So, you're thinking of applying for the Development Internship. To give you a better sense of what working for the Peace House would be like, allow me a more candid description.

You will be working with me, the Field Coordinator, and we can divide up tasks according to our skills, interests or time availability. However, ideally we would both be doing a little of everything; working with the volunteers (orientation, check in meetings, support), researching new programming and developing workshops (on immigration, Oaxaca), creating educational materials, meeting with organizations, going to political events, traveling to communities, writing the newsletter, and answering emails.  It will be important for you to track your hours.  Yours will be a part-time position and you won’t be making much money. But I’ve found it’s very easy to get caught up in this work because it’s exciting that I care about deeply.  You’ll be working 15-20 hours a week on Peace House projects, but it will also be important for you to explore outside interests, do your own volunteer work, or paid work, and explore the San Cristobal options for recreation (there’s a lot to get involved in). 
 
A lot of self direction, creativity, flexibility and enthusiasm are essential because, especially in the areas of new programming, we’re in uncharted territory.   The House is a dynamic place that can be as great as those involved in it want it to be.  There is fluidity and change with the interests and energies of each new group of volunteers.  And we are constantly adapting to the changing needs of Chiapas.  You’ll live in the Peace House at least for a spell, which will help you get a feel for the Project.  At the House two people share a room and folks take turns cooking dinners.  There is a garden, kittens, and murals, and always a lot of life, good conversation and community.  The volunteers this summer are a talented bunch; radical activists, students, social service professionals, people with experience in immigrant rights, refugee resettlement, permaculture, bike mechanics. 
 
We try to use this space of encounter with so many different people to dream up ways to change the world.  Then our job is to put the gears in motion so that the Peace House is always supporting these activists and organizations in the most effective and ethical way possible.  This is a position that requires a lot of concrete skills (Spanish being number one on the list), but more importantly it requires big dreams and a willingness to work through the rough spots because you care about something. Doing appropriate, non-paternalistic solidarity work in Chiapas is not an easy task.   As international activists and organizers, primarily from the US, we must deal with a legacy of good intentions gone awry, suspicion, tension, and people closed off from us after a decade of military repression and misguided international aid.  But at the end of the day we cannot ignore our connections, for example, the history of US government and military support of the Mexican military and paramilitary forces, and our shared struggle for human rights and economic stability in the wake of NAFTA and U.S. corporate globalization. The people we get to know in Chiapas have been, or will be our neighbors in the U.S. when they or their relatives migrate.  People from Chiapas have joined with supporters from around the word to build a new kind of social justice movement, and the Peace House helps to put some of those pieces together.  I want to work with someone who is dedicated and motivated, but most of all someone with solid politics grounded in compassion and hope.
 
The Peace House does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sexuality, gender, age or disability and in fact encourages diversity of background and opinion.  This internship could (and this is my great hope) turn into a more permanent, full time position depending on us securing funding in the fall.  I just want to say, I know this isn’t ideal- I know this is short notice and not much money, perhaps it is unknown, risky and unstable for you.  But it will be a lot of fun.  And you will definitely gain experience and do things everyday that you never imagined you were capable of.  Please don’t hesitate to ask me any questions (info@chiapaspeacehouse.org).  In fact I encourage you to write so that everyone knows just a little more about what they’re getting into. 
 
In solidarity,
Melissa Mundt
Field Coordinator