Education is a fundamental human right. It promotes individual freedom and empowerment and yields important development benefits. Yet, millions of children remain deprived of educational opportunities, many because of poverty. This even holds true in a developed country like Spain.
The Youth Support project in Barcelona will introduce you to a world where education and social needs merge in a unique mission. It provides relevant developmental platforms for kids and youngsters who are at risk of social exclusion, unfortunately a result of their different origins and cultures. For us, as for the organizations we support. It is very important to inspire them day by day and uncover their potential, through education and creative activities.
Spanish children have access to school, but they lack support to continue their education and to follow their professional dreams. Our volunteers help different NGOs promoting several and diversified extra-curricular educational initiatives for underprivileged children and teenagers. The tasks of the volunteers can be designing and implementing completely new extra-curricular activities, support existing ones, teach a new sport, culture, language, instrument, game, arts and crafts or anything else the volunteer is good at.
As a volunteer, yo will work with non-profit entities involved in local schools and/or in after school centers, which focus on homework support and quality free time. The goal is to be a positive role model to kids and youngsters en encourage them to grow freely, conscious about themselves and inspired by the world.
What will be your role in all this? Common tasks include: assisting with homework, planning activities, helping with arts and crafts activities and attending to sport sessions. Moreover, you will be a great support to the local staff. You are also able to teach English in an informal way, mostly by interacting with kids and youngsters, improving their written and verbal skills and helping them understand the value of this international language (and the opportunities it gives for future self-development): this is one of the most important goals for this work.
The main objective of this program is to enrich the everyday life of kids and youngsters, helping them to understand their potential and support their education.
You will be part of a social hub where children should feel safe and stimulated with fun, respect and kindness. International volunteers are seen as a fundamental part of their experience.
This is a great chance for you to bring new perspectives and ideas to the projects and at the end of your experience you will be an impactful memory for all the young lives you touched.
Leave a mark in a child's life. Change their present, inspire them... and watch them bloom!
Some European countries have a long tradition of immigration, but un Spain it is a more recent phenomenon. In the past, Spain was more an emigrant country. but nowadays it is one of the most relevant destinations for migrant form Central and South America. One of the highest shares of migrant children under 15 years old is found in Spain, where they represent approximately 5% of the under-15 EU population.
A study looking at first and second generation immigrant children in Spain shows that parenting quality, rather than differences across schools or broader institutional factors, has the largest influence on educational outcomes and the level of disadvantage.
Due to this reality, there are still a lot of children left with little or no support from their families. Some simply do not recognize the importance of education, other may have problems with drug and alcohol addictions. The only place where the children can find support and motivation is in the organizations like ones we support, giving them positive alternatives for after-school education or for lunch-break educational dynamics.
Role of Social Organizations:
- Provide a safe and stable place to ho after or before school.
- Have a team of people with tools, able to give educational support and assistance, with important social and interpersonal skills.
- Give orientation to heighten their expectations for themselves and open up new possibilities for their future
- Provide programs based on different after-school activities - such as theater, sport, health, etc,. - where staff work as educators.
- Prepare specific classes and a non-formal environment that allows children with special learning difficulties to advance and grow.
- Create a space where kids have a "second family" and can learn how to trust and bond with other people, breaking through some emotional barriers.
The importance of the volunteers for the Organizations
1- Allow the organizations to improve their procedures, activities and events - more hands are always welcome.
2- Bring extra skills, knowledge, life and cultural experiences that motivate and enrich the children's perspectives for the future.
3- Bring fresh air, new ideas and innovation to the organizations, that are sometimes stuck in the every day routine.
4- Improve the English skills of children and organization staff
5- Allow their staff to gain and dedicate time to administrative/planning tasks and future projects, which wouldn't be possible without volunteers helping out.
6 Break down communication, cultural, and bias barriers that can be found within a society; and bond people together by discovering the richness that exists in our differences.
Tasks
Tasks may vary according to the needs at the time. The work is supervised by the organization staff, but after receiving instructions the volunteer can be working alongside the children.
The main tasks can include:
- Supporting the organization's team with all the daily activities.
- Creating innovative and original activities that can include cooking classes, dance classes, etc.
Sharing cultural and traditional aspects of volunteers home countries as well as future academic or professional goals and dreams.
- Teaching English in an informal and dynamic way.
- Supporting children with their homework, essays and exams preparation.
- Supporting with arts and crafts activities, helping the children and supporting organization's team on all logistic.
- Support on the logistic of events or seminarians run at the organization.
Rules:
- Be on time: Arriving late might mean that either the group or the responsables will have to wait for you. The children and the organization staff is counting with you at the defined hour so don't be late.
- Do not post unauthorized pictures: Volunteers are not allowed to take pictures of the children, unless the organization staff authorizes it. It is also totally forbidden to publish pictures of children on volunteers' social media account, unless the organization allows it.
- Do not use your phone: While you are at your placement avoid using your phone, unless you need it for an emergency or for an activity. It can show lack of interest and disrespect.
- Safety - PRIORITY NUMBER ONE: Always put yours and children safety al the first place. If you are not sure about how to act on a certain situation, ask the staff or your coordinator.
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