PSAC Education in Action-Guatemala 2020

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

Education in Action project in Guatemala, March 2020 (Two weeks – dates to be confirmed)

All applications must be received by October 31, 2019

Education in Action inspires people in meaningful solidarity with Guatemala.

PSAC Social Justice Fund (SJF) is organizing a 12-person delegation to travel to Guatemala in the spring of 2020 to work with and learn from grass roots organizations empowering communities.

Supported by the PSAC SJF, the Education in Action project engages members and other Canadians to deepen their understanding of Guatemala and to build solidarity with Mayan communities.

Requirements to participate:

The project is open to all PSAC members and other Canadians, who can cover their own expenses.

Participation fee US $625 to cover all travel, accommodations and meals in Guatemala

Participants are responsible for the cost of return airfare from Canada to Guatemala
All participants will be required to attend two days of orientation prior to traveling and another session upon returning, to reflect and share experiences. These sessions take place on Saturdays and are done via Skype (Go-to-Meeting).

The delegation will participate in workshops, marches, ceremonies and labour activities (coffee plantation and construction activities).

There will also be an opportunity to participate in the International Women’s Day march and more.

Participants visit:

The Comité Campesino del Altiplano (CCDA) to learn about their work and their campaigns, and the benefits of belonging to a cooperative;
Communities that are building a sustainable way of living based on equality, access to education, land and potable water;
The coffee plantation that produces Café Justicia;
Mayan women who have developed fish farms to support their families;
Schools where indigenous youth are empowered through education;

Important:

You will be notified once all applications are reviewed.
You must be 18 years and older to be
Participation fee is (US) $ This covers travel in the country, accommodations and meals.
Plus, the cost of airfare from Canada to Guatemala and

(All flights will be organized by the PSAC Social Justice Fund)

The working languages will be English and
You will be required to have a valid passport (see cic.gc.ca/english/passport/index.asp).
Space is limited, so please return your application as soon as

Please return your completed application LINKED HERE by October 31, 2019, to:

PSAC Social Justice Fund

233 Gilmour Street, Ottawa ON K2P 0P1

C/O Louise Casselman [email protected] 613-560-5494

The PSAC Social Justice Fund reserves the right to cancel this tour for reasons such as not reaching the required number of participants for the tour and if deemed unsafe for reasons beyond our control. Should the tour be cancelled, the participation fee will be refunded.

SJF Subsidy program:

SJF will subsidize up to $2,500 for travel, food and accommodation to young workers (18-35 years old) who are members of PSAC. The subsidy does not cover the loss of salary.

If you are a young worker and are interested in being part of the Education in Action in Guatemala project, please indicate that you are applying for subsidy in the application form.

Members who receive a subsidy from the PSAC Social Justice Fund, will be asked to write an article on a specific topic upon their return to Canada. This article will be posted on the PSAC Social Justice Fund website.

Background on Education in Action

History: Roberto Miranda (1955-2011) was a PSAC activist and founder of the Education in Action project. He wanted to share with union members this unique opportunity to work with and learn from communities and farmers of the Campesino Committee of the Highlands (CCDA), a grassroots cooperative working to improve their livelihoods. The CCDA has been defending the economic, social and cultural rights of the Mayan people since 1982, struggling for equitable land distribution, carrying out sustainable agricultural development and encouraging the economic empowerment of women. The CCDA also produces the cooperatively produced and fairly traded coffee, Café Justicia; sold by volunteers across Canada and sponsored by the PSAC Social Justice Fund. All proceeds are returned to the CCDA to support their social programs.

For more information and application form, visit