Experience life on the border which marks the largest income gap in the world

Witness firsthand the challenges of development along the Arizona-Mexico border, where global inequality is front and center. Begin with skills training at our Arizona Wind-Song Leadership Center and then venture south into Mexico for a home-stay with a local family. Explore contrasts and challenges by volunteering on both sides of the massive wall that divides the small border cities of Nogales, Sonora and Agua Prieta.

Volunteer Adventure Highlights:

• Volunteer at a local migrant shelter, a fair trade cooperative and a community building project
• Experience the contrasts of the US-Mexico border region
• Enrich your mind and body with guided desert hikes
• Build bonds with your new family in Mexico

Delve into life in Nogales, Mexico

The brightly coloured and bustling markets of Nogales, Mexico come into view within a 15-minute drive from our centre. During an extended stay in Mexico, you will live with local families in structured home-stays and volunteer in a youth migrant shelter, a primary school and a fair trade coffee cooperative. You’ll work side by side with community members as you undertake environmental projects, construction efforts and youth programming initiatives to benefit local communities. Your efforts will provide help where it is needed most while giving you a firsthand glimpse into the most critical issues faced by those living in the border region: poverty, immigration and development.

Developing Leadership Skills and Building Community in Arizona

During your stay at Arizona-Windsong, your facilitators and insightful guest speakers will share their expertise on a wide range of topics, such as United States immigration policy, the region’s colourful history and Native American storytelling.

Intensive leadership and advocacy skills training will push you to build self-knowledge, analyze global issues and think outside the box to equip you as an effective activist. After long days of leadership training or volunteering, the center’s natural beauty and solitude create the perfect environment for a guided hike, a meal and a night’s rest. While in Arizona you’ll have the chance to give back to the communities north of the border by volunteering at local charitable organizations such as eco-sanctuaries.

Are you ready to explore issues of poverty, inequality and development while learning effective techniques for social activism? This is the life-changing experience you’re looking for!