.:: Tlaloc.com.mx - Testimonials Volunteers/Interns ::.

Please take a minute to read the opinions from our current and previous students and volunteers/interns:

I had a wonderful experience volunteering in Cuernavaca for two weeks over the summer. Volunteering in the children's hospital and orphanage was an amazing way to learn about Mexican culture through the eyes of the children I worked with. Cuernavaca is a great city full of very friendly people. My host family made me feel welcomed from the beginning, and because they owned a little Pozole restaurant, there was always delicious traditional Mexican food to be eaten! I look forward to returning to Cuernavaca one day soon!

Hello, my name is Colin Fitzgerald; I was a volunteer at some orphanages during June this summer. I loved it. I am not a strong Spanish speaker, but not all communication is verbal, and simply playing with the chiquito orphans made their day, and mine. The kids just want to be kids, and I got to help them. The first day there was this one particularly aggressive little boy who demanded my constant attention, which I could not give him, and he began to hit my leg. So I picked him up and threw him. Of course, I didn't spike him on a rock, or throw him to hurt him, I tossed him about 10 feet in the air (I'm 6'1'', so that's not too far from my out stretched arms) and caught him. I did this thinking it would fulfill his aggressive, playful, demanding desires, or at the very least freak him out so he would stop hitting me. After this the play ground seemed to freeze for an instance and the rest of the children stared at me, each desiring to be the next to experience temporary flight. Each child wanted to be thrown higher than the one before. After about 50 rounds of child throwing, my back began to hurt. It was the most enjoyable strained back of my life. I'll remember it forever.

Fui a Cuernavaca durante cinco semanas con el Instituto TLALOC para un proyecto de voluntaria con los niños en el CCAS DIF. Participé en este proyecto con mi esposo y mi niña de cinco años. Para nosotros la experiencia fue mucho más enriquecida de lo que habíamos previsto. Elegimos tener hospedaje con una familia mexicana y el Instituto TLALOC nos ayudó a encontrar la familia quien respondía a nuestras necesidades. Siempre hemos recibido del Instituto un servicio personalizado tanto para visitar lugares en Cuernavaca o alrededor que el acompañamiento en el proyecto al CCAS DIF. Vivir en una familia mexicana es la mejor opción porque permite de mejorar el español y además de vivir y entender la cultura del país. Y fue también una oportunidad de recibir cursos privados de cocina. Y no puedo olvidar todas las actividades especiales que mi mamá mexicana me hubo propuesto para que pudiera vivir al máximo mi estancia en México. Participar con mi familia en el proyecto al CCAS DIF fue muy estimulado y cada uno de nosotros ha ganado algo de eso. Cada día mi niña de cinco años tenia prisa de cuidar a los bebes. Y es la realidad de decir que recibimos muchísimo a dar tiempo y atenciones a los niños. ¡Finalmente, este viaje fue tan maravilloso que podríamos empezarlo de nuevo mañana!

Stéfany, Patrice y Laura, Rouyn-Noranda, Québec, Canada. January-February 2008.
Email: stefpat@tlb.sympatico.ca

Alfredo did a nice job touring us for the day. He was very accommodating and possibly in the future he should try and connect better with the orphanage before hand. He was nice and wanted us to have fun and get out of our trip everything that we wanted.

Thank you for assisting us in such a life changing experience in Cuernavaca, Mexico. I appreciate the connection to the orphanage and want you to know how special it was for me to meet these children. It truly changed my life and made me realize there is so much more out there than the life I have in Minnesota. I hope you have positive experiences with American students in the future and wish you the best of luck.

Thank you so much for letting us work with your school and connecting us with the orphanage. It was a wonderful experience. Everyone was so helpful and kind and the kids will always have a place in my heart. It was my fourth trip to Cuernavaca but surely not my last.

Alfredo from TLALOC found a wonderful host family for me. I felt like part of their family and they went out of their way to make me feel welcome. We had many fabulous adventures together and it will be an experience that I will never forget. My new “Mexican Family” and I keep in touch and they will forever be in my heart.

For three weeks during December 2005 and January 2006 I had the opportunity to volunteer at the CCAS/DIF Orphanage located at Temixco Morelos. This proved to be a very rewarding experience. The staff and the kids at this location were very welcoming. I am still planning on a return visit in the near future. My host family included me in everything that took place and took good care of me. They left the doors of the house open for a future visit. Prof. Martinez took care of my welfare and showed me around during the first days. He even invited me to his birthday party.
So, if you are looking for a place to learn Spanish, or simply volunteer, don't miss this opportunity. You won't be disappointed.

Sincerely: Edgard. PR. December 2005 to January 2006.
Email: maldonado_edgard@hotmail.com

My experience at Mexico was wonderful. Contrary to others, I only went for volunteering, because Spanish is my first language.
I loved Cuernavaca and its surroundings, but most of all to help as a volunteer. At the orphanage I volunteered, I had the opportunity to play with the kids and help out with daily duties. I would recommend it to everyone!!

Naomi Caceres. Puerto Rico. January 2006.
Email: naoyari@hotmail.com