Description

As a special needs music and dance instructor you would lead daily music and dance classes with the children, helping them to create their own instruments and teaching them songs and dances. You would select and play music while helping the children sing along with their self-made instruments. You would also have the opportunity to teach them basic body movements in rhythm to the music which would help them to develop greater physical coordination and enjoyment of music and movement.
During your first week, you would work with the children that are physically and mentally able to create their own simple instruments, such as tambourines with paper plates and shakers made with water bottles and rice.
A typical day may look something like this: You would arrive at 1:00 pm and report to Señora Martha, the director of Hogar Matilde Perez Palacio. Then you may spend some time preparing for your days class, by setting up the music and creating ideas to teach for that day. You would then greet the children and spend some time simply playing and interacting with them. Next you would form a group of children that are interested and able to participate in music and dance. The music and dance sessions may last for approximately one hour. You can begin by playing the music you´ve selected and having the kids play their instruments. You would help them count beats and use their instruments in rhythm. While you were doing this, you could prompt them to sing along. After half an hour, you may begin teaching basic dance movements and helping them put them into sequence, which will also help them to exercise their memorization skills. Once this session is over, you may like to spend some time playing games with the children again before you leave.
As part of the team, you may be expected to help sweep and keep the centre tidy, as well as help with other daily activities such as feeding the children and assisting with homework, as your time allows.

Highlights

Ministerio de Mujeres y Desarrollo Social (MIMDES), meaning Ministry of Women and Social Development, is a government program of social development for vulnerable populations that suffer exclusion. This organizations works to guarantee the exercising of their rights and improving the quality of life for people living in poor and marginalized conditions. The mission of the ministry is to promote decentralization and contribute to the eradication of poverty, inequality, and exclusion. There focus is on comprehensive human development, equality, and to generate equal opportunity between men and women.

Hogar Matilde Perez Palacios is currently home to over a hundred youth, ranging in age from three to twenty-four years old, all of whom have mental and/or physical disabilities. This busy environment welcomes volunteers to help with the care and needs of these children.
This placement requires volunteers who have a passion to express themselves through music, dance and motion; who are willing to dedicate their time,(in a warm, friendly and happy manner), towards teaching the children the pleasure, as well as, the benefits that come from music, "in all forms". As a newer home, this placement has insufficient funds to provide for more than the basic needs of all the children. Time for social interaction to develop fine motor skills and improve their physical coordination; plus time for learning the pure joy of music and movement, is sadly missing in their distressed lives. Due to lack of funding, thus lack of adequate staff, social interacting or programing with the youth is usually not possible. A music and/or dance schedule that a volunteer would develop, organize and implement would not only help to advance and strengthen their motor skills but also be a source of fun and excitement in their otherwise long and depressing daily routines. It could easily become "the highlight of their day".
Without the individualized care and stimulation that they need, these youth have very few opportunities for enjoyment in life and/or to reach for their full potential. Since resources are insufficient to employ the required staff, volunteers with the dedication and skills for working with special children would be very much appreciated.

Qualifications

Experience working with special needs individuals would be very helpful, as well as musical and dance abilities.

Minimum Education

High School

Intern Types

• Art/Fine Arts
• Education
• Music

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

Successful volunteers at this placement are those that find it rewarding to work with mental and/or physically challenged youth. You should be creative and enjoy organizing and implementing, age and ability, appropriate music and dance activities.

Volunteer Types

• Arts
• Childcare/children
• Disability Issues
• Education
• Music
• 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