Oaxaca, Mexico

About the Volunteer Work

The state of Oaxaca suffers from a negative reciprocal relationship between poverty and frequent natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes. The disasters hamper economic progress; simultaneously, poverty prevents residents from anticipating, surviving, and recovering from the impact of emergencies.

Project TEN will work with Cadena: Mexico's Committee for Natural Disasters and Emergencies, to educate and assist the local population on several fronts:

Diminish avoidable risks of recurring natural disasters and increase communities' resiliency to them.
Increase residents' access to resources available to them
Help communities recover from the effects of past disasters
Promote ecosystem regeneration, implementation of improved agricultural methods, recovery of water sources, and other activities that increase sustainability
Develop local young-adult leaders, help them establish themselves professionally in Oaxaca, and encourage them to stay in Oaxaca to sustain growth, rather than leave for career opportunities elsewhere
Assist local farmers (including women and children) to maximize their resources and improve the marketing of their products

Unique to the Oaxaca Center, Project TEN will offer an onsite (at our own center) "kitchen class" to local children who do not regularly attend school; the children will be invited to share a meal with the volunteers, who will then teach the children English and math.

A new TEN Center will open in June in Oaxaca, Mexico, and we're looking for staff! Click here for details

What is Project TEN?

Investing in Social Change

"תן", pronounced "Ten," is the Hebrew word for "Give."
It is also the name of a new initiative about to revolutionize the Jewish meaning of giving.

The Jewish Agency's Project TEN: Global Tikkun Olam is set to harness the energies and passion of Jewish young adults from Israel and around the world, who will spend three months working and learning together in onsite service projects in vulnerable communities throughout the world and in Israel.

By highlighting the Jewish values that speak directly to sustainable development, social justice, and leadership, Project TEN will serve as a unique immersive service-learning framework for volunteers wishing to engage in sustainable development as they themselves develop – forming an extensive Jewish identity-building experience. Volunteers in each of our development centers will be carefully chosen from all over the world, connecting the global Jewish family to one another and to Israel. Read more

Life at the Center

The Project TEN center in Oaxaca will be located on a coffee or cocoa farm; more details to be announced soon!

Center Staff

The Jewish Agency is currently accepting applications for those who wish to join our staff in the new Project TEN center in Oaxaca, Mexico. Available positions include Center Director, Educational Director, and Project Coordinator. If you are interested in working for Project TEN, send your resume to ten@jafi.org before February 15.

Program Dates

The first Project TEN experiences in Oaxaca, Mexico will take place on the following dates:

June 3 - September 3, 2013
September 3 - December 3, 2013

(Dates are liable to change; contact our staff at ten@jafi.org for updates.)

Photos

Coming soon!

Cost

The cost for the three-month Project TEN program, including volunteer, social, and learning activities; transportation between the center and your volunteer placement; and subsidized food and lodging, is between $10-15 per day.

The cost does not include your airfare to the target country, health insurance, visa fees, or vaccinations.

Upon acceptance to the program you will be given instructions to reserve your place with a $300 registration payment through this website. The balance will be paid in two equal payments.

In the event that, after paying the registration fee, you must withdraw from the program, you will be refunded $200.

Financial Aid
For information about the Pay It Forward Fund, which might subsidize up to 50 percent of your costs -- with your pledge to pay back the scholarship in the next few years to provide aid to future volunteers -- please go to our FAQ section.

Practical Details

Climate: General climate averages in Oaxaca state (source: http://www.oaxaca-travel.com):

Spring (March-May) – High: 27-31°C, Low: 14-16°C.
Summer (June-Aug.) – High: 26-27°C, Low: 15-16°C.
Autumn (Sept.-Nov.) – High: 26°C, Low: 10-15°C.
Winter (Dec.-Feb.) – High: 26-27°C, Low: 8-9°C.

Keep in mind that climate is different at different altitudes, and Oaxaca has many mountainous regions. The areas in Oaxaca State that are closer to the Pacific are hotter and drier than areas that are located inland. Oaxaca City's climate is quite moderate.

Time Zone: UTC/GMC -6. DST starts in April and ends in October.

From New York: Oaxaca is 1 hour behind New York.
From Israel: Oaxaca is 8 hours behind Israel.

Dialing codes:

International country code: + 52 (Mexico)
Area code: 951

Currency: Mexican Peso.

100 Pesos = Roughly 7.83 American Dollars / 29.5 Israeli Shekels (updated to 17/12/2012)

Electricity supply: Power output in Oaxaca is of 110 volts and 60 cycles AC (slightly higher than the AC current in the US). The outlets are the same as the US 2-prong ones. Grounded 3-prong outlets exist but they are not common. We recommend you bring a multi-outlet plug adaptor.

Oaxaca Culture and Economy

Oaxaca City (Full name Oaxaca de Juárez, pronounced Oh-ah-kha-kah de Khu-ah-rez) is the capital of the state of Oaxaca – a state within Mexico that comprises almost 5 percent of the entire country's territory and is home to over 3 million inhabitants. The state is located in the south-west portion of Mexico and is bordered by the Pacific Ocean on the south. Oaxaca City, located about 300 miles (480 km.) south of Mexico City at a very high altitude, has about 250,000 inhabitants. The language spoken in Mexico is Spanish, with different dialects for every region.

Roman Catholics comprise 89 percent of the total population in Mexico. The Jewish population is estimated at 40,000-50 (about 0.04% of the total population, the exact numbers are not known), of which 90 percent reside in the Mexico City area. There is no Jewish community in Oaxaca.

Economic Achievements

The economy of the state of Oaxaca is largely dependent upon tourism. Visitors to the city of Oaxaca and the coastal communities of Huatulco, Puerto Escondido, and Puerto Angel are the most important source of income. The second-largest economic producer in the state is coffee. All over Mexico the government strongly supports the development of coffee agriculture; as of 2011, Mexico is the 9th biggest coffee producer in the world.

Another source of income, also related to tourism, is indigenous artwork. Oaxaca has a very rich cultural heritage and indigenous art takes a prominent role in the cultural life of the state. Art products and merchandise provide income for many inhabitants in the more visited regions.

Economic Challenges

Oaxaca is one of the most underprivileged regions in Mexico. Agriculture (except for coffee agriculture) is underdeveloped and unsuccessful due to the low quality of the soil and the high vulnerability of the region to natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods. Underutilization of natural resources and a lack of educational infrastructure in the rural areas of the State of Oaxaca cause substantial migration from these regions to big cities, and different states and countries, to look for work and education. Many people migrate temporarily to Oaxaca City to work there, then send funds to their families in their native town or village.

Sites of Interest

During your three months with Project TEN you will be working very hard at your volunteer service, Jewish learning, and other responsibilities. However, we know that you might be interested in touring the region. If you want to arrive in Oaxaca early, or stay after Project TEN, and visit the sites on your own time, you are welcome to do so.

The Historic Center of Oaxaca City, established by the Spanish in the 16th century is a beautiful touristic area. Many well-preserved historical monuments and buildings, well-maintained, clean streets, and pleasant coffee shops and restaurants make the historic center an excellent place to spend a day off.
Monte Albán, right outside the city of Oaxaca, is a remarkable archeological site and a marvel of human creation. Inhabited over a period of 1,500 years by a succession of peoples – Olmecs, Zapotecs and Mixtecs – the terraces, dams, canals, pyramids, and artificial mounds of Monte Albán were literally carved out of the mountain and are the symbols of a sacred topography.
The Oaxaca Ethnobotanical Garden (Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca), located in Oaxaca City, is a showcase for Oaxaca's indigenous flora. It was created in the '90s by artists and activists, and it illustrates a unique relationship between plants and culture.
El Llano Park is one of the main parks in Oaxaca. Until the 1970s, the park was used as a zoo. The park often houses civic and cultural events and exhibitions. It is a beautiful place to have a picnic or spend a nice day.
Oaxaca Lives in Me ("Oaxaca Vives en Mi") – Held every Saturday at about 6:00PM in San Francisco Park in Oaxaca City, "Oaxaca Lives in Me" is an initiative by a cultural movement called "Antequera" together with the Ministry of Culture and the City Council. This initiative includes opening a space in the city center for local, regional, and national artistic groups of various fields (dance, music, many types of art) to perform and present their shows to all walks of society.
The Oaxaca Beaches – the southern coast of Oaxaca is a magnificent natural treasure, with white, sandy beaches underlying colorful lagoons of crystal-clear water. Traveling through the southern coast is a beautiful and scenic experience. It is not recommended to travel from Oaxaca City to the beaches by car, because of dilapidated roads that are often damaged due to natural disasters; taking a flight to Huatulco or Perto Escondido is much safer and more convenient.
Hierve El Agua Waterfall – Located in the central valley area, about 70km from Oaxaca City, Cascadas de Hierve el Agua are two (approx.) 50-meter stone "waterfalls" made of calcium carbonate (the white color of the minerals make it look like a real waterfall). The waterfall form is created by water rich in calcium carbonate that seeps through the mountain to create stalactites. At the base of the falls there are two small carbon springs, which give the illusion that the water is boiling, though the water never exceeds a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius (77 F). At the top of the falls there are artificially created pools that are open for swimming. The area is the home of a large variety of flora and fauna and is a beautiful place to hike. The falls are located on the Roeguía Ranch, which is located 5km from San Lorenzo Albarradas and approximately 70km from Oaxaca City.
Macedonio Alcala Theater, completed in 1909, is an architectural and artistic masterpiece with a strong Renaissance influence on the outside and a French influence on the inside.

Helpful Phrases in Spanish

Hello – hola (oh-lah)

Goodbye – adios (ah-di-os)

Please – por favor (por fah-vor)

Thank you – gracias (grah-see-ahs)

You're welcome – de nada (de nah-dah)

Good morning – buenos dias (boo-eh-nos dee-ahs)

Good afternoon – buenos tardes (boo-eh-nos tar-des)

My name is.. – mi nombre es... (mee nom-bre ehs)

I don't know – no sé (no seh)

I'm hungry – tengo hambre (ten-goh ahm-breh)

I'm thirsty – tengo sed (ten-goh sehd)

I need – necesito (neh-seh-see-toh)

Right now – ahora mismo (ah-oh-rah mees-moh)

Just a minute – un momento (oon moh-men-toh)

It's cheap – es barato (ehs bah-rah-toh)

It's expensive – as caro (ahs kah-roh)

It's cold (weather) – hace frio (hah-seh free-oh)

It's hot (weather) – hace calor (hah-seh kah-lor)

A little – un poco (oon po-koh)

A lot – mucho (moo-cho)

Some – unos (male) / unas (female) (oo-nos / oo-nahs)

Tomorrow – mañana (ma-nee-ah-nah)

Morning - la mañana (lah ma-nee-ah-nah)

Afternoon - la tarde (lah tar-deh)

Evening – la noche (lah noh-cheh)

Next week - la semana próxima (lah seh-mah-nah proh-ksee-mah)

Breakfast – desayuno (deh-sah-yoo-noh)

Lunch - almuerzo / comida (ahl-moo-ehr-soh /k-mee-dah)

Dinner – cena (seh-nah)

Bathroom - el baño (ehl bah-nee-oh)

Questions

How are you? – ¿cómo está? (koh-moh ehs-tah)

What is your name – ¿como se llama? (koh-moh yah-mah)

Where is/are..? - ¿donde está/están..? (don-deh ehs-tah/ehs-tahn)

When (what day/date)? - ¿cuando? (koo-ahn-doh)

When (what time)? - ¿ A cuál hora? (ah koo-ahl oh-rah)

Who? - ¿quién? (kee-ehn)

Why? - ¿por qué? (pohr keh)

What? - ¿qué? (keh)

How much does it cost? - ¿cuánto cuesta? or simply ¿cuánto? (koo-ahn-toh koo-ehs-tah)

Can you help me? - ¿Puede ayudarme? (poo-eh-deh ah-hoo-dahr-meh)

Apply

Volunteer Application Form

Please answer the following questions as best you can. Your answers will be treated confidentially. We will not share your individual identity or responses with anyone outside of the Project TEN team without your written consent. We hope to create diverse cohorts of young Jews from different geographic, religious, and ethnic backgrounds. Please answer honestly, so that we can get a good picture of you and the unique experiences and skills you bring to the program!

Please fill out this form using Chrome or Firefox. Please do not fill out this form using Internet Explorer - there is a technical problem. If you enter in the wrong captcha code, the form information is deleted. We are working on correcting this problem. If you have any problems or questions about filling out the form, please contact us at ten@jafi.org

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Questions

For any questions, please write to us at ten@jafi.org