CULTURAL PROJECT MS-SE4 IN MEXICO

This social service organization is situated in San Cristóbal de Las Casas and works with indigenous girls and boys and young people from the age of 0 to 20 in situations of risk and exclusion, from a rights - and gender - perspective. Through various programmes and participatory processes the project tries to improve the quality of life of indigenous children and young people, supporting the promotion, protection and exercise of their rights. Apart from this, the local population is educated about the need to respect the rights of children and youngsters, and the organization is involved in research, network building and lobbying activities.

The direct activities with the children (in contrast to the research, communication and lobbying activities) falls into three teams:

• Early Childhood (0-6 years)
• Working Children (6 – 13 years)
• Young People (13-20 years)

Your activities depend on the group where you will be working.

Early Childhood

When working with the young children up to the age of 6, you will be organizing activities and workshops, but also visit families. Some of your tasks will be:

• Preparation of bottles, change nappies and clothes
• Help the children wash their face and hands and go to the toilet
• Help serve the children’s breakfasts and lunch and clean the area afterwards
• Help to look after the children when their mothers attend workshops
• Help the teachers with educational activities and in looking after the children in the nursery
• Weekly participation in team meetings

Working Children

The work involves working with groups of working children at the premises of the organisation and in public spaces and markets of the city.
Sessions normally last for around 2 hours, and are based on games or other activities that the children enjoy. The aim of the work is to support the children’s education, help them stay at school, to help them develop their own strategies to protect themselves at work, and to help them learn what their rights as children are.
There are normally 1 or 2 direct activities each day, plus time to work with the team preparing activities.

Young People

This project involves working with young people in public spaces of the city and at the project’s premises, using a range of activities to discuss issues including use of substances, sexual health and the human rights of the young people. Some of your tasks will be:

• Preparing educational activities with married young people and single mothers
• Promoting understanding and reflection among young people on themes of sexual and reproductive rights
• Promoting inter-generational and understanding among communities living in indigenous neighbourhoods of the city
• Campaign for older adults on the sexual and reproductive rights of young people

• Minimum 18 years old
• Sensitivity towards and interest for the Mexican indigenous culture
• An interest or background in human rights
• Experience in working with (young) children
• Preferably background / studies in education, social work, pedagogy, human sciences or psychology
• Enthusiasm and initiative
• Good work spirit
• Flexibility
• Patience

The minimum time for a volunteer position at this organization is 3 months; when you would like to work with the youngest group (early childhood), we highly recommend a minimum period of 6 months.

Volunteers who help out in the nursery work between 8.30am and 1.30pm Monday to Friday, leaving time in the afternoon for either participation in activities of the other teams, or partaking Spanish language classes. Volunteers who help out in the ‘young people’ program work from Wednesday to Friday, between 10.00am to 2.00pm and from 4.00pm to 7.00pm and on Saturdays from 4.00pm to 7.00pm.

Volunteers need to have a basic to intermediate level of Spanish as they work directly with the children and local staff members. To work with the young people, an intermediate level is required in order to communicate effectively with these youngsters. Generally speaking, the better your Spanish, the more rewarding your volunteer experience will be. It is advisable to take Spanish classes before or during your volunteer project. We can help you to make the arrangements at the local Spanish school in San Cristóbal – please ask for further information.