WORKCAMP IN GUATEMALA
In 2007 OIKOS organises in collaboration with FUNCEDESCRI (Fundación de Servicios Cristianos) , a local non-profit organisation, a workcamp in Guatemala.
The fee of participation (including the annual membership-card of OIKOS) is 80,00 Euro and has to be paid when applying for a camp.
There is no camp-fee, but food and lodging costs 6,00 US$ daily and has to be paid to the camp-coordinator on arrival in Guatemala.
General Information
FUNCEDESCRI is an ecumenical, non-profit organization that encourages solidarity between some of Guatemala's poorest people with projects for integrated, sustainable development.
FUNCEDESCRI has been working with Mayan communities in the north of the country since 1992 in five areas: Nebaj, Cunén, Uspantán and Quiché Central in El Quiché province and Campur in Alta Verapaz province. Appropriate technology projects are running in these communities (stoves, latrines, mills, water tanks etc), as well as food security programs (sustainable agriculture, animal farm. production, food and nutritional education). Other projects involve natural medicine, rural agro-industry, the marketing of fresh and processed products, community funding, local organization, and training and values enhancement.
FUNCEDESCRI consists of:
A rural 'Life and Technology' training center (CEDESCRI) in San Lucas Sacatepequez – where activities and demonstrations relating to sustainable development are carried out, as well as the cultivation of vegetables, fruits and medicinal plants, animal rearing, appropriate technologies, and processing products for commercial purposes.
Training and production centers in Cunén, Nebaj and Campur.
A forestry school situated in the mountains of Baja Verapaz.
The 'Bosque de los Cimientos' company, which sells products of the Chicach (El Canasto / The Basket) mark. These are produced and processed by people in the communities.
The objectives of the institute's volunteering program:
To allow people who take part to develop an awareness of the reality of life for the poor in Guatemala.
To reinforce the bonds of brotherhood between people through life experience, work, study, and reflecting reality.
To offer volunteers an opportunity where they can offer expertise to help the projects they are involved in, at the same time as sharing with poor communities.
To investigate ways to improve the work that the institution carries out.
To develop a network of FUNCEDESCRI friends who can offer financial and moral support to the institution.
To keep in touch with programs and voluntary groups who have been within the general structure of the FUNCEDESCRI volunteering program.
Characteristics expected from the Volunteer:
Free from drugs and with no vices
Be able to communicate in Spanish
With capacity for team work
With abilities to share with others
Well-disposed to carry out the Institution rules.
| CODE OF THE CAMP |
DATES |
LOCATION |
TYPE OF PROJECT |
| FUNCEDESCRI.1 | open dates | San Lucas | Manual/Agriculture |
TO PARTICIPATE TO A WORKCAMP CLICK HERE
| FUNCEDESCRI.1 | open dates | San Lucas |
Work: What type of work can volunteers get involved in?: This depends on the skills and experience of the volunteer, what projects are being worked on, and how long they plan to be with us / at least two weeks.
Activities: In the 'Life and Technology' Center: Farming activities such as organic vegetable and medicinal plant cultivation; looking after the animals; and carrying out soil conservation techniques. Supporting the commercial team with the processing and selling of our agro-industry products. Maintaining the center: painting, looking after the garden, improving the infra-structure. Supporting the development of the 'FUNCEDESCRI solidarity network'.
The working and living conditions in the communities are very harsh due to extreme poverty. Volunteers must be ready to work shoulder to shoulder with peasants, to share their food, and to integrate themselves into their way of life as far as possible.Accommodation: The center offers basic lodging. The conditions are safe, but quite rustic: bedroom, kitchen, fridge, bathroom, an outdoor fertilizer latrine, and a basin for clothes washing. Meals are available in the dining room from Monday to Friday, including a mid-morning snack and lunch for staff and training groups. At other times, volunteers receive the ingredients they need to cook independently.
Notes:Take along the following items: sleeping bag, rubber boots, walking shoes, insect repellent, and rain-proof jacket.
TO PARTICIPATE TO A WORKCAMP CLICK HERE