Mexico

Articles / Volunteer Evaluations

	I really want to say thank you very much for all the time and effort you put into making Mexico the trip it was for us. I know for me it was one of the best 3 and a half months ever, in any country. The project was brilliant; going down to the beach every night, putting up hammocks we'd bought, going out for runs on the quadbike, or walking a couple of kilometers either direction, finding the tracks leading to the nests, getting the eggs themselves, then returning to the camp to sleep a while before going home, then repeating the whole process the next evening. I know the project wouldn't have been the same without such a great group of other volunteers. We all agreed that we were extremely lucky to have 8 people (7 outreach and 1 experience Mexico volunteer) who all got on so well. Also, it was great how well we all got on with the Mexicans; Vicente and Julio from the project, along with Carlos from the gym, and Lupita from the bakery. It was really nice that we got to know people in La Penita and Guayabitos who you could just stop and have a chat to in the street (en Espagnol of course!) Also, thanks go to Greta for the way she ran the project, and checked in on us from time to time. Obviously, many many thanks go to Nena for putting up with having to cook for 8 extra children 3 times a day! What wonderful food, fresh from the ocean or fresh from the farm. Also to Maria for putting up with quite a loud bunch in the appartments, which were extremely nice too. I know that having gone away's fuelled me to want to do it more, so working full time as well to try and save up for another project (yes, definately would do another animal conservation project) which I hope I might be able to do between June and September/October maybe. Again, many thanks for organising such a great trip for me, for finding all the people who helped make it amazing, and for making me realise that I want to do more!

• Evaluation by Alex Tivenan

	Well where to start Mexico was amazing iv never experienced anything like it well beyond my dreams. Things happened out there that you just don't imagine not even in your wildest dreams. I am now currently back working like crazy as I will be returning to Mexico in June for a year or more so much more to see out there. I will also be doing the project with the turtles out there. I would recommend this to anyone. I also spent a day at the orphange that was amazing experience. Mexico has changed my life in so many ways more that I could ask for the people amd culture out there made me realise what it was I was looking for. I speak quie abit of spanish compared to when I got there and am currently looking at courses over here to keep on top. I will be doing a TEFL course in feb so that I can teach out there and get paid while I travel around. The highlight of the trip for me was we got a call to say that a Whale had got beached at a place called puntarasa. And could we go with Vicente and help. When we got there they had already rescued the whale so we had missed it but as we were walking back they called over the radio that the whale ahd beached its self again on the next beach so we went down there. It turned out to be a blue whale and me Alex and Vincente got to sit on it now that was incredible.

• Evaluation by Andy Watts

	Our night patrols at the camp were an amazing experience, the first time I caught an egg as the mother turtle was laying on the beach was surreal and very emotional. The natural icky lubricant coating the perfectly round ping pong ball shaped eggs was warm. I never imagined those magnificent creatures could stimulate my maternal instincts. Between patrols we rested in our palapa hut on stilts. It was brilliant to have a ceiling of bright stars and the crashing waves. A lullaby we fell asleep to. The project was brilliantly organised and we were looked after really well. There were always things for us to get involved in. It was hard work but incredible to learn so much, feel such an affinity with nature and be part of such an amazing process. The boss of the camp and his friends took us on some great trips so we could see other parts of the country and learn about Mexican culture. I feel that we became such an internal part of what was happening at the camp and immersed in the whole culture that here is no other way it could have been possible other than coming as an Outreach volunteer. It was a completely unique and shaping experience. People who assume Mexico is an impoverished country with few resources should realise that polarisation of wealth is more of an issue. Volunteers are vital to bridge the gap between rich and poor.; especially those in schools and orphanages which is why we are all so proud to be a part of Outreach. The countless hours of pint pulling was definitely worth it!

• Evaluation by Caroline McCarthy

	It's hard to even begin to write about how much I enjoyed my time in Mexico. The people, scenery, food and atmosphere are just the tip of the iceberg. Over 3 months you find yourself becoming immersed in the Mexican way of life, language and you find things out about yourself that will change your life forever. My fellow volunteers are great (14 people) we all came from different backgrounds, which was good as it gave us all a different perspective on our surroundings and we were all able to gain something from our time away. Learning how to get on with others is the sort of thing you can only learn away from home. I became close to my companions especially with those who were on my project. When we were all settled in our rooms and when we got down to the beach that we would be patrolling you start to appreciate how lucky you are to be there and to be able to work with these incredible sea turtles. On my first patrol I was lucky enough to see my first sea turtle, which was an unforgettable experience. Establishing a routine with the other volunteers was important as there were three of us and we had to work as a team so that someone was down at the camp at least 5 nights a week. The best thing at camp apart from the turtles were the Mexican volunteers. I have such fond memories of them. They weren't all English speaking so hand gestures are the main form of communication to begin with. It is impossible not to mention Vincente. It's been impossible to measure how much of an influence he has been for me. It was his hotel that we stayed in for 3months and he made us feel very welcome. Though Mexico is classed as a third world country, the polarisation of wealth is the biggest problem for Mexico. While you are out there you appreciate the basic things we take for granted like electricity and running water. Everyone I met in Mexico has been both friendly and helpful. Though it wasn't always plain sailing (loosing backpack at the airport to name one), I had the tie of my life and I would strongly urge anybody to go. Mark Hannon. Gap Year Volunteer Turtle Conservation Project. Mexico

• Evaluation by Mark Hannon

	My Mexico Madness Words aren't enough to describe how much of an amazing experience coming to Mexico was! I am so glad that I was a part of this. At first when we landed in Mexico I was really stressed and tired, and believe me that's not a good combination! This was because my luggage got lost on the way to Mexico City. I was with my fellow Outreach International volunteers but I was just generally worried! After I landed in Puerto Vallarta, where Outreach International have their base I met Greta (our coordinator) and she reassured me that my luggage would arrive by the next day, and it did! So my only advice to any future volunteers is that you should always take a spare set of clothing and toothbrush etc in your hand luggage! My time in PV was really fun! Because PV is a well established city, I felt very welcome and it didn't feel different. I really enjoyed sightseeing and visiting all the different projects as it gave me more experience, and I also love working with children, so the types of projects we visited were perfect for me! Another bit of my favourites was learning Spanish! Si! Lupita is honestly one of the best teachers you could ask for; she is kind and more of a friend then teacher. At first I was a bit put off by the idea of just speaking Spanish but as the week progressed I got used to the language and now I am surprisingly good at it!! After the first week was over, we set off for Mayto to the turtle camp. The ride to Mayto was very bumpy as the roads were being newly made. Once we got there, I honestly felt like i was in heaven. Arriving in Mayto just makes you forget about everything, you just see the beautiful ocean and the actual place where you are staying is on the beach, you just feel really relaxed and happy. All the people in Mayto are so lovely, I could not have asked to be in a nicer place, everyone makes you feel really welcomed and wants to make friends with you. The important thing is that you are sociable with everyone, because that way you can make friends with everyone. I realised that not everyone could speak English, so I had to compromise and speak Spanish, even though it was not very good, everyone understood what I was trying to say and they appreciated me for trying, which was very nice. Going on patrol was a really good experience, on the first night we found a turtle with 98 eggs, as this was our first night I was absolutely amazed because it is such a beautiful thing to watch. After we collected the eggs we would take them back to the camp and dig them up in a space that we had made for them. After about a week, they would be ready to hatch, so we would all go to release them into the ocean, and it was such a nice experience. Food in Mayto was delicious! We had traditional Mexican food every day, and for me it was something totally different. I helped some days with preparing the food, and it was a nice thing as now I know how to prepare some Mexican dishes for myself! All in all, this project and coming to Mexico was a great idea, I loved every bit of it and someday I really do hope to return as I had an amazing time and wouldn't change a moment of it. Thank you for having me J Loads of Love xxxxxxxxxxx Nikita Parekh. Turtle conservation volunteer Turtle Conservation Project. Mexico

• Evaluation by Nikita Parekh