Volunteering With An Indigenous Women’s Co-op In Chiapas
My original volunteering opportunity in Chiapas fell through once I got here, but luckily the kind people I’m staying with quickly found something else for me to help with – their Co-op!
They lead a Cooperative of producers of natural products (soap, shampoo, creams, etc.) The members of the Co-op are all women and indigenous. Everything is made by hand from fresh ingredients. My day trip outside the city a few days ago, for example, was to scout out potential land to grow the herbs used in their products.
The Co-op allows them to bring their products to market more directly via local stores instead of going through a distributor who would take a cut of the profits. Thus, lower prices for the consumer and higher profits for the producer.
I have mostly been helping with my computer/web abilities. I updated and added some information to their website. I translated their brochure to English since many foreigners who live here frequent the stores their products are sold in. I also redesigned some of the labels for the products – hopefully making them more attractive and more likely to sell 🙂
It’s been a great experience and everyone involved in the Co-op is amazing and interesting. It’s local entrepreneurship at its best.
In Honduras I’ll be volunteering at a much larger Co-op. Hopefully I can take what I learned here and help them out once I get there!
Hi Adam – Glad you’re enjoying Chiapas. I think I forgot to mention that my boss actually lives in Chiapas – -well, for maybe 60-75% of the time. He’s in San Diego the rest of the time. He was back in Chiapas for a few days earlier this week but is at the coast now and for some time period (he’s a rolling stone for sure) so you guys will not be able to meet — at least not on this trip!
Vicki
Wow, I had no idea! Yes, too bad we won’t cross paths this time. But thanks again so much for this opportunity!
Hi there – I’d love to get connected with the co-op in Chiapas you were working for. Are they accepting any new volunteers? Any info you can send my way is most appreciated.
Thank you,
Tara
Hi Tara,
I just emailed you her email address. Good luck!
I would also love to get some information on the co-op. My boyfriend and I are currently in Chiapas and were looking for a place to volunteer. Thanks for the article
Just emailed you her info. Good luck!
Hi,
Would also be great some information on this women’s cooperative. Want to stay in san cristobal and would love to help out. Any information would be really appreciated . Thanks
I replied to you by email with more details. Good luck!
Adam,
I guess I’ll be the 4th person to ask you for the co-op’s contact info haha. My gf and I are looking to get plugged in with volunteering in Chiapas ASAP as we are already here and our project fell through. Thanks!
Hi,
I would love to know which co-op this is, so that I can contact them in case they still accept volunteers, as i am currently in san cris 🙂
Hi,
Hopefully womes co-op are in need of an army of volunteers! 🙂
I’ll happily receive their info as well!