Cloudforest Initiatives

From the Heart of the Maya Region

APPLICATION AND AGREEMENT LETTER TO PARTICIPATE IN EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR

Please check the box for the program to which you are applying:

__  Acteal Commemoration, December 18 23, 2001

__  Health Care Delegation to Autonomous Maya Clinics, February 9 -16, 2002

__  Other ______________________________________________

Please answer all of the questions truthfully and to the best of your ability. You will not be disqualified from participating based on any of your answers, as we use the application primarily to get a better understanding of who will be coming on the trip. We will contact you to clarify any concerns we may have.

We also request that you include a US$100 deposit with your application. The deposit is nonrefundable unless Cloudforest Initiatives needs to cancel the trip.

I. CONTACT INFORMATION:

II. BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

1.) Have you ever traveled to Mexico or another Latin American country before? If so, when and in what capacity?

2.) Do you speak Spanish? (We will provide all translations; it is just nice to know ahead of time how many people in the group speak Spanish.) If you are applying for the Language program, how would you characterize your abilities?

3.) Our programs can be very demanding both physically (due to high altitude, long walks and long hours) and emotionally (we will be meeting with people who have been victims of violence and who are experiencing personal and social trauma). Do you have any physical or emotional/psychological conditions that we need to be aware of? Do you anticipate the possibility of a stressful trip triggering a past problem? (This will be kept in the strictest of confidence. Your answer will not disqualify you from participating, we just need to be prepared as best we can)

4.) Most of the time, we will be sharing meals as a group, or if you are living with a family, you will be sharing meals with them. Do you have any dietary restrictions (either due to physical conditions or out of conscientious decision) that we need to be aware of, so that we may make necessary arrangements?

5.) Why are you interested in visiting Chiapas at this time? (attach an additional sheet, if necessary)

6.) Do you anticipate doing educational and/or solidarity work around the issues in Chiapas when you return to the U.S.? If so, what?

Letter of Agreement:

By means of this letter, I, _______________________________(participant) and Cloudforest Initiatives (CI), agree to the following in regards to the educational program for which you are applying.

Cloudforest Initiatives commits to:

      Provide ground transportation for all planned activities, including transfers to and from the airport in Tuxtla Gutierrez on the beginning and ending dates of the trip. Participants who arrive or depart at other dates will be responsible for their own transfer to and from the airport.

      Provide lodging for the nights indicated above (not including departure dates). Lodging will be with families in San Cristobal de las Casas for the Language trip,and in guesthouses, with families or in hotels for other trips.

      Provide three meals per day, or reasonable compensation for food when group or family meals are not scheduled.

      Facilitate meetings between participants and representatives of different social sectors in the region, with the goal of better understanding the social, political, economic and cultural situation in Chiapas and Mexico.

      Provide English/Spanish translations of all meetings.

      Lead group reflection and debriefing sessions to contribute to participants understanding.

      Provide an orientation covering the schedule, group process and health and safety issues.

The participant agrees to:

      Pay CI the total of all fees due by the deadline date for each trip. Any other arrangements must be expressly made with the CI U.S. Coordinator. US$100 is due at the time of the application.

      Come with an open mind.

      Treat other participants, local contact people and CI staff with respect, even in the face of fundamental differences of opinion.

      NOT participate in internal Mexican politics. It is against Mexican law for non-citizens to participate in political activity (which includes marches, rallies and publicly expressing ones opinion about internal political questions). Participants are traveling to Mexico in the capacity of tourists interested in learning about Mexican society and culture. CI staff can advise participants of what is and is not appropriate behavior; should questions arise during the trip.

      Follow CI staffs advice concerning health, safety and security concerns.

      Tell CI staff if s/he does not feel well or safe so that appropriate action can be taken.

      Attend both Spanish classes and social and cultural aspects of the Language Seminar, or participate to the best of her/his ability in the programs arranged for the group.

      NOT to disclose the names of contacts or contents of meetings with unknown people, in order to protect their safety.

      NOT to hold Cloudforest Initiatives, its employees or agents liable for any damages due to illness, accidents, cancellations. etc.

The Participant understands that:

      Traveling in a foreign country incurs certain health and safety risks that may not be part of everyday life at home. Notably, food and water supplies are not sanitary according to US norms and must be treated before being consumed. Also, tourists stick out as possible crime victims. CI staff will advise participants on ways to stay as safe and healthy as possible once the program begins.

      Chiapas is a highly polarized and conflictive area. The state has been wracked by violence since 1994, and has seen an increase in that violence (blamed primarily on paramilitary units as well as state and federal security forces) since the summer of 1996.

      Last minute and frequent changes to program and itinerary may be necessary.

      Since the beginning of 1998, the Mexican government has been scrutinizing foreigners in Chiapas, and blaming them for interfering in internal politics.

      The $100 application fee is NOT refundable, unless CI cancels the trip.

Cloudforest Initiatives:

      Reserves the right to cancel the program at any time due to inadequate numbers of participants or security issues. In the event that the program is canceled BEFORE the seminar begins, participants will be refunded any money that they have paid to CI. In the event that the program is canceled AFTER the seminar begins, a prorated refund will be provided to participants, depending on how much of the program was completed before it was canceled

      Is in no way responsible for damages due to cancellation of the trip at any point. This includes money lost to airlines, vacation time, or other incidental expenses.

We agree in good faith to the points outlined in this letter and will comply with them.

___________________________________________________ _______________

Participant: Printed Name and Signature                                     Date

__________________________________________________ _______________

CI Travel Programs Coordinator                                          Date