Many of our volunteers find that their teaching schedules and highly-respected standing in local communities allow them to commit themselves to undertakings far beyond the classroom. We encourage you, in consultation with WorldTeach guidelines for community projects, to seek and create these opportunities, which often lead to a deeper cross-cultural experience.
Below are several projects developed by WorldTeach volunteers around the globe. Feel free to use their stories as your inspiration, or transform your own passion into a special project!
Books & Libraries | Building Improvements | Technology | Communication
Educational Empowerment | Environment | Arts & Music | Public Health | Sports
Educational Empowerment
Kim Priebe, Ecuador Year volunteer
As a columnist for a local newspaper in the Chicago area, Kim found herself able to share with her readers from her experiences in rural Ecuador. She wrote of the tragedy of one of her brightest 10-year-olds dropping out of school for household financial reasons, as well as the travails of a waitress at a local cafe Kim frequented who could not afford to care for her two little children and take classes while earning about $2 a day. Kim's readers responded by donating over $10,000 to establish a special scholarship fund in the town of Vilcabamba where she was teaching. Now, students from Vilcabamba with demonstrated financial need and academic potential can readily take English lessons -- and the entire community has been able to benefit from Kim's efforts.
Alicia Wilson, Dan Gershman, Molly Crofton, Jon Cook, Alyssa McClorey, Molly Cummings, and Yvonne Wang, Guyana Year volunteers
Upon returning from Guyana in 2007, these seven passionate volunteers founded the Scholarship for Advanced Guyanese Education (SAGE) to "empower young Guyanese to contribute positively and  effectively to their country by increasing their access to post-secondary education." Recipients are students who demonstrate high academic potential (and qualify for admission to the University of Guyana), yet cannot afford tuition. To encourage community contribution, recipients are required to work in Guyana following graduation. The founders of SAGE announce the first SAGE scholar this July and look forward to funding new scholars every year! For more information, please visit http://sageguyana.org.
Annie Atkinson and Jim Love, Costa Rica Year volunteers
In addition to their regular teaching responsibilities at the bilingual Escuela Manuel Antonio in Puntarenas, these two decided to commit their efforts to working with special needs students. They arranged an after-school buddy system, and Annie provided special needs students in Jim's and other English classes with special one-on-one instruction.
John Rudlow, Ecuador Year volunteer
After searching for an organization in which he could make a positive impact, John found Hogar de Belen, a refuge for kids who lack proper parental attention. John brings the children books, and teaches them subjects not available in school, such as environmental awareness. John is excited to see his efforts carried on by other WorldTeach volunteers in the years to come.
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