Description

Kaya provides many English teaching placements but we also provide alternative education programs such as working with blind, deaf and children with Down syndrome. Education for these minority groups is poor and they are in great need of outside help. Be ready for minimal teaching aids and know now that you will be the main teaching resource. It is a great opportunity for the children to learn from a native speaker and hear the correct pronunciation, and all you need is a good level of English to participate in many of the placements.

Shelter for Abused Women and Children in Belize

Help bring much-needed help to abused women and children in a country that has only one safe shelter to house victims of domestic abuse. The main goal is to be able to establish a permanent safe house in the Cayo District: currently in the entire country there resides just one safe house to support all of Belize. Help create another establishment where women and their children can seek support in domestic violence situations.

Teaching Support for a Community College in Belize

Work as a teaching assistant at a local high school and community college. This wonderful service will provide the equivalent experience for out of school youths and adults, and give them a structured and formal education to assist in their future life and job prospects. For many of these young adults, high school has never been an opportunity for them, so this incentive will also provide much needed support to young adults all over the country.

Teach Music, Dance and Drama to Disadvantaged Children

Volunteer and work as a Performing Arts teacher at a Community College. Located within the Cayo District, The College is government- and grant-aided which has allowed it to significantly expand and flourish over its 50 years, however the team are constantly looking for ways to develop the skills of their student population which is where volunteers are particularly needed.

Teaching and Childcare for Preschool Children

As Kaya projects work in tandem with our Sustainable Home Building Project in Belize to rebuild homes for these incredible and resistant children, we need volunteer help to teach, tutor and provide childcare for the displaced youngsters as they are temporarily housed with members of the community within the Cayo District. Getting real-world teaching experience in a developing country environment will be an eye-opening and exciting experience.

Highlights

Nestled between Mexico and Guatemala is the peaceful and ecologically diverse country of Belize. Spanning the length of the coastline is the second largest barrier reef on earth, which is a world heritage site. The ancient Maya ruins in the mountains date back to 500 BC, and the ethically diverse population of Maya, Mestizo, creole, Mennonite and Garifuna make for a unique and culturally rich experience.

Track Jaguars at Cockscomb Basin

The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best undisturbed nature centers in the country and easily one of the most beautiful with 600-1000 Jaguars prowling the land. Get involved in mapping and distribution research to help protect Jaguars and their prey.

Glovers Reef Atoll

70 miles southeast of Belize City brings you to Glovers Reef, named after the pirate John Glover. The atoll is a circular necklace of almost continuous coral reef around an 80-square-mile lagoon with depths to 50 feet; the various colors of blue in the water are so intense they seem unreal. Within the lagoon, divers will find 700 shallow coral patches and the remains of at least four sunken ships.

Kayaking the Belizean waterways

Raft a 20-mile stretch of the Macal River. This small, steep, and technical route brings you through drop pools, mazelike channels, and big waterfalls in class IV whitewater. Led by guides who have rafted all over the world, you know it's got to be good when even they get excited about it. Groups are small (six people), and the wildlife abundant -- tapirs, iguanas, and river otters are just a few of the species to be seen.

Belize's fragile ecosystems are under threat from deforestation, improper agricultural practices, irresponsible tourism and development, and forest fires. The people of Belize are very conscious about conserving their natural habitat and have used eco-tourism as a means of preserving their fragile ecosystems. It is very important to the communities that these ecosystems survive as they use them for food, medicine, shelter and water.

These are just a few of the wonderful activities and experiences a volunteer will accomplish in a few weeks of their stay in the majestic Belize.

Qualifications

Experience and passion for working in the community and interacting with the people are needed. Participants must also possess enthusiasm and a willingness to learn about the environment and the place's culture.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees

Program Fees Include:

* Accommodation: Single room in a home-stay
* Food: 3 meals per day - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
* Airport pick up and drop off
* Training: Orientation and language classes provided
* Support: 24 hour support
* Excursions: Canoeing through the jungle, cave tubing, visit Mayan ruins, hiking, horseback riding, and visits to a Creole village

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Childcare/children
• Primary Education
• Teaching

Typical Volunteer

A Kaya volunteer shows enthusiasm, spirit and life to stimulate and bring something new to the residents; love, patience and a listening ear for the people; and a good motivator with a positive and optimistic attitude.

Age Range

Must be more than 18 years old

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network

Kaya Responsible Travel's Mission Statement

Kaya's mission is to promote sustainable social, environmental and economic development, empower communities and cultivate educated, compassionate global citizens through responsible travel.

Year Founded

2008