Volunteer with Low-Income Children Mexico
Description
We are a non-profit organization that provides safe, nurturing, and stimulating day-care and preschool education to children from low-income families in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Our aim is to give children a solid foundation for lifelong learning and success. We believe that every child deserves access to high-quality education, regardless of their background or financial situation. At Centro Infantil de los Ángeles, we strive to be a beacon of hope and opportunity for our community, one child at a time. And we really appreciate the volunteers’ support in these efforts. During a volunteer’s stay with us, you will be assigned to a particular area to help at the day-care or preschool. Activities include: Assisting the teacher, playing with children, arts/crafts, field trips and local fundraising events. Volunteers are expected to help Monday through Friday from 9am to 4pm. Volunteers are free weekdays in the afternoons, and on weekends.
Details
Organisation:
Centro Infantil de los Ángeles
Location:
San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Qualifications/Skills:
It is very important for volunteers who are considering this experience to have the love, creativity, energy, and willingness to work with pre-school children. We also recommend that volunteers have studied or demonstrate an interest in studying Spanish prior to and during their time with us.
Dates of program:
Year round
Duration of program:
Between 1 week and 12 months
Age requirement:
Adults of both sexes 18+ or minor with a parent
Cost:
For accommodation, we recommend that all volunteers live in our Volunteer House that is next to the day-care centre. We charge a housing donation which includes weekday breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday (non-vegetarian, served at the day-care), all linens/towels, 7 days per week cleaning services, and Wi-Fi/cable. The house has warm running showers, a large outdoor patio, full kitchen, dining room, and large lounging room. Application fee US$35. Housing fee: US$180 per week or US$650 per month. Also we can pick you up free at the airport or bus station (only available for airports or bus station of León or Querétaro).
Other information:
Note that all accommodation fees are a direct, 100% donation to our non-profit organization. Each donation will be used for the benefit of our children at the centre; for food, teacher salaries, classroom supplies, maintenance, etc. We make every peso count and really appreciate the volunteers’ support in these efforts.
Reviews
A life-changing experience"I volunteered for CILA in January 2023, and it was one of the best life experiences I have ever done. Even if I could speak very little Spanish all staff had been extremely helpful and supportive. The children were so welcoming and curious. I have to admit I cried when the whole school danced and sang for the volunteers to say thank you to us! A plus for travellers is the beautiful Mexican volunteer house, a gem with breath-taking rooftop views, right next to the school. I recommend this experience to anyone! It brought me so much joy and peace. Thank you to all the children, staff and maestras at CILA! Also, thanks to Chinthya, the volunteer coordinator, who also took us around to explore the beautiful town of San Miguel de Allende!"- Susanna Mazzola
So good - Planning to Return"This school and daycare facility is surrounded by wonderful and hardworking people and there is so much love there. I felt comfortable and easily found my way to help even though my Spanish language skills are dreadful! :) Everyone was welcoming and the children are so bright and loving too. There is a laidback atmosphere so no need to be worried or stressed about the experience. The facilities are comfortable and absolutely beautiful, and it is located in a vibrant neighborhood with everything you need in walking distance. I left with lots of tears, my heart filled with love, and I cannot wait to return and see how the children, their families, and the staff are doing! Highly recommended."- Colleen Russell Criste
Great Volunteering Opportunity with Kids in Need"Great facility for volunteers to stay at - clean, comfortable, and next door to day care. Very rewarding volunteering experience for those who love kids. San Miguel is an awesome town with a lot to do."- Clark Britan
Feel the life"I had a lovely time volunteering. I helped play, make art, feed, wash hands at toilet time, dress and get ready the babies and just interact with the children. A lovely experience."- Angela Fuller
The experience of a lifetime"Several years ago I had the opportunity to spend over three months working with and living with the incredible people of this project. In this time I was able to build enriching relationships with the moms, children, teachers, staff, and other volunteers. This close knit community is so living giving to the families of San Miguel and it was a joy to work with them as well as learn from their organization. This opportunity also allowed me to know local families as well as getting to explore the area and all the beauty it has to offer."- Hannah Lee
Great organization!"This is a great place to volunteer! The children are adorable and the parents are so grateful for a place to take their children, while they go to work. I love that we serve two meals a day to those in the daycare! This organization serves the lowest income families in the beautiful town of San Miguel de Allende. It has been very rewarding to teach the parents and teachers English as a Second language and yoga to the older kids. Usually, I help the classroom teacher and deliver food from the kitchen to each classroom. Being in the classroom is interesting. If you want to review and improve your Spanish, this is a great place to do it! I have volunteered here about 10 times. Sometimes I stay for a week and other times I stay longer. The Volunteer House is beautiful and comfortable. I enjoy cooking and relaxing there. The view from the rooftop is spectacular, as it overlooks the city."- Tammy Kjos
Life-changing experience!"I spent the entire summer of 2015 in San Miguel de Allende volunteering with this organization which was an absolutely life changing experience. The entire center, teachers, staff, the children and the other volunteers helped me build my own little community within San Miguel. I loved forming relationships with other visitors (like myself) and with locals (some of which have become life-long friends!) and having the opportunity to travel to various cities and pueblos in Mexico. I have continued to visit San Miguel de Allende each year since I lived there. The volunteer house is beautiful and a great option to stay in while living and volunteering in San Miguel. I never had to worry about my safety or security, as San Miguel is very tranquil. Best of all, was spending time daily with the children and watching them grow. I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a volunteer opportunity with children in Mexico."- Kara Stevenson
An unforgettable experience"I visited this project for a couple of months in 2014. It was a wonderful experience. I enjoyed working with the children and getting to know the teachers. The day I left, I knew I would return. I went back the following year and saw the progress in the children I met during my first visit. Their care for the children and mothers is evident. I have volunteered with various organizations and in other countries and this is definitely the one I look forward to returning to."- Sandra Valiente
The Receiving Is So Much Better Than The Giving"For several years now, I have worked with the five year old angels at Centro Infantil. My program, one that I initiated, is to introduce these amazing children to art, opera and ballet. Their enthusiasm, their gratitude, and their efforts to learn my subjects make every minute I spend with them a joy beyond measure. By the time the children graduate they will have learned that an opera is a play in which people sing instead of talk and that a ballet is a play in which they dance instead of talk. The children will begin the year learning shapes and colors in Spanish and English, and will have met Cubism. They continue to learn about architecture, Impressionism and a variety of artistic styles. I make figures of some of the operas and ballets for them. Their graduation is my hardest moment: saying farewell to their hugs and kisses, but knowing that in just a few months a rewarding experience with a new class awaits me. Nothing I can do for these children compares with the rewards I feel with every experience with them. Try it. You'll like it."- Mireille Grovier
An opportunity not to be missed"This is an opportunity not to be missed. The children are both beautiful and delightful. Most are from young single mom homes that sometimes live at a bare subsistence level. All of the children are treated to the highest level of love and respect. Working with them will make your heart sing. The city of San Miguel de Allende is one of the most beautiful in the world. Sitting on a crystal mountain at 6,000 feet above sea level. There are over 300 festivals here a year. It's the wedding capital of Mexico with street dancing and bands playing constantly. It's a walking city. Tons of restaurants, Cafe's, pubs etc. You can get to most places on foot within 30 minutes. Buses cost 7 pesos or 35 cents US. Taxies or Uber are available for an average cost of 50 pesos or $3 US. No beaches nearby but this is one adventure that you won't regret booking."- Rick Kamenshine
Best volunteering experience"I have volunteered at many places and this was the best volunteering experience I have ever had. 1) because of the kids. They are amazing and volunteering here really makes an impact for them. 2) because the staff is awesome and makes you feel at home. 3) because of location, the city of San Miguel is awesome and there are many day activities you can do in the afternoon after your volunteering responsibilities have concluded. The whole experience was magical - do it."- John Wenstrand
A Life Changing Event"In 2014, I fled Florida after going through a divorce, to spend 3 months in San Miguel de Allende. I was in need of creating a new chapter in my life, so I rented a house, enrolled in school, spent every day taking Spanish lesson and volunteering at the school 3 days a week. It was quite and experience, given the fact I was in my mid 60s, had no children, and was taking beginner Spanish lessons in town. I compare it to an "Outward Bound experience for seniors". The lead teacher in the class was young woman by the name of Cinthia Robledo Acuna. Over time we became good friends. We'd go to dinner and to jazz occasionally and learned to communicate by signing and with her passable English and my poor Spanish, laughing all the way! Our responsibilities were for the 0-2 year old children; it was pure joy. We diapered and fed them, sang songs to them and played games with them in both languages. When the day was done, we bathed and dressed them to be presentable for pick up, mostly by Mothers, sometimes by Fathers. I remember particularly a boy named Leo. He was the "alpha male" in the class always checking the play pens which were make shift cribs for the babies; always eating any leftovers from the last meal. I always thought Leo would make a great football player. I held his hand when he took his first steps! There is a picture attached with my arm guiding him. The day I left the school to prepare for my flight back to the States the staff threw me a little good-bye party. I still cry when I open the beautiful card, and I think of wealth of experience I gained in many venues. To this day I miss them all, especially Leo and Cinthia! God bless the staff and all those beautiful children who have benefited from being at the school."- Judith Pollins
Best vacation I have ever taken"I have taken vacations and enjoyed them. But, until I went and spent it volunteering here, I never knew there was a better way to spend a holiday. What wonderful memories me and my family have. I must say that the children and staff gave us more than we gave them. The intrinsic rewards made this an experience we plan to repeat. Loved it!"- Jeannette Drenner
Truly Incredible Experience"I don't know that I have the words to convey how highly I recommend this organization. The volunteer program is well run, rewarding, and fun. The volunteer house, located conveniently directly next to the daycare, is beautiful and spacious- a true home. The teachers and kids at the daycare are dedicated, friendly, and loving. You'll immediately feel part of the family, and feel truly helpful to the organization. Plus, you get to live in beautiful San Miguel de Allende, where there's always something to do, or something incredible to see."- Amelia Coffin
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