Help Protect the Turtles, Voluntourism Opportunities in Guadalajara and Tecoman [2]
If you are looking for a unique approach to travel and community service, well then voluntourism [3] through a program like Projects Abroad might be the adventure for you. Founded in 1992, Projects Abroad is on of the largest volunteer organizations in the world sending over 8,000 people abroad each year.
In Mexico, Projects Abroad offers two distinct opportunities for volunteering abroad [4]. The first out of Guadalajara, and the second - aka the “Conservation Program – is off the Pacific Coast about two hours from Guadalajara in the town of Tecoman. Each of the programs is unique and offers their own set of cultural and sightseeing opportunities.
The Guadalajara Program can run from one to four months and offers volunteers the opportunity to participate in projects like teaching, childcare, cultural and community work, medicine and healthcare, journalism, and animal rehabilitation. Volunteers in this program live with host families, which are an essential par of the experience. Mexicans are very family-oriented and the host families are known for involving the volunteers in their large family gatherings. This provides volunteers with numerous and invaluable opportunities to learn Spanish and become emerged in the Mexican culture.
"My family was absolutely wonderful and I had a fantastic time with them. They were very kind and took me to loads of places and made me feel really welcome."
Elizabeth Allison, Teaching in Mexico
"The opportunity to work with Mexicans in an entirely Spanish-speaking environment gave me so much more of an insight into their culture than if I’d just been traveling."
Julia Banwell, Journalism in Mexico
Participants in the Conservation Program stay at the “turtle camp”. The accommodations are basic and adventurous, providing volunteers with everything they will need including a kitchen, flushing toilets, showers, and lots of modern tents. The program, which focuses on environmental development [5], affords volunteers the chance to work with experts on conservation and environmental projects [3] to protect turtles [5], crocodiles and birds in the state of Colima. It is well suited for families and only requires a minimum commitment of one week.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect from the turtle camp out in the middle of nowhere, but as time went by I fell in love with it more and more each day. I’ve always loved the countryside, but with the nearest village or town 40 minutes away, this was the real thing. Words do no justice to the views and scenery out there, one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. I never thought I’d wake up in the morning, step outside and have a cowboy ride over to see how things are going.”
Jim Kelly