Fundación Ávila Cruz, A. C.’s volunteer program connects people willing to contribute their time, knowledge, and skills with projects developed alongside Indigenous communities and vulnerable groups.
We seek to foster participation that is responsible, respectful, intercultural, and results-oriented.
More than helping, we seek to build together.
Communities have their own knowledge, experience, organizations, leadership, and capacities.
For this reason, volunteers do not come to “solve” a community’s challenges.
They come to:
LISTEN
COLLABORATE
SHARE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
LEARN
STRENGTHEN PROCESSES
CONTRIBUTE TO SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
TIME
KNOWLEDGE
EXPERIENCE
SKILLS
NETWORKS
COMMITMENT
↓
What the Community Contributes
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
EXPERIENCE
IDENTITY
ORGANIZATION
LEADERSHIP
COMMUNITY CAPACITIES
=
COLLABORATION
Volunteer opportunities may be available to:
COMMUNITY MEMBERS
STUDENTS
PROFESSIONALS
PEOPLE WITH TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE
COMPANIES AND THEIR EMPLOYEES
UNIVERSITIES
SPECIALISTS
PEOPLE WILLING TO CONTRIBUTE DURING EMERGENCIES
Each volunteer opportunity will have specific requirements based on the activities, responsibilities, and risks involved.
Community volunteers may contribute to:
ORGANIZATION
COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND MOBILIZATION
PARTICIPATION
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
FOLLOW-UP
STRENGTHENING LOCAL CAPACITIES
Professional volunteer profiles may include:
HEALTH
NUTRITION
AGRONOMY
PSYCHOLOGY
SOCIAL WORK
EDUCATION
ENGINEERING
LAW
ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
COMMUNICATIONS
DESIGN
TECHNOLOGY
FUNDRAISING
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Professional participation will be subject to the appropriate qualifications, credentials, or professional licensing when required by the nature of the activity.
We seek to move from:
A ONE-TIME ACTIVITY
to
PURPOSE-DRIVEN COLLABORATION
Corporate volunteering may contribute through:
TRAINING
MENTORING
SPECIALIZED EXPERTISE
TECHNOLOGY
LOGISTICS
COMMUNITY-BASED ACTIVITIES
INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING
TARGETED CAMPAIGNS
Examples include:
PROJECT EVALUATION
RESEARCH
DATA ANALYSIS
SPECIALIZED HEALTH SERVICES
LEGAL ADVISORY SERVICES
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
STRENGTHENING MEAL SYSTEMS
Not every volunteer can be deployed directly to an affected area.
Volunteer assignments will depend on:
VERIFIED NEEDS
VOLUNTEER PROFILE
CAPACITIES AND SKILLS
SAFETY AND SECURITY
LOGISTICS
PROTOCOLS
EMERGENCY RESPONSE COORDINATION
CAPACITY STRENGTHENING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Training, mentoring, community organization, participation, and technical capacity strengthening.
FOOD AND NUTRITION SECURITY
Nutrition, food production, household and community gardens, food and nutrition education, water, and hygiene.
COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
Prevention, health promotion, health assessments, and community health education, in accordance with the professional qualifications required for each activity.
CULTURAL IDENTITY
Documentation, communication, research, cultural activities, and strengthening community-led initiatives.
HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE IN DISASTERS
Logistics, preparedness, response, recovery, and specialized support in accordance with established protocols.
01. APPLICATION
Complete your volunteer application.
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02. PROFILE
We learn about your knowledge, experience, availability, and interests.
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03. SELECTION
We identify whether there is a volunteer opportunity that matches your profile.
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04. DOCUMENTATION
When applicable, we request supporting documentation, references, or professional credentials.
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05. ORIENTATION
Learn about Fundación Ávila Cruz, the project, the local context, your responsibilities, and our principles.
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06. SAFEGUARDING
Review and agree to the applicable codes of conduct, policies, and protocols.
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07. ASSIGNMENT
We define your role, activities, supervisor, timeframe, and expected results.
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08. PARTICIPATION
You carry out the agreed activities with guidance and support from the responsible team.
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09. FEEDBACK
We listen to your experience and the perspectives of the people involved.
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10. CLOSURE
We document your participation, lessons learned, and contribution.
Depending on the activity, these may include:
CODE OF ETHICS AND CONDUCT
VOLUNTEER POLICY
SAFEGUARDING
CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PROTECTION
NON-DISCRIMINATION
DATA PROTECTION
CONFIDENTIALITY
RESPONSIBLE USE OF IMAGES
SAFETY AND SECURITY
PREVENTION OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
We will publish only those policies that have been formally approved and are currently in effect.
Those who collaborate with Indigenous communities are expected to act with respect for:
IDENTITY
LANGUAGE
LOCAL AND TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE
COMMUNITY AUTHORITIES AND FORMS OF ORGANIZATION
COMMUNITY PRACTICES
LOCAL RHYTHMS AND TIMELINES
THE DECISIONS OF PARTICIPANTS
We do not assume that an external solution is inherently superior simply because it is based on technical or professional expertise.
Participating as a volunteer does not automatically grant permission to photograph, record, or publish information about participants.
All content creation must respect:
CONSENT
PRIVACY
DATA PROTECTION
SAFEGUARDING
DIGNITY
NON-STEREOTYPING
ENHANCED PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
We may track:
Number of volunteers participating
Volunteer hours contributed
Professional profiles and expertise
Activities carried out
Communities or projects supported
Knowledge and capacities shared
But we also seek to understand:
What outputs did the volunteer engagement produce?
What capacities did it strengthen?
What project needs did it address?
How did the people involved perceive and value the volunteer contribution?
What learning did it generate?
What can be sustained beyond the volunteer engagement?
VOLUNTEER
↓
CAPACITY CONTRIBUTED
↓
PROJECT NEED
↓
ACTIVITY
↓
OUTPUT
↓
CAPACITY OR PROCESS STRENGTHENED
↓
CONTRIBUTION TO THE OUTCOME
Volunteering represents one contribution within a broader intervention; the overall results of a project should not automatically be attributed to volunteer participation alone.
Do I need previous experience?
It depends on the volunteer opportunity. Some activities require specific professional or technical qualifications, while others are open to general participation.
Can I participate if I live outside Oaxaca?
Yes, when there is a suitable opportunity for remote participation, specialized support, or travel that has been coordinated in advance.
Can I go directly to a community to volunteer?
Not as part of our institutional volunteer program. Participation must be coordinated in advance with Fundación Ávila Cruz and respond to an identified need.
Can I perform medical activities if I am a student?
Your responsibilities will depend on your education and training, credentials, level of supervision, and applicable regulations. Volunteers are not assigned professional responsibilities beyond their qualifications or scope of competence.
Can I take photographs during my volunteer work?
Only when specifically authorized and when all applicable consent, privacy, data protection, and safeguarding procedures are followed.
Are there any costs associated with volunteering?
Each opportunity will specify in advance whether there are costs related to transportation, meals, accommodation, insurance, or other expenses, as well as who is responsible for covering them.
Will I receive a certificate of participation?
When applicable, and once the established participation requirements have been fulfilled, Fundación Ávila Cruz may issue the appropriate documentation or certificate.
We do not measure success solely by how many people participate in an activity.
We seek volunteer engagement that is:
RELEVANT
SAFE
ETHICAL
INTERCULTURAL
WELL-ORGANIZED
VALUABLE TO THE PROJECT
RESPECTFUL OF LOCAL CAPACITIES
RESULTS-ORIENTED
When connected to a real need, a clearly defined role, and a responsible process, your time and skills can contribute to strengthening projects and community capacities.
Share your skills. Learn from the community. Contribute responsibly.
Fundación Ávila Cruz, A. C.
We work alongside Indigenous communities and vulnerable groups to contribute to reducing extreme poverty through sustainable community development processes.
Together Against Extreme Poverty.
