Mexico Award

“I’ve got a greater appreciation for traveling and putting myself forward to do more volunteering. Working with kids and different people around the village gave me an immense energy. I will volunteer more than ever and regardless of experience, I hope to leap into new areas and adventures.” Cathal, Mexico Award Winner.

EIL are offering one fully funded Mexico Award to someone passionate about culture and who wishes to participate in a two-month summer volunteer programme abroad.

It is possible to choose from different projects: See below

Volunteering abroad can challenge you in many ways – Read more about what challenging can mean

Requirements

This Award is open to ANYONE 18+.

What we are looking for in an Explorer:

A person who is curious about other cultures, tolerant of differences and is flexible and open to engage with new and at times challenging situations.
A person who is willing to engage with EIL upon their return to Ireland, to share their experience, and to learn with others.
A person who is seeking a different and new opportunity that can provide open mindedness, global awareness, self reflection and self improvement.

Age Profile

No. of places available

Travel Dates

Destination

Duration

What's included

Community Development (Childcare/after school)

The main goal of this social project is to provide the children of the locality with opportunities to grow socially and intellectually. It also raises awareness of the traditions and folklore of the community. The children are based in the community library where they can read, get help with their homework or engage in a range of activities. Highly motivated volunteers with initiative are required help with a range of tasks from office work to homework guidance, coordination of art, language or music workshops, sport activities or reading circles. The project has few resources and facilities and volunteers who are resourceful, flexible and willing to improvise and introduce new activities are especially welcome. Experience with children, or volunteers with a background in education, art, drama, sports, crafts, music or dance are especially needed.

Environmental (Eco-tourism)

The co-operative project in Oaxaca State was set up to stop the killing and selling of turtles and their eggs and has grown into a sustainable development project which generates alternative sources of income for the local people. It is located in a small beach village in a large mangrove zone. Twenty five families living in the village are actively involved in the co-operative which has among its goals to rescue the natural habitat of hundreds of species of birds and reptiles and the promotion of eco-tourism. The co-operative started operating tours along the mangrove swamp and offering horseback riding tours to generate an extra income. They have also established a tree nursery housing 70,000 plants of mangle and other local varieties, a crocodile farm and nurseries for turtles and iguanas. Volunteer activities might include the cleaning and preparation of the eco-friendly tourist cabins; to assist in the community owned restaurant, helping in the rehabilitation of confiscated animals and the release of newly-hatched turtles into the ocean. Volunteers can take part in night patrol canoe trips to find turtle nests, to collect and record eggs, and to bring them to the nursery. A strong interested in environmental work is essential for this project as volunteers will be engaged in a lot of manual work. A good level of Spanish is also recommended as English is not spoken by the locals.