Project Overview:
The educational day centre is located in a shanty town called El Milagro, where its marginalized residents live in (or so close to) the garbage dump. Plenty of small kids are collectors and have no better future but to “swim” in the middle of the landfill to find a piece of carbon, plastic or glass to be sell to local recycling companies.
The main goal of the program is to give children who live in the shanty town El Milagro a good and free chance to pursue a technical career, so that they could acquire better opportunities in life.
After 7 years of operation, the educational day centre managed to set up an interventional strategy in the daily life of over 130 youngsters and give them free vocational trainings in Bakery, Pastry, Photography, Cuisine, and Jewellery
Once students finish a three month cycle paired with entrepreneurship and business classes, they will acquire a skill in one category and an official certificate (by the Peruvian Ministry of Work) so they can get a micro credit loan (up to 1, 000 soles) to start up their own small business.
As a consequence of its tiny budget for operations, even when the educational day centre belongs to an international NGO, they’re always hunting for teaching assistants to work with large groups of kids- up to 90 at the time involved in the work training programs. They also expect volunteers to organize group activities for youngest and also teach them English, Sports and Arts.
Volunteer Roles/ Working Hours
Main volunteer task is assisting the main teacher, and also helping out with anything needed by the staff:
- Assisting the main teacher in everything required while making sure the children are focusing on workshops.
- Leading the English, Arts and Sports workshops, assuring it children attend to them undeviating.
- Helping children with their homework and encouraging them to do it all.
- Organizing extra activities and games for the good amusing of children.
The centre is open during most of the year (from March to mid-December). Volunteers can work there from Monday to Sunday- in the mornings (09:30am till 12:30pm) or in the afternoons (15:00pm till 17:30pm). However they can give you a different timetable based on seasonal needs. Ask us in advance.
Volunteer Requirements
- Spanish Level to Start Project: Higher Intermediate
- Time Commitment: Min. 6 weeks
- Minimum Age: 20 years
- Empathetic, Responsible and Strong personality
- Genuine interest in working with children
- Relevant academic & professional experience are desirable
You can also help by buying bracelets from this website made by the kids of El Milagro.
