This Summer's Shared Dreams

Do something different this summer by volunteering as a teacher in Mexico on one of the Suenos Compartidos (Shared Dreams) summer camp programs. Suenos Compartidos was set up by Director Tomas Davis who initially responded to a need for English tuition to children and communities by volunteering his teaching skills while travelling in Colombia. The organisation now runs teaching programs in Colombia and Mexico.

This summer, they are looking for 20 volunteer teachers for their Ninos program for children grades 1-6, which is a summer day camp providing English together with sports, music, science and culture. They also require volunteer teachers for their Angeles program which is a similar format for special education students. The camps will be situated in Michoacan and Guanajuato, with the possibility of additional programs in Zacatecas, San Luis Potosi, Oaxaca and Guerrero.The locations are small communities in tranquil rural areas, rich in culture, and where the people are very friendly.  Both programs will run from Saturday 10 July - Saturday 7 August 2010 and classes are from Monday to Friday, leaving weekends free for volunteers to relax, travel and discover Mexico.

There is indeed much to discover. For example, Michoacan state boasts the oldest university in the American continent, founded in 1540. It ranges from the pine-crested peaks of Mil Cumbres to the Pacific coast. Its agriculture includes sugar cane, rice, avocados, coffee, pears and nuts and it is a mix of craft and industry, rich in natural beauty, art, music and tradition. By contrast, Guanajuato state is located in the geographic centre of Mexico, approximately three hours north of Mexico City. Its capital city, of the same name, is a UNESCO world heritage site with strict planning rules in place to maintain the buildings' colonial integrity. It hosts the annual International Cervantes Cultural Festival which features international performers as well as those from other regions of Mexico.

Volunteers require to be 25+ years old, or have three years' teaching experience. They also need to have have an undergraduate degree and basic level Spanish. Those volunteering for the Angeles program should have 3 plus years' experience in special education. Preference will be given to public school teachers in the United States and, in particular, teachers in high Latino-population schools in the US. In exchange, you will receive free room and board with a local family and, to quote the Suenos Compartidos website, ' you will experience Mexico - the food, the music, the geography, and the people!'

Find out more....