Care & Community - MEXICO Project Information for Care & Community in Mexico

Our Care & Community Placements in Mexico

Projects Abroad send volunteers to a variety of placements in the city of Guadalajara and in Ciudad Guzman to work with underprivileged children. Several placements are in orphanages where the role of the volunteer is as follows:

In orphanages, the volunteer is required to arrive early in the morning before school starts in order to help the children wash, dress and eat so that they are prepared for the day. After taking the children to the local primary school the volunteer returns to the orphanage to spend the rest of the day with the younger children. This time involves playing with them, telling them stories and even helping them learn English through informal lessons. It is also possible for the volunteer to teach English at the local school.

There are also placements working with children whose parents are in prison. For these children, life can feel unstable and monotonous. Any fun that volunteers can inject into their lives is invaluable. Taking them on trips, playing sports or playing music are just a few of the activities volunteers can do with the children.

Volunteers are also sent to more specific placements such as a school for blind girls. Here volunteers work alongside dedicated professional teachers and Mexican volunteers doing various tasks. Volunteers work from 8am until 1pm and then after a break for lunch the afternoon session is from 3pm until 5pm. During this time volunteers assist the girls with their homework and the assignments they have been allocated. They also make decorations for the displays the school has. The most important thing is the one-on-one interaction that volunteers are able to provide the girls. There are opportunities to participate in the workshops that the school hosts which teach blind children about textures, materials and generally how to survive in a world which they are eager to explore.

There are also placements in a Downs Syndrome centre. Le Centro de Integraciòn Down is a specialist centre which cares for Downs Syndrome sufferers. The volunteer is rotated between different groups during the first week to enable them to gain an understanding of how every group works and what its primary purpose is in caring for the children and young adults in the centre. Work begins at 9am and finishes around midday. The volunteer is involved in playing with the children and supervising arts and crafts such as painting, colouring-in and drawing. They also assist the permanent members of staff at the centre with the children, who have an inexhaustible supply of energy. Help includes everything from brushing their teeth to teaching them to pronounce their vowels properly. Any encouragement offered goes a long way to build the children's self-esteem and confidence.

The thing all the care placements have in common is that they are designed to help children who have precious few other people to whom they can turn. This work can be challenging, but it is also fun and enjoyable, and greatly appreciated by the children and staff. Probably the greatest value of a volunteer is to bring some fun into the lives of these children. Simply by being there, playing games, showing affection and providing some much needed love and attention you will be making an important contribution.