As a volunteer, there are a range of educational programs that you can get involved in, whether or not you have a background as an educator. We all have something to teach and there are many ways that you can share your expertise and energy, both full and part time.
However, it is important to consider the length of your stay and language skills. If your stay is short, it may be difficult for you to build the type of relationships or enroll people in a particular educational project. Also, if you do not speak French or Swahili, you will require a translator, unless you are teaching English, and there is both high demand (and thus limited availability) of our translating services and a cost per day.
Potential Projects:
- English Tutoring to HEAL Africa Staff: One-on-one tutoring with doctors and residents at HEAL Africa hospital. This would be set up on a case-by-case basis according to the doctor or resident’s schedule. The benefits to the doctors, residents, and all HEAL Africa staff of learning English is immense as it gives them access to both human and written resources.
- Teaching or Trainings in Various Subjects at the local University: The UPGL University is interested in partnering with volunteers to have them assist in teaching classes or doing special workshops. They are particularly interested in those who can teach: Education, Business, and IT but all disciplines are encouraged. You would be required to develop your own curriculum, either independently or with professors here. If you wanted to do a short training not integrated with the regular school program, it would cost about $5-10/day per participant (for food and transport).
- Teaching English at a local school: There are two schools associated with HEAL Africa: Ecole MUBA and Ecole GSF-Mugunga. Both schools are very interested in having volunteers come and teach or assistant teach in their English classes. The schools have some existing curriculum, there is some basic work from past volunteers that could be shared, but bringing a ESL book to teach English could be useful.
- Secondary School - Ecole MUBA: Classes run from 12-5pm and volunteers could teach for any portion of that time, M-F. The students are in secondary school. The school is located in town and easily reached by moto.
- Primary School or Adult Education - Ecole GSF-Mugunga: This school supports refugees living on the outskirts of Goma. The needs of these kids and their families is great, but it is about a 15 min car ride from the center of town and thus requires car transportation. English classes could be taught to either primary school students in the morning or parents in the afternoons.
- Supporting Arts Education at HEAL Africa School: HEAL Africa runs a small educational program M,W and F for kids who are at the hospital longterm. They learn both literacy skills and do art therapy and can always use a helping hand. This is an informal assignment that happens right at the hospital and could be a good side project for a volunteer.
- Educational Grants: There is always a need to improve school resources, especially at the GSF-Mugunga school, run cooperatively with HEAL Africa and the Goma Student Fund: www.gomastudentfund.org. If you have interest in finding and writing grants for books, slates, teaching materials, fieldtrips, support for the local agricultural program (so students can bring seeds and growing supplies home) or other classroom resources, they are always appreciated. For teachers, this can be an easy way to get students involved in raising money for a onetime donation. Please contact info@gomastudentfund.org for more info.
Resources:
- Translation: Limited availability. Cost about $15/day. Would need to be set up with Coordinator on “Preparing your Trip” Form.
- Transportation: See volunteers page.
