INTRODUCTION

Convinced that environmental education can provide solutions to environmental problems, and considering the fast development of the "Riviera Maya," CEA has been working in many different areas such as turtle protection, coral reef monitoring and waste management in the local communities.

Recently, the tourist and community sectors of the Environmental Education Program have been expanded to include hotels, restaurants and dive shops outside Akumal.

The CEA Information Center has been providing this education for the past fifteen years, but it has been limited to the Akumal visitor. In the local communities CEA has being working with the elementary and secondary schools at Akumal Pueblo.

MAIN OBJECTIVE

Raise awarness among locals and visitors about the fragility of our ecosystems.

PROJECTS

The three action topics are:

1. Integrated solid waste management
2. Natural resources and causes of their deterioration
3. Weather events affecting the region

The Integrated Solid Waste Management Program in the schools teaches the children the value of recycled products and how they can compost to keep the organic materials out of the waste stream, thus reducing the volume and elevating the quality of the garbage.

VOLUNTEER

CEA supports an ongoing educational program to teach both visitors and local people to preserve and respect our environment. Focusing primarily on local children, the Environmental Education program is conducted by Mirna González. She with the volunteers and social service students visit the schools in the Pueblo of Akumal to teach the children English and how Mother Nature works and how to help our ecosystem.

Each Saturday the children come to the CEA Center, where they practice what they have learned in school. They play games, recycle paper, make handicrafts with trash, participate in the monthly beach cleanup, watch videos on the environment and a movie for entertainment when their activities are done.

In the summer, they participate in the Turtle Watch Program by helping CEA staff and volunteers release baby turtles.

It would be a plus for selection, if you have a high Spanish level, although you don’t have previous background in education or communication, but you must have a strong interest in work with children, tourist and in wildlife and conservation.

Participants are expected to be enthusiastic, adventurous, be able to work as part of a team, be respectful of the host country’s environment and cultures, and have a good sense of humor.

Other general information:

• Please note that we do not accept volunteers under the age of 21
• According to the number of applicants for the program, a strict selection of the applications will be made.
• The minimum length of stay is 2 months.
• Program monthly fee is 200 USD (foreigners) 100 USD (Mexicans). Your payment is due one month before the start of the program.
• You must have a valid passport and visa or FM3 for the length of your stay. It is your responsibility to have up-to-date migratory documents.
• It is your responsibility to ensure that you have all the recommended vaccinations and take any prescribed or advised medication. Please note that CEA can not give medical advice.
• You should have valid insurance for medical services.
• The limit application date is at least 1 month before the dates you want start the program.

STAFF

Environmental Education Coordinator
Mirna González Nah

educacion2@ceakumal.org