Only 360€ per week!
Kindergarten Experience
Cartagena - Colombia
Get to know and work with Cartagena city pre-schoolers in some of the poorest areas, as you help out with daily kindergarten activities!
Assist with day-to-day Kindergarten operations and teach English to children of age 2-5 who are eager to meet and interact with you. Be creative and use fun activities to provide an enjoyable and beneficial learning experience.
Program
Living
Cartagena
Colombia
Program Description
You will have an opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the community, as you work with local children in some of the areas of Cartagena City that would benefit most from your assistance. This program is focused on government run Kindergartens that provide services targeted for low-income families who cannot afford childcare. Community needs may determine where you will be assigned, but you can expect your school to have around 10-15 children. Your role will involve looking after the children, managing classes, assisting local staff with caretaking, playing games, and guiding learning activities whilst teaching them basic English along the way.
Note: All participants must have a sense of initiative and understand that teachers at the project might not speak the same language
Aims & Objectives
- Engage with the local children and teach them basic English
- Provide practical experience in teaching young children
- Assist and support the local kindergarten staff with daily operations
Schedule
Monday to Friday
This project will be flexible based upon the needs of the teacher at the school. Tasks may include, but are not limited to: making teaching materials, painting the classroom, organising the children, playing games, constructing lessons, singing, etc. The main thing to remember is that you are expected to help with every aspect of the daily operation of the Kindergarten!
You can expect to work for 3-4 hours a day from morning till early afternoon. A typical day would have you help the children brush their teeth in the morning, then teaching English and assisting staff with any tasks required by the kindergarten throughout the rest of the day.
Note: This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.
Participant Criteria & Requirements
Standard Requirements
Minimum age: –
Maximum age: –
Minimum English level: Intermediate
CRB required: On Signup
Passport copy required: No
Resume copy required: No
Required qualification: None
Additional Requirements
There are no further requirements for this program.
Additional Equipment
No specific equipment required for this program, but you are more than welcome to bring teaching materials for your class!
Location
Welcome to Cartagena City, once known as Cartagena de Indias, it continues to be a majestic shining gem among the other jewels of the Caribbean coast. As the town grew in importance because of the trade riches passing through its’ port, the town erected a barricade of stone walls. Originally used for protection, the walls engulfing the old city add to its distinctive character and old-world charm.
Known for its striking architecture, Cartagena is a city full of life and vibrancy. When you stroll through its streets you feel as though you are moving through a painting, where the sights and sounds of the city have come to life.
Being able to speak some Spanish is definitely a plus, but even if you are a novice to the language, a few gestures and a sense of adventure with attempting what you have learned, will be helpful as you communicate with locals. Don’t forget that smiles are universal and they will likely help get you whatever you need.
About the Accommodation
You will be enjoying your stay in one of the vibrant neighborhoods around Cartagena Colombia, from where you can access numerous sites and attractions, as well as your program very easily via public transport or local taxi.
All participants are expected to be environmentally aware and to use all resources with restraint, especially water, paper and electricity. You will be expected to clean up after yourself, and to play your part to keep the accommodation neat and organized.
Note: The accommodation location can be changed and/or amended depending on local conditions and unforeseen circumstances, but the same standard will be maintained.
Food Arrangements
The food will be typically Colombian meaning lots of corn, beans, rice, chili peppers, potatoes and other grain, all very vegetarian friendly. Keep in mind that some local dishes may be spicy!
Facilities
Shops
There are many local coffee shops and restaurants in the main township within walking distance of our centre. Restaurants & Cafes, the beach, mini-marts, fitness gyms, the supermarket, and shopping mall are all close by.
Internet use
There is Wi-Fi in common areas at your accommodation, but there are also many internet cafes in the main township where you can access online information.
Money
There are numerous shops and ATMs throughout the town.
Activities & Events
Cooking Lessons
One to two evenings per week
Join your cooks as they prepare meals for you and other participants. Take notes, learn new recipes, traditional food preservation techniques and more! Try not to spoil your dinner as you learn!
Sights & Surroundings
In Cartagena
Bicycle day tours
For a change of pace, an exciting way to experience Cartagena and the vicinity, is by hopping on a bicycle or joining an organized group bike tour around the city.
Horse and Carriage tours
Explore walled city of Cartagena via horse and carriage. Travel through narrow cobblestone streets as you venture to historical locations throughout the city, from the quaint comfort of a horse driven carriage.
Chivas tours
Once used as local transportation, the Chivas of today are the new colorful life for old wooden buses. They come packed with people, music and good vibes, as they bustle down the streets of Cartagena! Jump on one if you see it coming your way and let the good times roll!
Aerobics
Make your way to La Plaza de La Trinidad in Getsemani for free classes which are offered to the public every weekend.
Centro Cultural
The place to be for a variety of live music and dance is the Centro Cultural Ciudad Movil. All types of music ranging from Folk to Cumbia, Rock to Funk, and Champeta to Jazz are performed her live. There are even nights where the DJ is the one pumping up the volume for the crowd. This place is not to be missed when you come to Cartagena!
Around Cartagena
Islas del Rosario
If you love the sea and all things related to it, then you will love Islas del Rosario. Located about a 100 kilometers away from Cartagena, this archipelago off the coast of Colombia is one of the national parks that is not to be missed. You can take tours, visit the aquarium and open-sea oceanarium or explore the coral reefs while swimming and snorkeling.
Baru, Aviario Baru and Playa Blanca (15 km or 1 hr away)
Playa Blanca offers one of the best beach experiences in the region. You can visit for the day or even stay overnight at one of the hostels or hotels in the area. You can get there by motor boat from the port or take one of the direct buses on Sunday mornings.
A bit further down the way is the Isla Baru which is located in the bay of Cholon. There are tours and packages available which will give you access to kayaks, water sports, boat tours, restaurants and even a private beach.
Parque Nacional Tayrona (Camping trips)
Imagine a clear dark night and a sky that make just about every twinkling star visible. This is more than a wish it is a near nightly occurrence at the Parque Nacional Tayrona. Here you can go camping in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Enjoy mountain views, mangroves, clear water and sandy beaches all in one place. You can partake in any number of outdoor activities here including swimming, snorkeling and hiking. You’ll never be at a loss for things to do in this wonder of nature.
Santuario de Fauna y flora Los colorados
This area of northern Colombia is a small but well kept sanctuary, with a huge ecological significance because of its endemic forest.
Jardin Botanico of Cartagena (Turbaco) (12km, less than 1 hr. Away)
Cartagena’s Botanical Garden is outside of the city limits and located in the municipality of Turbaco. It is home to a rare resource of a virgin native forest and hosts more than 300 different uniquely beautiful species of plants from the Caribbean and other tropical zones throughout the world.
Transportation
From this location we do not provide free transport to other locations.
Quick Facts
Name: Republic of Colombia
Population: 48.7 million inhabitants
Capital: Bogota
Language: Spanish, 68 Regional/Ethnic Languages, English (San Andres, Providencia)
Currency: Colombian Pesos (COP)
Time zone: COT (UTC -5)
Country Information
Colombia has coasts on both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and covers about 440,000 square miles (1.14 million square kilometers). It is home to the Amazon rainforest, Andes mountains, and the Llanos ( grassland plains).
Colombia is the fourth largest country in South America and it has several islands in the Atlantic and Pacific (San Andres and Providencia, and in the Pacific, the Malpelo and Gorgona, respectively). It shares borders with Brazil, Ecuador, Panama, Peru and Venezuela. Some of the major cities include Medellin, Cali, Barranquilla.
Climate
Weather in Colombia can range from desert to tropical to freezing because it contains a variety of climate zones. To experience the most pleasant weather and the most local activity, you might want to visit during the months of December to March or July to August.
Culture
Culture in Colombia has been greatly influenced by its diversity. It is easy to recognize African, Caribbean, European, Middle Eastern and Native American impacts on the area as well as that of the Indigenous people of the region. Unfortunately during the colonial era many European settlers decimated the Indigenous population which left the Spanish influence as the most pronounced. What has evolved over time is now a melange of distinctive layers which make up Colombia today.
Early in the 19th century the country gained independence and in 1886 the Republic of Colombia was formed.
Transportation
For the most part, public transportation costs in Colombia are minimal and fairly easy to access. Most of the larger urban centers and even some of the smaller towns have a bus system. Taxis are very common and offer even greater convenience to the traveler. Some of the main tourist areas have moto-taxis and a bustling city like Medellin even has a Metro commuter rail.
