A perfect initiative for volunteers who want to contribute to social change and nature conservation in Mexico!

Learn about nature conservation, experience a foreign culture and develop your skills for social conflict management and climate change mitigation, the Malinalco Forest Conservation.

Malinalco Forest Conservation

This exciting program is located in Malinalco only 50 km south-west of Mexico city, the capital.
Because of its colonial character, Malinalco is one of the Pueblos Mágicos (Magic towns).

Aldeas de Paz has established a collaboration with a Malinalco grassroots NGO, one of the most prestigious civil society organizations in the municipality of Malinalco in central Mexico. This extraordinary successful NGO was created in 2007 with the aim of promoting community participation as well as preserving and protecting the natural, social, historical and spiritual heritage of Malinalco, State of Mexico.

Through its programs, FCM builds capacities, accompanies and finances community projects to strengthen the diversity of communities that live in Malinalco. The central aim of this joint volunteering program is to be able to enhance the Culture of Peace and the processes of conflict transformation in the forestry field in Malinalco, as well as to strengthen the activities and goals of the Forestry Culture Program of the FCM in the region.

About Aldeas de Paz volunteer programs in Mexico
Our Mexican programs e.g. Malinalco Forest Conservation, are focused on socio-environmental conflicts management and transformation. Aldeas de Paz has partnered with local grass root NGOs that are committed to these tasks and that are helping us generate local change and impact. It is possible for any volunteer to divide its time on the different locations and programs.

A two weeks minimum stay is required in any program. We encourage volunteers to take advantage of the different areas to visit in Mexico and we propose activities to do and places to see. Help us establish these programs and let’s start generating local changes in the different communities where we are working in Mexico. With Aldeas de Paz you can travel around Mexico and get to know new projects, people and challenges. This program is the first of its kind with Aldeas de Paz!

4.7/5 - (12 votes)

Program Activities you are welcome to join!

Activities can include but are not limited to

  • Be part of the construction and socialization of firewood-saving stoves in rural communities
  • Participate in monitoring and evaluation visits to forest fire response brigades in rural communities
  • Engage in peacebuilding and conflict management processes in which FCM and Aldeas de Paz México collaborate
  • Conduct the process for the creation of a workshop on the SDGs in rural schools
  • Be part of social and environmental projects monitoring and community development in Malinalco
  • Design and implementation of educational activities and learning processes for environmental guardians
  • Being part of the teaching staff of an English class to a group of students from selected rural communities
  • Work with local NGOs allied with the Malinalco Community
  • Generate an art contest with users of wood-saving stoves in rural communities
  • Generate a diagnosis on saving firewood with users of firewood-saving stoves

Help strengthen community ties while assisting with social violence prevention

We seek volunteers to be part of activities to ensure that the ecological environment of Malinalco maintains its sustainability in the short, medium, and long term, through the care and protection of our forest resources, with strategies such as reforestation, fire prevention and eradication. Also, the program enhances links with community brigades, reactivation of forest nurseries, training of young environmental guardians, and the implementation of firewood-saving stoves, among other activities. A weekly work agenda is built in a personalized way with each volunteer in which they can choose to participate in activities from a variety of projects that suit their personal or professional interests..

Costs & Benefits: Aldeas de Paz works hard to keep the required financial contribution to an absolute minimum and to offer financial transparency by practicing an open book policy. The minimum contribution starts at €155 per week (after the second week) and includes Spanish language classes and accommodation at our fully equipped guesthouse apartments, a special program donation as well as a personal welcome service and pick-up at the airport, transfer to the bus, bus fare and free transfer to your placement location.

Special Offer: Spanish language classes – volunteers and interns receive free language lessons every week. The classes focus on developing communication skills so that students are able to put their knowledge to practical use as soon as they step outside the classroom. Our teaching method enables students to develop four basic skills: listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. The idea is to learn Spanish in a natural and spontaneous way, just as students have learned their mother tongue. Our students are encouraged to speak Spanish right from the very first day, using it in typical real-life situations: the basic syllabus is supplemented by special exercises, such as role-play, situational dialogues and work projects. Outside the classroom, the learning process continues as you are immersed in the Spanish language and the Mexican culture.

No previous experiences required to participate in the program

No previous experience or special skills are required. A typical forest conservation and community resilience volunteer/intern needs to be enthusiastic, willing to learn, ready for a challenge and has to have a desire to take initiative; friendliness, care, commitment and patience are among important qualities. Motivation and desire to learn about the community development field as well as passion for community work and grassroots development. We seek that the volunteer experience supports both a comprehensive experience for the person who participates and for all the members and beneficiaries of our community. We expect that volunteers adapt to program needs with flexibility, responsibility, commitment, patience and perseverance, among other significant qualities. It is necessary for volunteers to meet certain requirements:

  • At least 18 years of age at the start point of the volunteering period
  • At least intermediate Spanish competence (B1 completed)
  • Respect for the other and openness to discover new ways of life and cultural practices
  • Preference will be given to those candidates who have work experience with people in vulnerable situations
  • A valid medical insurance throughout your stay is mandatory
  • Candidates will be interviewed through video call by the NGO staff.
  • An ideal volunteer is proactive, result-focused but still patient and willing to engage in activities autonomously while still having our support and supervision.

Note: The program only has the capacity to host a maximum of six volunteers simultaneously.

Volunteer placement or internship: As a volunteer you are free to commit any number of hours per week. Thats up to you! As an intern however you probably have to fulfill requirements set by your school or university. Just mark the tab on the registration form and inform us of your school or university internship requirements in advance so that we can work out your personalized work plan together. Also tell us about your personal expectations and goals and we will see how we can help you achieve them.

Time Commitment: A minimum time commitment of 2 weeks is required and can be extended up to one year. Activities are usually held during weekdays from 10 am to 6 pm, but a personalized schedule will be organized with each volunteer on a weekly basis. (At least 4 hours per day.)

Availability: This program is ongoing throughout the whole year

Placement Location: Malinalco, a small town with just under 10,000 inhabitants and capital of the approximately 30,000 inhabitants in the southeast of the Mexican state of México. Because of its colonial character, the place is one of the “Pueblos Mágicos” (Magic towns).

Note:
To enter Mexico you must have a valid passport and a properly completed Multiple Migratory Form (FMM). This form will be provided to you by the airline or at the port of entry. You can also complete this form online. Please click here:
inm.gob.mx/fmme/publico/en/

Your donation helps us to help others ..... We also take care of you !

• Airport welcome service & transfer transfer by land from the Mexico City airport to Malinalco
• Fully equipped Accommodation in Malinalco, Mexico at a shared bedroom with maximal four people
• Wi-Fi internet (50Mbps)
• Kitchen and washing machine available
• Placement introduction
• Certificate after completion and the possibility of student credit
• Follow-up meeting at work once a week
• Free regular Spanish lessons throughout your placement
• Full support and 24/7 backup from local staff
• Information about adventure packages & in-country travel

The left row represents the lowest donation requirement and includes standard accommodation

shared room apartment accommodation
– standard –

Weeks Total
2 € 1000
3 € 1124
4 € 1248
5 € 1372
6 € 1496
7 € 1620
8 € 1744
9 € 1868
10 € 1992
11 € 2116
12 € 2240
13 € 2364

extra week €155

single room apartment accommodation
– upgrade –

Weeks Total
2 € 1136
3 € 1328
4 € 1520
5 € 1712
6 € 1904
7 € 2096
8 € 2288
9 €2480
10 € 2672
11 € 2864
12 € 3056
13 € 3248

extra week €240

4.7/5 - (12 votes)