Volunteer assignment...

Somehow I got it in my head that I would be teaching young kids, but I just received my official assignment yesterday and I'll actually be working with teenagers (mostly girls) 14-18 at the Kilimahewa School. At first this made me incredibly nervous (somehow 5-10 year olds seem much more manageable than teenagers), but as with all of the elements related to this trip, once I wrap my head around things and sit with it for a bit, I am able to embrace the challenge with confidence.

KILIMAHEWA SCHOOL

Informal School –

Educational activities for teenagers

General Information

Mission and Needs of the Partner Program

Kilimahewa is a community-based organization founded on September 28, 2006. Kilimahewa is owned by the Kilimahewa community members who have cooperated to form a Local CBO under the “Company Limited by Guarantee”

It was initially known as a local brew drinking center for the local community. It is now a learning center for the Kilimahewa community specifically focused for poor women in the village, orphans and youth, and vulnerable children. Vulnerable children are the marginalized and disadvantaged group in socio-economic areas such as street children working in plantations, industries, households and other hardship environments and include children whose parents are living with HIV and/or AIDS and are incapacitated thus rendering them unable to engage in gainful activities.

Currently there are around 100 students, of which at least 80% attend informal education at Kilimahewa regularly. The average age is 14-18 years. 90% of the students are girls and 10% are boys. These kids have struggled to complete elementary education and did not have the chance to continue with O level education (secondary school/ high school) due to their orphan or vulnerable status.

• Encourage and praise the children while also enforcing rules of good behavior.
• Teaching daily classes including English, life skills, sexual health, math and geography.
• Creating class activities/games
• Introducing/facilitating recreational activities (sporting programs, games, music, etc)
• Initiate projects or programs (i.e. helping kids put together a play)
• Participate in initiatives geared towards improvement in community education.
• Interact with students and teachers on a personal level
• Talking and teaching about your home country

Goals for the Volunteer from the Partner Program

Long-Term

Kilimahewa strives to provide informal education and life skills for youth who would not otherwise have the opportunity to attend school.

Short-Term

Volunteers will be supporting instruction in a variety of subjects, including English, geography, mathematics, and life skills. Because of the language barrier, patience and the ability to speak slowly and clearly are important. Encouragement and positive reinforcement will be essential in building students’ confidence.