Over the past several years, WorldTeach Namibia has been contacted by various govermental and non-govermental organizations who are seeking volunteers for education-related placements that do not involve typical classroom teaching. For 2010 we have two special placements available.
Volunteers who choose these placements will receive the same monthly stipend as other Namibia Year volunteers and pay the same program fee. Any special work-related costs (e.g. traveling expenses) will be covered by the host institution. Volunteers in these placements will participate in the same orientation, mid-service and end-of-service conferences as the rest of the year -long volunteers.
Job descriptions are included below. If you are interested in either placement opportunity, please note that on your application. If you have any specific questions about these placements or general program questions, please email info@worldteach.org
NaDEET is a small NGO located in the NamibRand Nature Reserve in the Namib Desert, aimed at empowering and educating Namibians for a sustainable future. Their main focus is conducting environmental education programs at NaDEET Centre. Built in a dune valley, NaDEET Centre is a model and experience in sustainable living, as activities and living needs are joined to create an environmental education program.
Goals:
The goals of NaDEET include: to provide a non-profit environmental education service to all, particularly underprivileged children, to build capacity and knowledge of the environmental education sector and to engage in education, advocacy and awareness of sustainable living.
Volunteer Role:
The ideal volunteer will have an environmental studies or science background and/or be passionate about the environment.
A volunteer for this organization will run education programs for school groups at the centre lasting approximately one week each. He/she should expect to work with 20-25 groups a year. When not working with a group he/she will spend time improving the education program, marketing the centre to schools and other duties as assigned.
The volunteer must be committed to living a sustainable lifestyle at the centre. Electricity and water are available but are used responsibly. The centre is located in a remote location surrounded by the Namibia Desert though the volunteer will live and work with other NaDEET Centre staff. Internet, phone and fax are available.
The volunteer will receive a minimum of 24 days off per year and for every one week “on” (leading a group at the centre), he/she will receive one comp day.
For more information about NaDEET, visit their website at www.nadeet.org
Mondesa Youth Opportunities
Background:
Mondesa Youth Opportunities is an after-school program located in the township of Mondesa, just outside of Swakopmund, on the Western coast of Namibia. Formed in 2003, MYO uses a combination of academics, sport, music, and extra-curricular activity to combat the effects of an impoverished environment. MYO has a culture of implementing thoughtful, well-designed programs with excellence, passion and commitment. We have an exceptional staff comprised of Namibian and foreign volunteers, and daily management is overseen by two Namibian Board Members. We recently completed construction on our facility and next year will increase our participation to include an additional 30 students, to bring our total to 165 learners.
Our students range from grade 4 - grade 10. All classes and activities are taught in English.
Goals:
The primary mission of MYO is to facilitate education as a means of combating the eroding effects of poverty. We believe that the most important building blocks to develop healthy, positive, enthusiastic youth are firmly rooted in quality basic education. To that end, MYO students receive additional math, science, English, and Reading classes every week. In addition, MYO incorporates excellent music instruction, sport lessons, and a variety of extra-curricular activities that are educational and support our mission.
Volunteer Role:
The ideal volunteer will have a college education and some teaching experience. In lieu of teaching experience, we would consider candidates who have a great passion for working with youth in an intense after-school environment. We put high demands on our children and we expect nothing short of excellence in our staff. MYO is NOT the place for a volunteer who is looking for an extended holiday and perhaps to do a little work on the side while visiting Southern Africa. Working with children day in and day out is challenging and takes a great deal of commitment. However, for the volunteer teacher who takes on the challenge, you will likely learn more in a year with MYO than in any other single year of your life. We have excellent support resources and will provide the basic tools to make you a successful teacher, but enthusiasm and commitment are critical.
Our volunteer teachers generally teach 4-5 afternoons a week and are also expected to work occasional weekends to support field trips, overnight sport contests, or other activities. Mornings are spent planning lessons, marking papers and generally supporting school activities.
Volunteer Teachers work directly for our Manager, but will also get additional training and support from our Board Members. For the enthusiastic volunteer that wants to work for the premier youth-development NGO operating in Namibia, this is a great opportunity to learn and grow and to use your education and passion to assist us in our mission of educating our children.
For more information about Mondesa Youth Opportunities, visit their website at www.mondesayouth.org
