Experience
MexECO offers a range of
exciting volunteer projects in collaboration with Mexican
community groups and governmentally supervised conservation
groups. You can make a difference to the lives of local
children and to the conservation work being carried out
on the Pacific coast of Mexico, whilst immersing yourself
in the vibrant and friendly atmosphere, for which Mexico
is famous.
If
you are interested in being involved in ecologically sustainable
Volunteer Placements and Community Projects in Mexico, as a Gap
Year, a Career Break, an Academic Project or a Short Break then
look no further.
Back
to top
|
 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Who are we?
Experience
MexECO is run by marine biologist,
Dan and zoologist, Ruth. Their experience includes studying
Great White sharks in South Africa, primates in South America
and India, working on game reserves in Botswana and conserving
sea turtles in Europe and Mexico.
Having worked together on a turtle conservation programme in Mexico and consulted
with local biologists, Experience MexECO was set up to provide
a better experience for volunteers and a more focused package for the conservation
and community projects that works collaboratively with the local community to
maximise the success of our efforts and increase the opportunities for intercultural
exchange.
Back
to top
|
 |
|
Where are we?
Experience
MexECO operates on the Costa Alegre, which is a particularly
beautiful stretch of the pacific coast of Mexico. Our base is
in the small town of San Patricio Melaque, north of Manzanillo,
where most of our Community Projects take place.
The relaxed beach town of Melaque is fringed with jungle, rich countryside and
mountains and the area can boast some of the nicest beaches on the Pacific Coast
of Mexico.
The town has a close and culturally rich community and volunteers live with host
families (community) or in a camp on the beach (conservation) in order to maximise
their involvement with the local population and to create opportunities for authentic
cultural exchanges. |
..
|
....Click on map to see full map. of Mexico |
| |
| |
| |
Location: Sea Turtle Conservation Project
Our
sea turtle conservation project is situated at Majahuas Biological
Station, which is accessible through the town of La Cumbre, roughly
two hours drive north of Melaque. On arrival to La Cumbre there
is a short off-road journey through expanses of banana plantations,
before reaching a lagoon. From there, we take a brief boat ride
across to camp, where there is nothing but palm trees, palapas,
and turtles!
There are shops and cyber cafes in the nearby town of Tomatlán,
but visits from camp only take place once or twice per week in order
to replenish supplies.
Our staff speak both Spanish and English, bridging the gap between
volunteers who speak little Spanish, and the people in charge of
the camp, ‘La Cooperativa
de Pesca Roca Negra’ (Roca Negra Fisherman’s Cooperative).
Back
to top
|
 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Why
Choose Us?
If
you have been looking around other companies offering a similar service
(at first glance), then why is it that you should favour us over the
others?
Of
course every company is going to tell you that they offer something
superior to the others, so before we go any further, Experience MexECO
has laid out the 4 main questions that you should really consider before
you go:
- What
will I actually be doing when I get there?
- Will
there be at least one staff member on site during my project, just
in case I experience any unexpected problems?
- Am
I getting value for money?
- Will
I actually be supporting a worthwhile project, or am I going mainly
for my own benefit?
|
Answers:
- It is very important that you are given a full briefing as to what
your project will entail before you leave. This includes project location,
dates of travel to and from your project site, a rough idea of your
timetable, and of course, the content of your day-to-day work.
Experience MexECO provides all of this information on our website alone,
and on contact with our staff via E-mail we keep you updated as to
what is going on at the time leading up to your start date, as well
as answering any extra queries you may have.
- Experience MexECO always has at least one member of staff on project
site with you (at least two in remote locations). Before departure
from the UK you will be sent the Emergency Contact Number for this
staff member, who will be available day or night.
We also always have at least one company director in Mexico. This not
only allows for extra support for our volunteers, but also allows for
continuous project development, always adjusting to the needs of our
projects and our volunteers.
- You are getting exceptional value for money; just compare our prices
to those of other companies. As well as getting the best in country
service, you are also getting the best price.
The best part about it is that we are one of the few companies who
directly support their projects with this money. A donation of at
least 6% of each volunteer’s fee is given directly to the project
in question.
- Being
rather a small company, Experience MexECO can still put the needs
of our projects at the top of the list with the needs of our volunteers.
It is of utmost importance to us that our volunteers only take part
in projects where they are needed, when they are needed. When volunteers
aren’t available our staff
regularly fill the unpaid role.
|
Summary
Choose Experience MexECO because:
- We offer great value for money
- Volunteer health and safety is a priority to us
- We offer full 24/7 staff support during your placement, including
the presence and participation of a company director
- We only send volunteers to where they are needed, when they are needed;
and when no volunteers are available, our staff participate
- A percentage of your fee goes directly towards the project in question
- We provide a full set of placement details before your departure,
as well as updates from the field
Back
to to
|
|
.........
..........