Tutoring Kindergarten and After School Programmes - Rasarit

  Romania

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months, 7-12 months, 1-2 years and over 2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks

Description: Rasarit is run by an international aid organisation called AMURTEL which began relief work in Romania with the fall of communism in 1989. In 1993, AMURTEL opened "Familia AMURTEL" a small family style children's home in the peaceful mountain village of Panatau.

AMURTEL also observed the social exclusion and stigmatization of special needs children, and opened Gradinita Rasarit (Rasarit Kindergarten) in Bucharest to promote the inclusive education of children with disabilities together with other children.

A total of two kindergartens were opened, utilizing Neo-humanist Education, which nurtures creativity, empathy, and ecological consciousness, providing a holistic play-way model of early childhood education in contrast to the more rigid Communist influenced approach commonly in use at the time.

Since then, AMURTEL has continued to diversify its activities and services, including the installation of a water-pipes system for the village of Panatau, the cultivation of fruits and vegetables to sustain the home, and the recent opening of an after-school center for 30 disadvantaged school ("Fountain of Hope").

1. English teacher / kindergarten assistant wanted:

*Provide an immersion English experience for kindergarten children by speaking exclusively in English with them and applying Neo-Humanist play-way language teaching methodology.

*An educational background in early childhood education, or experience in the field.

*Individualized self-study and guidance in Neo Humanist education will be provided.

*Driver's license is an advantage, but not necessary.

*Daily teaching program: 10 am 2 pm

Volunteer periods:
i. September December (4 months)
ii. February May (4 months)
iii. June August (3 months)
(the summer program includes developing a special "summer camp" program for the month of July, and assisting in yearly renovations in the month of August, and in an NHE seminar before the schools open).

2. Yearly renovations volunteers:
Every year the Bucharest kindergarten must be cleaned and repainted and decorated for the new year. Volunteers also mentor young people from the Panatau children's home that come to participate.

*Driver's license a definite advantage

*Work is physically challenging painting, repairing, etc in Bucharest summer heat so volunteers should be physically strong and healthy.

3. Fountain of Hope after school center extracurricular program assistant.

The Fountain of Hope afterschool center functions during the school year and accepts volunteers coming for short term (minimum 2 week) periods to elaborate extracurricular projects with the children, sharing a special talent or skill.

*Period: September- June.
*Program 10am - 3pm.

*Longer term volunteers may be accepted as English teachers

***For all volunteer positions, volunteers must contribute a weekly amount to help cover food costs 25 euros per week towards the collective food budget and 5 15 euros for personal extra expenses. You pay for flight, visa, and any recreational eating or traveling you do.

Highlights: Working with the children and seeing their faces light up with understanding and enthusiasm.

Qualifications: *Competence in English language
*An educational background in early childhood education, or experience in the field for Kindergarten position.
*Driver's license a definite advantage for yearly renovations volunteers

Cost in US$: 40 USD / week + 30 USD booking fee

Experience Required: yes

For the kindergarten teaching position, prior childcare work is requested. However no experience is required for volunteers wanting to help with the renovations or after school programme.

Age Range: 18+

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

Participants Travel to Romania Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

KIDS Worldwide's Mission Statement: Kids Worldwide seeks to improve the quality of life for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. We provide nurturing care and educational programmes based upon the universal concepts of Neo-Humanism, which are tailored to the needs of the children in our projects. We run orphanages as well as provide services to already established orphanages and childrens' projects (such as struggling primary schools and kindergartens) through our volunteer outreach programs. Our volunteer programs are notable in that we only request a small donation for food and accommodation that is paid directly to the project itself when the volunteer arrives.

Year Founded: 2003

KIDS Worldwide is a Ananda Marga Yoga & Meditation based organization. We do not require our participants to be of the same faith. Our volunteers will not be involved in religious proselytizing.