Description:
If you think that travel is about seeing different places, experiencing different cultures and meeting different people then this project is right up your street, or should we say dirt road! Uganda is a poor country, and some of the problems faced by children here are acute. Many kids work in the fields because they can't afford to pay school fees, which in turn leaves schools short of money, but at the Teach Inn what they lack in resources they more than make up for in enthusiasm and smiles. The project offers hundreds of children from the surrounding area the opportunity to learn skills that could help them avoid the poverty that threatens to blight their lives, and you the chance to make a real and lasting difference. We'll also provide you with TEFL certification to help you on your way.
* Project details:
This is a government school in an area where many children must work in the fields. The school draws approximately 300 children from the villages of Nyakasiru and Karorwa, and surrounding areas within the sub-county of Bukinda. They are aged between 4-15 years old and divided into classes from 25 up to as many as 50 or 60! The school has around 4 to 6 classrooms with various patches of land that are used for recreational and sporting activities. The schools are severely under-resourced and often have large class sizes due to staff shortages. As the schools cannot afford to pay its teachers a good salary it is hard for them to recruit staff and often the staff they do have are forced to take on other work so cannot be at the school regularly. This school is the children's only hope to obtain basic education and as such volunteers who attend here will be made very welcome.
Teach Inn is a part of a project that aims to help fulfil basic requirements for education, but also works to improve neglected areas of education such as creativity, culture and art. The project objectives are that children should:
- be healthy and safe
- have integrity, self discipline, autonomy and creativity
- be a confident individual with initiative
- respect their own and others cultures and traditions
- know at least one practical skill
- feel at ease reading and communicating in Rukiga and English
- be able to express themselves in at least one form of art
- be a person with a strong community spirit
* Why the project needs volunteers:
Education is seen as a privilege in Uganda and until recently was reserved for those who could afford to pay school fees. 10 years ago, primary education became free and (in theory) universally accessible. With very little funds the schools simply cannot afford to hire new teachers or purchase resources. The support of volunteers is critical in order to continue providing the most basic of education to children.It is important to take into account that local teachers are underpaid and not very motivated because for most of them this wasn't the career of their choice. Their teaching is based on rote and authority. Volunteers bring a different approach, open up new worlds to children.
Highlights:
* Making a real difference in this incredible community
* Getting under the skin of Uganda - a beautiful and fascinating country
* Exploring at the weekends - lakes, mountain gorillas, and stunning countryside are all within easy reach!
Qualifications / Skills Needed:
What kind of skills you need to go on this type of project:
As a volunteer, you will need to show patience and initiative to cope with the sheer volume of children in your classes. The children in Uganda tend to learn English by copying information from the blackboard and cramming. Your role will be to show children that they can use this skill as a method of communication too.Your resources will be limited so you will need to show imagination and creativity to get the most out of your time. Please budget for stationery supplies that you may wish to purchase in Uganda prior to arriving in Nyakasiru.
Remember that the children may come from difficult backgrounds and you will need to show patience and understanding and be able to act as role model. Skills in any extra curricular activities will be welcomed at this project, particularly (but not limited to) art, music, scouts and sports.
Your role as a volunteer:
Your primary role will be to help in teaching English to the children. Extra curricular activities are encouraged and extremely popular at the school - in particular sports and activities to raise awareness of environmental issues in relation to the communities.
During school holidays (Mid August to mid September, December and January) you will take part in summer school activities and have the opportunity to run games and activities with the children.
Language:
English
Language Used As A Medium of Teaching:
English
Cost in US$: USD 1539.00 for 2 weeks, USD 220.00 for every week thereafter
Cost Includes:
Food,
Housing,
In-country orientation/Training
and In-country staff support
* Accommodation: Shared room in guesthouse
* Food: Self Catering (budget approximately USD 10 per week)
* Airport Pickup: Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you're arriving early!
* Training: In-country orientation and Online TEFL course
* Support: Pre-departure help desk, Local in-country team and 24hr emergency support
Experience Required: no
Typical Volunteer Projects:
academic reinforcement,
community centers,
community development,
community organizing,
English teaching
and youth
Age Range: 17 and up
This Program is open to
Worldwide
Participants.
This Program is also open to
Families, Couples and Individuals.
Typical Living Arrangements:
Group living
and Home-stays
Participants Travel to Uganda
Independently
Typically Participants Work
Independently
Post Services Include:
Alumni Network
i-to-i Volunteering's Mission Statement: i-to-i Volunteering provides unique opportunities for you to travel, work and volunteer abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 16 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations. With over 130 projects on 4 continents, across 22 countries you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching English, community development, conservation, home building, and working with animals.
Year Founded: 1994