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 The
Location
The alpine town of Tapalpa is nestled in the Sierra Madre Mountains, about 90 minutes from Guadalajara in the southern region of Jalisco. One of Mexico’s most enchanting towns, Tapalpa features verdant hills, rushing waterfalls, and miles of mystical pine and oak forests. A combination of cobblestone alleys and desolate dirt roads meander through this peaceful village, more than 7,000 feet (2,220 meters) above sea level. In the bustling town square, children ride donkeys and horses past restored churches while adobe houses with white and brown tile roofs provide a charming backdrop for local crafters peddling handmade artworks.
The Situation
This project is focused on educating children who have physical and emotional disabilities and those who are identified as “at risk” due to social disadvantages. By developing programs that incorporate quality education, while giving students and adults tools to seek new opportunities, this project helps open doors and assists in the social transformation of underprivileged communities.
 What’s Being Done
Our partner organization in Jalisco works with children with a variety of disadvantages or disabilities. Any child enrolled in public school who is suffering from emotional, physical or learning disabilities; whom a teacher or principal believes is having problems because of home conditions; or who simply needs extra help, is referred to our partner organization. That student is then enrolled in free classes that develop creativity while incorporating quality education. Our partner organization’s innovative curriculum gives students the tools necessary to seek new opportunities while supporting a positive social transformation.
What You Can Do
Volunteers on the Art Outreach Program can choose to spend their time at community art workshops, in public schools, or at our partner organization’s education center. At the workshops you will teach children, teenagers, and adults how to paint, draw, and create paper maché artwork from recycled materials. Volunteers will also conduct parenting meetings to empower mothers and educate them on how to foster change at home. These workshops will help disadvantaged locals experience personal satisfaction while learning how to generate income by selling their art.
At the public primary and secondary schools, volunteers will teach primarily computer skills and English. If your Spanish skills are good enough, you may also teach subjects like science and math.
At the education center, volunteers will teach more artistically-focused classes such as dance, drama, art, and music.
Airport
Pickup and Orientation:
Volunteers need to fly into the Guadalajara Airport on the first Monday of the month. A staff member from our local partner organization will meet you at the airport and take you directly to Tapalpa—a 90-minute drive. You will generally have the opportunity to unpack and get settled before your program orientation.
Your orientation will depend on when you get into Tapalpa. It will begin with a 15-minute video about our partner organization, followed by staff introductions, a schedule review, and a short trip around the town square.
Transportation:
Volunteer Adventures will arrange the following transportation:
 Airport pick-up
Delivery to Tapalpa
Travel between project site and accommodations
Delivery to airport on day of departure
 Accommodations:
You will be staying with a local Mexican host family, who will serve you a daily breakfast and lunch. Our host families are carefully screened and must meet stringent requirements before being accepted as a host family. From your host family accommodations you will be able to walk to our partner organization’s education center, as well as some public schools and community workshops. If the walking distance is too great, staff from our partner organization can drive you to your designated location.
Meals:
Your host family stay will include breakfast and lunch. A typical breakfast might include cereal, eggs, beans, and tortillas. Lunch could be pozole, carne asada, burritos, quesadillas, guacamole, and/or soup. If the soup does not have meat in it, then you will usually receive a meat and a vegetable dish. For dinner, there are a number of delicious, reasonably-priced restaurants within walking distance of your host family.
In-Country Support:
We work directly with our in-country volunteer coordinator to provide support during your time in Mexico. You can expect help from project coordinators, field guides, fellow volunteers, and other staff. We provide a 24-hour cell phone number for emergencies.
 Additional Activities
and Excursions:
During your days off, you will have the opportunity to participate in local activities and excursions, for an additional cost. Some options include:
Hiking and horseback riding.
Fishing along the Tapalpa River.
Excursions to Manzanilla Beach.
Paintball and rappelling at a local extreme park.
Golfing at the Country Club of Tapalpa.
Four-wheel drive rentals.
Carnival celebrations (between March and April).
Visit to San Antonio de Tapalpa, a parish built by Franciscan monks.
Tour of Temple of La Merced, one of the most ancient convents still preserved. |
