Year-Long Volunteer Teacher in Guyana

  Guyana

Georgetown

Length of Position: 10-11 months
Dates: August-July

Description: Guyana's Ministry of Education (MoE) will sponsor WorldTeach volunteers to teach in public high schools scattered throughout the country. Because the local language is English, volunteers will be asked to meet student needs in a variety of subject areas, and have been requested to teach the sciences, geography, and physical education in addition to English.

As volunteers participate in the lives of their schools and engage in local communities, they will gain insight into Guyana's culture, economy, and history, and come to understand at close hand the challenges faced by this fascinating and diverse land.

Volunteer Role

Volunteers will be assigned to 14 of Guyana's 107 public high schools in seven of the nation's ten regions. Participating schools were selected by the Ministry of Education. WorldTeach will match volunteers to schools according to the needs of the schools and the skills and interests of the volunteers. Most schools will be assigned two volunteers.

Volunteers will be placed at schools located in the deep riverain/hinterland and in the southern savanna region. Both regions are relatively undeveloped and have few trained teachers and both serve primarily Amerindians populations. These are smaller schools with under 400 students each. Volunteers will also teach at schools in larger towns in the riverain area. These schools serve students from all six of Guyana's main ethnic groups. They are larger and have more trained teachers on staff than schools in more rural areas. Volunteers will also serve in larger high schools in coastal cities such as Georgetown, Guyana's capital, and in one technical school. Most of the schools where WorldTeach volunteers will teach have been renovated recently.

WorldTeach volunteers are also encouraged to engage in programs or projects outside of their assigned classes. You may choose to participate in or lead extracurricular activities, teach community classes, or work on health or environmental issues, depending on your availability, your interests and talents, and local needs.

Placement Sites, Housing and Food

Volunteers will live in teacher housing near their schools provided by the MoE. Volunteers will be given contacts of individuals and families who serve as a support network at their site, although they will find many Guyanese eager to be their friends.

Volunteers will receive a stipend of approximately USD 225 per month while they are teaching. The stipend is intended to help volunteers meet basic daily living costs at the local standard of living.

Length of Program

This program requires an 11-month commitment. Volunteers will depart in early August and will return home in July.

Qualifications:
* Bachelors degree (in any subject)
* Must be fluent in English
* Comfortable working in cross-cultural environments
* Independent worker
* Good people skills and organizational skills
* Flexibility and creativity in problem solving
* Interest in international education and development
* 25 hours ESL service required before departure (after acceptance to the program).

Minimum Education: Bachelor of Arts

Cost in US$: 1, 500

Program Cost includes: pre-departure information and preparation, round-trip international airfare, health insurance, in-country orientation and training, transportation to your site, meals and housing during orientation and throughout your teaching service, a living stipend throughout your service, 24-hour field support, and after-service support and networking.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: WorldTeach volunteers are committed to international education, public service and teaching in developing countries. Prior teaching experience and qualifications are not required. Flexibility and an ability to work independently are also important.

Age Range: 20 and above

This Program is open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Guyana Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Resume
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad

WorldTeach's Mission Statement: WorldTeach is a non-profit, non-governmental organization based at the Center for International Development at Harvard University that provides opportunities for individuals to make a meaningful contribution to international education by living and working as volunteer teachers in developing countries. WorldTeach offers summer and year-long programs in American Samoa, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guyana, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Namibia, Poland, Rwanda, South Africa, and Thailand.

Year Founded: 1986