Program Description

In 2011, Guyana's Ministry of Education (MoE) will sponsor up to 30 WorldTeach volunteers to teach in public 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 math and science. 

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

  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 have been requested to teach chemistry, physics, biology, and mathematics.  Volunteers will be placed at schools located in the deep riverain/hinterland and in the southern savannah 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 may 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 might also serve in larger high schools in coastal cities such as Georgetown, Guyana's capital. 

Because WorldTeach has been requested to provide teachers for specific subjects, applicants will indicate which of the above-listed subjects they are interested in teaching.  Note that a college major or training in these subject areas is not required to teach them, as these subjects will most likely not be taught at the advanced levels.  All courses will be taught from text books provided by the Ministry of Education that reflect the national curriculum for each subject.  

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.

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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 $225 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 for three to four weeks of orientation in Georgetown. School begins on August 29th and is divided into three terms of 13 weeks each. There is a two-week vacation between each term. Volunteers will return home in July.

Cost of Program

Although the majority of the costs of this program are covered by the Ministry of Education of Guyana, volunteers are expected to contribute a a volunteer commitment of US$2000. This covers pre-departure support and materials, round-trip international airfare from a designated U.S. departure city, health and emergency evacuation insurance, in-country orientation training, and field staff support. Room and board and a small stipend are provided during the months of teaching. Many volunteers are able to successfully fundraise all or a significant portion of their volunteer commitment. Please refer to our fundraising guide for more information about fundraising possibilities.

Please read more about costs and services.

Requirements

Volunteers must be native English speakers, have a bachelor's degree and be between the ages of 18 and 74 by the departure date. Successful volunteers are flexible, mature, and have a genuine interest in teaching and cross-cultural experiences.

For more information, please read our sections on Volunteer Stories and Sample Placements.

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