SKIP- Supporting Kids In Peru

  Peru

• All Other Areas in Peru: 
Trujillo

Durations of Program: 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: August to December 2008

Description: A Typical day

As an English teacher to 6th graders you will be working mainly by yourself or in pairs with another volunteer in two different public schools SKIP has an agreement with in the local community. SKIP offers English tuition to these schools in return for decreased rates for SKIP kids to attend. Typically you will be working Monday to Friday, teaching 4 hours a day. Depending on the school, classes may be either in the morning afternoon or spread through both. Each class is 45 minutes long and is comprised of about 20 children who see the teachers once a week.

As an English teacher to secondary level 1st graders you will be working in pair with Peruvian teachers in two different public schools. Typically you will be working Monday to Friday, teaching 2 to 4 hours a day. Depending on the school, classes may be either in the afternoon or the morning. Each class is 45 minutes long and is comprised of about 40 children who see the teachers once a week.

For lunchtime, you are free to join the other volunteers for a meal in the community. Lunch is also available at very reasonable rates in Porvenir close to the office and there are also many other places to eat in town.

Depending on your schedule, some mornings or afternoons can either be free or be spent on an extra project. Some of our teachers like to join the afternoon tutoring sessions for children who need help with their homework. Others can also teach English to the kids of the program at the SKIP office on Friday afternoons.

During the school year many of SKIP´s activities take place at the weekends, as this is the only time when kids and parents are able to attend, and many volunteers choose to help out as this can often be some of the most rewarding experiences. Examples would be taking the kids surfing in nearby Huanchaco, or a camping trip in the mountains.

Highlights: Entertainment
If you want some time to visit surrounding areas during your stay you´re free to take weekends away, popular places to visit include Chicama, Chiclayo and Mancora, with some excellent opportunities for surfing.

SKIP volunteers also have the option of taking free Spanish classes at a local institute up to five times a week, an excellent opportunity to improve your skills and also meet other Peruvian students learning English. We can also recommend other places to learn Spanish.

Accommodation
We offer accommodation to our volunteers in a large, comfortable and secure house in Trujillo. To get to the city centre, you can either walk 20 minutes, take a taxi ($0,80 US / 2.50 soles) or use public transport (cheaper). Click here to visit! The rent includes:

* a furnished room ($ 70 to $180 US, depending if it's shared or private, with our without bathroom)
* hot shower (rare in Peru!)
* kitchen
* high-speed wireless Internet access
* weekly clean-up (giving employment to someone from El Porvenir)
* all utilities

Qualifications: From August to December 2008, we are looking for 4 English teacher volunteers to teach English in local public schools and at the SKIP office .

Your position
You will teach English to 6th graders in two different schools to prepare them for secondary school when they will formally learn the language. As well as teach secondary level 1st graders to complement their English studies from Peruvian teachers.

Spanish and teaching experience would be useful, but it is not essential. We have had volunteers with little or no Spanish ability helping other Spanish speaking teachers in class. However, if you give one-to-one classes to some children who have more problems and little support at home, Spanish is essential.
You might also give lessons to some of the teachers so they can continue after you leave.

SKIP provides a curriculum for teaching English that you are welcome to follow and a plan for making individual lessons. It will be necessary to spend some time each day, maybe half an hour to an hour, planning the next day's classes to ensure they run smoothly.

We encourage our volunteers to stay for at least a couple months, but we welcome applications from those who wish to stay shorter term as well. Please include in your application how many months you wish to volunteer as well as your level of Spanish.

Minimum Education: High School

Cost in US$: 320-430 per month

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Typical SKIP volunteers are current or recent students in all areas, looking to immerse themselves in Peruvian culture and language and to dedicate themselves to voluntary work. In return they will provide the children of Rio Seco, Trujillo with a quality, interesting English education. Volunteers must be patient, flexible and willing to work with reduced resources, relying more on creativity than tangible materials.

Age Range: 18 to 99

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Peru Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume

Supporting kids in Peru's Mission Statement: SKIP is a non-profit organization helping disadvantaged children to realize their right to an education. We work to promote quality education for economically-disadvantaged children in El Porvenir and foster the capacity of children and families to be the principal agents of change in their own lives. We work in partnership with families through holistic programs focusing on the educational, economic, emotional and social development of each child and family.

Year Founded: 2003