Caring Causes: Projects Abroad Educational Focus

Across the globe, students of all ages and nationalities are busy preparing for the new academic year, from children starting the first grade to freshmen beginning their college careers. At the same time, thousands of children in developing countries are also doing the same. However, they lack the same opportunities available in North America and are struggling to get an education in the face of poverty and an absence of resources. 

Malala Yousafzai, education activist and Nobel Prize laureate, said this about the power of education: "One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world." While a volunteer might not be able to change the world, they have the ability to impact lives and communities. Projects Abroad is calling for volunteers with a passion for learning to support schools, orphanages, and kindergartens as teachers and help reduce inequality in education.

"Through our volunteers, we aim to empower underprivileged students by improving their future prospects and equipping them with the skills needed to actively engage in a multi-national community," explains Rachel McMillian, a Program Advisor for Projects Abroad USA. "It's also important to us that this support is sustainable, so we have management plans in place in all of our destinations to ensure that certain development goals are prioritized."

These goals cover a wide range of areas in the classroom, and include improving English, encouraging learning through creativity and problem-solving, increasing literacy, and helping local teachers refine their teaching and classroom management techniques. Furthermore, each goal consists of a number of actions and tasks to give volunteers a clear guide on how to achieve those goals.

With Projects Abroad, volunteers can participate in a variety of meaningful Teaching programs across the developing world. The organization offers general Teach English and Other Subjects projects, where volunteers can teach additional extra-curricular subjects of their choosing, as well as programs where they can focus on teaching IT, French, or Physical Education. 

The importance of teaching Physical Education in schools abroad is growing, notes McMillian. "Youth in developing countries are striving to emulate stars like Didier Drogba, Lionel Messi, and Usain Bolt, especially with the popularity of global competitions like the FIFA World Cup and the IAAF World Championships. Unfortunately, PE teachers are in short supply in dozens of the communities we work in, and most disadvantaged schools cannot afford to hire staff to teach sports. Our volunteers make a huge difference when they volunteer as coaches during school hours and after school. They use their time, energy, and skills to help develop athletic ability, fitness, and self-confidence. It's also a great tool for helping children learn about the benefits of teamwork."

For more information on how to get involved with international teaching programs, please visit
www.projects-abroad.org/volunteer-projects/teaching.