Environmental EducationTsomanotik
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Tzimol is a small sugarcane producing town in the southern border of Mexico.Tsomanotik (Tso) is an eco-agricultural centre for just and sustainable community development, as well as implementing projects for youth and community solidarity. Tso is located at Tzimol and exists in harmony with nature, promoting social responsibility through alternative natural construction techniques, appropriate technology, and organic agriculture. Their vision is for solidarity and a more just society where marginalized groups in Chiapas are heard and play an active role in the community development process. Tso also encourages a high amount of cross-cultural collaboration.
A current priority with Tso is sustainability education with schools in nearby communities. Often this work involves improving demonstration projects on site and working on moving these projects out into the community. As an organization, Tsomanotik is quite young and is quite open to different forms of deep engagement. This means interns will need to be flexible and adaptable, it also translates into an innovative way of doing things.
Current Tsomanotik interns will be focused on environmental education with middle school aged children (grades 6-8). They will facilitate environmental workshops on site at Tsomanotik to help strengthen Tso’s new relationship with the middle school in Chiapas. A background of at least intermediate level Spanish is necessary for this placement. Interns will also be involved in awareness-building work with the River Committee.
This placements will require a high degree of initiative and problem-solving – you will be given the vision but will need to work closely with Tso staff to figure out how to work toward that vision, with very few resources. This will involve building effective relationships within the communities, developing a plan in collaboration with Tso staff, and developing strategies for these projects.
The aim of these partnerships is to provide assistance to Tso while learning about environmental education, social change, and community development in Mexico. This will also develop understanding of the role of community spaces in providing necessary resources to various community demographics, understanding the complex issues surrounding poverty and community development, and to appreciate the social, economic, and cultural factors relevant in implementing policy.
This placement has multiple components:
Program Type:
International Service Learning (ISL) |
