After School Program Volunteer Needed for 2025

Description of the Organization:

UPAVIM's mission is to empower women in the neighborhood of La Esperanza, located on the outskirts of Guatemala City, by giving them opportunities to economically support their families, while also providing services to improve the quality of life for the entire community.

Over the past 33 years, UPAVIM has grown from a small baby-weighing program to a women's cooperative employing over 100 local women and making handmade fair-trade crafts sold around the world. The proceeds from these crafts pay the women's salaries, fund UPAVIM's community health clinic, and fund UPAVIM's school, which includes a daycare, pre-school, and elementary school (K-6th). In addition, the organization manages the first public library in the neighborhood, offers free English classes and tutoring for all ages, and runs a bakery and soy factory to provide fresh and affordable goods to the community. Please find out more by visiting my website.

Overview: UPAVIM seeks a highly motivated after school program volunteer to co-facilitate our after school program with our Guatemalan teacher and team of volunteers. Our program services over 50 Children from kindergarten to 6th grade. The after school program works in conjunction with the UPAVIM School and other schools in the area to provide individualized tutoring services and lessons that enhance the public school curriculum of Guatemala.

Responsibilities:

• Co-teach a class for students five and six years old to introduce pre-reading and pre-math skills.
• Independently teach three reinforcement classes a day to 1st-6th graders to re-teach and enforce math and language topics learned in school.
• Develop curriculum and materials for the reinforcement classes in creative and engaging ways.
• Monitor and evaluate students' progress and needs and adapt lessons to these needs.
• Facilitate group and one-on-one tutoring sessions with students who are in need of additional help or are not attending school.
• Collaborate with the Guatemalan teacher regarding classes, schedule, and students' needs.
• Visit and follow up with schools to encourage students who need additional help to attend the after school program.
• Help plan field trips and extra curricular activities

Qualifications:

• Experience working with children of multiple ages, especially elementary school aged.
• Intermediate Spanish is a must. All classes are given in Spanish.
• Experience working in an after school program a plus.
• Ability to work in a multicultural setting.
• Well organized and able to adapt quickly.
• Fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
• Able to commit for 3 months to a year. There may be the possibility of a summer volunteer experience for students.
• Available between January and November.

Compensation: Volunteers stay in shared bedrooms on "the roof" with a beautiful garden overlooking the city and nearby volcanoes. Lunch is also provided from the UPAVIM kitchen Monday through Friday. Additionally the volunteer may use their time with UPAVIM for academic credit, fieldwork and research. Note: Volunteers are requested to contribute $40/week that goes towards internet and infrastructure costs for maintaining the volunteer housing.