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FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS:
Here
you will find the questions most often asked by prospective volunteers. The
answers here may help you better understand our mission and programs. If you do
not see an answer to your question, please send us your question
here.
Do
your volunteer programs run throughout the year?
Currently,
the Auris Project is accepting applications for the summer months July,
August of each year. However, space is limited and we cannot always guarantee
placement.
Do
you require fluency in Spanish?
We
do not require fluency in Spanish. However, prospective volunteers must have a
desire to learn Spanish if they do not already speak it. In situations where
space is limited, Spanish speakers will be preferred over non-Spanish speakers.
All of our programs are ideal for volunteers looking to learn Spanish or enhance
their Spanish-speaking skills.
I'm
21. Is that too young?
Individual
volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. Group volunteers must be at least
16 years of age and provide parental permission to participate in the program.
Prospective volunteers under the age of 18 must be part of an institutionally
organized effort. Although Auris staff members and local volunteers are
dedicated to ensuring that volunteers' needs are met –from safety and lodging
to perspectives and insight about the local culture- and Catorce is a safe and
welcoming place, all volunteers will be required to sign a standard waiver of
responsibility. In cases of groups of students under the age of 18, the parent
or parents of each volunteer must sign the waiver. Family groups are welcome to
volunteer in Catorce.
What
kind of education do you require?
The
Auris Project does not specify educational requirements. We believe there is a
problematic education bias in community development fields. Rather, we
seek volunteers who demonstrate interest or knowledge in the following:
community development, volunteerism, international cooperation, civic
participation, cultural exchange, human rights and economic development. We also
look at a number of factors when placing volunteers for volunteer periods with
the Auris Project in our community: age, work history, community work,
experience, personal and professional references, professional skills, and
stated interests and goals.
How
do you determine if a volunteer is eligible?
The
eligibility of a potential Auris volunteer is determined by the volunteer's
character, her understanding of the Auris mission, her flexibility and
availability, and her willingness and eagerness to experience new peoples
and cultures.
What
exactly will I be doing as a volunteer (let's say that I will volunteer for 1
month)?
In
the Summer of 2008, international volunteers will be frequently assigned to
conduct rural research in the 120 villages that make up the Catorce municipality
in San Luis Potosí in Central Mexico. This assignment entails volunteers
traveling to remote regions and taking surveys, interviewing residents, and
writing essays on the cultural, historical, political and social realities of
one of Mexico's most unique but underserved regions. The volunteers will input
the information into a database for future web and print publications and as
reference work. Many volunteers will also give informal English or computer
instruction to small groups of local adults and children and assist rural women
in the development of a microbusiness.
How
will this help the communities? Meaning, what are you going to do with the
research that the volunteers conduct?
In
remote rural communities like Catorce, poor folk do not have even basic
information about their rights or opportunities. Because of a variety of social
realities in Mexico, including official corruption, class discrimination, and
poor access to education and information resources, our constituencies are often
excluded from economic opportunities that find their way to Catorce. Although
the Auris Project's mission is to encourage civic participation, access to
information and respect for human rights, we also recognize that educational
tourism can be a viable way to stimulate the economies of our region's most
ignored inhabitants.
This
is a crucial time for Catorce, because it has begun to be seen as an alternative
to traditional vacation traveling. In the past, most visitors were young
adventurers interested mostly in the peyote that grows on the plains. Yet,
Catorce has plenty to offer a wide array of travelers whose interest can benefit
the region; botanists, historians, students, sociologists, ecologists,
activists, etc. Those who have found their way to Catorce in the past have had
limited experiences and options and often leave without exchanging words with a
single campesino. Part of the Auris
mission is to entice these travelers to Catorce and put them in direct contact
with the wonderful people that make the place so special.
The
Village Resources Research program is an effort to include people historically
excluded from participating in tourism opportunities. By creating a
database of services and products offered by our poorest residents, we open up
opportunities that the power structure has historically only handed out to an
elite few. With the information provided in this research, future visitors can
have a choice as to where they want to spend their time and money, a radical
concept here in the Altiplano Potosino. This means that visitors are not
dependent on only a handful of hotels, restaurants and transportation services
controlled by a few well-off families, but have options that permit even the
humblest and most remote villager to participate. This also means more
meaningful visits for travelers.
Can
you describe a day in a volunteer's life?
There
is no typical day in the life of an Auris International Volunteer. We
expect our volunteers to be self-motivated, independent and flexible. Auris
staff and Auris volunteers agree to an activity plan before the volunteer
arrives in Mexico. Because we encourage our volunteers to explore the region as
much as possible, volunteers can choose to work either 4 or 5 days a week. This
allows our volunteers to immerse themselves in the local culture and spend time
exploring, journaling, or practicing their Spanish. There is reliable and
affordable bus service from Estación Catorce to many interesting towns in the
area. Our volunteers' days will be determined by a carefully crafted agreement
that honors the volunteers' personal growth and goals and at the same time meets
the needs and hopes of our communities. Volunteers are expected to follow
the agreed upon activity plan. Although Auris staff will assist the volunteer
when needed, the volunteer must be able to proceed with the activity plan
unsupervised. Each volunteer will be assigned a local "buddy," who
will be a constant source of information, encouragement, direction, and support.
The
day of the volunteers' arrival, local staff and "buddies" will greet
the volunteers, give them a quick orientation of Estación Catorce, and then
share a meal. The volunteers will be shown to their quarters and, in cases of
home stays, introduced to their hosts. The following day, the volunteers will
have the option of either resting the entire day, or taking a short excursion to
a nearby village. Program orientation and activities will generally begin on the
fourth day of arrival. By the second
week, the volunteer or volunteers placed in a lowland village will go up and
visit Real de Catorce and surrounding villages to get an idea of the
"layout of the land", so to speak. If the volunteer is placed in Real,
he or she will descend the mountain to get a feel for the lowlands.
Can
I contact past volunteers?
If
you are interested in contacting past volunteers please feel free to mention
that in your application or to an Auris Staff member. We have many past
volunteers that are happy to share their experiences with prospective
volunteers and may be able to help you prepare for your stay. Also,
program director Tedi Butolph originally came to Auris as an international
volunteer and will be able to answer any questions from a volunteers
perspective.
When
should I expect Auris Staff to contact me?
There
are many barriers when working with an international agency. However,
Auris staff is very eager to address any questions or concerns. Please allow
3-10 working days for a response.
Is
Auris both a travel agency and an NGO?
The
Auris Project is a registered 501c3 non-profit grassroots organization dedicated
to supporting marginalized communities with information access and international
support. For more about the Auris Project, go to our home
page. All international volunteers are expected to know about and understand
the mission of the Auris Project. If, after reading our web pages, the
prospective volunteer has questions about our work and mission, she is invited
to contact Auris to discuss her questions or concerns. A staff member is
available to dialogue with the international volunteer in English or Spanish. In
2004, the Auris Project launched the international volunteer program as a way to
encourage interest in the region, assist the community in its development and to
help support our work here in the Altiplano. The Auris Project is not a travel
agency.
Where
will I be living?
Individual
volunteers are placed in approved family homes, posadas or independent living
accommodations, while groups are housed in a local group cabana or large posada.
Depending on volunteer program needs, the volunteer may be placed in Real de
Catorce, Estación Catorce, Ranchito de Coronado or Estación Wadley. All
approved program accommodations are clean and secure. Some accommodations will
not provide hot water and can be quite rustic.
Why
does Auris charge volunteers?
Because
we are a grassroots organization with limited financial support, it would be
impossible for the Auris Project to host international volunteers in Catorce
without charging program fees. The fees assist us in making sure the volunteers
are well housed, well fed and well organized during their volunteer stint with
Auris. At the same time, we are committed to keeping the program fees down, and
the quality of experience for our volunteers up. There are few international
volunteer programs today that offer the quality of experience Auris offers in
Catorce at such low cost.
How
do I apply?
A
$25 non-refundable application fee is due upon submission of the volunteer
application. If space is available and
the volunteer is approved to work in Catorce, the application fee will be
applied to the overall program fee. Once we have received the application and
the application fee, we will then send the prospective volunteer a project
questionnaire to fill out, as well as the volunteer handbook. Please allow 3 to
10 working days for your application to be processed.
Once
we receive the completed project questionnaire, we will send a proposed activity
plan and agreement. Once Auris and the prospective volunteer agree upon the
activity plan and full payment has been received, we will confirm your arrival
in Catorce. In general, the approval process must be completed at least a month
in advance of the volunteer's arrival in Catorce.
How
do I pay?
Volunteers
can pay online by clicking our secure donation button on the Auris Project web
site or through other financial arrangements made with the Auris Project. Full
payment must be received at least three weeks before the volunteer arrives in
Catorce.
Do
I need a Passport or a Visa?
For
the International Volunteer Program, a regular tourist visa is appropriate.
Be sure to request a few extra days on your visa in case your travel plans
change.
LAND
AND SEA TRAVEL
The following summarizes information available on the Department
of Homeland Security’s website.
-
JANUARY
31, 2008
U.S. and Canadian citizens will need to present either a WHTI-compliant
document, or a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license,
plus proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. DHS also proposes to
begin alternative procedures for U.S. and Canadian children at that time.
LATER
At a later date, to be determined, the departments will implement the full
requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require
most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry
to have either a U.S. passport; a U.S. passport card; a trusted traveler
card such as NEXUS, FAST, or SENTRI; a valid Merchant Mariner Document
(MMD) when traveling in conjunction with official maritime business; or a
valid U.S. Military identification card when traveling on official orders.
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