Description

St. Paul's is a small primary school situated in south Sikkim. The location is fabulous. You will be the children's window to the world, and they will be so appreciative of what you can teach them. By becoming a volunteer English teacher, you will be able to make a direct, personal contribution to the education of young Himalayan people. In doing so, you will be having an unforgettable experience in a new and fascinating world.

Highlights

"Volunteering with HELP offers all the good things of working with a small, personal organization: in-depth local knowledge from the HELP organizers, and the feeling that one is doing something for the first time."

"We think the thing you do is a great idea, that you do it very well, that your fees are volunteer-friendly (unlike those of other organizations), that you know the region very well and can give the volunteers a realistic picture of it before going, and that you have a wonderful contact in Kalimpong..."

Nikola Capla and Petra Cvancarova (Everest Boarding School)

Qualifications

If you have never taught English as a foreign language, you will need to take a short TEFL course before you begin your assignment (an intensive weekend course would be the minimum). In addition, you will need the following qualities: resilience and adaptability, an open mind and an interest in other cultures, good mental and physical health, and tact and diplomacy.

Minimum Education

Diploma/Certification

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

From USD 470 for minimum two months

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• Written materials pre-departure
• In-country staff support

Program Fees Include:

The cost of the program includes:
* A fee payable to HELP to cover your placement
* pre-departure briefing materials and advice,
* a pack of TEFL materials
* the services of a local HELP representative
* A monthly payment to your host family for board and accommodation
* A donation to further HELP's work in supporting schools and children

Salary/Pay

There is no salary. The benefits are non-monetary: the chance to live in and make a contribution to a Himalayan community in a wonderful location.

Experience Required

yes

If you have no experience of teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL), you will need to take a short course in TEFL (an intensive weekend course would be the minimum requirement). A love of children and an ability to communicate skills and knowledge to them is essential. Our volunteers must also be mature, patient, tolerant and diplomatic.

Volunteer Types

• Academic Reinforcement
• English Teaching
• Teaching
• Youth Development

Typical Volunteer

Because these opportunities are best suited to mature people, our volunteers are likely to be (but not exclusively) from one of the following categories: working people taking a career break, retired people who are not yet ready to put their feet up, graduates wanting to have an adventure before starting their careers, and students aged at least 20.

Age Range

19 and above

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Application Process Involves

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Phone/Video Interview
• Resume
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

2 -4 weeks

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network

Himalayan Education Lifeline Programme's Mission Statement

The aim of HELP is to enhance the lives of poor Himalayan communities by supporting selected educational and training projects. HELP realizes its aims by enabling responsible and committed people from the developed world to: - sponsor young people with the potential to benefit from a school or college education, but without the means to do so. - make a donation to provide grants to individual students, and also to schools and health clinics that lack the means to acquire the materials or premises required to provide a satisfactory service to their communities. - undertake short-term assignments as volunteers in support of educational and training projects

Year Founded

2002