volunteer
Quetzaltenango – Learn Spanish and volunteer in Guatemala
Dear Sir/Madam,
We would like to invite the students / employees of your college / university / organization to enhance their learning, whilst experiencing life in Guatemala. Specifically, we are targeting:
· those who want to learn Spanish with native speakers and other students alike
· those who wish to combine this learning with voluntary work experience
· gap-year students of any discipline seeking a voluntary internship within a development organization.
Briefly, INEPAS was founded in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala in 1994 as a self-sustaining non-profit organization. It is fully recognized by the Guatemalan government for performing a range of social, legal, and humanitarian projects within the framework of developing rural communities in and around Quetzaltenango. INEPAS functions solely with the help of national and international volunteers who offer their support, professional talent and work experience in diverse fields.
INEPAS has received official recognition from UNESCO. Its first social project, the foundation and construction of a rural school in the Maya-K’iché community of Choquiac was designated by UNESCO as exemplary for other organizations that work on similar projects. INEPAS generates the necessary funds for its social aid programs through its Spanish language school, thus remaining self-sustaining and non-partisan. We offer a variety of options for individuals wishing to learn Spanish:
The Language Immersion Program: for those whose primary aim is to learn Spanish.
This is tailored to meet the needs of the individual, comprising of structured, intensive one-to-one tuition daily. Daily socio-cultural activities are arranged according to the interests of the students, including visits to local villages, trips to areas of natural beauty, films, sports and conferences on various aspects of Guatemalan life.
The Service Learning Program: for those who wish to learn Spanish in the context of voluntary work.
Voluntary Internships: both in Social Projects and as an International Co-ordination Assistant. More information about these can be found on our website.
As a non profit-making organization, we rely heavily on independent sources of promotion and would therefore greatly appreciate your displaying of this letter, trifold and poster in an appropriate place. Thank you for taking the time to read this and in anticipation of your immensely important support.
If you would like to receive more information about our organization, please visit our website at www.inepas.org or contact us at info@inepas.org
Yours Sincerely,
María Antonieta Ixcoteyac Velásquez,
General Coordinator, INEPAS
Upcoming Workshops and Volunteer Opportunities with the Indigenous Health Garden
Upcoming Workshops and Volunteer Opportunities
- Wednesday March 3rd, 1:00-4:00PM: Garden Volunteer Session
- Wednesday March 9th, 1:00-4:00PM: Garden Volunteer Session
- Wednesday March 16th, 1:00-4:00PM: Garden Volunteer Session
- Wednesday March 24th, 1:00-4:00PM: Garden Volunteer Session
- Thursday March 31st, 1:00-4:00PM: Garden Volunteer Session
- Tuesday March 29th: Feast Bowl community meal hosting the Longhouse Student Lunch (info session about Indigenous Programs at UBC Farm)
How to volunteer for garden sessions: we work in the garden rain or shine, so come dressed for the weather. We have extra rain boots, gardening tools, and gloves to share. Bring a snack and water bottle – bring friends and family (of any age) too! No experience necessary. You will find us in the Indigenous Health Garden at the UBC Farm. The most up-to-date directions to the UBC Farm can be found here. Once at the Farm, you can follow the “Aboriginal Health Gardens” signs or follow this map to find our garden.
How to volunteer for the Feast Bowl: if you are new to the Feast Bowl, please fill out our volunteer sign-up form online so we can get to know you a bit better! Join us at the UBC First Nations Longhouse (1985 West Mall) at or after 9:30AM to help us harvest or cook, or 12:30PM to eat lunch with us. Extra help from any age or skill level is always appreciated, especially in the kitchen. If you can only join us for lunch, we encourage you to come anyway and we look forward to sharing a delicious meal with you!
Note: if you plan to bring a large group, please let us know ahead of time at hannah.lewis@ubc.ca.
Volunteer Chaperones Wanted: Kirkness Science Camp
Volunteers chaperons wanted: Evenings of May 15th to morning of May 20th
Kirkness Science Camp will be hosting about 16 Aboriginal students from across Canada at UBC May 16th to 20th. They are looking for about 4 volunteer chaperons to joins from about 4:30 to 9:30 am in the morning. This will mean lodging with students at Vanier for the week. It will include meals for the week and lodging. The days for the volunteers will be free to enjoy at beautiful UBC Vancouver campus. Volunteers must be 21 or older and fill out a criminal records check form (through Kirkness there will be no charge for the criminal check form to the volunteer).
Please contact Carolyn Kenny with questions. See more about the camp here: http://www.vernajkirkness.org/
Upcoming workshops and volunteer opportunities with The Indigenous Health Research & Education Garden
Upcoming workshops and volunteer opportunities with
The Indigenous Health Research & Education Garden
- Wednesday June 3rd, 1:30-4:30PM: Garden volunteer session
- Saturday June 13th, 10:00AM-12:30PM: Salve Making Medicine Workshop (space is limited, please RSVP to hannah.lewis@ubc.ca)
- Wednesday June 24th: Feast Bowl community meal at the UBC Longhouse
- Tuesday July 21st, 2:00-4:00PM: Tea Harvesting Medicine Workshop (space is limited, please RSVP to hannah.lewis@ubc.ca)
- Wednesday July 29th: Feast Bowl community meal at the UBC Longhouse
- Tuesday August 25th, 4:00-6:00PM: Tea Making Medicine Workshop (space is limited, please RSVP to hannah.lewis@ubc.ca)
- Wednesday August 26th: Feast Bowl community meal at the UBC Farm
- Tuesday September 29th, 3:00-5:00PM: Tobacco Pipe Mix Making Medicine Workshop (space is limited, please RSVP to hannah.lewis@ubc.ca)
- Wednesday September 30th: Feast Bowl community meal at the UBC Longhouse
How to volunteer for garden volunteer sessions: we work in the garden rain or shine, so come dressed for the weather. We have extra rain boots, gardening tools, and gloves to share. Bring a snack and water bottle – bring friends and family (of any age) too! No experience necessary. You will find us in the Indigenous Health Garden at the UBC Farm. The most up-to-date directions to the UBC Farm can be found here. Once at the Farm, you can follow the “Aboriginal Health Gardens” signs to find our garden here.
How to volunteer for the Feast Bowl: join us at the UBC First Nations Longhouse (1985 West Mall) at or after 9:30AM to help us harvest or cook, or 12:30PM to eat lunch with us. Extra help from any age or skill level is always appreciated, especially in the kitchen. If you can only join us for lunch, we encourage you to come anyway and we look forward to sharing a delicious meal with you!
Note: if you plan to bring a large group, please let us know ahead of time at hannah.lewis@ubc.ca.
Job – Volunteer Mentor Opportunities, Dogwood 25 Aboriginal Youth Mentorship Program
There are currently opportunities for group mentorship, one-to-one, one time workshop facilitation and more. As a volunteer mentor you will receive ongoing training and support. Placements in the program are based on mentor/mentee skills, interest and availability.
Hours are flexible and locations are variable 🙂 We ask if you are interested in:
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the group mentorship: Commit for once per week for up to 3 hours, or twice a month (depending on location and school community needs)
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the one-to-one mentorship: Commit for twice a month for 2- 3 hours
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workshop facilitation: sessions are based on your availability, participant interest, and themes, aim for a min of 1 – 3 hours
We currently have opportunities in:
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In-class tutoring/class work support (Alternate School)
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Mondays 5 – 7pm (Elementary/High School Group Program)
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Wednesdays 3 – 4pm (Afterschool homework/tutoring)
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Wednesdays 5 – 7 (High School Group Program)
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Homework/Tutoring in both Elementary/High School:
- Math
- Science
- Chemistry
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Girls/Boys Groups (One week night or Sundays)
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Facilitation on Leadership, Student Success, Fitness and Sport, Life Skills, Arts, Culture, and Transitioning to Post Secondary
I have attached a program poster, brochure and mentor registration form, however, if preferred the application can be completed online: http://goo.gl/forms/1p9ZlZHKee
You can also find the Dogwood 25 Society in the news: http://www.straight.com/news/772451/dogwood-25-society-mentors-guide-native-kids
UNYA Mentorship and Kinnections Programs Seek Volunteers
Urban Native Youth Association’s (UNYA) Mentorship and Kinnections Programs Seek Volunteers
UNYA is seeking volunteer mentors to engage in meaningful and supportive mentorships with Aboriginal youth, as part of its Mentorship and Kinnections programs. Volunteer mentors must be able to relate well to youth, pass a criminal record check, and commit to 2 to 4 hours per week for a minimum of 1 year. This is an excellent opportunity to gain volunteer experience working with youth.
To learn more about the Mentorship Program and how to apply, contact mentorship@unya.bc.ca or click here.
To learn more about the Kinnections Program, contact kinnections@unya.bc.ca or click here.
Source: The Talking Stick: News and Information from the First Nations Longhouse, November 10, 2014
