Teaching English in Peru
Volunteer Work Latin America offer many programs for teaching English in South America. Volunteer placements can be arranged at afterschool projects, primary schools and also in the tourism sector. However teaching English in Peru to blind persons is a whole different ball-game!
We work together with a center for social rehabilitation in Peru. This specific institute for adults is set up for, and run by, blind people with the aim of bringing the community of the visually impaired in the Cusco region closer together. The location has a room for massage- and physiotherapy, a small bakery, a greenhouse as well as a computer room.
Besides putting these facilities to use, the organization is also organizing workshops in a variety of trades, such as accounting and marketing, and the English language in order to stimulate independence and more job opportunities. Due to lack of funds as well as staff, these amenities are hardly ever used if it wasn’t for the help of volunteers.
One of our volunteers, Victoria Benz from Austria, wanted to teach English in Cusco and shares her experience with us in this testimonial:
“My volunteer experience was to teach English in Peru to a small group of blind persons aged 19 – 60. Some of them are completely blind, while others still can see a bit, but very little. For this reason, the classes were very unlike any ordinary ones and required a whole different approach!
Instead of writing down notes, my ‘students’ recorded everything I was saying. I learned that it was better to slowly spell the more difficult words. At the beginning preparation for classes was quite hard, as they cannot write or read, however after a few days I found out that listening and translating songs in English was something they enjoyed a lot, especially the song “say you, say me” which we all sang together.
We also talked for hours about the Peruvian culture as well as mine, as their interest in even the most insignificant details had no end. We were laughing constantly about their jokes, in English, and they also found my pronunciation of the Quechua words the wanted teach hilarious.
I have never met a group of persons with more motivation and dedication than them. The daily 2 hour class always passed by so quickly and my three weeks stay was over before I realized. I left with a big feeling of appreciation from the participants. They treated me with great kindness and were genuinely interested in my life. On my last day we went out to drink a ‘chicha’ together!“.
At the moment they do not have an English teacher but are very keen on continuing their learning and being proactive. The project is especially suitable for people that speak good English as well as have experience in massage therapy, pastry-making and IT-skills.
They happened to have received a software donation which will enable them to talk to and work with the computers but need someone to help them learn how to use it. In addition to this, the institution needs eye specialists and dentists to give medical treatment.
If you feel you can contribute please do not hesitate to contact us for more info referring to the program SE43 in Cusco.
