Interested in getting invovled? Donations to make these projects possible are always welcome. Wider Circle is also committed to person-to-person, fair exchange.

Taking part in Wider Circle projects is an amazing gift to yourself and our partners. Submerge yourself in the culture and languages of El Vigía, sample delicious homemade food, push your limits, and while doing so, make a practical, positive contribution to the community and participate in the local economy.
Please contact us if you are interested in volunteering in Mexico.

January 2011
The Telesecundaria Solar Electric Project
Wider Circle is currently seeking $15,000 to install a solar electric system at the El Vigía middle school.

In January 2011, Wider Circle will be hosting a volunteer work trip in which participants will have the opportunity to learn about solar energy, the hands-on basics of installing a PV system, along with the rewards and challenges of introducing a new technology in a developing community. Your participation and financial support is critical to making this project a success. Please check back as we update volunteer information.

In Oaxaca, nearly half of all children do not complete the sixth grade and even fewer go on to the 7th grade. To help address this reality, Mexico’s national education system assists communities in developing telesecundarias, or rural middle schools that offer instruction via closed-circuit television, textbooks and face-to-face instruction. The community in El Vigía has a telesecundaria school attended by approximately 40 local students. However, this school is no longer connected to the electrical grid due to a bureaucratic dispute that has lasted for three years with no prospect of resolve. Consequently, they are not able to make useof the televised lessons and activities, nor any of the school's electrical equipment like the computers, PA system, fans or even lights, all of which the school has but can’t power. To hear the school’s principal describe it, “It’s hard to explain because it doesn’t make sense, but it’s just the way it is., and seems like it always will be.”

The community hope is that the telesecundaria once again function as intended, a dignified place for their children to receive an education. Wider Circle is asking for your donations to make this hope a reality. Please help us purchase and install a solar electric system (photovoltaic panels, batteries and components) that will provide sufficient power to meet the school’s needs.

Our goal is to raise 90% of the total cost of the system and its installation. The El Vigía community has agreed to raise the remaining 10% of the system cost. Keep in mind that the average pay for a laborer in El Vigía is approximately $10 a day.

Thanks to one very generous donor, committed to renewable energy and Wider Circle’s mission, we have secured 10 photovoltaic panels for the school’s solar electric system. Your donations will help Wider Circle purchase and install the remainder of the system, as well as provide training for community members who will provide the required on-going maintenance.
Please check back as we update volunteer information.

Winter 2009 - 2010
Volunteers needed in El Vigía, Oaxaca, Mexico

Learn about the computer lab/library project with the Escuela Primaria Federal Bilingüe Emiliano Zapata, Clave 20DPB0521R.

Wider Circle is currently working to process customs documentation for the safe and legal donation of computer equipment to the school community of El Vigía. We hope to secure authorization by October 2009 and have one year to transport the donation.

Wider Circle is currently planning for winter and spring 2010 project activities in Mexico. We anticipate:

December 21, 2009, depart Madison, WI
Caravan to Mexico Caravan to bring the remaining 8 workstations and other supplies to the school. This is a breathtaking 2,000 mile journey. From Wisconsin head south to cross the border at Matamorros/ Brownsville and follow a historical route along the Gulf of Mexico through the states of Tamaulipas and Veracruz. Traverse the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (the skinniest, southern part of Mexico) to the Pacific coast of Oaxaca.

Bilingual-Bicultural volunteers are especially needed. The drive takes approximately 6 days.

Vacation with a purpose Plan a vacation to the area and bring truely needed supplies directly to El Vigía. Stop in to visit the school or set up a conversational/cultural exchange. All manner of accommodations (5 star to "rustic") are within 45 minutes and public transportation is available. Wider Circle volunteers who frequent the area can assist with suggestions and local arrangements.

Wider Circle volunteers will be on site the month of January 2010.

Volunteer in El Vigía for the adventurous and hearty! Live and work in the community, assisting with various community projects.

    -staff the library/computer room (supervise elementary and middle school aged kids on computers and with art and sports activities.)
    
    -assist with the library expansion (inventory and set up of 650 volume library based on the Libros Para Pueblos program.
    
    -provide technical assistance (networking, linking to local tech support, linux system)
 
   -support local residents in obtaining, installing, and supporting a satelite broadband internet connection.
    
    -support local residents in exploring additional projects (roof repairs, composting toilets, eaves/gutters/rainwater diversion and capture, health care clinics, erosion control, water wells and pump systems, renewable energy projects . . . these are just a few of the ideas residents have discussed with Wider Circle!)


hear from Wider Circle volunteers in Mexico - go to the blog