In Ecuador: A school for special needs
Donation protected
Short description:
This summer, I’ve had the opportunity to Study abroad in Ecuador. Within this experience, I have been volunteering and interning at a special school called San José de Calasanz in Cuenca, Ecuador. This school is for students with and without disabilities, but is the only school of its kind (in the area) that students with special needs can go to. In addition to offering normal classes such as math and history, this school helps prepare students for the real world. Since bread making and painting are very common in this culture, these are two of many subjects that students learn. However, this school runs completely off of donations. Without them, this school would simply not be functional. For example, this school only recently obtained an elevator because the necessary funds were donated. Now, all of the students with wheelchairs can take an elevator, rather than being carried up the stairs. In short, this school has truly changed my life. This is a place that I truly feel connected to, and wish to help out (somehow) for many years. By the end of this summer, I wish to donate 1,000 dollars to this school. This will help purchase many necessary supplies that this school is currently lacking. They really do not receive much money, so even if I do not reach my goal, every little bit will go a long way. When I told the director that I was interested in donaing, she started crying right in front of me. Please consider donating, and please message me with any questions that you have!
More details:
The Director of this school became the founder of this program because her son had no where else to go for school. Since that time in 1996, this school has grown into what it is now - a place that truly prepares students to live in their culture here in Cuenca, Ecuador. Students range from about 5 years old to over 35 years old, and are given classes teaching them how to bake all kinds of bread from scratch, how to thread wool and make clothing, how to make all kinds of useful things from wood and clay, how to hone their artistic painting and drawing skills, and more. They also have many "normal" classes, such as math, history, physical education, and more. In addition, this school teaches the families of these students how to run small businesses. For example, if one student can paint very well, the school will teach the family how to run a small business around these paintings. And trust me, many of these paintings are truly amazing. So far, in addition to helping out in most of the classes listed above, I've also spent a lot of extra time in the math classroom. Here, I have even taught some of my very own lessons – completely in Spanish - to kids with special needs. I walk about an hour every day just so I can continue to volunteer here, and love every minute of the experience. The director, the teachers, the students, and the cause of this program are downright amazing. If you would like even more information, visit their website at http://www.institutocalasanz.org. It’s in Spanish, but you can translate it if you need to ☺
This summer, I’ve had the opportunity to Study abroad in Ecuador. Within this experience, I have been volunteering and interning at a special school called San José de Calasanz in Cuenca, Ecuador. This school is for students with and without disabilities, but is the only school of its kind (in the area) that students with special needs can go to. In addition to offering normal classes such as math and history, this school helps prepare students for the real world. Since bread making and painting are very common in this culture, these are two of many subjects that students learn. However, this school runs completely off of donations. Without them, this school would simply not be functional. For example, this school only recently obtained an elevator because the necessary funds were donated. Now, all of the students with wheelchairs can take an elevator, rather than being carried up the stairs. In short, this school has truly changed my life. This is a place that I truly feel connected to, and wish to help out (somehow) for many years. By the end of this summer, I wish to donate 1,000 dollars to this school. This will help purchase many necessary supplies that this school is currently lacking. They really do not receive much money, so even if I do not reach my goal, every little bit will go a long way. When I told the director that I was interested in donaing, she started crying right in front of me. Please consider donating, and please message me with any questions that you have!
More details:
The Director of this school became the founder of this program because her son had no where else to go for school. Since that time in 1996, this school has grown into what it is now - a place that truly prepares students to live in their culture here in Cuenca, Ecuador. Students range from about 5 years old to over 35 years old, and are given classes teaching them how to bake all kinds of bread from scratch, how to thread wool and make clothing, how to make all kinds of useful things from wood and clay, how to hone their artistic painting and drawing skills, and more. They also have many "normal" classes, such as math, history, physical education, and more. In addition, this school teaches the families of these students how to run small businesses. For example, if one student can paint very well, the school will teach the family how to run a small business around these paintings. And trust me, many of these paintings are truly amazing. So far, in addition to helping out in most of the classes listed above, I've also spent a lot of extra time in the math classroom. Here, I have even taught some of my very own lessons – completely in Spanish - to kids with special needs. I walk about an hour every day just so I can continue to volunteer here, and love every minute of the experience. The director, the teachers, the students, and the cause of this program are downright amazing. If you would like even more information, visit their website at http://www.institutocalasanz.org. It’s in Spanish, but you can translate it if you need to ☺
Organizer
David Voland
Organizer
Batavia, IL
