Explore and Serve in Puerto Morelos, Mexico
Puerto Morelos is a small fishing village on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula; the town’s tranquility contrasts sharply with Cancun’s mega-tourism and 
glitzy development just 20 miles away. This friendly community offers visitors a pristine Caribbean beach, glorious sunsets, and a nearby coral reef for snorkeling.
Amizade’s Mexican partner, Lu´um K´aa Nab A.C., has been working for more than a decade to protect the region’s fragile ecosystems, strengthen Mayan culture, and increase the well-being of local Mayan families who have migrated to Puerto Morelos in search of better paying jobs.
Program overview: Amizade volunteers have the opportunity to learn about local history and culture, explore the natural beauty and historic ruins of the Yucatan, and serve with Lu’um K’aa Nab. They teach English to adults and high school students, and help develop environmentally sustainable income-generating projects. Volunteers do not need to be proficient in Spanish, as we use an innovative “English as a learned language” curriculum.
Amizade volunteers in Puerto Morelos stay at the Amar Inn, a small beachfront bed-and-breakfast a few blocks from the town square.
Serve With Our Partner – Lu´um K´aa Nab A.C.
Past achievements of the Lu´um K´aa Nab A.C. include the following:
- Initiated the process for creating a National Marine Park for the reef that now is a protected area
- Legally pressured the developers to respect existing federal laws to protect the town’s mangroves
- Instrumental in helping Mayan women create home-based businesses
- Participated in environmental projects for local schools
- Hosted “International School Peace Gardens” and facilitated the creation of Peace Gardens in local schools. This project resulted in the children winning first place for best Global Peace song
- Community Project for Peace and Education
The home of Lu´um K´aa Nab A.C. rests on a 2 ½ acre plot of land within the rich ecosystem of the Yucatan jungle. The land was purchased in 1997 through donations, providing a space for the organization’s various social and environmental efforts.
Current Focus: Educational Opportunities
Providing educational opportunities and partnering with local educational programs for students in Puerto Morelos is a high priority for Lu´um K´aa Nab. Until recently, a principle problem in this area was that the local children did not have an opportunity to advance in education past 6th grade because there were no nearby high schools for them to attend. Recent donations have helped to create a Mayan high school. They continue to raise funds to buy books and other supplies.
Through Amizade, university students and other adults teach classes including English, leadership development, gardening, and peace education.
