Helping poor children in Mexico
Offering international volunteer opportunities
Fostering fellowship among Rotarians
Frequently Asked Questions about Volunteering or Visiting Project Amigo in Mexico
Where is it? | How
do I get there? | Who's in charge? | What
is the weather like? | Can I eat the food, drink the
water? | Will my electrical appliances work
in Mexico? | Is Laundry Service Available? | Is the volcano dangerous? | Going
through customs coming into Mexico | Going through
customs returning to the US | What will I be doing? | What to Bring |
Documentation | Clothing
| Tools | Sundries | Club Flag | Donations | Gifts
| How do I change money? | Credit
cards and checks | Travelers checks
| Mexican Auto Insurance | Communicating | Can I Meet My Sponsored Child? | Links
to Other Web Pages of Interest
For Visitors to Project Amigo
Where is it?
The headquarters of Project Amigo is located in the small (pop. 1,200) village of Cofradía de Suchitlán. Cofradía is located about 20 km (12 mi) north of the city of Colima (the capital of the state of Colima) on the west coast of Mexico. Volunteers will be housed at the Project Amigo guest quarters in Cofradía. The facilities where you will be working are located in Colima, Cofradía, and surrounding rural villages. See Maps.
How Do I get there?
You (or your group) will make your own air travel arrangements into and out of Guadalajara (GDL) or Manzanillo (ZLO) or Colima (CLQ). Project Amigo will provide ground transportation to and from the airport, as well as transportation for all group activities while in Colima.
If you are not part of an Project Amigo Work Week, please click here for the cost of transportation.
Who’s in charge?
Project Amigo staff in Mexico consists of founders and directors Ted Rose and Susan Hill; Jorge Torres, Director of Children’s Services; Administrative Assistant Anilú Mendoza; Jan and Jack Grimes, our volunteer innkeepers; and our AmigoBus driver, Diego Martinez. Project Amigo staff.
What is the weather like?
Temperatures during the day range from the low 70s through the mid 80s in the winter, which is the dry season. It is somewhat warmer in Colima, and is cooler at the higher elevation of Cofradía. Evenings in Cofrad í a are cool and comfortable. The rainy season is from June to October.
For more information on Colima weather, see the links to other websites below.
Can I eat the food, drink the water?
Most meals will be provided by Project Amigo - do not hesitate to eat and drink anything you want at these restaurants or homes. Safe drinking water and snacks are also available at all work sites. However, you should not drink tap water anywhere. And should you venture out on your own, avoid water, ice, dairy products and fresh vegetables everywhere but in first-class restaurants.
The kitchen at the Hacienda was recently remodeled to maximize cleanliness and good hygiene. All fruits and vegetables are sterilized before they are placed in the refrigerators. All food handlers have taken a 6-week course on proper food preparation and storeage given by PHN Kathleen Zamboni.
Will my electrical appliances work in Mexico?
Yes. Mexico uses the same current and outlets as the US, so you can bring your hair dryer and electric shaver.
Is Laundry Service Available ?
Yes, good laundry service is usually available from your housekeeper.
Is the volcano dangerous?
The Colima Volcano is an awesome presence looming over Cofradía and Colima. The volcano is active, but you will not be in any danger. Neither Colima nor Cofradía is located in the danger zone for lava flows. During the day you can usually see smoke rising from the top, and at night from Cofradía or surrounding areas you may see glowing red lava streaming down the sides. International scientists are constantly monitoring the volcano. For more information on the Colima Volcano, see the links to other websites below.
Work Week Volunteer Dr. Glenn Molyneaux of the Rotary Club of Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, California, enjoys dancing with Project Amigo Medical Director Francy Rubin at a country fiesta during one of Project Amigo's Volunteer Work Weeks.
The central plaza in the city of Colima is a clean, pleasant place to relax on a hot winter afternoon.
Work Week Volunteer Samantha Kitchen chaperones a group of children from the Quesería migrant labor camp on an Project Amigo field trip.
The Colima Volcano is an awesome presence looming over the Project Amigo offices in Cofradía de Suchitlán.
Donate to Project Amigo by using your credit card on-line:
The headquarters of Project Amigo is located in the small (pop. 1200) village of Cofradía de Suchitlán. Cofradía is located about 20 km (12 mi) north of the city of Colima (the capital of the state of Colima) on the west coast of Mexico
This village [of Cofradía] has given me a completely different perspective on Mexico. The dedication of the entire staff to their work -- and to their guests -- is marvelous.
Dick Spotswood
Rotary Club of Mill Valley, California
Going through Customs
Coming into Mexico
At the airport or on the airplane you will be given two forms to fill out: a customs form and a visa application. At the airport in Mexico you will go through a two-stage process. First is immigration (Migración) where you will show your passport and visa application and receive permission to enter the country. Then, after you have picked up your luggage you will go through customs (Aduana). You hand your customs form to an official who will direct you to push a button. If you get the green light you can proceed through the exit door. If you get the randomized red light, your luggage will be inspected. You should have no more than $300 usd of new merchandise per traveler.
Returning to the US
You are allowed to bring back, duty-free, $400 US worth of items you purchased in Mexico for your personal use. You can include 1 liter of liquor in this $400 exemption. Before re-entering the US you will fill out a U.S. customs form listing purchases and their value. Some items such as fresh fruit and vegetables, some archeological artifacts, items made from endangered species, etc. are prohibited or restricted. Check with US customs if you have any questions about specific items.
Jack Lauderbaugh of the Rotary Club of Seattle, Washington, enjoys teaching - or is it learning? - how to make paper airplanes with boys living in a group home.
What Will I Be Doing?
Work
Each day you can chose between work teams. One team may be doing repairs and improvements to children's group homes and schools, including electrical, plumbing repairs, and painting. Another team may be distributing used clothing to rural areas. And there is always a team working and playing directly with the children, reading to them, doing art projects, taking them on field trips, or just playing frisbee or kicking around a soccer ball.
Social Events
Work weeks usually begin with an informal pot-luck reception with the Colima and Villa de Alvarez Rotary Clubs, or a traditional country fiesta hosted by the Pihuamo or Coquimatlan Rotary Club. Other social activities include a home visit with a Rotary family, a meeting of the Colima Rotary Club and/or the Villa de Alvarez Rotary Club, and a day at the beach. At the end of the week there is an opportunity to shop for local handicrafts and souvenirs in Tlaquepaque, the arts and crafts center of Guadalajara (for those departing in the afternoon from Guadalajara only).
Cultural Activities
In addition to work and recreation, we offer a variety of educational and cultural events: visits to local museums and archeological sites, Spanish language lessons, Mexican cooking classes, and speakers on Mexican culture, history, or ecology.
Millie Anderson and Tim Long of Terra Linda (CA) Rotary join Gilda Hagerty from Novato, CA in putting the finishing touches on a new bathroom constructed for the children at the migrant labor camp in Queseria.
Eugene Southtowne Rotarian Gerry Reicher hauls cement to the bathroom construction site. Other Eugene Southtowners stir up another batch.
In addition to work and recreation, we offer a variety of educational and cultural events: visits to local museums and archeological sites, Spanish language lessons, Mexican cooking classes, and speakers on Mexican culture, history, or ecology.
What to Bring?
Documentation
You MUST have a valid passport .
Important Note: In addition to his or her passport, A MINOR TRAVELING WITHOUT BOTH BIRTH PARENTS WILL NEED TO BRING A NOTARIZED LETTER OF PERMISSION FROM EACH ABSENT BIRTH PARENT, or a certified copy of the death certificate of a deceased parent.
Clothing
Bring light cotton clothing and sturdy shoes suitable for working and walking. Jeans are OK for both sexes. Women may want to bring a casual dress or slacks or skirt for evening social events, Rotary meetings, or church; men, casual slacks and shirt for these same events. Sweaters or light jackets make the cool evenings more comfortable. Shorts are inappropriate at work sites or around the village of Cofradia. They are acceptable at the beach on our beach day, but not in the village (take them with you to change into upon arrival at the beach). Beach-type sandals are only appropriate at the beach.
Project Amigo is proud of the confidence, respect and trust the local people have placed in us. We are guests in Mexico, and it is important to remember that your actions and activities reflect on the Project and on your country. While you may see a few local people wearing provocative clothing, it is not becoming on our visitors and will cause stares and gossip. Likewise, body tattooing and facial piercing have not arrived in the villages in which we work. We ask for your cooperation by dressing conservatively. Ten minutes of poor behavior can undo ten years of goodwill and effort.
Tools
For folks doing construction or repairs some common hand tools and work gloves are advisable. Some suggestions, if you have them: crescent wrench or open-end wrenches, pliers or slip-joint pliers, screw drivers, wire nuts, electrical tape, multi- meter, knife or leatherman tool. (Be sure NONE of these tools is in your carry-on luggage!)
Sundries
You may want to bring sun screen, bug repellent, anti-itch cream such as 1% hydrocortisone cream, a sun hat and a flashlight. Of course you should bring prescription drugs and specialized supplies for any medical conditions you have. There are well-stocked pharmacies in Colima, but don't count on getting the specific brand of medicine you are used to. Do bring plenty of recording media for your cameras or video recorders, as there will be plenty of opportunities to take pictures.
If you use a digital camera, please bring your cable so we can amalgamate your photos onto a CD for sharing.
Club Flag
Please bring a few of your Rotary Club flags to present to the clubs you visit here.
Donations
Project Amigo maintains a wish list of current needsfor everything from blankets and book bags, to school buses and dental equipment. Toothbrushes and multiple vitamins are always needed. The most efficient and safest method of sending donations is for volunteers to bring them with them. However, Project Amigo has very little storage space. If you are interested in bringing donations, PLEASE CHECK WITH US FIRST.
Gifts
One or two evenings you will be the guest of a local Rotary family or the family of one of our scholarship recipients. It would be nice to bring them a small hostess gift. Something inexpensive but characteristic of your hometown would be appropriate. Project Amigo has a coffee mug collection and we would appreciate any you would like to add. The best gift you can give the children is your affection.
President Gerardo Solórzano González of the Rotary Club of Colima, Mexico, exchanges Rotary flags with Project Amigo Work Week Volunteer Riki Intner, President of the Fisherman's Wharf Rotary Club in San Francisco, California. January, 2001
Chuck Collingwood (left) and Stan Barrass of Terra Linda Rotary make benches for the children's bathroom project at the Queseria Labor Camp.
Terri Swenson of Tiburon Rotary and Tim Long of Terra Linda Rotary exchange banners with Villa de Alvarez Rotary Club President Elias Balboa Rojas.
Hostess Edurne San Juan de Solórzano from the Colima Rotary Club describes the typical Mexican tostada and how to assemble one. She has prepared all the condiments herself.
Each traveler MUST have a valid passport.
Important Note:
A minor traveling without both birth parents will need to bring a notarized letter of permission from each absent birth parent, or a certified copy of the death certificate of a deceased parent.
Bring:
light cotton clothing;
sturdy shoes;
one nice outfit;
sun screen;
bug repellent;
anti-itch cream;
prescription drugs;
a sun hat;
a flashlight;
lots of film;
2 or 3 Rotary Club flags;
small hostess gift.
Money Matters
How do I change money?
CASH
The best exchange rate is obtained by making a withdrawal at an ATM cash machine using your bank's ATM or debit card. You may also use your credit card at a cash machine. You need to remember your PIN. Cash machines are found at airports, at banks, and in many large retailers and malls. (Remember, when you ask for your cash withdrawal that you asking for the amount in pesos. For example, if you want to get about $100 US worth of pesos, you will be inputting $1000 pesos as the desired amount.)
Credit cards and checks
Credit cards are accepted at hotels and better restaurants and large retailers. They receive an excellent exchange rate. Checks from US banks are useless.
Travelers checks
Travelers checks can be cashed at banks and Casas de Cambio; however we do not recommend that you bring travelers checks. The exchange rates are lower than for cash, the process can be time-consuming, and requires your passport. Nor do we recommend you change money at American airports as they are the most expensive places to buy pesos. You may want to bring along some US one dollar bills as handy tips for luggage porters prior to changing your money at arrival airport or in Colima.
Mexican auto insurance online
We use Bajabound.com for our Mexican auto insurance, and we recommend them to anyone driving to Mexico. Mexican insurance is required by law when you drive your car into Mexico. Bajabound's web site allows you to purchase and print out your policy from your home or office. We believe their prices are reasonable.
Kathy Hill of the Rotary Club of Homer, Alaska, and new-found friend. Kathy spent about six weeks living at the Hacienda as a Rotary International volunteer.
Work Week Volunteers from all over the United States work together painting houses for poor families built through Project Amigo's casita program.
Project Amigo Founder and Executive Director Ted Rose with friends at the annual beach party for poor children. Though some of the children live only a few miles from the coast, many have never been to the beach before.
If you use a digital camera, please bring your cable so we can amalgamate your photos onto a CD for sharing.
Communicating
HOW DO I MAKE AND RECEIVE PHONE CALLS?
Calls can be made and faxes sent from the Project Amigo office in Cofradía. If you have a USA phone card, you may be able to use it if you know your carrier's access number from México. USA 800 #'s don't work from México.
Long-distance calls.
If you are calling to the US from Mexico, you need to dial 001, then the area code and number. Long-distance phone calls are not included in your donation.
In-coming calls.
It is easy for your friends and family to leave messages at the Project Amigo office phone. The number from the US is 011 52 (312) 395-4485. Or they can fax to our USA fax number: 775 259-2773. Faxes using the USA number come to our office computer and are retrieved when we download our e-mails.
CAN I ACCESS E-MAIL?
The Project Amigo staff will assist you in sending e-mails. You may write out your e-mail message (include the addressee’s e-mail address) and give it to one of the Project Amigo staff at breakfast so that we can send it for you. When e-mails come in for you, we will print them out and give them to you. There is also a small internet shop available at a low cost a block from the Hacienda.
Can I meed my sponsored child?
Yes! If you would like to meet the child you have sponsored, please let a Project Amigo staff member know in advance of your visit. The children are very excited to meet their sponsors, and you will enjoy a special relationship with your amigo that is extremely rewarding. Your sponsorship money bought a Christmas gift for your child, but you may want to bring a small gift with you or take the child out for a snack or to a clothing store. Please do not give your sponsored child money. It is important that you comply with Project Amigo’s goal of promoting friendship, not begging.
Before leaving the US you may also want to ask other members of your club if you can take letters or pictures of them to their sponsored children. It means a lot to the children to receive letters from their sponsors.
Rotary International Volunteer Steve Mitchell from North Bend Oregon takes a break from his work to listen to a group of women mariachi players in Guadalajara, the birthplace of mariachi music.
Students at the Quesería migrant labor camp greet their international visitors with beautiful smiles.
The children are very excited to meet their sponsors, and you will enjoy a special relationship with your amigo that is extremely rewarding.
