Description

This school has approximately fifty children that attend classes regularly, and only six teachers. With only one teacher per classroom overseeing roughly eight students, all of whom have varying levels of abilities, it is difficult to have a successful teaching environment.

Volunteers can help with classroom management, as well as assisting and teaching children about tasks that are difficult for them to perform. You may also be asked to assist teachers with lesson planning and the execution of classes, including Mathematics, Geography, History, Spanish, Art, Sciences and Sports. Volunteers can plan activities and work with the children one-on-one to ensure they receive the attention they require.

In addition, volunteers can bring sports equipment and other much-needed resources to organize activities and games that will help with motor skills development and social interaction.

Volunteers may also be asked to play with the children during recess. During snack time, volunteers can help teachers serve the snacks and assist the students by helping them develop their co-ordination skills, like grabbing and using a spoon properly.

Highlights

The objective of Escuela Especial San Francisco Asis (San Francisco Asis Special School) is to provide an atmosphere conducive to learning for children with a variety of disabilities.

The school was created by the Ministry of Education in conjunction with Los Pipitos, an organization that was founded by a group of parents of children with disabilities in 1987. Los Pipitos and Escuela Especial share a group of buildings and, together, offer a quality education and after-school programs for children with disabilities.

Approximately forty children attend classes from 7:00 am 12:00 pm, Monday to Friday. These children are faced with different challenges on a day-to-day basis, ranging from limited mobility, visual and hearing impairments to behavioural problems.

Classes in the areas of Mathematics, Geography, History, Spanish, Art, Sciences and Sports are offered. Additionally, special workshops are conducted each day to improve the children's mobility and speaking. Due to the challenges students at Escuela Especial face, professors and staff are often required to use unique and creative teaching methods. In addition, teachers work with any abilities the students have that would allow them to reach a higher level of autonomy and become part of society.

In a country such as Nicaragua, where prejudices and misunderstanding regarding individuals with disabilities affect their everyday lives, Escuela Especial provides an alternative atmosphere where disabled children are accepted, treated with respect and encouraged to reach their full potential.

Escuela Especial, is significantly underfunded and there is not a sufficient number of teachers working at the school to properly assist all of the students adequately.

Children at this school work on their co-ordination, communication, self-esteem, and social skills, unfortunately, teachers lack the resources to plan activities according to each students abilities. A sharing of teaching strategies and techniques is also needed to improve the programs at the school.

A classroom assistant would be greatly appreciated, as they would be able to provide the teacher with the support he/she needs, while at the same time working with the children and encouraging them to learn and do the best they can.

Qualifications

Although not required, previous experience working with individuals with disabilities would be an asset.

Minimum Education

High School

Intern Types

• Education

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 3.245 for 8 weeks; USD 225 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

It is important that volunteers are compassionate,enthusiastic,energetic with lots of stamina plus understand the numerous challenges in working with children with disabilities.

Volunteer Types

• Disability Issues
• Education
• English Teaching
• 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