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Youth Challenge International (YCI) is recruiting a team of six volunteers between the ages of 18 and 30 with diverse skills, experiences and backgrounds for a five-week youth development project in Guatemala from January 11 to February 15, 2010.

Volunteers must be either Canadian or American citizens, landed immigrants or permanent residents.

This exciting opportunity will include a pre-project distance-learning program, followed by an intensive five-week placement in Guatemala. While in Guatemala, you will work with Reto Juvneil Internacional, YCI’s partner, and Scideco/ La Florida to further the reach and relevance of their youth development programs.

KEY PROJECT ACTIVITIES:

1. Support the community in furthering an ecotourism project in La Florida:
* Promote Earth Charter principles and environmental education by conducting information sessions on the Earth Charter
* Collaborate with local community members, ecotourism businesses and other stakeholders

2. Mobilize young people and conduct basic literacy and ESL training for local youth

3. Facilitate local youth involvement in program activities with a particular emphasis on leadership development and peer-to-peer education

4. Mainstream gender equality into all program activities

5. Respond to community defined needs by collaborating to design and implement local development initiatives.

RECOMMENDED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
• Experience in facilitation and community mobilization, preferably with youth
• Background in development, social science, physical education, teaching, nursing, health sciences or gender studies
• Training, experience or interest in international development, program development, monitoring and evaluation
• Previous experience teaching English or literacy
• Experience working with at-risk, marginalized and/or indigenous populations
• Training in gender issues; proven effectiveness in cross-cultural settings
• Prior overseas experience an asset.

FUNDRAISING GOAL:
YCI’s volunteer participants are required to fundraise and/or contribute a minimum of $3,000 to contribute to YCI’s global youth development programs worldwide.

WHAT’S COVERED BY YCI:
• Preparatory support and pre-project distance learning
• In-country training
• Modest local accommodations and food
• In-country work-related travel
• Comprehensive medical and evacuation insurance

WHAT’S NOT COVERED:
• Airfare and personal expenses
• Travel insurance
• Participants will be expected obtain the required vaccinations and take anti-malarials at their own expense

Please apply online using YCI's online application form available at http://www.yci.org/html/programs/overview/applynow.asp

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