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"The volunteers do everything at AEC-TEA, so it shows people that anyone can do it. It helps people discover themselves, to know that they're able to change the world. I never wanted to change the world before—now I do! We learn that Capim Grosso is ours, not the mayor's!" - Luciene Freitas Mota, Capim Grosso
“It’s a unique experience because the organisation is really small, the people who work here are really dedicated and they love to do what they do. It’s laid back, but structured. " - Chris Bach, USA, 2005 What can international volunteers do?Since 2002, AEC-TEA has invited Brazilian and international volunteers to work with us in organizing and carrying out activities, both in our association space and in the community. Teaching language classes is a primary activity for most international volunteers and the most useful to AEC-TEA. Small contributions by language students are our primary source of income and allow AEC-TEA to carry out community projects and function as an educational center. "I taught four English classes and am quite convinced that I learned more by teaching than my students did. I learned how to reduce things to their simplest aspects, how to approach language from multiple angles and to use themes, conversation, patience, energy, and the senses to teach a language." - Rita Turner, USA, 2004 Students in Capim Grosso have little opportunity to study in small, participatory settings or to practice the foreign language they learn in school. Our courses get students engaged in conversation from the beginning, using language in practical and creative ways to express information about their own lives and experiences. Each class has about 10 students and meets four hours per week.u003cp>u003ci>n"I came with no defined goals, I would just see what was going on andntry to help. Now my goal is to motivate people to learn, give themnself-confidence, make them believe that they CAN learn. " - PeternFackler, Germany, 2005u003c/i>u003c/p>u003cp>Depending on their interests and those of the community, volunteers balance their time with other activities, such as:u003c/p>u003cp>- welcoming visitors to the association and working to involve them in projectsnu003cbr>u003c/p>u003cp>- playing with children at a daycare centeru003c/p>u003cp>- helping prepare goods for sale at a co-opu003c/p>u003cp>- organizing a course (art, theater, yoga, music...) u003cbr>u003c/p>u003cp>- visiting classes at local public schoolsu003c/p>nnnu003cp>AEC-TEA has also responded to the request of local schools and institutionsnto invite a volunteer u003cspan styleu003d"font-weight:bold">psychologistu003c/span> to Capim Grosso. This work wouldninvolve accompanying teachers and counselors who are unprepared to work with emotionally disturbed children. Portuguese languagenskills and a commitment of at least six months are required.u003c/p>u003cp>In addition to these projects, all volunteers help in the volunteer house (see, "Living with Us") and have the opportunity to be quickly immersed in daily community life. nu003cbr>u003c/p>u003cp>u003cspan styleu003d"font-weight:bold">How many hours do volunteers usually work?u003c/span>u003cbr>u003c/p>u003cp>Depending on enrollment and the number of teachers, English teachers can expect to teach about 20 hours per week andnSpanish teachers about 12. This may include Saturdays, one of ournbusiest days. Class time, together with other projects and household duties, generally total about 25-30 hours per week of "work."u003cbr>u003c/p>u003cp>In Capim Grosso, the culture is veryngroup-oriented and there is little separation between public and private life. AEC-TEA tries to organize itself in a way that respects volunteers' needs for privacy, space, and time to rest and process their experiences. We also let volunteers know in advance that local culture doesn't always allow for that, so they should be flexible, patient, and open to learning opportunities that surround them at all hours of the day during this unique experience.n",1] ); //--> "I came with no defined goals, I would just see what was going on and try to help. Now my goal is to motivate people to learn, give them self-confidence, make them believe that they CAN learn. " - Peter Fackler, Germany, 2005 Depending on their interests and those of the community, volunteers balance their time with other activities, such as:
AEC-TEA is also developing partnerships with social service agencies to place volunteer psychologists and social workers. Intermediate Portuguese language skills and a commitment of at least six months are required. In addition to these projects, all volunteers help in the volunteer house (see, "Living with Us") and have the opportunity to be quickly immersed in daily community life. How many hours do volunteers usually work?Depending on enrollment and the number of teachers, English teachers can expect to teach about 20 hours per week and Spanish teachers about 12. This may include Saturdays, one of our busiest days. Class time, together with other projects and household duties, generally total about 25-30 hours per week of "work." In Capim Grosso, the culture is very group-oriented and there is little separation between public and private life. AEC-TEA tries to organize itself in a way that respects volunteers' needs for privacy, space, and time to rest and process their experiences. We also let volunteers know in advance that local culture doesn't always allow for that, so they should be flexible, patient, and open to learning opportunities that surround them at all hours of the day during this unique experience. u003c/p>u003cp>u003cspan styleu003d"font-weight:bold">What are the dates of your volunteer program? u003cbr>u003c/span>nnu003c/p>u003cp>Ideally, volunteer can arrive at the beginning of a semester (January or July). However, we accept volunteers at all times of the year.u003cspan styleu003d"font-weight:bold">u003cspan styleu003d"font-weight:bold">u003c/span>u003c/span>n In order to maintain continuity in our courses, we give preference to those who can stay for one semester (January to June; July to December) or for a year. We ask for a minimum commitment of three months for language teachers. nu003cbr>u003c/p>u003cp>While we occasionally accept volunteers for shorter stays, most have felt that three months is the time necessary to adapt to the local culture and climate, engage in projects, and build relationships with local people, perhaps the most important aspect of their work.nu003cbr>nu003c/p>u003cp>u003ci>"Probablynthe most difficult thing about my experience was the shortness of mynstay. Before arriving, I didn't think two months or more sounded like anshort stay at all. Once I began classes and see how much the teachingndepended on relationships with the students more than anything else, asnwell as the amount of time necessary to learn to teach effectively, Inbegan to see that a stay of six months would be much morensatisfactory." - Jonathan Dold, USA, 2005 u003cbr>u003c/i>u003c/p>u003cp>u003ci>u003c/i>u003cspan styleu003d"font-weight:bold">How is the volunteer group organized?u003c/span>u003cbr>n AEC-TEA is comprised of a small group of dedicated, young leaders who organize the projects and center, an extended group of teachers, families and former international volunteers who provide support as needed, the youth who frequent the association and assist with its daily functioning, and the international volunteers who live in the volunteer house. One local volunteer lives in the house and coordinates the international volunteer group. AEC-TEA meetings are held twice a month to discuss news, events, finances, and future plans. AEC-TEA house members and teachers also hold meetings to discuss issues relevant to each of those areas.n",1] ); //--> What are the dates of the volunteer program?Ideally, volunteer can arrive at the beginning of a semester (January or July). However, we accept volunteers at all times of the year. In order to maintain continuity in our courses, we give preference to those who can stay for one semester (January to June; July to December) or for a year. We ask for a minimum commitment of three months for language teachers. While we occasionally accept volunteers for shorter stays, most have felt that three months is the time necessary to adapt to the local culture and climate, engage in projects, and build relationships with local people, perhaps the most important aspect of their work. "Probably the most difficult thing about my experience was the shortness of my stay. Before arriving, I didn't think two months or more sounded like a short stay at all. Once I began classes and see how much the teaching depended on relationships with the students more than anything else, as well as the amount of time necessary to learn to teach effectively, I began to see that a stay of six months would be much more satisfactory." - Jonathan Dold, USA, 2005 (returning in 2009 for 2 years!) How is the international volunteer group organized?Unlike programs with paid staff that coordinate international volunteers, at AEC-TEA, volunteers work side by side with local volunteers, facing the same challenges that they face---dealing with the leaky roof after a rain storm; planning an event to raise money to fix the computer; creating a weekly schedule to divide the housework; reorganizing or creating course materials; preparing a bed for the next volunteer.
While those who have been with AEC-TEA longer assume leadership roles based on their experience, the organization depends on the initiative of all of its participants, including new volunteers. Those who are the most involved in the association also have the busiest lives, with some working two jobs, going to college, and coordinating AEC-TEA activities at the same time. Therefore, it's important to be patient, as well as active in asking questions, taking on responsibilities, and making use of the contributions left behind by past volunteers. AEC-TEA house members and language teachers hold weekly meetings to discuss news, household functioning, cultural issues, and teaching ideas. AEC-TEA Coordination meetings are also held weekly to discuss news, events, finances, and future plans. International volunteers are welcome to participate. "It's important to take initiative from day one – ask questions, make suggestions, act on your ideas. It may feel like you've just arrived, so what could you know, but the Association functions largely on the impromptu leadership of whoever's there. I wish I'd recognized my position as a potential leader at the Association sooner." - Ashley Brock, USA, 2007 What are the costs?AEC-TEA does not charge fees to volunteers. In order to sustain the volunteer house, we ask only that volunteers cover their room and board while living at AEC-TEA. Each volunteer contributes R$350 (Brazilian Reais) per month to pay for food, utilities, a portion of the rent, and ongoing costs to maintain the volunteer house (bedding, kitchenware, cleaning supplies, etc.). Volunteers are responsible for their own travel and personal expenses.Would you like to apply?Please read over the other sections of our website, then complete our online application. We will be in touch with you soon!Interview with Charles Exdell In this interview Charles explains important topics about living and working with AEC-TEA in Capim Grosso, Brazil.
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