Long term Voluntary Service in Mexico

Every year Siijuve receives more than 30 exchangees from different countries in the world, who come to Mexico to live in a host family, participate in a social project and experience the Mexican culture.

Most of the exchangees live in a region of Mexico where there is a National Committee i.e. Puebla, Toluca, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Mexico City, Ocotlán Jalisco.
The volunteer can express his/her preference about the region but Siijuve cannot guarantee that the volunteer will get a placement there because placements depend on what is available. However, Siijuve will do its best to find an assignment that is right for the volunteer.

Hosting situation
Most exchangees will live in a host family, many of which are voluntary. Mexican families are very warm and welcoming towards foreigners and they will do their best to make the volunteer feel at home.
At the same time the volunteer must do his/her part to adapt him/herself to different customs, respect the family rules and act as a member of the family, with the same rights and restrictions.

Voluntary work
Voluntary work is an opportunity to get to know a different side of Mexico, to make friends and meet people who, otherwise, you would not get the change to meet.

It is important that the volunteer choose the social area in which he/she would like to work, in order to find a project that best suits his/her particular interest.

Under normal circumstances the rule is that the volunteer remain in his social work placement at least six months. The hours and days of work will depend on the activity the volunteer chooses. After Siijuve receives the exchange application in Mexico, it starts the process of selection, looking for a suitable family and work depending on the exchangee’s interests. The information on the application form will be all Siijuve knows about the volunteer, so it is advisable to provide as much information as possible.

It would be very useful if the exchangee could write a letter to Siijuve about his/her preferences and interests.

Long term Voluntary Service abroad (ICYE)

More and more countries have joined the program since then. Today the ICYE Federation is an international, independent, non-profit organization with 35 National Committees in Africa, The Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe. The International Office is located in Berlin (Germany).

Through its long term exchange program ICYE reaches out to young people who wish to widen their horizons in a crucial period of their lives, when critical choices are made about one’s own future.
The emphasis of this experience is on promoting international voluntary service as a meaningful alternative in addressing social and educational needs of today’s youth. It also aims at heightening young people’s sensitivity towards social and cultural differences, their self-confidence and problem solving abilities.

Anybody aged 18-28 is eligible to participate in the ICYE program.
No prior experience is required from participants. The only thing you need is energy, enthusiasm, and motivation to face the challenge of being confronted with something new, as well as to learn more about yourself and the world you live in.

You can see the Voluntary Work Placements in Mexico

Long Term Voluntary Service Abroad (CSV)

The Community Service Volunteers (CSV) is a British organization which involves more than 100.000 volunteers and trainees in its varied programs every year, transforming the lives of over one million people.

CSV Volunteering Partners (VP) works in close collaboration with thousands of organizations throughout the UK, including social care charities, social services and social work departments, housing associations, NHS trusts and youth offending teams; providing them with volunteers and supporting them whenever volunteer management issues arise.

Since 1962 CSV VP has matched tens of thousands of young volunteers from the UK and overseas with people who need their help, including adults with learning difficulties, residents of homeless hostels and carers who need respite support. CSV also provides individually tailored volunteering activities for young people who need additional guidance in their lives.

CSV volunteers add to the work already being done by professional staff and do not attempt to replace it. 

CSV was established in 1962 and the worth and value of the contribution made by CSV volunteers is now recognized throughout the UK. 

To became a CSV volunteer:
Anybody aged 18 – 35, with a good level of English, from different countries and from different social communities is eligible to participate in the CSV program.
No prior experience is required from participants. The only thing you need is energy, enthusiasm, and motivation to face the challenge of being confronted with something new, as well as to learn more about yourself and the world you live in.