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Workcamps in Mexico 2008
Presentation of the 2008 workcamps and MLTV season
Bienvenidos a Chiapas !! We are extremely glad to present you this 2008 Workcamp and MLTV program in the land of the Mayas.
... A bit nervous too… After only two years of legal existence and about three years of work in Chiapas, it’s a clear challenge for Nataté to present these 11 workcamps and 6 MTV positions to the international NGO and organisations' community involved in international cooperation, local development and International Voluntary Service.
But our team is experienced and dedicated enough to take the pressure and our general motivation and work principles are solid. We are convinced that putting the Human factor as first priority, sticking to quality instead of quantity, and basing our action on values like respect, solidarity, professionalism, constructive communication and peaceful relations among human beings and with their environment, we can change lives! Nataté wants to involve the volunteers and the communities we work with to develop of a more sustainable, balanced and fair future.
As one of the activities we organise, we consider Workcamps as a great tools to implement this philosophy and demonstrate its sustainability.
You may subscribe to our Newsletter if you want to receive fresh news about our up coming projects and workcamps.
In 2008 we are presenting projects throughout the Chiapas and Tabasco states (2 workcamps). This decision was made to ensure the best possible coordination with the local hosts and partners and optimize the quality of the projects. Those involved have years of experience in receiving volunteers and are enthusiastic to host international workcamps. It should be a great season !!
As of right now, we are concentrating on developing actions in Chiapas, one of the most socially and economically disadvantaged region of the country to strengthen our roots in this complex but passionating territory. An important goal of the organisation is to be active in the entire national territory, particularly in the areas where Native Mexicans are still well represented. In the near future, we’ll be glad to propose to your volunteers projects in other regions of the country and throughout the southern “Maya-land” (as far south as Nicaragua ?!!...).
In the meantime, we hope you enjoy this program and we look forward to your volunteers joining us in Southern Mexico !
Voluntarily Yours, Nataté’s team
Workcamps Overview table
| CODE – NAME | DATES | TYPE | # MAX PAX |
| NAT 1 – Kolem Chee’n 1 | 13/06 – 28/06 | SOCI/CONS | 8 |
| NAT 2 – Chiapas Verde 1 | 20/06 – 13/07 | SOCI/CONS | 15 |
| NAT 3 – Habitat 1 | 20/06 – 05/07 | CONS/SOCI | 8 |
| NAT 4 – Kolem Chee’n 2 | 27/06 - 12/07 | SOCI/CONS | 8 |
| NAT 5 - San Jose Flora | 04/07 – 26/07 | ENVI/RENO | 8 |
| NAT 6 – Habitat 2 | 04/07 – 19/07 | CONS/SOCI | 8 |
| NAT 7 – Oxchuc | 04/07 - 19/07 | ENVI/SOCI | 15 |
| NAT 8 – Chiapas Verde 2 | 09/07 - 27/07 | SOCI/CONS | 15 |
| NAT 9 – Habitat 3 | 01/08 – 16/08 | CONS/SOCI | 8 |
| NAT 10 – San Jose Fauna | 08/08 – 30/08 | ENVI/RENO | 8 |
| NAT 11 – Revolucion | 29/08 – 19/09 | ENVI/STUD | 8 |
| NAT SPE 1 – Languages and cultures of Mayan Chiapas 1 | 06/07 - 27/07 | STUD | 10 |
| NAT SPE 2 - Languages and cultures of Mayan Chiapas 2 | 03/08 - 22/08 | STUD | 10 |
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Workcamp Situation
Workcamp Project Descriptions
The “Hasta la Revolución ” project
Revolución Mexicana is a village (7000 hab.) 1h30 driving from Tuxtla Gutierrez. It is situated close to the biggest artificial lake of Mexico, la Presa de Angustura, at about 500 meters above sea level. The climate there during summer is usually hot and humid.
As the living and working base of one of Nataté funders, the village is surrounded by five small rivers. Each of them is highly polluted by a large quantity of garbage and agrochemical waste from the surrounding communities. This project is part of the environmental awareness raising program of Nataté and together with the local organiser, we would like to sensitize the local community about this worrying environmental situation through concrete examples of rehabilitation of natural spaces in their living area.
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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.
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The Kolem Chee’n Projects
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 promote and produce clean energy and organic food; 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 among all living beings.
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The “Trinitaria para la Humanidad” projects
Habitat for Humanity is a well known and recognised International NGO striving for the right to correct housing for all: "A world where everyone has a decent place to live".
The organisation provides no-interest loans to marginalised groups of families in order to improve their living conditions.
Through the cycle of loans and payments, Habitat can keep its program up and running. The amount each family has to pay back is affordable and calculated according to the income of the families.
The grants are usually given to groups of 10/11 families and not to individuals; the communities decide together to ask for the loan, working together to build the houses. Each family contributes to the construction of all the houses. The project is therefore also a way to strengthen community ties.
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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.
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The Eco-Parque San José projects
“El Eco-parque Educativo San José” is a nature conservation and educational park in the outskirts of San Cristobal de las Casas (Zinacantan municipality). The park forms part of the State Natural History Institute and its main aim is the protection of the flora and fauna of the state of Chiapas.
It hosts different animals and plants but it has very little in common with a zoo: San José is an educational and research centre where biologists and technicians work in order to rehabilitate and preserve the natural beauties and richness of Chiapas.
The park occupies an area of about 16 hectares but, at the moment, only about 2 of them are used. The new administration would like to re-organise the park and its facilities according to a self sustainable philosophy. In the future they also plan to build bird watching facilities and to open bike routes for nature lovers.
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The Special studying projects
La Casa en el Arbol is a Language School aiming at the promotion of foreign and Mayan languages as tools toward a better understanding between different ethnic groups.
The school also offers eco-tourism and cultural immersion programs. As the Pioneer of intercultural youth exchanges in San Cristobal, the school organises activities which offer a mixture of languages and Maya culture.
During the activities, the participants take a 4 hours of Spanish, Tzoztil or Tzeltal lessons a day and enjoy visits and conferences in San Cristobal and its surroundings. Visits to some of the most characteristic museums of San Cristobal and to the villages of San Juan Chamula and Zinacantan are foreseen during the stay.
