Help us Protect Marine Turtles while also enjoying the Beach and local Culture in Achotes, Mexico

Details

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  Description

  We are ; a non-for-profit organization that has been working hard to protect marine sea turtles for the past 12 years. The purpose of our organization is to protect three species of marine turtles that nest within the 15 kilometers of shoreline where our organization is located. To achieve our mission, we first focus on educating the community and gaining their support. We then make an extensive effort to protect all endangered species of turtles from extinction. During your time with us, you will learn the ins and outs of what we do and how you can contribute to our mission. We have a standout reputation in our local community and have been mentioned twice in the New York times as one of the best places to visit and participate in sea turtle protection activities.
  
  The diverse activities that volunteers help with include; searching for sea turtle nests during night patrols which are relocated into a hatchery. This requires participation in 2-3 hours of patrolling the beach on an ATV during the night/early morning, 1-3 times a week. Many times, volunteers have the opportunity to witness the entire nesting activity which is a very rare and special experience. Once the eggs are rescued and relocated, the eggs need to be constantly monitored by the team of volunteers until hatchlings emerge from the nest. Volunteers will then enjoy safely releasing the baby sea turtles into the ocean.
  As a non-profit organization, we need to raise our own funds since no financial support is received from the government. Environmental education is a very important piece of the organization and for that reason educational presentations to visitors, schools and special events are constantly performed. Through these efforts we aim to earn donations and build awareness, which is a key task volunteers will help with. Beach cleanups are another activation that we ask volunteers drive for the organization. We also sell locally made art & gifts to go towards fundraising. Volunteers will assist with showcasing these items and we welcome volunteers to share their creative talents to help us fundraise.
  
  In order to maintain a highly positive experience for visitors as well as volunteers; daily maintenance and cleaning of the facility is part of each volunteer's role. This includes sweeping indoors and outdoors (living on the beach, things can get sandy!), cleaning of the kitchen and bathrooms, maintaining the garden, helping with feeding the dogs, taking care of the materials and equipment used during rescues, taking out and sorting trash/recycling (we compost & aim to have as little waste as possible!), painting & making signs to promote our mission.
  
  Volunteers will stay in a modest shared wood cabin, literally right on the beautiful beach of Playa Blanca in Zihuatanejo Guerrero, Mexico. You will be listening to the waves and looking out towards the stunning ocean all day. One thing to be aware of is that we do experience mosquitos and sand flies, but with a strong repellent it is no problem. Our 4 rescued dogs will welcome you with a friendly sniff and cuddle. Volunteers will share 2 x bunkrooms that have 4 beds in each room (one dorm is allocated for females and the other for males). There is one bathroom in the cabin, and one located outside. The cabin has a simple but well-equipped kitchen where you can prepare your meals.. We do not have a washing machine, so laundry can be cleaned by hand, or you can take it to the nearest Lavanderia. Volunteers will be sharing the cabin with 1-2 experienced Marine Biologists that you can learn a lot from, as well as practice your Spanish.
  
  There is a convenience store that is a 5-minute walk to get simple groceries, and three times a week a fruit & vegetable truck comes by the property. Several restaurants are nearby the camp and the fishermen village of Barra de Potosi is 15 minutes' drive from our location. Diverse touristic areas are close enough to practice diving, snorkeling, surfing or just to enjoy a peaceful day sunbathing on the surrounding beaches. The best way to get around is with the local combi/shuttle that is frequent and affordable.
  
  This is a unique and special experience to be rescuing endangered marine turtles, living on the beach and engaging with the local community - we welcome volunteers that are motivated by each element of this workaway experience and are excited to commit themselves to hard but rewarding tasks. We ask that volunteers commit at least 2 weeks to this experience as there is a fair bit of training involved. Get in touch if you feel like we make a good fit.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Charity Work

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Teaching

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Travellers will have the opportunity to interact with local volunteers and their families while practicing Spanish. They also will learn the sea turtle protecting activities in order to preserve these endangered species from extinction.

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  Help

  We request volunteers to help with night patrols searching for sea turtle nests to relocate into the hatchery. Monitoring hatchery, release of hatchlings, data record, cleanup nests, educational presentations if needed, arts and crafts, keeping our facility clean and well maintained. Providing a helping hand wherever needed.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  We love learning about other cultures and languages - we welcome people from all over the world to come and join our mission.
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  Accommodation

  Volunteers will stay in a shared rustic cabin. The cabin has a full kitchen, where volunteers can cook their meals, a restroom, shower, and a common outside area by the beach. All food items, for their consumption, will be at the expense of the volunteer(s).
  Basic staples, such as rice, beans, coffee, sugar, oatmeal, salt, cooking oil, pasta, tuna, crackers, and cleaning supplies are provided
  There is a small grocery store that is walking distance from the camp.

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  What else ...

  During their free time, volunteers can enjoy walking or sunbathing on our beach, visiting other nearby beaches to swim, snorkel, dive or surf. They can also spend time at Barra de Potosi, a nearby fishermen village or visit the Pueblo Magico of Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa Isand, Las Gatas Beach, Playa Linda or even the archeological site of la Soledad de Maciel. We are 3 hours away from a beautiful town of Patzacuaro and four hours from the colonial city of Morelia, capital of Michoacan State.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  We have strong wifi access within the cabin as well as on the patio - allowing digital nomads to get their work done in their down time. We live on the beach, so the sound of the waves and the beach is something to be aware of.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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