Help with a sustainable water program for comunities in Colombia.

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  Description

  Volunteer School for Water -
  Our aim is to have volunteer support to existing or new-to-develop programs on education, for promoting a sustainable use of water and wetlands, connecting Communication, Education, Participation and Awareness.

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  Type of help

  Help with Eco project
  Language practice
  Art project
  Help with Computers / internet
  Teaching

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  Help

  Mainly to support children community, with environmental education (different kind of presentations and topics) and some language classes.
  Currently we are supporting Lake Tota, main lake of Colombia.

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  Languages spoken

  English, Spanish

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  Accommodation

  Bed in a dorm, and breakfast.

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  What else ...

  First volunteer school of its kind in this region.
  It supports an important work towards water and wetland's culture.
  With your contact, we will provide a certain website with more photos, texts, and some videos to explore through.
  On your free time, this region is worth visiting it all around, so you will have the chance to meet a diversity of spots in this Andean area of Colombia, surrounded by unique places like paramos, markets, lovely towns, that great lake Tota and plenty of places to trek through.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  One

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  Volunteering hours expected

  4

Photos

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My Photo Album

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No show
(Negative)

for Tiffany

[06/05/2017]

Did not comply, did not arrive or report.
Left by host for Workawayer

(Excellent)

[31/03/2017]

I spent 4 weeks in the schools of Iza and Cuitiva and can just say: it was a great experience, which taught me a lot about working with children, the colombian culture, the language and so much more.
I had my own room in Garcielas house, which was very clean and filled with a lot of heartwarming people who were open to answer any questions. You'll… read more get breakfast, lunch and dinner, cooked by a really nice housekeeper and cook but it's also possible to cook your own stuff if you want.
Felipe and his wife are really nice and helpful people as well. In addition to my work in school I created a logo for the "Muyso" project of lago de Tota. We holded workshops in primary and secondary school, drawing classes, worked on presentations etc.
The work is not easy, the level of English the students (and even teachers) have is really basic and you are really forced to be creative and flexible holding your classes. I didn't have that much teaching experience before but can really say, that it was a good school for me as well.
Dear Felipe, dear all: Thanks for that unforgettable time!
Left by Workawayer for host

(Excellent)

for Judith

[06/03/2017]

Thank you Judith, for us is clear that you helped those kids in Cuítiva and Iza to discover new corners in their minds and about the world, just what we aim at linking workawayers to those Schools in our region. And your additional collaboration to design our monster (soon to be finished and released to the world!) brought us also to our NGO a new… read more hope for our plans, something we truly appreciate. Wishing you the best in your journey and life, let's keep in contact for the present and future. Warm regards, F.
Left by host for Workawayer

(Excellent)

for Nadine

[26/04/2016]

Thank you Nadine! :) Your help and the interchange opportunity with you was highly appreciated by all, specially kids and your counter-parts local teachers in the school, not to mention Graciela who showed me very easy how grateful and happy she was to have you in her home. As you say, and because of the structure of this program we did not have… read more a frequent contact, I was confident of your integration with the idea, due to your energy and will to contribute with it in the best possible way, as it certainly was. Come back any time!, and let's keep in touch.
Left by host for Workawayer

(Excellent)

[26/04/2016]

Thank you Felipe for giving me the opportunity to work and live in Cuitiva and Iza. It was an incredible experience that taught me so much! It really gave me the opportunity to experience the real Colombia and learn about its culture and its people. And, even though we didn't meet much, I knew I could count on you if I needed anything. You were… read more always very supportive and patient with me. Muchas gracias por todo. Buena suerte y mucho éxito!

I mainly worked with kids aged from 5 to 12 and I did my best to teach them some more English through songs and games. I also created a little workshop related to water for them. The children were very interested and mostly participated well. The teachers were friendly and helpful even though the luck of resources and materials made it a little tricky at stages. My home-stay mother, Graciela, was fantastic! She really spoiled me with delicious and traditional breakfasts and dinners. She also helped me a lot with resources and general information. The little villages are beautiful and very safe. I ended up feeling at home and it was hard to leave after 6 wonderful weeks!
Left by Workawayer for host

(Excellent)

Adeline

We only allow contact to Workawayers with active subscriptions.

[08/12/2014]

Thank you Adeline, for all your kind effort in supporting our project, for your initiatives, and knowledge given to those schools in Cuitiva we focused the volunteering this time, I am positive those children had a lovely input in their environmental education thanks to your dedication, you made a great team with Katharina and this was a succesful… read more experience. Wishing you all the best! - Felipe
Left by host for Workawayer

(Excellent)

Katharina

We only allow contact to Workawayers with active subscriptions.

[08/12/2014]

Quedamos muy contentos con el apoyo de Katharina!, una persona seria y muy responsable, que entregó toda su voluntad, energía, conocimiento e iniciativa para hacer de su voluntariado una experiencia memorable, muchas gracias!, pero ante todo recibe mi agradecimiento en nombre de los niños a quienes has dejado tantas enseñanzas y emociones… read more positivas. Te deseo muy buen recorrido en tu viaje, y espero sigamos en contacto - Felipe
Left by host for Workawayer

(Excellent)

We only allow contact to Workawayers with active subscriptions.

[06/12/2014]

Fue una experiencia muy buena y especial para hacer esto voluntario en las escuelas de Cuitiva. El trabajo con los estudiantes y profes, Felipe, toda su familia, los otros voluntarios y también toda la gente muy amable en Cuitiva y Sogamoso.
Fui en Cuitiva por 7 semanas y realice un proyecto ambiental para cuidar el agua del lago de Tota con los… read more estudiantes. Fue un proyecto con mucha actividad, por ejemplo una salida para limpiar las playas.
Muchísimas gracias Felipe, director del Fundación. Mucha suerte con el proyecto. Me alegro mucho por la oportunidad de participar un rato.

Left by Workawayer for host

(Excellent)

Maren

We only allow contact to Workawayers with active subscriptions.

[29/03/2014]

It was lovely to have Maren sharing her ideas and energy to our project, via the Cuítiva school and thanks to township support. And results with kids and school in het little stay were memorable, thank you!, and I am positive any other project willing to have an adorable and open minded volunteer will be happy with her!
Left by host for Workawayer

(Excellent)

Lefranc

We only allow contact to Workawayers with active subscriptions.

[13/12/2013]

Gracias Alfredo, por tu valioso. Eres un muchacho brillante, reflexivo, prudente y con alto don de gentes y sentido de la responsabilidad. No tengo duda que tendrás éxito en tus propósitos, y cualquier otro programa de voluntariado que te acoja sentirá tu positiva presencia. Un abrazo, y éxito.
Left by host for Workawayer

(Excellent)

We only allow contact to Workawayers with active subscriptions.

[20/11/2013]

This volunteering programme is doing a serious change in the region around Lake Tota and is a great opportunity to be a part of it. The work is very enjoyable, since the kids are curious and loving and serves as a great way to get to know the local culture.

I highly recommend this project to anyone that can be committed to the cause, likes to… read more teach and is looking to make a positive impact to the environment.
Left by Workawayer for host

(Excellent)

Suzanne

We only allow contact to Workawayers with active subscriptions.

[16/07/2013]

Suzanne gave a great deal of quality to our volunteer school, her presentations were outstanding, meaning she was really keen in doing it right to reach our goal, studying the subjects carefully; and we feel happy and lucky to have had S as a volunteer with us, she were definitely able to touch those little kids in rurar areas, and I recommend her… read more as a great volunteer.
Left by host for Workawayer

(Excellent)

We only allow contact to Workawayers with active subscriptions.

[30/05/2013]

Working for this Foundation was a very special and memorable experience. Not only did I feel like I was supporting a great cause, I was also directly touching the lives of the younger generations. The future of the planet lies in their hands and they must be conscious of the present impacts regarding their very important resource, Lago de… read more Tota.

The Colombian children living in smaller towns around the lake are eager and open minded to what I was presenting to them. They are curious, shy, and very caring. Also, the contact and founder of Montecito, Felipe, is a very hard working dedicated person who was a real pleasure to work with.

The opportunity to learn about Lago de Tota and the paramos was very special because these ecosystems are very unique and special to South America. The foundation has an alliance with an NGO working with a high school in Duitama, which offered great opportunities to accompany the kids to visit the paramos. These trips fostered a necessary relationship with their natural surroundings and allowed them to really appreciate the beauty that was present in their region.

This is a great experience to enhance your Spanish, experience a new culture, and contribute to helping the environment. Please let me know if you have any questions regarding my experience!

Left by Workawayer for host

(Excellent)

William

We only allow contact to Workawayers with active subscriptions.

[17/04/2013]

It was great to meet have William with us, as the pioneer on the program. An easy going person that made it all possible to start with, and to improve it on the run. Kids were touched in their hearts by him, and they remember William with gratitude and happiness. Thank you Will, and we look forward to seeing you back here soon. Best, F
Left by host for Workawayer

(Excellent)

We only allow contact to Workawayers with active subscriptions.

[16/04/2013]

The school offers foreigners the opportunity to work at Colombia’s Lago de Tota and teach locals about the importance of water and wetlands. Each volunteer will be immersed into the culture, have unique experiences with the locals, and positively impact the surrounding environment.

Overall, the opportunity to work with them is an incredible… read more experience. You will learn about a new culture, speak better Spanish, and have a dramatic impact on preserving Lago de Tota and the surrounding wetlands. Felipe and his family are very accommodating and will make you feel at home. I would recommend this opportunity to anyone interested in Latin America, Spanish, the environment or education.

I learn so much about the Environment and Spanish during my time. Speaking Spanish helps, but even if you know a minimal amount Felipe is happy to build a teaching program (such as teaching English) around what your skills/passions are.

If you have any questions about what the experience is like, please feel free to send me a message.

Saludos,
William
Left by Workawayer for host