Description

International Volunteer HQ has a wide range of volunteering opportunities available in teaching, childcare work, environmental work and computer tutoring.

* Teaching

This program is primarily focused on teaching English, although volunteers can also expect to help with other school subjects, such as math, geography and science. Having the ability to speak English provides Mexicans with an advantage in finding work and building a future career. Volunteers play an integral part in providing free English tutoring to children so they can learn the language, expand their school studies, and have a more practical experience with language study. Volunteers work in a variety of settings including orphanages, institutions for low-income families, community centers and rural schools. Work varies but generally consists of carrying out semi-formal workshops, reviewing school lessons and helping students with homework, organizing didactic games and activities as well as providing assistance to permanent teaching staff. Classes are taught in the mornings or afternoons. Volunteers have access to lesson plans and material aids for teaching English. Volunteers are welcome to design their own workshops by topic area or theme. Long-term volunteers can also work in alternative school programs offered to children such as working with street children, who normally would not go to government schools due to irregular attendance. NB Volunteers do NOT need to be qualified or experienced teachers.

* Childcare

The childcare program in Mexico provides individual and group interaction with children from low-income homes and communities. Volunteers aid local staff in improving the educational, emotional and sanitary conditions in which the children live. Many of the children come from extreme poverty, which does not allow them adequate care by families who suffer from food insecurity, drug, alcohol and sometimes physical abuse with little or no schooling. Some of these children are abandoned, orphaned, under temporary state care or in legal custody battles. Volunteers will work in orphanages, government housing institutions, and alternative schools. The children are of ages ranging from toddlers to pre-adolescents. Work varies but generally consists of providing individual or small-group attention by playing with children, organizing activities, outings and games including sports games such as soccer, basketball and baseball, assisting with homework, and designing and carrying out workshops that build manual and intellectual skills.

* Computer Tutoring

Team up with a Cuernavaca-based computer lab on wheels. Every weekday afternoon the lab sets up in selected disadvantaged neighborhoods on the outskirts of the city to provide computer related opportunities that otherwise do not exist. An easy-to-follow lesson plan guides children, step by step, through the process of getting to know how to use, create and manipulate with computers and common programs such as Word and PowerPoint. Volunteers provide basic support and guidance to about 20-30 children per day through activities that offer children the skills they will need later in life to compete for jobs against a technologically savvy work pool. Volunteers will also help set up and pack up the portable lab every day, as well as interact with parents and other adults and young adults.

* Environmental Program

Volunteers have the opportunity to jump into the thick of Cuernavaca's diverse environmental scene, which varies from season to season. Volunteers work where season, weather and demand permits, from cleaning up the city's ravines to working in local organic gardens and permaculture projects; from small neighborhood recycling programs to major projects like opening up a new public park. Volunteers have direct contact with local projects to raise public awareness and get practical results. Activities can involve anything from physical labour to office work and community outreach work.

Highlights

* Quality Programs
* Flexible Placements
* 24/7 Support
* Loyalty Program
* IVHQ Information Booklet
* Good volunteer social base
* Great experienced staff

Qualifications

Volunteers must be over 18 years of age at the beginning of the program and have at least a high school education.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Program Fees start from USD 270

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

You will also receive a dedicated program coordinator.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

18-70

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Dormitory
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of 2-3

Application Process Involves

• Online Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 week

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad

International Volunteer HQ's Mission Statement

International Volunteer HQ aims to provide volunteers with quality, flexible, safe and highly affordable volunteering placements in developing countries. In addition to providing aid and assistance to these countries, International Volunteer HQ endeavors to increase education and heighten awareness through not only the skills and expertise taken by volunteers to their host communities and institutions, but also through the experiences and lessons volunteers will in turn take back to their own countries and cultures.

Year Founded

2007