Community Links International Immersion Trip Proposal for. School Jim Petkiewicz, Founder March 10, 2012

Community Links InternationalImmersion Trip Proposal for

. School

Jim Petkiewicz, FounderMarch 10, 2012

Copyright Community Links International, page 2

Community-Based Education


Environmental Work

Sustainability


Cultural Immersion


Contents

Who We Are What We Do Logistics & Accommodations Safety & Health Concerns Travel and Cost Sample Activities and Excursions References Contacts


Who We Are

Community Links is an environmental, service-learning, immersion, volunteer, and international educational organization. Through cross-border, cross-cultural immersion experiences we provide people of all ages and backgrounds the chance to learn about the interconnectedness of our local, national, and global realities. We also teach participants to recognize how our lifestyles, values, choices and consumption patterns affect people, cultures and the environment the world over.


Mission

Through our project we work with local NGO's, community leaders, local governments, families, friends, and other organizations at the grassroots, regional, and international levels in order to develop opportunities of encounter and solidarity among people from both hemispheres in the Americas.


History Nov 2000 – Founded by Jim Petkiewicz and Arturo

Ortega Jan 2003 - Incorporated in the state of California as

an LLC. 2007 - transferred organizational status to 501(c)(3)

and received tax-deductible status


Why pick CLI?

The CLI team has more than 25 years of experience working as a non-governmental organization in Oaxaca, Puebla and throughout Mexico

Hundreds of Immersion Trips Organized since 2001


What We Do

Solidarity and Service Trips to Mexico and South America focusing on language, cultural exchange and immersiono Middle Schoolso High Schoolso Universitieso Organizations / Corporations

Seminars, Workshops & Retreats at our ranch in San Juan Bautista, California

Holistic development projects in the countries in which we have a presence


Areas of Work

Environment - organic composting and gardening, reforestation, recycling, greenhouses, water cachement systems with cisterns, composting latrines, solar ovens, litter campaigns, etc.

Community-Based Education - with children, youth and their families focusing on environmental issues. Mentoring and tutoring programs.

Fair Trade - catalyzing fair trade opportunities for local producers, creating fair trade partnerships, and promoting the growth of fair trade in the communities where we have a presence.

Social Justice - it all begins with working to create a reality that is just and equitable for all, including the planet.


Countries in Which We Work


Mexico – Puebla

Peru – Lima and

Chuquibamba

Bolivia - Cochabamba

Mexico – Oaxaca

Oakwood Trip Overview

Cultural and Language Immersion Trip to Mexico, including Puebla and Oaxaca

11 days total: 2 days roundtrip travel and 9 days in Mexico: Cholula/Puebla (5-6 days), Mizteca Alta/Oaxaca (3-4 days). Oaxaca is ~4 hr drive from Puebla

Cost = ~ $765 per person Highlights: tour of ‘CEDICAM’ reforestation project

in Oaxaca, home stays, cultural excursions, activities with local youth


About CEDICAM

In the Mixteca region of Oaxaca, Mexico, Jesús León Santos leads an unprecedented land renewal and economic development program that employs ancient indigenous agricultural practices to transform this barren, highly eroded area into rich, arable land. With his organization, the Center for Integral Small Farmer Development in the Mixteca (CEDICAM), a democratic, farmer-led local environmental organization, León has united the area’s small farmers. Together, they have planted more than one million native-variety trees, built hundreds of miles of ditches to retain water and prevent soil from eroding, and adapted traditional Mixteca indigenous practices to restore the regional ecosystem. Efforts are paying off as barren hillsides turn green again, aquifers are recharged, and the high rate of migration slows as indigenous farming families find they are able to make a living at home.For his work with CEDICAM, Jesús León Santos won the ‘Goldman Environmental Prize’ in 2008 for North America.Find out more: http://www.goldmanprize.org/2008/northamerica


What will the students do?

Learn Spanish Immerse yourself in local cultures Learn about green technologies & sustainable

practices Stay with a family Make new friends Participate in workshops Explore local treasures


Cultural Visits & Activities

Great Pyramid of Cholula (largest in the world) World famous museums, convents & cathedrals Indigenous & local markets Beautiful, colonial city of Puebla Atlixco (land of eternal spring) Tonanzintla (indigenous, baroque church) Cooking classes available at additional charge


Community Service Afternoons

“Heal the earth” program “Juguemos a aprender” with local children Tutoring Arts & sports Organic composting and gardening Alternative, green tech projects And more!


Map of Mexico


Travel Logistics


Accommodations


Safety CLI takes every precaution to assure the safety of travelers on the

immersion program. CLI leadership stays abreast of the current conditions in Mexico and

checks regularly on reports issued by the US Department of State. Chaperones from visiting organization are not required but

welcome On-site team consists of 5-12 adults, depending on country and size

of visiting group Participants are chaperoned at all times Team members have cell phones at all times. Sites contain landlines


US Dept of State Travel Advisory

Excerpts from Travel Warning issued by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs for Mexico on 2/8/12

“Millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year for study, tourism, and business, including more than 150,000 who cross the border every day. The Mexican government makes a considerable effort to protect U.S. citizens and other visitors to major tourist destinations, and there is no evidence that Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) have targeted U.S. visitors and residents based on their nationality.”

For the state of Puebla: No advisory is in effect. For the state of Oaxaca: No warning is in effect. According to the Government of Mexico, as of August 2011, the murder rate in

Puebla was less than 2 per 100,000. For comparison, the highest murder rate in the US is in New Orleans, Louisiana (49 per 100,000 in 2010) . And Oakland is 22 per 100,000.


Health Concerns

We drink purified water only Food is prepared with extra caution for

visitors Grapefruit seed extract is recommended Doctor/hospital care is available if required No special immunizations are required


Cost

Trip fee = $75 per person per day. This includes: meals, lodging, transportation to/from Puebla to Oaxaca, translations, miscellaneous fees, volunteer program, field trips, speakers and presentations, home stays

Roundtrip transportation from Mexico City Airport to Cholula/Puebla = $90

Total = $765 / person (9 days @ $75/day + $90) Airfare is not included. Paid separately by participants.

Average cost between $400-$600 roundtrip


Sample Itinerary 8:30-9:30AM – Breakfast 10:00AM-2:00PM - Volunteer project or excursion 2:00-4:00PM - Lunch break and free time

OR Presentations and discussion with invited lecturers 4:00-6:00PM - Afternoon activities (e.g. tutoring, sports,

arts & crafts, cooking classes, etc.) 6:30PM – Dinner 7:30PM - Evening Activities

o Reflections, journaling, viewing documentaries, etc (at community center)

o Relationship-building, language immersion, etc (at home stays)Copyright Community Links

International, page 26

Suggested Packing Items

$50-$100 cash for airport meals/purchases, optional ATM card

Participants can purchase an inexpensive cell phone plan for Mexico (e.g. Prepago with Movistar or Amigo with Telcel for M$250+ (US $12+) or can optionally purchase pay-as-you-go cell phone in Mexico

Reusable water bottles


Sample References

Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA Notre Dame High School, San Jose, CA Brophy College Preparatory, Phoenix, AZ Creighton College Preparatory, Omaha, NB Virginia Tech University, Blacksburg, VA Fordham University, Bronx, NY Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI Boston College, Newton, MA


Contact Us

Community Links International916 Wren Drive

San Jose, CA 95125Phone: (508) 280-0287www.commlinks.org

Jim Petkiewicz, Founder, [email protected] Ortega Vela, Founder, [email protected]

Find Out More

www.commlinks.org www.ecimxac.org

http://communitylinksinternational.wordpress.com/

Documents

Community Links International Immersion Trip Proposal for. School Jim Petkiewicz, Founder March 10, 2012