Description

Ayni has existed on a shoestring budget for 10 consecutive years now. We have made miracles from pennies, and we get paid in smiles. Ayni has opened the doors to Alto de Los Mores to more than 200 volunteers from around the world.

In short, Ayni attempts to enrich the child's experience by providing opportunities to learn, play and have fun. We continue to teach ESL, offer Sports & Recreational Programs, and ultimately develop lasting and impactive relationships with the children. Our volunteers are like Camp Counsellors, for the economically impoverished child. This interaction is mutually beneficial, and the children's smiles are absolutely contagious. Volunteers and children alike find it very rewarding. We also support further education by providing scholarships for high school and post secondary students.

Apart from having an Educational focus, Ayni has also undertaken several small scale development projects. Our aim is to work with the families, especially the mothers, to reduce the barriers they face living in poverty and to improve their quality of life, in the short and long term. Our development projects include; Mud Brick Stoves with Chimneys, a 350 Fruit Tree Orchard, Micro-Credit Loans, Tree Planting, Vegetable Garden and a Mothers Club.

The Kind of Volunteers We Need

For many years, Ayni normally has had a foreign volunteer coordinator on the ground to manage, guide and lead volunteers. However the last 3 years, we have transferred many of the roles to our local leader within the community. Most of the development projects are managed by our local leader with the assistance and involvement of our volunteers. In other words volunteers primary role is to work directly within the school with the children, and their secondary role is to work alongside our local leader and support and assist them in their role of managing and overseeing all the development projects.

Volunteers will lead themselves in the elementary school. We are looking for volunteers that can and want to self navigate themselves. Volunteers will be connected to key people directly in the school, and in the community to help them within their role.

Ayni can provide guidance through use of all of their resources including; archived worksheets, sample lesson plans, flashcards, ESL Textbooks, written teaching advice, orientation binder etc. The founder, along with other former volunteers can also be available online or by phone for advice and to answer questions. On some occasions, returning volunteers are who visit are able to provide great direction.

Ayni has established places for volunteers to live in Piura, and can connect them to these accommodations. Pick up from airport or bus station in Piura can also be arranged.

Though it may seem a little frightening to come to an unknown place, with the right kind of volunteer it can be an amazing experience. We are already well established within the school and the community. The children and the community are anxiously awaiting new volunteers. It is a safe and wonderful community. When I first started the project, I used to venture out there everyday on my own, and I absolutely thrived in that environment, free to create everything I envisioned.

The volunteers primary job will be to teach ESL in the school (the school itself is government funded, or rather underfunded), run extracurricular activities including arts & crafts, sports and music (if one is musically inclined, we have a set of recorders.), and host fiestas including, Childrens Day, Halloween, and Christmas.

The volunteers secondary job will be to get involved in the development projects, by connecting and assisting "Ines" our local leader. See website for specific details on projects.

Qualifications

The kind of volunteer that we need that will thrive in these circumstances include:
* Someone that loves working with children (teaching, playing, & having fun) if you do not, read no further, this job is not for you.
* Someone that is highly positive and does not get discouraged easily, 2 steps forward, 1 step back. (this is the nature of working against poverty)
* Someone that thinks independently & outside the box, and can guide themselves without being told constantly what to do.
* Preferably someone that has some teaching experience already so that one has an easier transition into the classroom. If one has no teaching experience, they must be extremely patient, and positive during their trial and error stage.
* Preferably someone that is functional in Spanish. If not, then someone who doesnt mind learning a new language while transitioning into the environment. (Life is much easier with Spanish, but with the right person, a few words and a lot of acting will suffice.)
* Someone who is creative, i.e. can turn sand into an arts and craft activity (paper, glue, sand = picture)
* Someone that can take the opportunity given and make something from almost nothing.
* Someone that thrives on, and sees the value of building relationships with people (children & community members)
* Someone that is brave and will not crumble under new and foreign circumstances (i.e. new language, desert heat, occasional diarrhea, poverty etc.)
* Someone that wants to make a difference in the world, and leave a positive imprint behind.
* Someone that wants to make a difference in a child's life.
* Someone that is used to working hard, and is productive.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

200.00 (100 returned upon completion)

Program Fees Include:

All volunteers are responsible for covering all costs associated with volunteering, including accomodations, flight, transport etc.

Salary/Pay

You get paid in smiles!

Experience Required

yes

Volunteer Types

Age Range

18-65 (average is 20´s & 30´s)

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays
• Independent living
• Other

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of 4-6

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone/Video Interview
• Resume
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

2 weeks

Ayni 's Mission Statement

Our small grassroots organization works alongside a remote rural community to alleviate some of the major barriers of living in absolute poverty. Our Education and Development projects aim to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of women, children and families, and includes the following initiatives: tree planting, micro-credit loans, mothers club, library, scholarships, community orchard, educational programs and so on.

Year Founded

2001