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Unidas para Vivir Mejor Calle
Principal, E-mail: upavim@itelgua.com Telelphone: |
| Para pedir un catalogo de la artesenia de UPAVIM, comuniquese con Mary
Joan Ferrara-Marsland tlf/fax (301) 515-5911 |
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The women of UPAVIM decided to start a tutoring program with the help of two international volunteers in 1992 to help the scholarship children who were having trouble in school. Those who study in the morning can attend the tutoring center, called Reforzamiento, in the afternoon and those who go to school in the afternoon can attend Reforzamiento in the morning. Students in grades 1st through 6th may attend one-hour sessions three times a week for targeted help with math, Spanish, and science. Children who cannot affored to attend school also receive classes, normally in the mornings when the ceenter is less crowded. These students require special attention and effort, and one of the most rewarding and difficult experience of working in the reforzamiento is getting to know and love children who are being denied their basic rights to education and live in difficult conditions. Scholarship students in Basico (7th, 8th, 9th grade) are required to volunteer with the program by tutoring or preparing materials for these sessions. The classroom also serves as an area for students to complete their homework assignments anytime of the day, read or do research invesigations in the library. On Saturday mornings, all the students are invited to participate in extracurricular activities such as games, sports and art projects. During 2002, a group of teenagers who receeive scholarships started the Group UNE, and have meetings in the tutoring center to plan community service projects or events for the chilren. During vacation (October to January), the program becomes more of a summer camp, focusing on activities such as theater, athletics, games, art, and reading. The tutoring progarm also helps with special cases, such as children who cannot attend school because of physical disabilities. |
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The tutoring program relies exclusively on the time and energy of volunteers. One of the greatest miracles at UPAVIM is that the reforzamiento has had a continuous international presence of 2 or more volunteers for more than seven years. We work together as a team along with the women of UPAVIM to create a space for mutual growth and support. We have enjoyed volunteers from many countries including the United States, Canada, Germany, Denmark, Holland, and Scotland, and most have found their experience demanding but extremely rewarding. Volunteers spend their time working with the children and preparing lessons. Materials are limited, however, a classroom, a Macintosh computer with educational software, a small library, and school supplies are available. As well as the actual tutoring, volunteers make home visits, meet with the scholarship committee periodically, and coordinate the work schedules and tutoring responsibilities of the basico students. They also meet with the principals and teachers in the three schools located in La Esperanza to help decide which students need to be involved in the program, find out what the different classes are learning, and facilitate good relations between UPAVIM and the schools. Although running the program requires much from the individual, many have found room in the program for their own creativity and interests. For example, different volunteers have organized English classes for both the students and UPAVIM women and athletic events. The program is constantly improving through the special talents and ideas of volunteers. All together, these responsibilities consume eight hours of work per day during the week and every other Saturday (depending on the number of volunteers). Working and living in a developing country demands a lot of energy, which is something that needs to be considered before making a commitment to UPAVIM. The rewards for this kind of work are the new friendships, insights into another culture, career skills, and the many other learning experiences that you will gain here
Practical considerations for the prospective volunteers Room and Board: As a volunteer you have some options concerning your food and accomodations while working with UPAVIM. Three rooms with bunk beds, a communal kitchen, and a bathroom are located in the UPAVIM center specifically for volunteers, and are available free of charge (as available). Lunch is provided on weekdays. Volunteers living in the building are responsible for their own morning and evening food, obtained from the many small stores in the community or a larger grocery store a short bus-ride away. Depending on what you prefer to eat, food costs around $20 per week. Living at UPAVIM requires that each volunteer clean the communal bathroom, kitchen, and their personal room. Another housing option is to live with a family in the community, which often includes morning and evening meals and costs around $100 a month. The quality of accommodations, in regards to construction, space, privacy, plumbing, and hot water, of course, vary. Language Skills: A conversational level of Spanish is necessary to be effective in communicating with the women at UPAVIM and the students in Reforzamiento. Volunteers who do not have an adequate background in Spanish are required to attend language school before volunteering with UPAVIM. There are many language schools throughout Guatemala costing between $100 to $120 per week, which usually includes one-on-one instruction, accomodations with families, and sometimes extra activities (conferences, movies, etc.) We can help you find a language school that fits your needs. Free Time: Volunteers receive Sunday, usually every other weekend, and the occasional holiday off. Since we are on the outskirts of Guatemala City, it is only a matter of a short bus ride to reach good restaurants, museums, the zoo, and movie tickets. Past volunteers have also assembled information about places to travel around the country. Friendships with community members provide opportunities for meals or other leisure time activities. Safety: Although many volunteers have had little problem, others have been robbed or harassed both in and out of the community. As an urban environment suffering from many social ills, crime does happen in La Esperanza. UPAVIM's building is locked, equipped with an alarm, and surrounded by a wall and barbed wire. Volunteers are asked to use common sense concerning their safety and are required to defer to the judgement of UPAVIM's governing board in regards to specific issues. If common sense is used you can expect few problems. With the rewards of working with children and young people also comes responsibility. The students look to the volunteers as role models, especially since they are often difficult to find in other aspects of their lives. For this reason, volunteers are not permitted to smoke in the community. You have the potential to make a great impact on childrens' lives. Please keep this in mind, as well as the fact that your actions can have consequences for UPAVIM. Thank you for your interest, and we hope you will apply to work with us in our struggle for a better life.
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