What do you think about a beach vacation combined with volunteering? Is that possible? YES! The Do Good as You Go Movement recently added a great place that can help you make volunteering and vacation at the beach a reality!
Along the west coast of Mexico, Do Good as You Go (DGYG) has established a collaboration with an organization that is making a great impact with the youth and members of the community of San Francisco (San Pancho), Nayarit with their community center. The location is amazing. San Pancho is on the Pacific Coast just one hour north of the bustling and overtly touristic, Puerto Vallarta and only a 10 minute drive north of the up-and-coming beach town of Sayulita. For overlanders, backpackers and fly-in/fly-out travelers alike, this location is an easy and ideal choice.
The development of Entreamigos started with a small & simple initiative; invite artists and workshop leaders to sell their products in a provided space, in exchange they give workshops to youth and adults from the community of San Pancho.
Through the years, the small gallery showcasing works of local artists has seen a few additions and changes to create what is know today as the Educational Community Center.
After 10 years of operation, Entreamigos provides a library, a computer center, a language center, a recycling center, workshops on art/culture and sports and physical activities for children, youth and members of the community.
One of the principal interests of Entreamigos is the support for education of youth and children in a fun and lively manner as well as for the local staff of the center so that they can contribute to the change in their homes and communities.
Entreamigos has become a vital part of the not only the community but also the structure and economy of the city. They are the third highest employer in the town, surpassed only by the local hospital and school system! And the recycling program has transformed the town’s relationship with waste. Because of the deep involvement that this organization has with the community, there are limitless ways that DGYG volunteers can connect and support continued growth. Be it through offering workshops, support to local artists-entrepreneurs or through supporting the recycling or the sports program…even simply connecting to the library and working with them to continue the growth and usage of this amazing space and program! If anything, by visiting and purchasing the artwork and craftsmanship of the artists fostered and supported on-site is a way of Doing Good. There are roughly 10 local artisans whom have found their way through the training and support system of Entreamigos, and there is a group of local students supporting their college education through several small, collective businesses.
“This organization has a very ‘hands off, but all in’ sort of feeling about volunteers. You are encouraged to do all you want and will be supported in your efforts. They are very welcoming and loving people who allowed my children to take part in the workshops they offered free of charge because I was teaching a class.” – Rachel Berger (DGYG Volunteer)
The amazing travel aspect is that Entreamigos is only 10, short minutes walking distance to the beach!
Visit Do Good as You Go Movement to learn more about joining our network of volunteers and volunteer with us on your next trip to the beach.
Do Good as You Go 