Get Involved
VOLUNTEERING GUIDELINES
1. Keep in mind that the children speak Spanish primarily. When communicating with them, be conscious if there is a language barrier and request translation when needed, especially when giving instructions for an activity. Also, remember that some words have a different connotation when translated to Spanish from a different language and may not be appropriate for children. Choose your words carefully.
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2. Modest dress is mandatory. Please refrain from wearing provocative clothing (form fitting, low cut, revealing, containing adult language or themes, etc.) on the premises.
3. Maintain appropriate physical contact.
4. Stay engaged with the activities that are happening, rather than distracting the children to perform other tasks or play different games. Leaders of activities have the floor, and volunteers should help encourage the children to give them their focus.
5. When creating or choosing games, crafts, etc. be prepared to work with children of all ages between 3 and 12 years old together.
6. Personal invites for engaging the children outside of the library are strictly forbidden.
7. Children are responsible for organizing toys and materials after each use and prior to moving on to another activity. We request that volunteers reiterate and help facilitate this expectation.
8. Masks are required to be worn at all times when around the children and teachers.
9. Be safe! Have fun!
If you are visiting the Riviera Maya and would like to volunteer, please contact our Director, Kaori via WhatsApp at +52 984 233 4352 or via FB Messenger. It might take a couple of days for her to respond as most of her days are spent in direct interaction with the students or with planning future classes.
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We have many visitors, from families to young and old couples and everyone in between! Virtually everyone walks away with a feeling of having made a difference in the lives of these special children.
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Check out our Facebook page to see examples of the wide variety of experiences that we provide for the children to get an idea as to how you can become involved.
Please print and sign this Volunteer Application and bring it with you when you volunteer.​
VOLUNTEERING
So many of you are quite generous with donations of clothing, household goods, books, school supplies, and a wide variety of items. Many of those items we use at the library. Others, we donate to families most in need in the pueblo.
This still leaves plenty of items that we then sell at our bi-annual Bazaars. With the vast majority of items priced under 50 pesos, it allows the local population the opportunity to purchase clothing and household items for extremely reasonable prices. Some higher-priced items, we are able to sell elsewhere for valuable funds to use for operating costs.
It is incredibly time-consuming to go through all of these physical donations, sort, add price tags, etc. So, we are very appreciative of any of you that can donate time to this project. Prep typically takes place in early March and late October/early November. Kaori and her staff are so busy with educating the children that they really don't have too much time to devote to this large, but important, project.
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Our next Bazaar is planned for December 3, 2022. We are accepting donations of items now through November 19th. We will need volunteers to help sort and price items at the beginning of November. Please e-mail or WhatsApp us to arrange a time to come by and help us.
BI-ANNUAL SHOPPING BAZAAR
Our Superstar Volunteers
Male owners in nearby TAO community pitch in to assemble a massive Playground equipment set. TAO owners always step up when we ask them for their support! Gracias a TAO!
the students of St. Mary's College have helped us for several years. Gracias!
Volunteer Eileen McCormick teaches an art class every week... and has for several years. Thank you Eileen!!!
Rory is a Canadian expat that has been painting murals and creating art projects for the kids for many years at Hekab Be.
Parents are asked to volunteer their time at Hekab Be in return for their children attending. We couldn't do this without them!