Terms & Conditions
Welcome to Hands Up Volunteers (“HUV” thereafter), a volunteering platform connecting volunteers with various organizations in Mexico. By using HUV, you agree to the following terms and conditions:
Eligibility
You must be at least 21 years old to use HUV. By using HUV, you confirm that you are at least 21 years old.
Volunteer Commitment
As a volunteer, you are committing to the opportunity that you have selected. You are responsible for attending the opportunity as scheduled and fulfilling the responsibilities outlined by the organization. If you are unable to attend an opportunity, it is your responsibility to communicate this to the organization as soon as possible.
Code of Conduct and Local Rules
HUV expects all volunteers to behave in a professional and respectful manner while engaging with organizations, other volunteers, and our platform. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination, harassment, or inappropriate behaviour. Volunteers must be sensitive to local rules as disclosed by HUV and the organization hosting the volunteer.
HUV reserves the right to terminate the account of any volunteer who violates this code of conduct and/or any local rule that the volunteer has been specifically requested to respect .
Intellectual Property
All content and materials on HUV are the property of HUV or our licensors. You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works based on our content without our written permission.
Booking
- The booking process can be completed through our website.
- Bookings are subject to availability and HUV reserves the right to decline any booking. By making a booking, the volunteer agrees to these terms and conditions and the Volunteer Code of Conduct and Local Rules.
- Applications must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the intended date of commencement in order to fulfil the required program fees due date.
Fees
- Registration Fees are non-refundable and must be paid in a two-instalment structure the first instalment when sending the application to process it and the second one when accepted to secure your place and dates. Once the initial acceptance confirmation has been issued, your place and dates will be held only for 5 working days. Full confirmation acceptance and details will be only provided when the second registration fee instalment has been paid to HUV.
- Registration Fees are per program. Any additional program will incur a Registration Fees of 162 usd (1st instalment 50 usd / 2nd instalment 112 usd)
- Program fees are due 45 days before the start of the volunteer placement.
- HUV reserves the right to modify fees at any time. However, the changes will not affect volunteers if they have already paid both registration fee instalments.
- An online payment option has been provided at the HUV website. Should you require a “different payment option” such as online banking, wire transfer or bank transfers you may contact HUV to ask for HUV bank payment details. However, transactions costs related to any “different payment option” other than the HUV website option must be covered by the volunteer.
Booking Changes/ Cancellation/ Withdrawal
- Changes to bookings are subject to availability and may incur additional fees for both registration fees (if transferred to a family member or friend) and program fees (applicable to any change).
- HUV reserves the right to investigate any claim for a cancellation to determine its origin and if any refund is truly due to any fault of HUV. Should HUV determine that a refund is warranted due to a fault of HUV and through no fault of the volunteer, then HUV will issue a refund, full or partial, in accordance with our HUV Cancellation Policy Schedule (outlined below).
- Cancellations must be made in writing and are subject to the following HUV Cancellation Policy Schedule:
- 10% of the program fees when cancellation is at least 90 days prior to the date of commencement of volunteer placement in the first full acceptance confirmation to the program.
- 50% of the program fees when cancellation is between 60 to 89 days before the date of commencement of the volunteer placement in the first full acceptance confirmation to the program.
- 75% of the program fees when cancellation is between 45 to 59 days before the date of commencement of the volunteer placement.
- 100% of the program fees when cancellation is less than 45 days before the date of commencement of the volunteer placement in the first full acceptance confirmation to the program.
- In the event of a withdrawal during the volunteer placement, program fees will not be refunded.
Payment Default/ Remedies
- Failure to pay fees may result in the cancellation of the volunteer placement.
- In the event of payment default, HUV may take legal action to recover the outstanding amount.
Refunds
- Refunds will only be given in accordance with the HUV Cancellation Policy Schedule.
- Refunds will be made within 60 days of written confirmation of cancellation.
- The volunteer agrees that only HUV shall make the sole and final determination if any refunds, either full or partial, are issued.
Force Majeure
HUV shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance of its obligations if such failure or delay is caused by an event beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, war, terrorism, fire, flood, or severe weather.
Indemnity
The volunteer agrees to indemnify and hold HUV harmless from any claim or demand, including reasonable legal fees, made by any third party due to or arising out of the volunteer's participation in the volunteer placement.
Travel
HUV is not responsible for arranging or booking travel to or from the volunteer placement location.
The volunteer is responsible for obtaining all necessary travel documents, including visas and travel insurance. Passport, visa and health requirements may change at any time and the volunteer must check current requirements before travelling to Mexico. HUV will not be liable if the volunteer fails to do so, and the volunteer will be responsible for meeting any additional cost(s) incurred by reason of such failure.
The volunteer is responsible for carrying all necessary documents when traveling abroad, including, but not limited to, passport, visa, etc. HUV shall not be responsible if entry is denied to Mexico (or any other on transit country) due to incorrect visa or passport documentation.
Health and Fitness
The volunteer must disclose all relevant medical conditions, including allergies and disabilities, to HUV before the start of the volunteer placement.
The volunteer must be in good physical and mental health to participate in the volunteer placement.
Drug and Alcohol Use
The volunteer is prohibited from using drugs or alcohol during the volunteer placement. HUV, in agreement with the hosting organization, reserves the right to terminate the placement immediately if the volunteer is suspected to be using drugs or alcohol. No refund will be granted.
Immunizations
The volunteer must obtain all necessary vaccinations and immunizations before the start of the volunteer placement.
Insurance
Volunteers are not insured by HUV against illness, accident, theft or any loss of personal effects before, during or after the volunteer placement. HUV or its representatives cannot accept responsibility for any accident occurring during, on or off the programme. The volunteer must have travel and medical insurance before the volunteer placement and the volunteer is responsible for obtaining the required insurance and provide HUV with the insurance details prior traveling. Failing to provide insurance details may be cause of program cancellation without program fees refund.
Image Release and Waiver
The volunteer consents to HUV using their image and likeness for promotional purposes.
Activity Release and Waiver
The volunteer acknowledges the risks involved in the volunteer placement activities and releases HUV from liability for any injuries or damages sustained during the volunteer placement.
Legal Disclaimer, Limitations, and Exclusions of Liability
The information and materials provided by HUV, including but not limited to information about volunteering opportunities, volunteer placements, and travel arrangements, are for informational purposes only. HUV does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of any information or materials provided and is not liable for any errors or omissions in such information or materials.
HUV is not responsible for the actions, behaviour, or conduct of any volunteers or third parties, including but not limited to volunteer placement organizations, transportation providers, and accommodation providers.
HUV is not responsible for any injury, illness, loss, or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with any volunteer placement, travel arrangements, or activities undertaken by volunteers.
HUV does not provide any warranties or representations, express or implied, regarding any volunteer placement, travel arrangements, or activities undertaken by volunteers, including but not limited to any warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.
HUV is not liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from or in connection with any volunteer placement, travel arrangements, or activities undertaken by volunteers.
HUV does not provide any legal, tax, or financial advice and is not liable for any actions or decisions made by volunteers based on any information or materials provided by HUV.
HUV is not responsible for any acts or omissions of any government, regulatory, or law enforcement agency in any country, including but not limited to any immigration or customs agency.
Volunteers are solely responsible for obtaining any necessary visas, permits, or other travel documents, and for complying with any laws or regulations in any country.
HUV is not liable for any loss or damage to personal property of volunteers, including but not limited to any luggage, electronics, or other personal belongings.
Volunteers agree to indemnify and hold harmless HUV, its officers, directors, employees, and agents, from any and all claims, actions, suits, or demands arising from or in connection with any volunteer placement, travel arrangements, or activities undertaken by volunteers.
Volunteers acknowledge and agree that they undertake any volunteer placement, travel arrangements, or activities at their own risk, and that they have read and understand these Terms and Conditions.
Modifications
HUV may modify these terms and conditions at any time without notice. By continuing to use HUV, you agree to be bound by the modified terms and conditions.
Governing Law
These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Veracruz, Mexico. The courts of Veracruz, Mexico shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any disputes arising from or in connection with these Terms and Conditions.