Pueblos verdes en Chiapas

Based in San Cristobal de las Casas “La Fundacion Yirtrak” is a legally established non governmental organisation.

Its main objectives are: to create and develop holistic education centres where children can enjoy cultural, social and educational exchanges; to improve the living conditions of all human beings under a perspective of cultural and social inclusion and to promote the care, respect and balance between all living beings.

This water and forest management community project has two main objectives: to increase the availability of forests and water according to high quality and quantity standards and to develop self-sustainable water and forest management systems. Its main expected results are: the creation of devices for the collection and purification of water; the implementation of sustainable uses of wood and forest inside the communities and the implementation of an awareness-raising campaign.

The projects will be implemented through the following activities: reforestation, creation and management of a tree nursery, construction of wood saving ovens, construction of solar devices, construction of water tanks and pipes for the collection of rain, construction of water saving devices, construction of purification filters, construction of a 100 cubic meters community water tank (with pipes), creation and implementation of an environmental education campaign (including the production of video material).

The project will take place over 4 months in 4 very disadvantaged communities: Alcanfores (San Cristobal de las Casas), Crucero (San Juan Chamula), San Isidro (Zinacantan) and Amho (Teopisca).

The volunteers will contribute to the construction of the water systems and to the awareness raising campaign. More informations about the foundation: www.fundacionyirtrak.org.

Title: “Pueblos verdes en Chiapas”
Several communities around San Cristobal de las Casas city, Chiapas State, South Mexico

Background

The Yirtrak Foundation A.C. supports local communities in the South of Mexico, particularly in the indigenous areas in Chiapas, towards a more sustainable social development. They offer environmental education trainings, build water treatment plants, develop environmentally friendly buildings and share construction techniques for and with the community. The volunteers, together with the local community, will support this project in different communities around San Cristobal de las Casas, in the state of Chiapas.

Work

Volunteers will work in four communities around San Cristobal: the villages of Alcanfores, Amho, Crucero and San Isidro. The majority of the population are from Maya origin. The major activities will be environmental education, an awareness-campaign and training course for the community. Volunteers will also participate in the construction of sustainable water treatment plants, tanks and systems and solar electricity production devices for the community. Finally, they will create a documentary about the global impact of the project and the communities they will work with. The group will be divided and timetables will be adapted to the needs of the projects taking place in the villages.

Study theme

The volunteers will learn about ecological and sustainable construction techniques, environmental education techniques and about the social and environmental reality of very disadvantaged indigenous communities in Southern Mexico.

Leisure Time

Volunteers will organise their leisure time with the support of the project coordinator but in accordance with the necessities of the project. The city of San Cristobal isn’t far and the coast is at about 5h by bus from it. Lots of Archaeological sites and magnificent waterfalls are also nearby Some leisure time will be taken with the community informally.

Accommodation

The Volunteers will be hosted together in a house in San Cristobal or its surroundings. Self cooking and cleaning in shifts. Basic Mexican conditions. Sleeping bag and mat needed.

Location

San Cristobal de las Casas is the cultural capital city of Chiapas.

Terminal

National: San Cristobal de las Casas. International: Mexico City or Cancun.

Special Requirement

No special Profile is required for this project. Basic Spanish language is required. Volunteers experienced with education, organic agriculture, construction, graphic art or computer multimedia will be particularly interested in this project. A large adaptability is required from the volunteers for all these projects.

Extra fee

NAT 02 : 2600 Mexican Pesos (about 250 US$ / 165€)

NAT 08 : 2350 Mexican Pesos (about 225 US$ / 145 €)

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