Safe Passage

Women’s Literacy Program Coordinator

Guatemala City

May 2008 – May 2009 (with flexibility to stay longer)

Stipend included

MISSION STATEMENT:  Safe Passage empowers the poorest, at-risk children of families working in the community of the Guatemala City Garbage Dump, by creating opportunities and fostering dignity through the power of education.

VISION:  Within a safe and caring environment, every child participates in an integrated program that fosters optimism, good health, educational achievement, self esteem, and confidence.  Children and parents discover that, through their own efforts, they can move beyond poverty.

OVERVIEW:  The individual in this position is responsible for leading a class of women with varying skill levels: beginner through sixth-grade level reading, writing and mathematics, in Spanish.  The 30 students in our program are mostly mothers of children attending Safe Passage and range in age from 18 to 75.

Principal duties include:

•    Working with a Guatemala teacher to oversee and participate in planning for and teaching/tutoring classes of up to 10 women with diverse skill levels at a time, Monday – Friday, 8:30 – 4:30.
•    Overseeing the work of Guatemalan teacher, and class assistant.
•    Managing the class budget using Microsoft Excel (or equivalent program).
•    Public relations with donors and fundraisers.

•    Working with representatives and curriculum of the National Literacy Committee of Guatemala (CONALFA) to help students earn 6^th grade equivalency diplomas.

•    Purchasing and distributing monthly food bags to students based on attendance.

•    Coordinating occasional extracurricular activities and excursions.

•    Loving, supporting, and forming lasting relationships with this amazing group of women!

Skills and experience required for this position include:
•    Strong speaking and writing skills in Spanish or desire to take classes prior to starting.
•    Some teaching experience teaching and preferred

•    Patience and creativity to work with slow learners

•    Highly self-motivated
•    Experience teaching or working with women a plus

•    Flexibility to work and live within an impoverished community and foreign culture

This position is a long-term position and would require the volunteer to make a one year or longer commitment to the organization. The training period for this position would ideally begin in April or May 2008.  If you’re interested in this position, please email the current Women’s Literacy Program Coordinator at CorinneBergmann@gmail.com or fax resumes to (207) 846-1688