About the Program
The foundation for a good education begins at the early childhood level. Early childhood systems in the Caribbean have been going through several changes over the last 10 years as gradually improvements are being made to ensure that each child has a solid start. However, the resources remain very limited and the support from volunteers to assist with teaching and learning is critical to improving this system. This then impacts the primary education system where there are low literacy and numeracy rates in a number of schools; levels that are unacceptably high. Teaching volunteers can work in different schools with varying age groups; early childhood institutions (3-6 years), primary school (6-12 years), primary and junior high schools and high schools (12-18 years).
Your role as a volunteer is to offer support to teachers primarily in English and Mathematics but you may also be able to assist with other subjects such as art, dance, drama, history, social studies, geography, French and Spanish dependent on your skill sets and the needs of the schools. You will assist a teacher with preparing lesson plans and charts, educational games, small workshops and facilitate lessons that are interactive and fun. You may also be given an opportunity to teach the children about your culture as they are always fascinated by this.
Volunteers will also be involved in monthly outreach activities providing services and support to children.
The Location
The project is located in or close to the town of Mandeville - Jamaica, normally 10-15 minutes away from the town centre. The school are early childhood or primary schools operated by the government.
Safety and Support
Traveling in and around the Caribbean is safe, but like anywhere in the world, there are just some basic travel and safety tips you should follow.
Your safety is our number one priority. We ensure that programmes, projects, accommodations and communities are safe for our volunteers to work and live by conducting risk assessments and preparing risk management and safety plans. We provide a detailed orientation the day after arrival which includes the necessary safety tips. Background and reference checks of staff, host families and volunteers are completed. We have first aid qualified staff and proper emergency response planning.
As a responsible provider of volunteer placement opportunities, we ensure that we provide information and support about safety and security to our volunteers. With our risk management and safety plans across programmes and countries, we take a comprehensive approach and provide volunteers with the relevant knowledge needed for them to keep safe, secure and healthy while volunteering on our programmes.
Before leaving home our staff will provide safety tips and information to volunteers. On arrival there is a comprehensive one day orientation that further helps to prepare volunteers for their experience. It covers a wide range of topics that allows the volunteer to understand the local culture, programme objectives, expectations, health and safety and other key elements. All host families and programme partners are required to adhere to the risk management and safety plans. The plan guides the identification, assessment, analysis, mitigation of all risks associated with each programme and procedure of our organization.
Our team is available 24-hours each day to provide support to volunteers if the need arises.
Travel Tips
Volunteers will travel by taxi to and from their projects. On orientation day a staff member will travel with you on a taxi and show you the route and how to find your taxi area. While traveling around we advise that you take only the registered taxis which are clearly marked. We also recommend that you:
Early Childhood
08:30am - 09:00am - Devotion
09:30am - 10:30am - Teaching subjects (English, Mathematics, Spelling, Art, Music)
10:30am - 11:00am - Break and Playtime
11:00am - 12:30pm - Stimulation activities
12:30pm - 01:15pm - Lunch and Playtime
01:15pm - 02:00pm - Preparing lesson plans
Primary School
08:30am - 09:00am - Devotion
09:30am - 10:30am - Teaching subjects (English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Geography, Art, History)
10:30am - 11:00am - Break and Playtime
11:00am - 12:30pm - Teaching subjects (English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Geography, Art, History)
12:30pm - 01:15pm - Lunch and Playtime
01:15pm - 02:00pm - Preparing lesson plans
It is not only about work, although that is important. Once per week we coordinate a social and cultural event for you. You get to learn more about the culture of the island by learning patois (the local language), dancing to the sweet reggae and dancehall music, cooking delicious meals and exploring other aspects of the truly unique Jamaican culture. On the weekends you can explore other parts of the island such as the waterfalls, rivers, beautiful beaches, rustic countryside, mountain climbing - as you will be chilling in Caribbean.
Volunteer fees covers the following:
Two weeks before arrival the volunteer will receive by email the name and picture of the driver who will be picking them up at the airport. The driver will have a sign and special instructions will be in email sent. The volunteer will be picked up after exiting the airport, just outside the arrival area. The volunteer can arrive either at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston or the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay. The travel time from Kingston is 2 hours and from Montego Bay 3 hours.
Staying with a Caribbean family allows you to experience the true hospitality and warmth of islanders. Think about how nice it will be to live with a Caribbean family, eat home cooked meals, listen to the accents and become a part of the family and the community. This will be a priceless part of the experience; authentic cultural immersion. You will feel the vibe and connection to the family and the community – join us, Respond...Discover...Change Lives.
Each host family is carefully selected. A staff member visits the home and completes an assessment survey which takes into consideration safety, basic amenities (running water, electricity), proper sanitation, sufficient ventilation, adequate storage and a family-friendly atmosphere. Once the standards are met, a background check is done of all persons in the household and if everything is satisfactory the host family is provided with an orientation, a host family manual and then begins hosting volunteers. There is a quarterly visit to the host family to ensure standards are being maintained.
Living with a Caribbean family is your home away from home. You will become a member of your family, experiencing the camaraderie, humor, support and social activities that define Caribbean family life. Volunteers are encouraged to participate in family activities such as going to the beach, visiting other family members, playing games.
A month before your arrival your host family is provided with details about you so they can fully prepare for your visit. Host families are usually located within 15-45 minutes of your program or project. Your host family will prepare your breakfast and dinner but you are responsible for doing your laundry and keeping your room and bathroom clean.
You may not want to leave after you have met your Caribbean family – so Respond…and come to the Caribbean to Discover and Change Lives.
For individual volunteers you will live with a host family. Groups can live with a host family or at hostel/hotel. Note that the price quoted is for host family and hostel/hotel request is done on a case by case basis.
Breakfast options include typical Caribbean breakfast dishes such as fried fritters, fried dumplings, breadfruit, bread, callaloo, ackee and saltfish, steamed vegetables, porridge or light options such as fruit, cereal, toast, coffee and tea. Vegetarian and vegan options are also available.
Dinner options include chicken (fried, baked, stew, curried, jerk), fish, mutton, beef, pork along with plain rice, rice and peas, yam, boiled banana, potatoes, steamed or raw vegetables and a drink. Vegetarian and vegan options are also available.
Volunteers can note any special dietary requirement and this will be accommodated.
Assistant Teacher at Local Schools
Help to improve literacy and numeracy by children at a school or in a community.
$494/week
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