Guardian Volunteer Terms & Conditions

Welcome to Origin-1s Guardian Volunteers, a not-for-profit international interfaith prevention and protection of the rights of all religions organisation. Origin-1 has made all reasonable efforts to ensure that all information provided through the website is accurate at the time of inclusion; however, Origin-1 acknowledges that there may sometimes be inadvertent and occasional errors which Origin-1 will rectify upon identification.

Please read these terms and conditions carefully as they form an important part of the contract for your mission.

These terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Mexico under which Origin-1 Ltd is registered. Disputes arising shall be exclusively subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of Mexico.

Origin-1 reserves the right to change these terms and conditions at any time by posting changes online. You are responsible for reviewing the information posted online to obtain timely notice of such changes. Your continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of this agreement as modified by the posted changes.

This contract is between Origin-1 – Guardian Volunteers Ltd, a not-for-profit company registered in Mexico and the individual named in the attached application form ('you'). It has precedence over all other information both verbal and written. This is the exclusive contract.

1. Acceptance

Origin-1 accepts Guardian volunteers who wish to make a valuable contribution to the protection of religious rights. Guardian Volunteers are required to act in accordance with Guardian Volunteer Code of Conduct and Origin-1 Ethical Standards during their volunteering experience. Guardian Volunteers must be 18 years of age by their departure date in order to participate. Guardian Volunteers must be medically able to participate in the volunteering training and activities. In some circumstances a medical form and doctor's release may be required by Origin-1.

Once your placement is confirmed, your deposit is non-refundable unless otherwise stated in the contract. The balance of the project cost must be paid no later than 90 days prior to the start date of the placement or immediately if booked less than 90 days before the start date of the placement.

2. Bookings

To make a booking you will be required to use the Origin-1 Online Application Form which can be found on the Origin-1 website. The Guardian volunteer will need to pay a deposit at the time of booking to confirm the application. Origin-1 will invoice you for the remainder of the cost and the due dates for further payments. The balance of your booking must be paid no later than 90 days prior to the start date of the placement. If full payment is not received by the Origin-1 office by this date, Origin-1 will assume that the Guardian volunteer has cancelled and cancellation fees will apply (See 15. Cancellation Policy).

If the balance of project fees are not paid prior to 90 days before the start date of the placement, the project host is notified of your cancellation. If you wish to re-establish your booking by making payment after this date, Origin-1 cannot guarantee a place for you at the project.

In the case of late payments, a $50 USD late fee will be payable. If the booking is made less than 90 days before the start date of the placement, full payment must be made on booking. No late fee will be incurred in this instance.

Depending on the mission you have selected, you may be required to complete and return additional forms. This is important information required by Origin-1 and the project to proceed with your booking. Origin-1 reserves the right to postpone your booking if you have not returned all the necessary completed forms to process your application within the required time frames.

If Origin-1 accepts your booking, we will issue a confirmation. A contract will exist between Origin-1 and the Guardian Volunteer from the date we issue the confirmation. When you receive the confirmation please check the details carefully and inform us immediately if anything is incorrect.

3. Insurance

Origin-1 requires all Guardian Volunteers to secure valid comprehensive travel and cancellation volunteer insurance which includes, but is not limited to, cover for working with communities and churches, visiting and working in rural areas, injury, death, repatriation, medical expenses, cancellations and curtailment and any relevant dependents while working with one of our mission partners. It is a condition of accepting your booking that you agree you will have obtained and provided evidence of international volunteer insurance by the date of departure.

We accept no liability for loss of and/or damage to any luggage or personal possessions (including money).

Please be aware that not all insurance plans will pay for you to defend churches, communities, and all religions while volunteering. Make sure there are no exclusionary terms that restrict coverage for the kinds of activities that are part of your goal. For further information, please visit the Origin-1 website's international volunteer insurance page. *******

4. Flights

It is the Guardian Volunteer's responsibility to arrange and pay for any flights, including any internal flights. Origin-1 cannot be held responsible for any action, negligence, or event relating to the purchase, or operation of flight tickets, or flights that you purchase. Further, Origin-1 will not be responsible for any costs, or refunds, due to changes, or delays in such flights.

The Guardian Volunteer agrees to advise Origin-1 of flight arrival and departure details that impact on connecting transfers and other transport arranged by Origin-1. The volunteer must also advise of any subsequent changes that impact on connecting transfers and other transport arranged by Origin-1. Should you arrive outside the agreed start date/time for your mission, or do not advise of your correct arrival details, you may have to cover transfer costs or make your own transfer arrangements.

5. Additional domestic transportation in Mexico

Additional domestic transportation in Mexico may be required as only some missions include a meet and greet and transfer service upon arrival to the airport or your place of residence. In the event this is not included in your chosen mission, it is the Guardians Volunteer's responsibility to book and pay for these costs. These may include local bus transfers, entry, visa and customs fees and interim accommodation. If, for any reason the volunteer misses any scheduled project transportation, Origin-1 will make every effort to rebook the transportation; however Origin-1 will not be liable for a change in conditions or for additional costs associated with this change in schedule. Wherever possible, Origin-1 will provide details of additional transport or accommodation requirements via the website or your mission Information Guide. It is the volunteers' responsibility to book additional transport and accommodation where not supplied as part of the mission package.

6. Visa, passport, travel documentation

Whilst we are able to provide basic advice regarding passports and visa requirements, you should check with the appropriate Embassy, Consulate or Foreign Office for the exact requirements for your chosen country and date of travel. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct passport and visas to gain access to Mexico. If you fail to do so, we have no liability to you for any cost, loss or damage which you may suffer. For further information, please check with the Embassy or Consulate of Mexico. We cannot accept responsibility for any failure to comply resulting in any costs or fines being incurred, therefore we advise you to check with your passport office or the Consulate in question if you have any queries. Guardian Volunteers travelling overland to certain destinations may need to also pass through controls en-route. It is your responsibility to ensure you have the appropriate passport and/or visa applications.

7. Health

Your personal safety is of paramount importance to us and therefore it is imperative that you advise us at the time of booking of any condition, medical complaints, hereditary problems, previous trauma or dietary requirements, existing or arising in the months prior to travel or otherwise; whether or not you believe they will affect participation on an Origin-1 mission. Origin-1 reserves the right to contact your Doctor or medical advisor if so required. There are no professional medical facilities at Origin-1 missions. Medical care may be up to 12 hours travel from a mission location and Origin-1 is unable to accept responsibility for providing medical care although we will use responsible endeavours to arrange for you to have access to medical care provided under your insurance policy in emergencies.

We are able to give general advice on mandatory health requirements; however, we are not medical experts. It is the Guardians Volunteer's responsibility to familiarise themselves with travel advice provided by the relevant government bodies to ensure that you obtain proper and detailed medical advice at least six months prior to travel, or as soon as possible, for the latest health requirements, recommendations for your destination and costs. Where you do not do so and either the volunteer is not allowed to enter Mexico, or suffer personal injury or death as a result, Origin-1 has no liability to you for any cost, loss or damage which you may suffer. Guardian Volunteers with existing medical problems, pregnant women and anyone who has recently visited other countries should check requirements with their general practitioner.

The Guardian Volunteer agrees that Origin-1 staff, mission officers or its service suppliers may give consent for medical treatment on your behalf where you are unable to give consent yourself.

8. Meals

Trying a variety of foods from other cultures can be fun and challenging and is part of Origin-1's philosophy for an authentic experience overseas. Food on an Origin-1 mission may reflect the local cuisine and some foods that are part of a regular diet at home may not be available. Vegetarians and vegans are accommodated at many of the missions that offer meals, however not at all missions.

Guardian Volunteers with more specific dietary requirements may need to supplement the included meals at their own expense. Volunteers with food allergies (e.g. nuts, diary) must ensure that Origin-1 is aware of the existence and severity of the allergy. Volunteers must include dietary information on the Origin-1 Online Application Form and must also notify the Mission officer or the mission kitchen staff upon arrival at the mission.

No reimbursements will be made for volunteers who miss included meals.

The number of meals provided on Origin-1 projects varies. Meals may be provided by Origin-1, the mission, the tour operator. Some missions require the Guardian Volunteer to be responsible for the provision and cost of their own meals. See your mission Information Pack or the website for details regarding meal inclusions specific to your mission.

9. Mission specifics

Due to the remote nature of many Origin-1 missions, the Guardian Volunteer understands and accepts that living conditions may be basic and must understand that Origin-1 missions are not holidays. The Guardian Volunteer accepts that the itinerary is an indication of what may happen and although Origin-1 will aim to provide the listed activities and timetable, due to the nature of the mission and this is especially the case in developing countries, restricted communications and updates, and the free flow nature of these missions, the Guardian Volunteer accepts that accommodation, activities, transport, locations and food may vary from those in published or advertised material.

Guardian Volunteers are expected to work the minimum agreed amount and achieve outcomes as required by a particular mission.

Guardian Volunteers are expected to participate in all tasks and activities assigned to them by the mission.

10. Mission costs and inclusions

All Mission costs and inclusions are outlined on the website or in your mission Information Guide. The Guardian Volunteer accepts that all other costs and inclusions not included in the Mission Information Guide will be incurred by the Guardian Volunteer.

These include, but are not limited to:

11. Participation requirements

All Guardian Volunteers are expected to satisfy themselves prior to booking that they are fit and able to complete the itinerary and training of their chosen mission. Anyone suffering from mobility impairment, illness or disability or undergoing treatment for any physical or medical condition must declare the true nature of such condition at the time of booking and make arrangements for the provision of any medication or other treatment which may be required during the mission.

Any likeness or image of you secured or taken on any of our missions may be used by Origin-1 without charge in all media (whether now existing or in the future invented) for bona fide promotional or marketing purposes, including without limitation promotional materials of any kind, such as brochures, slides, video shows and the internet.

12. Behaviour

A booking is accepted on the strict understanding that the Guardian Volunteer undertakes to comply with the laws, customs, foreign exchange, drug and all other regulations of Mexico during the mission, as well as all hygiene, safety and security rules. In addition, many of our mission hosts have their own rules and behaviour guidelines, which are intended to ensure safety. You will be advised of any specific rules in your Mission Information Pack or upon arrival at your mission. If you commit any illicit act during the mission or if in the reasonable opinion of Origin-1 or mission officer your behaviour is deemed to be disruptive, threatening or abusive or is causing or likely to cause danger, distress or annoyance to others we may terminate your mission without any liability on our part. Origin-1 and mission officers reserve the right to remove you or any other person from the mission if the staff or external advisors believe you or they will disrupt the smooth running of the mission, or if you or their actions endanger themselves or other Guardian Volunteers. In such a case no refund will be made and no additional costs will be payable by Origin-1.

13. Criminal activity

You pledge to abstain from any unlawful behavior or activities while volunteering on a mission by signing the Origin-1 Guardian Volunteer Agreement. You will get specialized instruction from Origin-1 on Mexican laws, your rights, and your duties as a Guardian of All Faiths. However, regardless of the kind of training you get worldwide by any organization, it is always your duty as a Guardian Volunteer to understand the laws of Mexico where you'll be volunteering.

If you engage in criminal activity, as defined by the host country, Origin-1 accepts no liability for your behaviour or any subsequent criminal charges or incarceration. You must be mindful that Mexico holds different values and cultural practices to your own and ignorance is no defence in a court of law. In the event you are arrested or detained by law officials in Mexico, Origin-1 limits its responsibilities to once informed of your situation, to notify your registered emergency contact as listed on your Application Form and the appropriate Embassy, Consulate or Foreign Office.

14. Origin-1 Ethical Standards & Volunteer Code of Conduct

Origin-1 is a responsible organisation and provides Guardian Volunteers with meaningful and impactful missions. Origin-1, mission hosts and other partners abide by the Origin-1 Ethical Standards.

Breaches of the Origin-1 Ethical Standards by mission hosts and other partners should be reported to Origin-1 immediately.

The Origin-1Guardian Volunteer Code of Conduct is designed to help you achieve the most out of your placement in a safe manner. It also ensures that the organisations, religions/faiths and people we work with are always treated with respect during your mission.

Breaches of the Origin-1 Ethical Standards and Origin-1 Guardian Volunteer Code of Conduct by the volunteer may result in your time at the mission being terminated without compensation.

The full Origin-1 Guardian Volunteer Code of Conduct is attached below.

The Origin-1 Ethical Standards can be found on the Origin-1 website.

15. Cancellation Policy

You may cancel your booking at any time providing that the cancellation is made in writing and in English. Notice of cancellation will be effective upon receipt of your written communication. From the time the contract is confirmed charges may be incurred and therefore we will retain your deposit to cover these costs. Additionally the following cancellation charges will apply as shown below.

Where written notification of the cancellation is received:

1. on or before 90 days prior to the start date of the placement: loss of original deposit.

2. less than 90 days prior to the start date of the placement: 100% of the project cost.

Where written notification of the cancellation is not received:

1. resulting in failure to commence the project: 100% of the project cost.

Depending on the reason for cancellation, you may be able to reclaim these cancellation charges (less any applicable excess) under the terms of your insurance policy. Claims must be made directly to your insurance company.

a. Booking Amendments

If, after our confirmation has been issued, you;

Make a change to your existing booking, change to another of our missions or change your placement start date, Origin-1 reserves the right to charge an amendment fee of up to 10% of the original mission cost. In addition to the fee we charge, any alteration, whether a change to an existing booking or a change to another start date, will also be subject to payment by you of any costs imposed by any of the service providers providing the component parts of the booking. If the mission to which you transfer is more expensive than the one you originally selected, the difference in pmission cost will also be payable according to the revised contract.

When making a change of start date to your booking, your new start date must be within 6 months of the original start date. Failure to schedule or adhere to a new start date as outlined in these Terms and Conditions will result in cancellation of the booking and forfeiture of the project fees paid.

Booking amendments must be requested in writing on or before 35 days prior to the original start date of the placement contract.

b. Transfer of booking

Where you are unable to travel you can transfer your booking to another person provided you;

a. notify us in writing;

b. provide the full name, address and contact details of the new person taking over the Guardian Volunteer contract (transferee);

c. make a payment of an administrative charge of $50 USD per person plus payment of all costs charged or levied by those supplying your mission arrangements;

d. the transferee accepts and adheres to the Origin-1 Terms and Conditions; and

e. for any change of placement start date to the mission, the new start date must be within 6 months of the original start date. Failure to schedule or adhere to a new start date as outlined in these Terms and Conditions will result in cancellation of the booking and forfeiture of the mission fees paid.

The transferee must complete the Origin-1 Online Application Form and fulfil any conditions that apply to the booking. The transferee also must be accepted by the mission.

Both the transferor (applicant relinquishing the booking to another person) and transferee will be jointly and severally liable for payment of the mission costs. Any additional costs or cancellation fees incurred prior to commencement of the mission are also the liability of both parties.

All communications relating to this contract (including any requests to cancel or amend your mission arrangements must be in writing and English and delivered by email to:

16. If Origin-1 changes or cancels your booking

We reserve the right to cancel your mission or change any of the facilities or services in your mission. We will endeavour to advise you of any changes known at the time of your application.

We plan the arrangements for your mission many months in advance and may occasionally have to make changes, most of which are minor. If a major change becomes necessary, we will advise you of the change as soon as possible. A major change may include cancellation of mission availability and an alternate mission offered. When a major change occurs, you will have the choice of either accepting the change, or accepting a replacement Origin-1 mission of equivalent or closely similar price, or cancelling your mission, in which case we shall refund you in full.

Origin-1 is not responsible for cancellation, curtailment or injury arising as a consequence of Force Majeure. This term includes acts of God, natural disasters, extreme weather conditions, computer or systems failure, acts of war – declared or otherwise, civil unrest, military or usurped power or confiscation by or under the order of any government or public authority. Origin-1 is not liable for refunds for loss or cost incurred following actions of a third party logistics or activity suppliers or actions based on advice from the Government.

Spaces are limited for each volunteer mission in each particular zone of Mexico, as are start dates. Therefore, Origin-1 will accept Guardian Volunteers on a first come first serve basis in the order that applications are received. When spaces are filled to capacity, volunteers will be placed on a waiting list and will be given the choice to select an alternative mission or their deposit will be returned to them. Origin-1 reserves the right to decline to accept or later reject any applicant for any reason.

17. Guardian Volunteers who leave an Origin-1 project before project completion

Any Guardian volunteer who voluntarily leaves, or is removed from an Origin-1 mission before the scheduled completion date will not be refunded by Origin-1 for any portion of their mission costs, and their permission to re-join the mission will be at the discretion of Origin-1 and mission officers. Origin-1 cannot assume responsibility for any volunteer once they have left the supervision of the mission staff. This policy includes any Guardian Volunteer being required to leave an Origin-1 mission as requested by staff for breach of contract, or for medical or personal reasons. Volunteers who leave the mission due to medical or personal reasons (injury/illness or family crisis at home) should consult their travel insurance provider, which may provide for partial or full recovery of their mission fees, depending on the reason for leaving. Guardian Volunteers who leave the mission for medical reasons (illness or injury that requires medical treatment or a short stay in the hospital) may be permitted to re-join the mission at the discretion of Origin-1.

18. Our liability, conditions of carriage and limitations

Our obligations, and those of our suppliers providing any service or facility included in your mission, are to take reasonable skill and care to arrange for the provision of such services and facilities. You must show that reasonable skill and care has not been used if you wish to make any claim. Standards of, for example, safety, hygiene and quality vary amongst missions and sometimes these standards will be lower than those which may be expected.

We shall have no liability where the cause of the failure to provide, or failure in, your mission or any death or personal injury you may suffer is not due to any fault on our part or that of our service providers, because it is either attributable to you, or attributable to someone unconnected with your mission and is unforeseeable or unavoidable, or is due to unusual or unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all due care had been exercised, or an event which neither Origin-1, the mission or service providers could have foreseen or forestalled.

If you undertake and purchase any optional activities that are not part of your pre-booked mission, the contract for the provision of that activity will be between you and the activity provider. The decision to partake in any such activity is entirely at your own discretion and risk.

We may operate missions in regions where standards of accommodation, transport, safety, hygiene, medical facilities and other infrastructure may, at times, be lower than those you normally expect. Your booking is accepted on the understanding that you realise the hazards involved in this kind of mission, including injury, disease, loss or damage to property, inconvenience and discomfort. Guardian Volunteer travel is one that allows alternatives and a substantial degree of on-mission flexibility. Changes in itinerary may be caused by local political conditions, mechanical breakdown, weather, border restrictions, sickness, or other unforeseeable circumstances.

The mission will run for the specified period advised. Origin-1 is not liable for any additional costs of accommodation, food, medical insurance etc. that will be incurred if you choose to arrive in Mexico before the start of the pmission, or remain in Mexico after the official end date of the mission. In the event that you choose to leave the mission at any time, or if the Mission host has instructed you to leave, Origin-1 is released of any responsibility which it may have had for your welfare.

As with other organizations of a similar nature, Origin-1 is a member of a network that chooses Guardian Volunteers who provide their expertise without expecting payment or other benefits. Our network of missions includes those that are in need of volunteers and are organized in a responsible and serious way, with a clear framework in place to accept volunteers.

Origin-1 accepts no liability for any decisions based on information contained in this website; these are the sole responsibility of the Guardian volunteer. Origin-1 accepts no liability for any direct, special, indirect, or consequential damages, or any other damages of whatsoever kind, resulting from whatever cause through the use of any information obtained either directly or indirectly from this website.

19. Contacting your next of kin

We reserve the right to contact your next of kin or parents if we deem it necessary.

20. Complaints process

In every location where we provide missions, we collaborate with mission hosts and service suppliers. They are in charge of providing you with accurate information while you are on assignment, as well as organizing and orienting you to support it. They are there to answer any questions you may have about local guidance, emergency situations, and how to accomplish your purpose. Before you go, you will receive Origin-1's instruction and intelligence in addition to the assistance.

If you have any complaint while volunteering, you must inform the mission officer of Origin-1 office staff within a maximum of 30 days of the mission end date by writing to us in English.

21. Website reproduction

Material may not be copied, reproduced, republished, downloaded, posted, broadcast or transmitted in any way except for your own personal non-commercial use. Any other use requires the prior written permission of Origin-1. You agree not to adapt, alter or create a derivative work from any of the material contained in this site, or use it for any other purpose other than for your personal non-commercial use.

22. Privacy Policy

The Origin-1 Privacy Policy sets out what information we collect, how we collect it and what we do with it.

Your information refers to information such as your name, contact details and special needs/disabilities/dietary requirements that you supply us or is supplied to us (Your information). Your information is collected when you request information from us, contact us (and vice versa) or make a booking with us. We will update your information whenever we get the opportunity to keep it current, accurate and complete. For the purpose of providing you with our services, including your mission booking or insurance, etc., we may disclose your information to our service providers and mission partners. We may collect and use your information and disclose the same to our "group companies" for business purposes.

We may also disclose your information to companies who act as "data processors" on our behalf, or to our service providers' operating systems or business functions on our behalf. These purposes include administration, providing services (and contacting you where necessary), customer care, improving our service, business management and operation, re-organisation/structuring/sale of our business (or our group companies), risk assessment, security and crime prevention/detection, research and analysis, marketing, monitoring, measuring and assessing customer purchasing preferences and trends, dispute resolution, credit checking and debt collection.

Some of your information (such as health) may be considered sensitive personal data. We collect it to cater to your needs or act in your interest, and we are only prepared to accept sensitive personal data from you on the condition that we have your positive consent.

If you do not agree to our use of your information as above, we cannot accept your booking.

We may from time to time contact you with information on offers of goods and services, brochures, new products, forthcoming events or competitions. Please note that our websites and communication mediums will assume you to agree to e-communications when you make a booking.

Any likeness or image of you secured or taken on any of our missions may be used by the company without charge in all media (whether now existing or in the future invented) for bona fide promotional or marketing purposes, including without limitation promotional materials of any kind, such as brochures, slides, video shows and the internet.

23. Lawful uses

You agree to use this site only for lawful purposes, and in a manner which does not infringe the rights of, or restrict or inhibit the use and enjoyment of this site, by any third party. Such restriction or inhibition includes, without limitation, conduct which is unlawful, or which may harass or cause distress or inconvenience to any person and the transmission of obscene or offensive content or disruption of normal flow of dialogue within this site.

24. Disputes

If any of these terms or conditions should be determined to be illegal, invalid or otherwise unenforceable by reason of the laws of any state or country in which these terms and conditions are intended to be effective, then to the extent and within the jurisdiction which that term or condition is illegal, invalid or unenforceable, it shall be severed and deleted from this clause and the remaining terms and conditions shall survive, remain in full force and effect and continue to be binding and enforceable.

25. Declaration

I am over the age of 18 years.

Or

I am currently under 18 but will be over 18 on the departure date to the project and understand that by taking part in the mission after my 18th birthday; I will be confirming my agreement to the terms of this contract.

• I have no criminal record or pending criminal charges or court appearances that restrict me from leaving my country of residence.

• I have declared any medical conditions relevant to my participation.

• It is my responsibility to inform family, work or concerned parties of my participation on an Origin-1 missiont and / or any ongoing travel plans.

• I confirm that all the information I have provided on the form and elsewhere is correct. I will advise Origin-1 in writing if, subsequent to submitting this form, circumstances arise which may affect my participation on a mission, or there are any changes in my personal details.

• I have read all Origin-1 documentation supplied to me and understand the proposed mission.

• I accept that due to the fluid nature of life in developing countries the mission may differ from that advertised but that Origin-1 and their suppliers will provide a mission that remains within the spirit of that advertised.

• I agree to respect the decisions and authority of Origin-1 and staff in matters pertaining to the mission, health and safety and the local population.

• I agree that breaches of the Origin-1 Ethical Standards by mission partners should be reported to Origin-1 immediately.

• I understand that life in developing countries contains many different challenges and risks that are not met in developing nations, and agree to follow the health and safety advice given by Origin-1 and their partners.

• The volunteer agrees that staff of Origin-1 or its partners may give consent for medical treatment on your behalf where you are unable to give consent yourself.

• I agree to act in such a way as not to put myself or others at risk.

• I agree to respect Mexican law as it pertains to this agreement and host country law whilst on the project.

• I accept that if I significantly break this contract or persistently behave in such a way as is, in the view of Origin-1 or their partners, inconsistent with the spirit of the mission, Origin-1 retains the right to terminate the mission.

• I will immediately put in writing any questions or concerns I may have to Origin-1.

• We reserve the right to contact your next of kin or parents if we deem it necessary.

• I agree to Origin-1 contacting me by telephone, electronically or post.

I have read, understood and accept the contents of this agreement and agree to be bound by them.