Nayarit, Mexico
March 27–April 4, 2010
Can you see yourself being immersed in a coastal Latin American country, blending cultures, friendships and service from the heart? Then join us as we experience Nayarit, Mexico, located in the central west of Mexico, bordering the Pacific Ocean! Enjoy the stimulation of meeting wonderful teammates and working alongside the locals as we share the dream of creating a new home for a family!
About Mexico
Mexico is the third largest and most populous Spanish-speaking country in Latin America. Mexico is a land of deserts, tropical coastlines, snow-capped volcanoes and busy cities still whispering of their ancient cultures. It is also a nation in which poverty has taken hold of many citizens.
Mexico is located just south of Texas, with the Gulf of Mexico to its east, and the Pacific Ocean to its west. Belize and Guatemala are Mexico’s southern neighbors. The country covers almost two million square kilometers, making it the fifth-largest country on the continent. Its capital, Mexico City, is the second most populated city in the world. Of Mexico’s 109 million people, more than 22 million live in the capital city.
About Habitat for Humanity Mexico
Habitat has been working in Mexico since 1987 in more than 1,000 communities, with 20 active affiliates in 17 states. HFH Mexico has constructed more than 19,500 houses.
The average Habitat house has two bedrooms, a kitchen, a bathroom, a living-dining room and either a dry latrine or toilet. Partner families pay their loan in an average of seven years through monthly installments (averaging about US$74), a much more affordable cost than rents paid for inadequate shelter (roughly US$100 to US$200).
For more info, visit www.habitatmexico.org.
Types of construction for volunteers
Building materials vary according to regional availability, with roofs built of galvanized zinc or reinforced concrete and walls of bricks, adobe or concrete blocks. The average house goes up in roughly three weeks, measuring between 42 to 49 square meters. In compliance with urban housing code requirements, Habitat houses in cities measure the minimum 60 square meters and have electrical and plumbing installations.
Construction materials vary from region to region. In order to reduce house costs, HFH tries to use as much of the area’s local materials as possible. For example, roofs may be built of galvanized zinc or reinforced concrete, and walls may stand with bricks, adobe or concrete blocks. Materials also vary depending on the area’s climate and susceptibility to earthquakes and hurricanes.
Standard itinerary
(9-day itinerary)
Day 1 Arrival day (typically Saturday): Greeted at airport by Habitat Mexico staff; the airport may vary depending on the host program location; overnight in arrival city; team dinner.
Day 2 (Sunday): Transported to host program; orientation and welcome.
Days 3–7 Work days (Monday–Friday): Breakfast served before traveling to work site; work from 8 a.m.–4 p.m. with lunch on site; free time after work to clean up; supper of typical Mexican food; time for team activities; farewell activity on day 7.
Day 8 (Saturday): Travel to departure city; free time; final team dinner.
Day 9, Final day (Sunday): Departure day
Note: Special events throughout the week include cultural experiences with host program, such as traditional dance, agricultural and architectural tours, typical food preparation, etc.
Accommodations
Hotels are simple and basic and typically located near the project site. Rooms sleep two to four people and include a private bathroom, although bathrooms are occasionally shared. All facilities are screened by HFH staff to ensure they are safe, clean and well-maintained.
Team members will spend their first and last nights in-country in a hotel near the airport.
Trip cost
$1,400
Trip cost includes: donation to the Habitat host program and HFHI; meals; accommodations; transport (excluding trip participant air fare); medical emergency evacuation and trip cancellation insurance; some local cultural activities and team coordination and orientation materials. The team leader’s trip cost and estimated air fare may be included in the trip budget. The trip cost does not include trip participant air fare, R&R activities or visa and exit fees (not applicable for all destinations).
Team leaders
Betsy Steel and Scott Lyle welcome you to join them in this exciting Mexican/Narayit experience. They are each avid travelers and previous HFHI team leaders. This Mexican project will be Betsy’s fourteenth build. Scott has participated on six Jimmy Carter Habitat builds from India to California. This will be his fifth Global Village project.
Betsy is a teacher and an artist; Scott is a civil engineer. They each embrace the wealth and individuality of each team member and look forward to an awesome adventure! They welcome a group of fabulous volunteers who all share the same goals of assisting people in need, while learning and growing together.
For more information about this trip, contact Betsy or Scott at betsyscottgvfun@gmail.com.