Tam Unen
Mexico
Education
Social work
Education
Social work
Permanent
About the project
Tam Unen
📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
Project:
Tam Unen, which in the indigenous Tsotsil language means "Those who receive newborns" is an non - profit organization made up of traditional midwives and health promoters who aim at reducing maternal and infant death.
The main activities focus on attending indigenous communities and providing orientation on: sexual and reproductive health, sexual and reproductive rights, warning signs in pregnancy, attention during childbirth and postpartum, among others.
The project also raises awareness of the importance of traditional midwives and carry out workshops that involve indigenous youth around the municipality and that deal with the following topics: maternal health, sexual and reproductive health and gender equity.
💼 What the programme involves
Work:
The volunteers can get involved;
Midwives support.
The volunteer will get involved in activities around five communities belonging to the municipality of Jitotol, in which the volunteer will have the opportunity to do work related to midwifery in private homes, assist in filling out forms, reports and birth logs. Accompany the births, and follow up visits for the mother and the newborn and support to create materials for sexual education workshops.
Work with the local community
The volunteer will support with strengthening the Tam Unem organization trough projects for the community, creating material and help to carry out workshops such as; bakery, working in medicinal gardens, computer lessons, textile, computing classes, English lessons to children and adults, etc..
🏠 Accommodation on site
Acommodation and Food: Volunteers will stay in the small community of Jitotol, and will be lodged in shared rooms. The house has all the basic services such as water, electricity, shared bathrooms, a small shared kitchen, and a place to wash clothes by hand.
Food is not included in the participation fee for this project. Volunteers must buy and cook their own food. The house does include a fridge, stove and places to store food.
📍 About the location
Location: The project takes place in an indigenous community called Jitotol is located 1,650 meters above sea level, rural community in a beautiful, mountainous region in the north of the state of Chiapas, in southeastern Mexico, about 1 hour and a half from the city of San Cristobal de Las Casas. The community is of Tsotsil Maya origin, where the inhabitants still preserve indigenous native customs and tradition.
⚠️ Requirements
Requirements: Volunteers interested in participating in this projects must plan to stay for a minimum of 3 months and be over 18 years old. Volunteers must be mature and demonstrate tolerance and sensitivity to cultural, social, and political differences and situations, they should be ready to live in a community without the commodities and services of a big city.
Language: An upper-intermediate level of Spanish is necessary since the school children’s first language is Tsotsil (an indigenous language from Chiapas). We encourage volunteers who require intensive language classes to improve their Spanish, or any other international or indigenous Maya language, to matriculate in the language and culture institute “La Casa en el Árbol”. For more information, please visit: www.lacasaenelarbol.org
🤝 Meeting point
Closest Airport: The closest airport is Ángel Albino Corzo (TGZ), located in the capital city of Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas. Please keep in mind that it is necessary to travel from the airport to the city of San Cristóbal de las Casas in a taxi or bus
ℹ️ Additional information
Participation Fee : : Nataté does not receive any type of funding, private or public, which is why each volunteer is required to pay a participation fee o 1,500 MXN each month. This fee includes housing and ongoing follow-up throughout the volunteer process. The costs of transportation and food are covered by the volunteer.
BEFORE Applying: It is indispensable to show a HIGH LEVEL of commitment and responsibility. It is important that all volunteers who apply have the openness and readiness to adapt to the lifestyle conditions during the time that the volunteer service lasts.
You can bring any teaching materials you would like to share with the community.
Interested in this project? Create your account and apply online.
Sign in to apply📅 Available sessions
NAT-ML16-03
11/01/2016 → 16/12/2016
Volunteers registered
0 / 5
♂ 0/3
♀ 0/2
ℹ️ Key information
Age required
18–99 years old
Solidarity donation
0.00 EUR
French tax residents may be eligible for a tax reduction of up to 66% of their costs (membership, plane tickets, solidarity donation).
📍 Location
29760 Jitotol, Chis., Mexico
Mexico
🌍 Location info
Local currency
Mexico Peso (MXN / Mex$)
Exchange rate
1 MXN = 0.048171 EUR
Rate as of 31/05/2026
🛡️ Before you leave
✅ Features
🗣️ Languages spoken
English
Spanish