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calanchinigc · 1 year

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Reforestation and community building: My volunteering experience with Yuxacoyo in Santo Domingo Yanhuitlán, Mexico

Volunteering with Yuxacoyo in Santo Domingo Yanhuitlán, Mexico, was an incredible experience. When I started the Sustainability and Climate module, I knew that volunteering was going to be a challenge, as I was travelling to Mexico City to visit my family and was not going to be able to be in the UK to volunteer for a local cause before the 3 of April submission deadline. However, I didn't want this to stop me from completing the task, so I contacted a colleague from Yuxacoyo to go and volunteer on their reforestation efforts.

During the volunteering period, I visited the UNESCO-recognised Mixteca Alta Geopark to explore the geological and natural wonders of the Sierra Madre, and I also participated in a pottery workshop with the artisans of the community of Vista Hermosa.

The experience was both enjoyable and challenging. I worked with local students and teachers on various maintenance, cleaning, and repair work on the CBTA facilities during the day of tequio, and on the most intense day, I participated in the workday with the Yuxacoyo organisation, collaborating in the reforestation of the Quedana hill and harvesting organic products.

Given the lack of support and understanding on the part of the federal and state environmental authorities, some community greenhouses have been set up in which plants are produced for reforestation from seeds collected in the same places where they are planted. These plants are the ones we used to plant on the Quedana hill.

Volunteering with Yuxacoyo allowed me to learn more about the voluntary sector, the organisation, and myself. I learned that grassroots organisations are instrumental in promoting change in communities, as the lack of support and understanding from the federal and state environmental authorities surprised me.

The experience inspired me to continue giving back to communities and promoting change through volunteering. It also renewed my connection with the Yanhuitlán community and gave me the satisfaction of knowing that my efforts would contribute to counteracting deforestation in the region. In conclusion, volunteering with Yuxacoyo was a valuable experience that allowed me to reconnect with the Yanhuitlán community and learn from different experiences. It has motivated me to continue volunteering and promoting change in communities.

Champion for Change: Making the World a Better place Course: Volunteering with Social Impact Activity: Short Blog Exercise

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