We are a travel company who likes to help native people, especially children, at the moment we are creating the Cultural Immersion Foundation which is going to be a nonprofit organization dedicated to help children of the Andean communities in Peru.
Our Ongoing Projects:
Teaching English to School Children of Yuncaypata School: by Rebecca Lamb Volunteer student.
Institute of Education 50044 - Yuncaypata
The Village
The village of Yuncaypata is located in the District and Department of Cusco. It is located in the mountains above the city of Cusco. It takes about 30 minutes on a local bus to get there from the city. The population is approximately 310 people. This village has basic resources such as water and some places have electricity. There is no sewerage.
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The surrounding area of the village |
Walking down to the village |
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The street of the school |
The main street of the village |
The School
The school is called The Educational Institution 50044, Virgin Del Carmen, of Yuncaypata (La Institución Educativa N. 50044 Virgen Del Carmen de Yuncaypata). It is a public primary school, funded by the government. All students of this institution must enrol in the school under the norms and rules, according to law. The school has grades from 1st grade to 6th grade, divided into 2 classes.
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The view of the village from the school |
The courtyard of the school |
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The courtyard of the school |
The front of the school |
The school has minimal resources. The two classrooms have enough tables and chairs for the students, with black boards and white boards. The school does not have enough material for the students. The resources include learning materials such as exercise books, writing materials, reading books and other learning resources, such as posters.
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The small children’s classroom |
The big children’s classroom |
The school also has a kindergarten for small children, not yet of school age. Having a kindergarten assists parents to work, as well as making the transition to school easier for the children.
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Kindergarten children |
Kindergarten and school children |
The Students
There are 36 students in total, 23 boys and 13 girls. The students´ ages range from 4 to 14 years old. They come from families in the village, who are very poor. The majority of the families work on the land, farming vegetables and keeping animals, such as growing potatoes and caring for sheep, pigs, chicken, etc. Other occupations include selling goods to tourists at nearby tourist sites and distribuidos entre obreros. Most children also come from large families, sometimes up to 10 children in the one family, making it difficult for families to provide learning resources.
The students´ first language is Quechua. This is the native language for the people of this area, and Spanish, the national language, is learnt first in the school.
The Education
There are officially two teachers employed at the school, including the principal. The students are taught mathematics, biology, Español, etc. The matriculation rate is currently 66%.
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The big students with Silvia the principal |
The little students with their teacher José |
The Volunteers
The school was chosen by Cultural Immersion to receive Volunteers to teach English. This school was chosen for a variety of reasons including, the economic situation of the school and the students; it’s proximity to Cusco and therefore accessibility to English speaking tourists willing to Volunteer; and the benefit speaking English would bring to the employment opportunities for these children in the future.
The project at the school started in 2007. So far the school has had Volunteers from Australia and the USA. Volunteers are asked to give their time for a minimum of one month, to ensure some continuity and for the students to gain the maximum effect of teaching. The Volunteer coordinator has selected a teaching resource called Super Kids, which provides resources, guidance and continuity for the Volunteers. The school principal requested that Volunteers give 2-3 hours of teaching every day of the school week, from 8:30 in the morning. Within this time both classes are taught separately.
How is the Volunteer experience?
A whole lot of fun! The children are wonderful and happy. They are all full of spirit and character. It is a joy to spend time with them and their teachers. One month is long enough to get to know the children and feel like you are contributing to their learning. No previous experience teaching English or children is necessary, just a lot of energy, enthusiasm and willingness to give…and a bit of creativity! Be warned your heart will break when you leave them!
Cristmas in the Andes:
Every year we celebrate Christmas in a diferent Andean village we try to go far away from the city where people have very poor resources. for one day in the year children of these places enjoy receiving a gift, a doll, a litle car , a toy or even a pencil light up their faces and make them happy.
Here some pictures of our Christmas in the Andes 2009
Here some pictures of our Christmas in the Andes 2008
Here some pictures of our Christmas in the Andes 2007
Here some pictures of our Christmas in the Andes 2006
Here some pictures of our Christmas in the Andes 2005
If you want to contribute with us, please bring with you any second hand clothes, toys, school material (pencils, rubbers, rulers etc.), or any other things that you would like to give to the poor children of the Peruvian Andean villages. At the moment we are working with the Yuncaypata village’s school where we have Volunteers teaching English to the children and where we also are building a library for the kids. Any contribution will be much appreciated. |
