News
The “Oxchuc pueblo Maya”project
Oxchuc is a little town 48 Km. north of San Cristobal de las Casas in the state of Chiapas.
Mainly inhabited by a Mayan population belonging to the Tseltal ethnic group, the city of Oxchuc has been facing a serious waste management emergency.
A lack of governmental support and environmental education are adding to the emergency.
The youth group “La Vanguardia” plans to involve the community in a “waste management” campaign during the summer holidays.
The main aim of the campaign is to raise awareness about the importance of reducing and managing the production of garbage.
The group wants to develop their work in two areas, involving the community in garbage collection and working with children in order to promote awareness in the new generation. The children will be involved in afternoon activities around the themes of ecology and recycling.
In sum, the Oxchuc project is a youth campaign aimed at raising the awareness of the local community.
More information about Tseltal language and Oxchuc:
Title: “OXCHUC”
Tzeltal Ethnic group, Oxchuc municipality, Chiapas State, South Mexico
| CODE | NAME | LOCATION | DATES | TYPE | AGE | MAX VOLS |
| NAT 7 | OXCHUC | OXCHUC | 04/07 – 19/07 | ENVI/SOCI | 18+ | 15 |
Background
“La Vanguardia” is the main youth club in the Tseltal-speaking community of Oxchuc. Faced with a serious waste management emergency, the youth group took action and to raise the awareness of the community about waste management and recycling. At the beginning of July, “La Vanguardia” will coordinate an environmental campaign in the community.
Work
The volunteers will prepare the campaign, collect garbage with local volunteers and children in order to provide a positive example and organise environmental activities and games for the children in the afternoon. The first week will be dedicated to the preparation of the campaign.
Study theme
The volunteers will learn how to design activities for children and will gain an insight view of the complexity of Chiapas. Through their stay, they will learn more about the Mayan communities of southern Mexico and may learn a bit of Tseltal language.
Leisure Time
Volunteers will organise their leisure time with the support of the project coordinator but in accordance with the necessities of the project. They may visit different natural and beautiful locations around Oxchuc and/or organise short week – end trips to one of the outstanding locations of Chiapas: Toninà, Palenque or others.
Accommodation
The Volunteers will be hosted in a house in the city. Self cooking and cleaning in shifts. Very basic Mexican conditions. Sleeping bag and mat needed.
Location
Oxchuc is a small indigenous town 1 hour drive north of San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, South Mexico.
Terminal
National: San Cristobal de las Casas. International: Mexico city or Cancun
Special Requirement
No special Profile is required for this project. Basic Spanish is needed. Volunteers motivated and/or experienced in the environmental protection and waste management field will be particularly interested in this project. Volunteers should be flexible and able to adapt to basic living conditions.
Extra fee
2200 Mexican Pesos (about 200 US$ / 135 €)
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