Feed the Children

Product Details

This is the church-based organisation run by a dynamic and untiring team of Mexicans. They give food, education and shelter to children and mothers from the poorest families who live in and around the sprawling rubbish dump outside the town. This is a demanding and very active project where volunteers will be expected to help collect and prepare food, assist with its distribution and the provision of clean water. There will also be the opportunity to teach English and basic computer skills for one hour a day in a small school built with funds donated to the project.

Volunteers are needed to assist in the collection of food from various donors, hotels, supermarkets and distribute it to children at schools in the poorest areas of Puerto Vallarta. Water collection and distribution is also an important activity as well as extra-curricular activities with children of the 'rubbish-collecting' communities. Volunteers should expect to be involved in teaching English and helping with sports. Volunteers will have very close contact with Mexican volunteers and Mexican children in this highly necessary and rewarding project. As with many volunteer projects the enthusiasm, interests and dedication of individuals will be the deciding factor of how much they become involved in its multiple activities. Supervisors and administrators are all Mexican and linked with a very active Protestant church group. The church recently opened a new school near the rubbish tip in Vallarta where the volunteers will spend a part of their working day teaching English and basic computer skills. Volunteers with basic medical experience are also encouraged to apply as the agency provides medical assistance to the children that come to the school.

Accommodation, food and time off

Volunteers share a volunteer flat / house with other OI volunteers unless they particularly wish to stay with a family. Meals are organised communally in a shared house or they will receive a daily amount to buy their own food. The accommodation will be in town. This project probably offers volunteers the highest possible exposure to Mexicans and Spanish of all the Puerto Vallarta based projects. There will be a schedule to follow in terms of responsibilities and volunteers will be asked to work from approximately 10am until 6pm five days a week. Volunteers should expect to always have two days off a week but not necessarily at weekends. They will of course also participate in the Outreach International trips organised for all volunteers. These might include whale watching, snorkelling or horse back riding.

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Our users say...
"I found it incredible that luxury hotels line the ocean front but less than 500m away lies the worst and most poverty-stricken area I have ever seen: people live and work on the rubbish dump and live in houses constructed from whatever material they can scavenge. Only the lucky have roofs over their heads... during the rains their homes are flooded and babies are placed under upturned boxes or plastic bags to be protected from thunderstorms" - Linda Ritson.

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