I have come to Peru to visit our childcare and teaching projects in Huaraz and Arequipa. My first stop was to the Ancash Region, where I visited our Community Education project in the heart of the Cordillera Blana mountain range.
Becky, Placement Manager
The Community Education project was established in 2006 to support a low income area in Huaraz where many children were struggling to achieve in the school system. Yuri, the director of the school has devoted his life to improving the education levels in his home town and he is supported by a full time Peruvian teacher, Mariela, and local and international volunteers.
The project encourages a holistic approach to education combining homework tuition, emotional well- being classes, recreational activities and daily nutritious meals in a family orientated environment. There are approximately 35 children that attend the school as a voluntary addition to their education at local school.
My time at the Community Education project
In the mornings the secondary students arrive around 9am, there are 15 students who attend regularly and others who visit when they can. On arrival they immediately sit down to do their homework, some of the children request help from the teachers and volunteers and others are able to complete their work independently, I was very impressed by the work ethic of the students. For many of the children this is the only time they will be able to access the resources they need to do their homework; computer and internet access for research, colour pens and paper and text/reference books. At around 11am the school prepares a healthy snack, yogurt or oat based drinks and sandwiches, before the children brush their teeth and head off for secondary school.
From 12pm-3pm volunteers have a break, some choose to eat out over the break or head back to the apartment for food, this is a good time for lesson planning but siestas are also popular!
At 3pm the Primary School children arrive, there are around 20 regular attendees of primary school age and they attend various schools across the city in the morning. This rag tag bunch are a little cheekier than the older Secondary students but I was just as impressed with how eager they were to get working, most students produce their homework as soon as they arrive. The younger children need more support and attention in the afternoon and English, Maths and Writing are the most common homework types – my 12 times tables were challenged more than once! When they finish their homework they are given activities from the volunteers, this can be worksheets, educational games or even just an extension of their school work! At around 4:30/5pm recréo begins and depending on the schedule this involves a trip to the park, games or a film. Finally they too receive their nutritional snack and brush their teeth before heading home.
The role of the Community Education project in Huaraz
The children attending the school come from a variety of backgrounds but all are from families of very low income. Most children are cared for by one parent oranother family member and issues such as alcoholism, neglect, malnutrition, teenage pregnancy and in some cases family violence can be common. The children often come from families where the importance of education is not recognised and where they may receive little support and attention in the family home. The role of the school is to change this, to provide the children with one-on-one attention, educational and emotional support and change the families perspective on the importance of school. The Community Education project works in collaboration with their families, having regular parent meetings and encouraging sibling groups to attend. They provide the educational support, food, tooth brushes, day trips and occasional clothing donations free of charge to the families.
The community school also has a number of ‘graduates’ who return to mentor younger children; one is studying Engineering in Huaraz and the other is a trainee chef in the city and frequently comes back to cook for the children as part of the nutrition project. These students act as fantastic role models for the current students.
Over the past year volunteers have contributed to the school with a number of new projects at the school;
The continuation of these projects however relies on future volunteers. The Community Education project does not require teaching experience but a passion for working with children and embracing education is essential. Similarly Spanish is not a requirement but your interaction with the children increases with each word that you learn. Spanish speaking volunteers are a great asset to the project but if you are a beginner don’t worry, the children love to chat regardless and the project team can help you book Spanish lessons at the volunteer apartment with Ethel a local teacher. I personally speak very little Spanish but found I learnt new words from the children every day!
My time in Huaraz
My stay here was only five days however the team here were very eager to ensure I experience all Huaraz, and Peru, has to offer. On the Peruvian “to-do” list, I ticked off cerviche (fish in lime juice), lomo saltado (Peruvian beef stir fry), pisco sours (the notorious cocktail), poncho and picarones (hot sweet milk drink and dohnuts) and Inca Cola (a neon soft drink). Every morning I have been amazed by the beautiful mountains on the horizon and on my final day I was very pleased to be able to get out and see the views properly - thanks to Fiona and Lacy my guides!
If working with children in Peru is something that interests you then you can read more about the project on the following page:www.podvolunteer.org/Teaching/community-education-peru.html or book through GiveGo Travel here http://www.givegotravel.co.uk/peru-community-education-volunteering.html
Becky, Placement Manager
The Community Education project was established in 2006 to support a low income area in Huaraz where many children were struggling to achieve in the school system. Yuri, the director of the school has devoted his life to improving the education levels in his home town and he is supported by a full time Peruvian teacher, Mariela, and local and international volunteers.
The project encourages a holistic approach to education combining homework tuition, emotional well- being classes, recreational activities and daily nutritious meals in a family orientated environment. There are approximately 35 children that attend the school as a voluntary addition to their education at local school.
My time at the Community Education project
In the mornings the secondary students arrive around 9am, there are 15 students who attend regularly and others who visit when they can. On arrival they immediately sit down to do their homework, some of the children request help from the teachers and volunteers and others are able to complete their work independently, I was very impressed by the work ethic of the students. For many of the children this is the only time they will be able to access the resources they need to do their homework; computer and internet access for research, colour pens and paper and text/reference books. At around 11am the school prepares a healthy snack, yogurt or oat based drinks and sandwiches, before the children brush their teeth and head off for secondary school.
From 12pm-3pm volunteers have a break, some choose to eat out over the break or head back to the apartment for food, this is a good time for lesson planning but siestas are also popular!
At 3pm the Primary School children arrive, there are around 20 regular attendees of primary school age and they attend various schools across the city in the morning. This rag tag bunch are a little cheekier than the older Secondary students but I was just as impressed with how eager they were to get working, most students produce their homework as soon as they arrive. The younger children need more support and attention in the afternoon and English, Maths and Writing are the most common homework types – my 12 times tables were challenged more than once! When they finish their homework they are given activities from the volunteers, this can be worksheets, educational games or even just an extension of their school work! At around 4:30/5pm recréo begins and depending on the schedule this involves a trip to the park, games or a film. Finally they too receive their nutritional snack and brush their teeth before heading home.
The role of the Community Education project in Huaraz
The children attending the school come from a variety of backgrounds but all are from families of very low income. Most children are cared for by one parent oranother family member and issues such as alcoholism, neglect, malnutrition, teenage pregnancy and in some cases family violence can be common. The children often come from families where the importance of education is not recognised and where they may receive little support and attention in the family home. The role of the school is to change this, to provide the children with one-on-one attention, educational and emotional support and change the families perspective on the importance of school. The Community Education project works in collaboration with their families, having regular parent meetings and encouraging sibling groups to attend. They provide the educational support, food, tooth brushes, day trips and occasional clothing donations free of charge to the families.
The community school also has a number of ‘graduates’ who return to mentor younger children; one is studying Engineering in Huaraz and the other is a trainee chef in the city and frequently comes back to cook for the children as part of the nutrition project. These students act as fantastic role models for the current students.
Over the past year volunteers have contributed to the school with a number of new projects at the school;
- Nutrition Project
- Paso a Paso – Step by Step
- Maths Progress Reports
The continuation of these projects however relies on future volunteers. The Community Education project does not require teaching experience but a passion for working with children and embracing education is essential. Similarly Spanish is not a requirement but your interaction with the children increases with each word that you learn. Spanish speaking volunteers are a great asset to the project but if you are a beginner don’t worry, the children love to chat regardless and the project team can help you book Spanish lessons at the volunteer apartment with Ethel a local teacher. I personally speak very little Spanish but found I learnt new words from the children every day!
My time in Huaraz
My stay here was only five days however the team here were very eager to ensure I experience all Huaraz, and Peru, has to offer. On the Peruvian “to-do” list, I ticked off cerviche (fish in lime juice), lomo saltado (Peruvian beef stir fry), pisco sours (the notorious cocktail), poncho and picarones (hot sweet milk drink and dohnuts) and Inca Cola (a neon soft drink). Every morning I have been amazed by the beautiful mountains on the horizon and on my final day I was very pleased to be able to get out and see the views properly - thanks to Fiona and Lacy my guides!
If working with children in Peru is something that interests you then you can read more about the project on the following page:www.podvolunteer.org/Teaching/community-education-peru.html or book through GiveGo Travel here http://www.givegotravel.co.uk/peru-community-education-volunteering.html
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