WHAT DOES THE PROJECT DO?
Although primary education is free, government schools are often substandard and overcrowded. In this country, only a small percentage of the children gain access to an adequate standard of education. Others are forced to rely on under-resourced and overstretched facilities.
The inability of students to attend school is affected by many factors, including poverty, overcrowded classrooms and family situations that keep older children at home to work or to care for younger siblings. Parents are often forced to work long, unsociable hours to avoid being forced into the shanty towns that surround the city, and this means that their children may often miss school.
You can give hope to the children of poor communities, helping to build their confidence and expand their horizons†while teaching them useful skills. You could be doing anything from dancing, singing, and playing games with children to helping communities†in a number of ways. You could be†helping out in the homes of families where both parents are out of the house for very long working days, there are so many ways that you can contribute and make a real and tangible difference to their day to day lives. In return you will constantly be†building on your Spanish skills by interacting with native speakers on an everyday basis and brushing up on your conversational ability and fluency.
WHAT WILL I BE DOING?
The advantages of a community project like this is that you are intimately involved in working with and helping disadvantaged members of the local community, and you will quickly become immersed and engrossed in the development and education programmes as you carry out tasks which may include helping children with homework, or preparing meals for those whose parents are forced to work long hours.
You may also have the chance to use your†initiative to create some activities, getting the children involved in sporting and artistic projects, or working alongside staff in health and awareness campaigns for the hardworking local women. While engaging in this worthwhile work you will be learning Spanish and getting the chance to practice it daily.