CASA de la Paz provides housing and education for medium to long-term volunteers interested in working in Chiapas. The staff of CASA works with volunteers to help arrange volunteer work in San Cristóbal and the surrounding communities. Volunteers must speak Spanish proficiently and make a minimum four month commitment to working in Chiapas. We ask that volunteers submit their application six weeks to two months before the date they wish to arrive.
Volunteer Work in Chiapas
CASA assists volunteers in finding volunteer work or planning independent projects with a range of non-profit NGOs in Chiapas. The nature of the work that is available for any given volunteer will depend on the skills and interests of the volunteer, the needs of partner organizations, and the length of the volunteer's stay in Chiapas. For instance, volunteers staying for under three months will most likely work on translation and human rights observation, as most NGOs prefer a minimum of three month's commitment to take on a volunteer.
Volunteer work for people staying in the CASA de la Paz may include everything from translation, computer and web programming, and graphic design work, to working with street children, human rights observation, and construction work. We ask that every volunteer spend at least ten days doing human rights observation with communities in the conflict zone. See Our Partners for organizations we have relationships with. In addition to these, we are involved with potable water projects and bicycle repair workshops within indigenous communities. Volunteers can also propose independent research projects with several of the organizations we work with.
CASA de la Paz has relationships with a number of NGOs here; they inform us of the needs of their organizations, and we suggest volunteers who might be appropriate. The needs of these organizations are constantly in flux, and occasionally volunteer work cannot be cemented until the volunteer's arrival in Chiapas. Acceptance as a volunteer with CASA does not guarantee acceptance as a volunteer with any other organization in Chiapas. Many NGOs have their own application process that must be completed for volunteers to be accepted to work there.
The House
CASA de la Paz, located near the center of scenic San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, offers affordable housing, community, education, and a reflection space for volunteers working in Chiapas. CASA de la Paz provides a week-long orientation program for all volunteers, as well as a library, computer, and internet access. The volunteers live in mixed-gender, dorm-style housing, in a comfortable house with two bathrooms, a kitchen, and living room/office. Please see Fee Schedule for further information.
