Mu-jeres, Inc. Project Description

1. How long has your project been in existence?
   Approximately two years
2. How did it start?
   In the summer of 2002 a couple of young women went to El Salvador with support of a grant from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. These young women facilitated a series of cervical cancer prevention workshops during a 5 week period in two separate towns in Metapan, El Salvador. While they were there, they also conducted a needs assessment of the community in La Isla. It was determined that this community needs a community center where medical and educational services can be provided. The young women returned to the US with the ambition of helping this community by raising 1/3 of the money for the center. The other 2/3’s will be raised by the community members, and through a donation of $10.000 from the city of Metapan.
   
   Description: Community Center project in El Salvador. Volunteers will help construct a community center for the rural town of La Isla, in Metapan, El Salvador. The community has been divided after years of civil war and needs revitalization to become a productive and positive society for the future of El Salvador.
3. Is your project religious?
   No.
4. What do you need volunteers to do? (It is important to have outlined duties for volunteers who come to your project).
   Volunteers that want to work from home can assist in planning and implementing their own fundraisers. These can vary from dinner fundraisers, language teaching, tutoring, house parties, clothing drives, or donation drives.
   
   Volunteers that wish to travel to El Salvador will be assisting directly with the building of the community center. Activities may include, brick laying, working with a hammer, painting, and/or planting. All work will vary according to the skills of the volunteer. Volunteers may also start community activism, encourage community groups to plan events for the new community center when it is built, encourage fundraising within the Salvadoran community through art projects, donation drives, grant writing, etc..
5. Have you ever had volunteers at your project?
   Yes, in two capacities. Our current project is based in Metapan, El Salvador. Together, with the members of this community and the network of people working from the USA and Japan, we are raising funds to build a community center and children’s park for this community that is in desperate need of revitalization.
6. Do you currently receive volunteers through a program (ex. Peace Corps, Etc.)?
   No.
7. How many volunteers would you like and can handle at the same time?
   There is no limit. Volunteers will be placed on a first come basis until the project is complete.
8. When could you receive your first volunteers?
   Volunteers can contact Mu-jeres immediately. They can begin working on Fund raising at their earliest convenience.
   
   Volunteers that wish to travel to El Salvador can begin by fund raising their own money, they can travel between the months of May and August, 2005.
   
   The construction of the building begins in July 2004. We need volunteers immediately to arrange transportation and housing as necessary. The construction could last until December 2004.
9. What time of year (or year round) would you like volunteers?
   Year round depending on what capacity they will be helping with the Communidad Salvadorenna.
10. How long would you like volunteers to stay?
    The minimum is two weeks and the maximum can be arranged until the project is complete.
11. How much would you like volunteers to donate to the project?
    Donation amount for 1 week? $500 plus accommodations
    Donation amount for 2 weeks? $500 plus accommodations
    Donation amount for 3 weeks? $500 plus accommodations
    Donation amount for 1 month? $1000-2000 plus transportation
    Donation amount for 2 months? $2000 plus transportation
    Donation amount for 3 months? $2000 plus transportation
    Donation amount for 6 months? $2000 plus transportation
    Donation amount for 1 year? $2000 plus transportation
12. Would you accept a volunteer who cannot afford to donate or to donate the entire amount?
    Volunteers must pay their own accommodations and donate $500.
13. What will you use the donations for?
    The donations will go directly to the purchase of materials for the construction of the community center. These may include and are not limited to: Brick, Wood, nails, frames, doors, paint, sinks, toilets, etc.
14. Would you provide the volunteer with simple food and accommodation?
    Volunteers who donate 500 or less must provide for all of their accommodations. Volunteers that donate over 2000 dollars will be accommodated with housing and food while at host family’s house
15. Who can volunteer?
    Both men and women.
16. How far in advance will a volunteer have to contact you before they can come and volunteer at your project?
    Minimum of three weeks before their departure.
17. Do you have any requirements as far as the age of the volunteers?
    We ask that anyone 18 years or younger contact Mu-jeres to discuss parental consent.
18. Do you have any language requirements?
    No/Yes, only if the volunteer wishes to travel to El Salvador alone to work on the construction of the building or in an organizing capacity in the community. It is suggested that the volunteer be proficient in Spanish. If the volunteer is not fluent but feels like he/she can speak Spanish at a beginner’s level then he/she is encouraged to participate.
19. Additional comments?
    All interested people are encouraged to contact us for further information and see our website www.mu-jeres.org before applying to volunteer. We can provide you with detailed information that is not listed here or with logistical information needed to make the right decision of volunteering with Mu-jeres in El Salvador. We are excited to work with GO MAD and hope that we will be able to give the El Salvadoran community the support they need both financially and physically.