|
|
|
 Project
Description
Rio
Bravo is one of the most rewarding and fun experiences that you will
have during a school break. We will travel to Rio Bravo, Mexico, a
town located about 7 miles across the US border. To date, our
projects have been at the Escuela
Primaria Donaciano Muņoz Martinez located in a neighborhood
named Ferrocarril #4. The projects have included latrine
construction, painting, roof repair, construction and renovation
projects, computer literacy classes, murals, planning and giving
charlas. As our partner agency,
Amigos de las Escuelas, continues at the school and also expands
the project to additional sites, we will have the opportunity for
hands on experience with the type of work that you may be doing in
your assigned country. Furthermore, you will interact with
community members and get a glimpse of what your summer will be
like. However, it is not all work, we do have fun. Soccer games
with local youth, going to the movies, shopping in town, and eating
at local restaurants are among the fun activities. Houston chapter
volunteers may have the opportunity to work with Returned Peace
Corps Volunteers (RPCV) as well as Austin Chapter Amigos
volunteers. We plan to go Rio Bravo during Spring Break for four
days.
Spanish Learning Opportunities
All volunteers will have the opportunity to converse in Spanish.
Most of the people in Rio Bravo do not speak English. It is important
for each volunteer to speak as much as possible with local community
members so as to improve their ability to converse in Spanish.
Partner Agency
We will coordinate and work with
Amigos de las Escuelas.
The Houston Amigos will have the opportunity to meet other great volunteers.
Training Needed
All of the preparation needed for Rio Bravo will take place during
normal Amigos training sessions. There will be a mandatory orientation
meeting for the volunteers going to Rio Bravo. Anyone who has prior
construction experience or has the necessary tools for the projects
would be a great asset on the trip.
Estimated Time Commitment
The time commitment for this project is approximately 4 days. This
includes round trip travel by bus to Rio Bravo.
Core Competencies
The Amigos core competencies that are reinforced in this project are:
- Planning, implementing and evaluating projects
- Understanding the principles of service learning
- Assessing community resources, assets and opportunities
- Being culturally sensitive
Project Description
Braeburn Elementary School, 7707 Rampart Street,
Houston was constructed in 1955 and opened in 1956. A new wing
was added in 1994. In 2001-2002, there were approximately 1120 students
enrolled. Over 90% of the students are Hispanic. Most of the students,
(72.1%) were identified as Limited English Proficient (L.E.P.). Most
L.E.P. students received bilingual instruction. Braeburn qualifies
as a school-wide Title 1 school because 95% of the students receive
free or reduced lunch. Many Title 1 programs for students and parents
are offered at Braeburn.
Back to Top
Project Description
The Children's Museum of Houston's commitment to youth extends well
beyond its targeted audience of children, aged six months to
twelve years. For thirteen years, since the Museum's inception in
1981 at its Allen Parkway location, the Junior Volunteer Program has
benefited teenagers throughout Houston by offering them volunteer
opportunities at the Children's Museum. From a handful of teens in
its first years, to a total of nearly 200 in 2000, the museum
continually strives to involve Houston youth in its programming.
The Children's Museum views itself as an educational center for all
children. It believes that
the lifelong love of learning that it hopes to kindle in each child
needs to be continuously nurtured, especially during adolescence.
Adolescence can be a very awkward phase fur children. It is a time
of mixed feeling. Many children can't wait to grow up and take on
the mantle of adulthood, yet there is still a part of them that
wants to hold on to the innocence of childhood. They are eager to
learn and demonstrate that they are capable, yet there are few
opportunities.
The Children's Museum believes that its Junior Volunteer Program
offers just the right environment for teens to continue learning
while simultaneously developing skills that will aid them throughout
their lives. And it provides teens the opportunity to work with
young children who tend to view them in awe.
|
 |
Project Description
Amigos de las Americas, Houston Chapter will require volunteers in
training to fulfill 5 hours of community service hours at a community
garden project. Two community partners have been identified to
provide guidance with an opportunity for volunteers to learn about
gardening in both an urban environment and a neighborhood
community setting. These are the
Meredith Gardens, (a garden of
Urban Harvest), as well as
The Last Organic Outpost.
As part
of the 5 hours of time spent gardening, the volunteers are asked to
attend one of the three planned 2 hour overview sessions by a master
gardener at the gardening sites in Houston. These sessions will focus
on crucial aspects, such as how to compost, plan and build a garden.
These opportunities are aimed at providing volunteers
information about how to garden, as well as an opportunity to serve in
local community organizations that are aimed at improving the health
and environment of people in Houston, and ultimately with new insights
into how gardens may serve different functions in meeting the needs
of individuals and communities in communities they will serve in Latin
America.
Back to Top
|
