Description

In Guadalajara, Projects Abroad has established a unique Culture & Community project, ideal for creative volunteers with an artistic flair. Based in Tlaquepaque, a district of Guadalajara located around 30 minutes by bus from the city center, volunteer placements can be arranged in a local ceramic workshop.

Tlaquepaque and Tonala, another district of Guadalajara, are famed for their production of traditional Mexican crafts, and both areas are home to a large number of workshops. Local artisans predominantly produce ceramic and pottery works, which are sold in local markets and to customers around the world.

Projects Abroad work with Ceramic 1, a family owned workshop founded around 25 years ago. In the early days the workshop only produced decorative tiles, but today a team of around four artisans work to make wall plaques, jugs and wash basins as well as tiles decorated in both traditional and modern styles. The majority of their products are made to order and clients include Mexican hotels as well as German and Canadian customers.

This project enables creative volunteers to become craftspeople and get involved in the production of basic ceramic works, from start to finish. Previous volunteers have come from all walks of life and have included gap year students, career breakers and mature travelers. Your working day will start at around 9am and usually finishes at around 1pm, a convenient time to head home to your host family for lunch.

Your placement will be broken down into phases and you will spend time working on each stage of the production of ceramics. Firstly you will learn and assist in making moulds, before mixing clay and casting various ceramic items. Following this you will be able to hand paint your own designs onto your creations, taking inspiration from your experiences in Mexico and the work of the artisans around you. Finally you will learn how to glaze your product, before it is fired in the kiln; the final stage in the production of ceramics. After all of this, you will have a variety of items that you can take home to family and friends.

Highlights

For your accommodation, you'll live with a Spanish speaking host-family, which is a great environment for developing and improving your language skills. All the families involved are extremely supportive of the projects carried out by Projects Abroad and are eager to experience an inter-cultural exchange and learn about the lives of volunteers.

Guadalajara and Ciudad Guzman, where we are based, is part of the West Central Highlands and has one of the most pleasant climates the country offers. The winters are moderately warm and the summers hot although not unbearably. With this wonderful climate, you will be able to explore all the beauty Mexico has to offer anytime of the year!

Qualifications

None.

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Cost in US$:

Please go to our website for prices.

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Medical insurance
• Medical services
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

The price of each placement includes all your food and accommodation, transfers to and from the airport, full travel and medical insurance plus support and 24 hour back-up from our staff based around the world.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Arts
• Community Development
• Culture
• Volunteering

Typical Volunteer

Open-minded with a desire to travel.

Age Range

16-80

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

10 days

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement

As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded

1992