Description

Volunteers help with organizing the books after children read and return them, also read to the children one-to-one and in groups. Volunteers will also be able to work with the children one-to-one to help them learn to read plus organize creative crafts and educational activities.

Example of a typical day: Arrive at 3:00pm to plan and set out craft materials to be used that afternoon. Make sure the books are organized and that the area is tidy before the children arrive. The children will start to show up at 4:00pm (or earlier, if they are eager!). Sit down with the children to make the craft that was planned for them. Later gather them in a group and read a story out loud. The next activity may be allowing them to sit and read individually, while you circulate to help them read one-to-one. You may also choose to give them a pen and paper and encourage them to use their creativity to write and illustrate their own stories on a particular theme. At 6:00pm, the children go home, and you spend about twenty minutes tidying up and sweeping the floor before your day is finished.

You may help the library director tidy and organize the centre when the library is not busy.

Highlights

The Asociacion de Vivienda El Universo is a group of community members from the neighbourhood of El Universo, in Lima. They hope to achieve an educated, healthy, and environmentally-sustainable community. This organization relies on the participation and collaboration of women in the community, subseguently helping to ensure that they have a valuable role in their society outside of the home.

The organization was formed in 2008. The true powers of community organization and networking at their highest levels can be witnessed within this group. In the last few years, women of this neighbourhood began coordinating in an effort to accomplish a common agenda. As such, it is a completely grass-roots project, created by the community members themselves. It is led by one woman that provides leadership to the group.

This community-based organization has two objectives to meet the needs of the neighbourhood. The first project is dedicated to the promotion of urban organic agriculture and raising of small livestock to improve the nutritional levels of people in the area. Secondly, they operate a small children's library to help raise the literacy levels
This organization is advancing little by little, although it is a lot of work for such a small group that relies on voluntary community participation. They have so far succeeded in establishing the community garden to share food amongst the community members. They are now working on expanding the garden and incorporating a larger variety of food crops. The library is beginning to attract more and more children who are excited about learning and the opportunity to access books that they otherwise may not have.

This is a very small community-run library with few resources and only one staff member. It was developed to help raise the literacy levels of children in the community. Unfortunately, they do not have many materials and the woman who runs it does not always have time to organize activities. The library operates on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, to provide the children from this shantytown the opportunity to read, write, and participate in creative activities.

Approximately 30% of the children in shantytown neighbourhoods do not attend school, (and of those that do attend, about a quarter of them are malnourished). This situation creates a cycle of illiteracy and difficulties with learning. The goal of this library is to help reinforce the children's reading and writing skills, thus hopefully assist in breaking the cycle of illiteracy in this shantytown community.

Children in the neighbourhood need an opportunity to practice and improve their reading and writing skills, outside of the classroom. Volunteers can help provide this by being available to assist the children when they come to read.

Qualifications

Volunteer who have experience working with children, are artistic or creative (as you will be designing and organizing crafts) or have experience teaching literacy and/or working in a library would be well suited for this placement.

Minimum Education

High School

Intern Types

• Education

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 3,245 for 8 weeks; USD 250 each additional wk.

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Upon arrival in country our staff will pick you up at the airport and return you to our Orientation Center for a safety briefing and general country orientation. For this program you are required to complete one - 4 weeks of language training and orientation which is included in the cost of the program. At the end of that week you will transfer to your placement to begin volunteering. Our staff are available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week should you require help of any kind.

Experience Required

yes

Individuals that are loving and warm towards children make excellent volunteers in this placement! Patience is also an important virtue, as some children may be slower to read than others, and some children may be a little mischievous! Señora Cita, looks for volunteers that are committed and responsible, so that they can be counted on to be there and on time. It is important to have initiative, as this is a very small library without a clear and organized schedule. It is up to the volunteer to organize the activities and decide what will be on the agenda for each afternoon.

Volunteer Types

• Childcare/children
• Education
• Literacy
• Teaching

Typical Volunteer

We believe everyone can contribute by volunteering. Recent graduates from high school, college or university, professionals taking a career break, recent retirees, individuals or groups who are interested in a change and the chance to enrich their own life and the lives of others. If you are 18 years or older you can apply for any of the placements available. If you are from 16-18 years old you may apply for placements near our Volunteer Abroad Office and Residence, so that we are able to give you more support. Both students and professionals are needed for placements in all our countries.

Age Range

18+

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Dormitory
• Group living
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of Depends on the placement

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume

Typically The Application Process Time is

24-48 hrs

Basecamp International Centers's Mission Statement

We believe international volunteering promotes cross-cultural learning that helps create global awareness, understanding between cultures and provides the platform for positive change. Our volunteers have taught in schools, provided disaster relief support for the International Red Cross, conducted essential research to improve the management strategies of threatened environments, built homes for impoverished people, provided vocational training and programs for street kids and have worked in co-operation with hundreds of local organizations to distribute aid and improve the quality of life for people throughout Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Year Founded

1998