Refugee support volunteers serving food during meal time in Mexico.

Migrant and Refugee Support Project in Mexico

Give aid and support to refugees and migrants settling and travelling through Mexico

Destination

Mexico

Age

18+ y/o

Minimum Stay

2 weeks

Start Date

Anytime

Accommodation

Homestay

What’s Included

24/7 Support

Round-the-clock support on the ground and 24/7 back up from our global teams.

Accommodation & Amenities

Clean, safe, and welcoming accommodation. A home away from home with comfortable amenities.

Activities, Training & Equipment

All programme activities and equipment, including training and workshops from experienced professionals.

Certification

Certified record of service hours, workshops, and activities for your CV.

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Starting at £1,825 for 2 weeks

Flexible 0% Interest payments

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Trip Overview

Support refugees in need

Provide essential support to refugees from Central America fleeing political instability and violent conflict in their home country.

Deliver humanitarian aid

Support professionals with tasks like preparing meals, distributing food, clothing, and hygiene items.

Deliver empowerment workshops

Help run workshops on topics like human rights and self-reliance.

Provide language support

Use your language skills to bridge communication gaps between migrants and relevant authorities.

Cultural exchange

Dine with migrants to learn about their personal stories, the challenges they face, and contribute to solutions.

What you need to know

Overview

If you’re empathetic and proactive, then volunteering at a refugee and migrant shelter is something you should consider. Many refugees are vulnerable, often fleeing violence in Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. Most travel in a caravan to Mexico and choose the longer western route through Guadalajara because it is safer than the Central and Gulf routes.

Since Mexico is a Spanish-speaking country, it is recommended that you speak basic conversational Spanish. This will make conversing with the refugees easier and make their transition smoother. Although not required, we encourage volunteers with humanitarian work experience to join.

To ensure the best possible environment for the refugees and migrants, you’ll receive sufficient training from professionals. You’ll get to work in an energising and fulfilling work environment, knowing that you’re contributing to the better treatment of refugees and migrants abroad.

You can join for a minimum of two weeks, but we recommend staying at least four. That’s because each volunteer must work a minimum of 132 hours at the refugee centre. If you choose to stay for just two weeks, you’ll have to work double shifts (around 10 hours per day).

Staying longer will allow you to work shorter shifts. Plus, the longer you stay, the greater your impact will be on vulnerable refugees.

A Day in the Life

You’ll start the day with a nutritious breakfast before heading off to the centre. Our local staff will show you how to get to the centre and introduce you to the people you’ll work with.

The centre is run 24/7 but the morning shift starts at 8.30 am, where you’ll discuss your daily tasks with the shift manager. You’ll generally work Monday to Friday with your weekends free to explore Guadalajara and the surrounding areas.

You’ll have your lunch with other volunteers, migrants and refugees in the kitchen. This is a great opportunity to learn more about where they come from and the reasoning behind their move. This will give you a deeper understanding of the challenges they face.

Once you are done for the day, you can relax at your host family or head out into town and enjoy one of the many fantastic restaurants.

Aims & Impact

This project aims to provide much-needed support to the migrant and refugee centre and to sensitise the community to the refugee and migrant situation. It’s often surrounded by misconceptions and prejudgment.

With growing instability in the nations south of Mexico, the number of refugee and migrant caravans in Mexico is expected to rise year after year. Therefore, the centre needs volunteer support to cope with the increasing demand for their services.

Assist with care and support, and help smooth the transition for migrants and refugees travelling through Mexico.

Activities

Throughout your time on the project, you’ll support vulnerable refugees and migrants. You’ll make a valued contribution to the ongoing operation at the shelter through the following activities:

Volunteers sorting through clothing that will be given to the refugees passing through Mexico.

Provide clothing and food to refugees during their time at the centre

Prepare meals and assist with kitchen duties

Run the clothing bank at the shelter

In desperate situations, many refugees and migrants leave home with just the clothes on their backs. The shelter has a clothes bank, supported by donations from the community, where they can find the necessary clothing and toiletries.

A simple shower and fresh clothing have a profound impact and often lift their spirits during a turbulent time. You’ll be involved in the handing out of these items. You’ll need to make sure they’re the right size. We also place importance on whether they like the items they’re getting. This makes their journey that much more comfortable.

Knowing basic Spanish will help, as you’ll be able to find what they need faster.

Prepare meals and assist with kitchen duties

While at the shelter, migrants and refugees are given three hot, nutritious meals a day. You’ll lend a hand in the kitchen, whether it be cooking, cleaning or serving. This is a great way to learn how to prepare traditional Mexican dishes. You can even try to cook a meal of your own if you have experience preparing large amounts of food.

Map & Location

¡Hola! Get ready for a fiesta of flavours, colours, and experiences in Mexico. The birthplace of chocolate and the Day of the Dead celebrations, Mexico is a captivating nation with incredible food. people, music, and more.

It also has a rich history with Mayan ruins and colonial towns to explore, and is home to the world’s smallest volcano! Our project locations in Mexico are safe and you will be welcomed into the community like one of the locals immediately.

Guadalajara

Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco in western Mexico, is steeped in tradition and brimming with modern energy. With a population of over 1.4 million, it’s the second-largest city in Mexico, and boasts a rich history and mild climate year round.

Famed for its mariachi music, tequila, and delicious cuisine, the city houses historic landmarks like the Guadalajara Cathedral and the Teatro Degollado. Wander along cobbled streets and experience the lively atmosphere of this enchanting city.

Food & Accommodation

You’ll have everything you need to enjoy an incredible experience in Mexico, including a clean bed, three meals a day, and fresh drinking water. You’ll stay with a caring host family, vetted by Projects Abroad, who will treat you like one of their own from the moment you arrive.

Your home away from home will be clean, safe, and secure, with Projects Abroad staff members handling your transport to and from your placement. Your host family will provide delicious home-cooked food throughout your stay and introduce you to Mexican culture.

Speak Spanish with them every day, share your experiences and culture, and make meaningful connections with people around the world. We will try to have you share your accommodation with other participants so you can experience the real Mexico together.

Free Time and Leisure

With beautiful beaches, eye-catching art galleries, and buzzing restaurants, there’s something for everyone in Mexico. You’ll have plenty to do during your free time on your project in this dynamic country.

There’s something captivating about touring through old buildings. If you’re into neo-gothic architecture, treat yourself to a trip to the Templo Expiatorio del Santisimo Sacramento. It’s a work of art with its ornate steeples and glowing stained glass windows.

There are also plenty of museums, giving you the chance to immerse yourself in the country’s rich history. For something different, you can spend the day appreciating the wildlife and lush vegetation of Las Peñas Ecological Park.

You can’t take a trip to Mexico without tasting authentic Mexican cuisine. You can spend an evening enjoying pozole or tamales at a local restaurant and watching the vivid orange-red sun melt into the horizon.

We have a host of different projects in Mexico so there’ll likely be lots of other volunteers in the area during your trip. That gives you the flexibility to choose to travel and explore in a group or on your own.

Your Arrival Made Easy

When you arrive at your respective airport, a member of Projects Abroad staff will be there to meet you. You can find more detailed information on arrival airports, orientation, and visas on our Mexico Arrival Procedures page.