Q: How much is the cost of the two week program?
A: $200.00 US Dllrs a week per person.
Q: How can I pay ?
A: PayPal, credit card, money order, cashiers check, personal check, bank deposit or transfers.
Q: Can I do something to reduce costs?
A: Yes let me know if you are willing to drive from Tijuana to Colima. This will cut your expenses by saving you the airline ticket expense or you can also transport to Colima much needed items such as tents, solar chargers, generators, etc. In addition, fee waivers for those below the poverty level will be extended. (f you earn $12k per year).
Q: How many two week programs can I participate in ?
A: As many as you wish.
Q:: Do I have to do anything?
A: This is a volunteer program. It is all up to you. Once you pay the fee, you are free to participate as much or as little as you want.
Q: Can I bring children with me?
A: Yes, but it gets complicated. There are issues such as travel authorizations when only one parent is traveling, then there are health concerns but overall lets take age, maturity, medication need etc in consideration before we decide to bring a child into the program. At any rate speak with me so we can go over some of the particular situation.
Q: Who can volunteer?
A: Any adult and any minor with an adult.
Q: Where will I be staying?
A: There are various places. One is with a local hosting family, another would be at a beach house, a hotel, and another option would be the “Ranch”., It all depends on your personal choice, i.e. beach,the country or city location.
Q: Is there a difference in cost if I stay at a hotel?
A: Yes, we can assist you in finding you a local hotel for overnights while you spend a few hours at the ranch.
Q: What is included?
A: Learning/practicing Spanish language, local transportation, meals, rustic accommodations or staying with a host family and first aid medical attention.
Q: Will I have access to computers?
A: Yes, there will be access to computers, telephone, fax, internet, TV and movies.
Q: Will the local tours cost anything?
A: There will be several tours booked at to Manzanillo, El Volcan de Colima, Comala, etc.
Q: Is it safe to travel to Colima?
A: Colima is one of the safest places to visit. but check with the Secretary of state website or the Mexican Embasy website as well as google for updated information.
Q: Do I need a passport to go to Colima?
A: yes.
Q: What would I be doing while there?
A: You can participate as much or as little as you want and you can choose from any of these: Home construction, wood cutting, carpentry, clearing the land, gardening, teaching reading and writing to children (if you are fluent in Spanish), teaching English as a Second Language, teaching how to use computers, etc. or you can decide to do nothing but to enjoy the local scenery. Weekends are free time to do as you please and or join scheduled trips.
“Prospective volunteers are surprised to learn that many programs charge their volunteers a fee to participate. At first, this can seem ridiculous – Why should you pay money to work for free? Aren’t you already forgoing income you could be making? Here are a few things to keep in mind while trying to understand why the vast majority of programs charge international volunteers a fee:
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The local organizations and projects with which you volunteer overseas have limited resources and are seldom able to subsidize your trip or cover the costs of hosting you. (These costs include housing, feeding and transporting you, among numerous other things.) If they did have the financial resources to pay an international volunteer, it would almost certainly be more beneficial and cost-effective to hire a local person instead, someone who already knows the language and culture and is likely to stick around.
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Identifying appropriate host organizations overseas and working with them is time-consuming, takes resources, and requires an experienced and professional staff.
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The process of preparing, training, transporting, housing, feeding, and supervising volunteers is not cheap. Additional services such as health care, re-entry assistance, and more, all add to the expenses of a program.
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The costs of recruiting volunteers, producing literature, answering the phones, sending mailings, developing a web site, and interviewing potential volunteers are significant.”
Q: How can I contact you?
(310) 782-4987