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The Mobile School is a tool to teach children who are not served by a school system, helping them with the goal of getting them to enter into the public educational system. We also educate children who are already in school, reinforcing what they learn through their traditional education. Teaching on the streets of Santa Elena, the Mobile School presents educational material in a lively and engaging manner. We aim not only to educate, but also to have fun! We help raise the children’s self-esteem by teaching them that they are valued members of their communities. The core themes with the Mobile School are literacy, mathematics, creative therapy, healthcare education and human rights. We are also able to create our own educational themes. Clean water conservation and waste/pollution awareness are two examples of such themes. Background: Santa Elena is a town which is growing far too quickly for infrastructural services to keep up. The existing school systems are overpopulated, which keeps them from reaching their full potential of quality education. As a result of the poor quality of education, children have little motivation to continue attendance, and many children drop out at a very early age. The problem is aggravated by the rising numbers of “invasions.” Located in the outskirts of Santa Elena these are residential zones of poor and landless families. The families come to Santa Elena looking for improved lives for their children and better economic opportunities. These invasions often do not have basic infrastructure. Electricity, running water, and sewage are unlikely to be found, and the children who live there are often not served by an education system. The Mobile School visits children in these three groups on a regular basis. Peace Village Foundation’s Mobile School Program focuses on three groups of children: those who have dropped out of the traditional school system, the local indigenous communities, and the children who live in poorer settlements on the outskirts of Santa Elena.

ACTIVITIES CAN INCLUDE:
• Helping to plan and prepare the classes, and regular maintenance of the Mobile School
• Assisting in the movement of the Mobile School to street locations in Santa Elena and to other communities
• Helping to teach literacy, math, creative therapy, healthcare education, children's rights and other topics
• Assist with supervising sport, recreational and development activities, organizing special events
• Helping with Mobile School administration work: Reports, Statistics, general planning, documentation

REQUIREMENTS:
No previous experience or special skills are required, but participants need to be enthusiastic, willing to learn, ready for a challenge and have a desire to work with children. Friendliness, care, commitment and patience are among important qualities. Take delight in the children’s progress through interaction and play, as well as the charming nature of the bonds formed between children and volunteers. Some knowledge of Spanish language would be advantageous. You do not necessarily need to have previous teaching experience. Staff and other volunteers will support you when you start teaching. A typical volunteer with this program comes without a lot of previous experience but has a number of ideas and enthusiasm, takes initiative and dedicates a lot of caring and passion to the position. However, Volunteers with experience are strongly encouraged to apply.

AVAILABILITY:
Ongoing throughout the whole year

TYPICAL VOLUNTEER:
A typical volunteer/intern needs to be enthusiastic, willing to learn, ready for a challenge, has a desire to take initiative and dedicates a lot of caring and passion to the position. Friendliness, care, commitment and patience are among important qualities. We welcome individual volunteers, families and groups regardless of age, experience or background. You don't have to speak fluent Spanish as we provide full support and 24 hour back-up from our local staff. Volunteers and interns are the driving force of Peace Villages' work, both through their volunteering and through their financial contributions. Volunteering with us is a great opportunity to work side by side with locals, learn new skills, study Spanish, and immerse oneself in the Latin and indigenous culture. The beauty in volunteering lies in the fact that you are not simply passing through as a tourist. You are interacting with the community, building relationships and making a positive impact. It is an experience that may well change your life!

Please fill online-application http://www.peacevillages.org/volunteering_application.htm