Community Service
Residential Programs for Community Service & Personal Enrichment at OFEA offer immersive experiences designed to foster personal growth, community engagement, and skill development. These programs provide participants with the opportunity to live in a supportive, collaborative environment while contributing to meaningful service projects and pursuing enriching activities that enhance both personal well-being and social responsibility.
Summer 2025 Dates and Opportunities
OFEA offers two opportunities for students to perform community service while learning and/or enhancing their own Spanish skills. The timeline is as follows:
APRIL - MAY
JUNE 16 - 20
After students register, they will begin working with Debra, other professionals, and registered students. They will discuss and decide the approach to teaching for each student to use. Students make decisions about regarding what subjects they are most comfortable teaching (art, sports, music, arts& crafts, etc.) while incorporating English instruction into their plans, and set the schedule for the children.
Provide summer educational programs for youth finishing grades 3-6.
JUNE 21 - 22
Enrichment Days for US students already in Oaxaca, staying for 2 weeks. Arrival dates for students choosing to serve during second week. Departure dates for students serving only during first week.
JUNE 23 - 27
Provide educational programs for youth finishing grades 3-6.
JUNE 28 - 29
Students return to US.
JUNE 30 - JULY 6
Students may pay extra to remain for cultural and educational excursions and experiences. Parents and family members are welcome to join them on a first come, first reserved basis.
JUNE 13 - 15
US students arrive June 13, 14, or 15, ready to begin work June 16. Students may arrive earlier for an extra cost (to save on airfare, have free time prior to program, etc.).
Our home
Located just east of the city of Oaxaca in San Francisco Tutla (not far away from the famous tree, el Tule) OFEA is a fully enclosed compound surrounded by walls approximately 8-10 feet tall. Victor and Debra have their home and live on the property. OFEA has 5 bungalows for student residences.
Property includes recreational areas:
- Solar heated swimming pool designed for relaxation
- Pool furniture
- Pool towels
- Pool Restrooms
- Outdoor/Pool shower
- Exercise room with treadmills, elliptical, free weights, etc.
- Luxurious gardens of various micro-climates
Meet Your Hosts
Debra Carlson Wood (Debra Tenorio Carlson)
Bilingual (English-Spanish)
Studied Political Science & International Relations (Carleton College, MN)
Studied Law (Washington University School of Law)
Over 30 years of experience in higher education in the U.S. and abroad
Victor Tenorio Vasconcelos
Bilingual (Spanish-English)
Oaxacan-born OB-GYN with over 30 years of medical experience
Former Medical Professor at Oaxaca School of Medicine
Advocate for youth health education
Program Costs
✈️ Airfare: Students book & purchase their own flights.
📜 Passport: Must be valid 30 days beyond stay. Visa requirements apply.
Option 1 – 1 Week Experience
💰 Cost: $2,500 per student
📌 Includes: Housing, meals, community service, recreation, excursions
Option 2 – 2 Week Experience (Recommended)
💰 Cost: $4,500 per student
📌 Greater cultural immersion & impact on the community
Option 3 – Week 3 Cultural Stay
💰 Cost: $2,500 per week
📌 Includes: Guided tours, artist workshops, music events, cooking classes
📌 Parents & siblings can join (space permitting)
Community Service Project Details
A typical day will be as follows:
8:00 - 9:00 AM
Breakfast
9:00 - 9:45 AM
Personal time
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Work with children.
2:30 PM- 3:30 PM
Comida (the main meal)
4:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Social, educational, or excursion time.
Cena (the light evening meal)
Working with children
Working in teams or individually, students will engage with the children in activities and learning sessions designed by the students. Sessions may include:
Arts and crafts
Swimming (solar heated shallow pool available)
Formal English classes
Singing conflict resolution basic health and hygiene
Reading to children in English
Assisting children to write their own book or story in English
Simple food preparation (similar to Montessori programs)
Dancing
Sports of any type
Photos courtesy of Rubén Tenorio Vasconcelos
Frequently asked questions
How many community service hours can my student receive?
For 1 week, students receive a minimum of 20m hours of service hours. If a student desires more and is willing to forgo the cultural excursions, he/she/they can be accommodated. Before and during the trip, they can receive more in preparing for service.
Will students be supervised?
Yes, English speaking adults will supervise the students. They will live and work in the beautiful compound. When out on excursions, Debra and Victor will accompany them.
What will my student do for service?
Students will focus on their individual strengths, skills, and abilities. They can work with children on: art, sports including swimming in a solar heated, salt water pool, robotics, Legos construction, sewing, cooking easy foods, writing, reading, drawing, singing, music (we have two pianos and two guitars and can acquire others as needed), etc., Basically, anything the student is good at, the local children can and need to learn.
Is Oaxaca safe?
Yes. Conde Nast, the travel magazine, and the NCB Today Show both recently ranked Oaxaca as the #1 tourist destination in the world. Oaxaca has the same types of crimes that any city does—telephone snatching, snatching of cash leaving an ATM, and other small crimes of convenience.
How can I contact you?
You can reach us by phone, email address, or using our contact form below. We are always happy to answer your questions.
Are there drugs in Oaxaca?
Like everywhere in the world, Oaxaca has its share of drugs. Marijuana is not legal nor easily available. Students are not permitted to have or use non-prescription drugs or alcohol and will be returned home if found in possession of them.
Join Us
At OFEA, we are passionate about preserving Oaxaca's artistic heritage and supporting its vibrant community of artists. By joining our Art & Culture programs, you become part of a movement that celebrates creativity, fosters cultural exchange, and makes a positive impact on the lives of many. Together, we can ensure that the rich traditions of Oaxaca continue to thrive for generations to come.
Phone US
(+1) 909 456 5876
Phone MX
(+52) 951 224 26122
OFEA
debra@ofeanfp.org
US (+1) 909 456 5876
MX (+52) 951 224 2612