Description

Rock Point is in a remote and beautiful area in the four corners region of Arizona, about a five hour drive from Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is located 50 miles north of Canyon de Chelly National Monument, and Chinle, where the closest doctor, hospital, bank and supermarket can be found. The population is widely dispersed throughout the area. Rock Point consists of a Chapter House, where the local government resides, the Rock Point Community School, a gas station/convenience store, a post office, laundromat, senior center, a Church of God church, a Native American Church and the Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Church. The population of Rock Point is around 2,600, with unemployment at 60-70 %. Local people enjoy rodeos, sporting events, hiking and horseback riding.

The Navajo Nation consists of about 200,000 Navajos located on 25,000 square miles of land in New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. Navajo families own land-use permits issued by the tribe that allows them to live on a particular piece of land. These lands together make up the Navajo Reservation. About half the people work either as artisans or for the tribe in the capital in Window Rock. Navajo society is matrilineal and homes and occupancy of the land passes through the mothers. The traditional home is a hogan, an octagonal building made of wooden poles, tree bark and mud. The doors of hogans always open to the East to welcome the sun and receive good blessings. Some families still live in hogans and many others have one on their land where they grow corn and raise their sheep.

Highlights

The GCN experience is time in the host community, which allows for plenty of time to get to know the local community in your own way. Often team members like to explore the surrounding area for an occasional day trip. Team members have opportunities to hike among the beautiful local rock formations at Canyon de Chelly and Monument Valley, which are two hours away. Many team members like to extend their stay in Arizona and New Mexico to explore, hike, and visit other historical sites.

Qualifications

Although no special skills are required to participate, we believe everyone has skills--some yet to be discovered. Each participant contributes what they can. If any expertise is needed for a project, the local community will provide these skills.

Type of Programs

• Community Service / Volunteerism

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 1,200

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

The program fee covers in-country travel and lodging, most meals, orientation materials, medical and emergency evacuation insurance (not for US/Canada sites), on-going program costs and a donation to the community development project. Airfare is additional. All trip-related expenses are tax-deductible in the U.S.

Many people ask why they have to pay to volunteer. GCN receives primary financial support from program fees and individual donors, while relying heavily on volunteers to make our work successful. Also, while individuals may be able to travel for less to many of these places, GCN provides the entrance into a village and exposure to a culture that one could not receive if traveling solo to these places. Through the long-term partnerships that GCN has established with communities around the world, participants immerse themselves into the daily life of villagers and gain a unique perspective, while making a contribution in the lives of others.

Credit Available

yes

Salary/Pay

Experience of a lifetime

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Participants range in age from 8-80+ and come from the U.S., Canada and beyond. Students, nurses, computer programmers, social workers,teachers, families, individuals and retirees...these are just some of the people who join our trips.

Age Range

8-88+

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 6-12

Scholarships are Available

Global Citizens Network scholarships are awarded on the basis of financial & circumstantial need. Because our Scholarship Fund is very limited, we generally award scholarships to those who would otherwise not be able to participate without financial help; please keep this in mind when you are applying. Scholarships are awarded for up to USD 250 (domestic), USD 400 (international) per individual, USD 500 per family per year.

Application Process Involves

• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 week

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network

Global Citizens Network's Mission Statement

In partnership with people of diverse cultures, GCN promotes cross-cultural understanding and interconnectedness through authentic immersion experiences.

Year Founded

1992