Volunteering Program

At GRUPESAC we recognise the importance of voluntary service delivered with genuine generosity and offering. For this reason we are grateful to all those who wish to commit some of their time to serve a noble cause.

Selection of Volunteers

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer at ITT should follow the process of selection explained below:

I. Process of Selection

* Develop an application and letter of intent addressed to GRUPEDSAC where express your interest in volunteering in the ITT or sagging, specifying what they believe can bring, what they want to learn as well as briefly mentioning her experience (or other related professional your interest in volunteering), educational background, interests and future plans. Tell us if you have any physical needs, clinical or food we need to know.
* Develop and submit an essay of three pages on the dry tropics, the resource constraints that exist in this environment for the communities that inhabit it. Expressed in the essay that can be considered activities that can help solve the problems of families living in the dry tropics have.
* Applications will be received during the first week of each month.
* Applications will be reviewed by the Department of GRUPEDSAC and give an answer within a period not to exceed 15 days.
* Volunteers who are selected are displayed on the website GRUPEDSAC will be informed by email and attached the internal regulations of volunteerism to their full knowledge.
* The selected volunteers will have 10 days to indicate and confirm your date of incorporation Demostracióncontados Center after receiving his notification selected.
* Volunteers must be accepted to present at the facility, the ITT or RELEASE, on the agreed date after acceptance.
* The minimum stay is four weeks effective volunteer.

II. Profile of those selected

* The applicant must be related in some way in their educational experience with any of the following disciplines: agricultural production, community development, social work, agroecology, permaculture, architecture, civil or environmental engineering, sanitation practices sustainable living
* Have some experience in country life.
* Preferably be over 21 years.
* Preferably able to communicate at a basic level in Spanish and / or knowledge of English as an alternative.
* Be in good health.

III. General Information

The Institute Tonantzin Tlalli (ITT) is a project of GRUPEDSAC, an organization legally constituted in January 1990 whose mission is to  educate, to train and to carry out actions that contribute to the development of sustainable communities.

GRUPEDSAC is recorded in the Registration of Civil Organizations INDESOL with CLUNI GPE9001090901A. It is a member of the Mexican Centre of Philanthropy and is a part of the International Network of Centres of Learning and Knowledge Exchange (CAIS), the Mexican Network of Social Development Projects, and the Network for Sustainable Rural Development.

ITT is a centre of investigation and demonstration of permaculture and appropriate technologies. It is located in Paraje Bonanza in the municipality of Ejutla de Crespo, Oaxaca, 60km from the city of Oaxaca and 25 minutes from Ejutla town. The town of Ejutla has all necessary internet and shopping services.

Conditions at the centre are rustic but very pleasant. ITT uses solar electricity, dry toilet blocks, systems of collecting and storing rainwater, and biological methods of processing the centres gray water. For this reason we request that only biodegradable cleaning and hygiene products (cosmetics, soaps, shampoo etc.) be used on site.

The climate at the centre varies with the seasons, but generally it is warm and sunny in the day and slightly cold at night. Therefore it is asked that depending on the season the following items are brought:

AUTUMN/WINTER (November, December, January and February): Warm clothes sweaters, jumpers, jackets, flannel pyjamas enclosed shoes, sleeping bag.

SPRING/SUMMER (From March until the end of October): mosquito repellent, rainproof clothing (boots and cagoules), sweater of jacket for the evenings, light clothes (cotton shirts, jeans etc.)

ALL YEAR: towel, biodegradable personal hygiene products, hat or cap, leather gloves for work, sun protection, any medication that you might require during your stay because they will not be obtainable from the centre, comfortable long-sleeved clothing for work, thermal clothes to sleep in and stationary/items for class.

ITT has various courses planned throughout the year, generally for one month. The courses are an excellent opportunity to see the place in operation, to participate in the development and organization of the activities to learn and to live the experience. Nevertheless, during some periods the volunteers may have to move out of the dormitories to camp or move to other areas for lodging, so that the assistants and instructors of the course may be facilitated. As such, the volunteering should be flexible and arranged with the possibility of relocation.

Please also consult the INTERNAL REGULATION OF ITT VOLUNTEERING.