- Document the history of the pilgrimages that come to Chalma and learn about the history of one of the most visited places in the world.
- Carry out workshops and activities in schools in the area for the teaching of the English language. (In school season)
- Participate in the organization of the International Folklore Festival in Chalma in July 2023.
- Be part of recreational activities and occupational therapy sessions for adults over 60+.
- Be part of cultural activities in the different communities near Chalma where the team works.
- Help students improve their school performance through “homework club” activities (Available only at certain times of the year)
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 Chalma?
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