Asociacion Ajb' atz' Enlace Quiché
Santa Cruz del Quiché, El Quiché, Guatemala
Guatemala-003
Internship Description
About the Organization:Vision: To be recognized as a pioneer in the successful application of information and communication technology to develop human capacity of indigenous peoples.
Mission: To raise human capacity of indigenous peoples through innovative applications of information and communication technology.
History: Association Ajb’atz’ Enlace Quiché was born in 2003 due to the ingenuity of leaders from Quiché as a mechanism to strengthen and extend actions initiated by the Enlace Quiché Project of USAID/AED. From 2000 to 2002, Enlace worked with local partners and the Ministry of Education to create the first CETEBIs (Bilingual Intercultural Educational Technology Centers), with computers and multimedia equipment to support the training of bilingual teachers and the production of didactic material in K’iche’ and Ixil Mayan languages. From 2002 to 2003, with additional financing of USAID, Enlace Quiché continued and started to open new centers around the Quiché Department, facilitating the access to Internet and creating didactic digital material in six Mayan languages.
To continue with the work started after the end of the direct support of USAID, and to be able to enter new ambits, the local team obtained the formation and legalization of one NGO, denominated Association Ajb’atz’ Enlace Quiché, which continues with the educational labor to teach with computers and not about computers, contributing to the development of Quiché, of Guatemala, and of indigenous peoples in the whole world.
Local Activities:
The Santa Cruz del Quiché CETEBI is characterized for being a service center where the community has access to courses, reproduction services and the sale of educational and cultural products; especially, where technology is used as a tool to support education. The extracurricular training offered by the Computation Academy of Ajb’atz’ Enlace Quiché is grouped in four different categories: basic data processing, productive computer science, personal development, and teacher training. The courses actually being developed by Ajb’atz’ Enlace Quiché are in the area of basic data processing and language learning that include: Typewriting, Computer Operating, Daily Data Processing, Learning to Play with Computers, Bringing My Business to Success, Maya-K’iche’ language, and English for children and adults. About 75% of students are on scholarship for these classes thanks to many gracious donations to the programs. The reproduction services offered are very diverse, such as: photocopying, binding, printing, CD and DVD burning, laminating, Internet access in the Internet Café, equipment rental, and the maintenance and repair of computers. Ajb’atz’ Enlace Quiché sells computer equipment, accessories, and supplies, as well as offers a paper supply store for school and office necessities. This CETEBI model seeks to be self-sustainable and hopes to expand to other towns.
In 2006, Ajb’atz’ Enlace Quiché formalized the Digital Weavers’ production team and started offering services to other development organizations and the private sector. With a multi-disciplinary team of staff and consultants, services offered are: the creation of web pages and portals, services for hosting web pages and registering domains, production of interactive CD-ROMs and multimedia, design of training materials (courses, modules, manuals, and workshops), design of online courses, audio recording and editing, and video production. The Digital Weavers’ specialty is creating projects with a multilingual focus and in Mayan context. However, their vast capabilities allow them to accept a variety of jobs with social and commercial objectives.
Awards: In 2003 the interactive software, Jun E (A Destiny), was awarded by the World Summit of Information Society in Geneva in the category of Digital Entertainment. In 2004 Andrew Lieberman, founder of Ajb’atz’ Enlace Quiché, was awarded as a laureate in the Tech Museum of San Jose, California, in the category of Education. And, in 2005 Ajb’atz’ Enlace Quiche was awarded by the World Summit of Information Society in Tunisia in the category of Digital Inclusion.
Regarding safety, travel to Guatemala can be problem-free if travelers take appropriate safety precautions. Information will be covered during the IE3 Global Internships pre-departure orientation.
Job Description:
There are 3 internship positions available.
Digital Weaver Intern:
The Digital Weaver intern will be part of a multi-disciplinary team that produces a variety of digital multimedia materials, including web pages, e-courses, interactive educational software, videos and audio programs. Tasks will be assigned according to active projects and the intern’s skills and interests, including activities such as:
• Build and maintain web pages using a content management system and templates
• Create interactive educational games and other learning activities using software such as Adobe Flash.
• Produce special effects, such as animations and avatars for videos, web pages, and e-courses.
• Film, upload, and edit digital video.
• Record, digitize, and edit audio.
• Create graphic elements (logos, banners, templates, icons) for print and digital materials
• Design and administer databases
Educational Curriculum Intern:
The Educational Curriculum intern will work with a team that leads the production of print and multimedia training materials for classroom and distance learning courses in computer skills, Mayan language and culture, community development, and many other areas. Design processes include curriculum design, development of course manuals, specifications for multimedia materials to be produced, and field-testing of new courses. Tasks will be assigned according to active projects and the intern’s skills and interests, including activities such as:
• Design and implement diagnostic studies to determine contents for new courses
• Research to find materials and contents to be incorporated into course designs
• Prepare course manuals, teacher’s guides, multimedia presentations, worksheets and other course materials.
• Write specifications and coordinate production of multimedia materials that are part of the course design.
• Lead formative evaluation of new courses including classroom observation, interviews with teachers and students, and other processes to make and implement recommendations to improve course designs.
NGO Management and Outreach Support Intern:
The NGO Management and Outreach Support intern will work with the Ajb’atz’ management team in a variety of activities relating to fundraising, grant management, alliance building, and public relations. Tasks will be assigned according to active projects and the intern’s skills and interests, including activities such as:
• Identify grant opportunities
• Prepare and submit funding proposals
• Support grant management, including preparation of financial and technical reports for donors
• Identify opportunities for alliances within Guatemala and internationally.
• Manage operations of the Ajb’atz’ volunteer program.
• Prepare content for Ajb’atz’ website, newsletters, and other outreach materials.
• Translate documents between Spanish and English
Additional Information:
Please see the Ajb’atz’ Enlace Quiché website which has up-to-date local information for prospective interns, including a variety of online resources, local information, packing list, former interns’ contact information, visa information, and much more. www.enlacequiche.org/volunteer.
If you would like to email a previous intern, please contact the IE3 Latin America director, Monya Lemery.
The student will be provided a computer to work on during their time as an intern. However, it is acceptable for the student to bring their personal laptop to work on instead, for their comfort and ease. Internet access is available to the intern for work use during work hours and for personal use during their free hours.
Start Date:
beginning of any academic term
Duration:
6 months
Number of Positions:
depending on availability
Intern Qualifications
Academic Background:• Computer and Information Sciences
• Digital Communications and Multimedia
• Graphic Communications
• Photographic, Film, and Video Technology
• Education
• Development Studies
• Social Services
• Indigenous Peoples Studies
• Social Sciences
• International Relations
• Public Relations
• Business Administration
• Public Administration
• Communications and Journalism
Skills/Experience:
This position is ideal for students in majors relating to:
• Computer and Information Sciences
• Digital Communications and Multimedia
• Graphic Communications
• Photographic, Film, and Video Technology
Basic required skills include:
• Strong general computer skills (office productivity, Internet)
• Familiar with principles of web page design
• Familiar with multimedia formats and software
• Familiarity with Web 2.0 technologies, such as blogs and other technologies that facilitate online communities
• Excellent writing skills
• Excellent inter-personal skills
The intern will be more successful if s/he has skills in at least one of the following areas:
• Knowledge of HTML
• Experience in administering a web page, ideally with a content management system (CMS)
• Knowledge of PHP, MySQL, JavaScript, and/or ActionScript
• Experience with Adobe Flash
• Experience with software for editing photos and videos
• Experience in recording and editing audio
• Experience in graphic design
• Other computer programming experience
Educational Curriculum Intern:
This position is ideal for students in majors relating to:
• Education
• Development Studies
• Social Services
• Indigenous Peoples Studies
• Social Sciences
Basic required skills include:
• Strong general computer skills (office productivity, Internet)
• Excellent writing skills
• Teaching or tutoring experience
The intern will be more successful if s/he has skills in at least one of the following areas:
• Experience in leading surveys, focus groups or similar research activities
• Experience in instructional writing or other design of educational materials
• Experience in community development processes
• Familiarity with distance learning methodologies or platforms.
NGO Management and Outreach Support Intern:
This position is ideal for students in majors relating to:
• Development Studies
• International Relations
• Public Relations
• Business Administration
• Public Administration and Social Services
• Communications and Journalism
• Social Sciences
Basic required skills include:
• Strong general computer skills (office productivity, Internet)
The intern will be more successful if s/he has skills in at least one of the following areas:
• Experience working with a non-profit organization
• Office administration skills (accounting, human resources management, etc.)
• Experience in writing for a newsletter, website or similar.
• Experience working in a volunteer program
Language Requirement:
Mainly K’iche and Spanish are spoken at Ajb’atz’ Enlace Quiché, with only a few English speakers on staff. Students desiring the NGO Management and Outreach Support and Digital Weaver intern positions must complete a minimum of second year college level Spanish to qualify for the internships. Students seeking the Educational Curriculum intern position must complete a minimum of third year college level Spanish to qualify for the internship.
These minimum levels of Spanish suffice for the students’ social and community interactions in Santa Cruz del Quiché, and throughout the country. However, they will often hear community members speaking K’iche’ or other Mayan languages, in addition to Spanish. Almost no English is spoken in the town of Santa Cruz del Quiché.
Other Requirements:
Ajb’atz’ also makes heavy use of information and communications technologies within its office, so interns will gain valuable practice in information sharing using a network file server, e-mail, and similar online tools.
Ajb’atz’ Enlace Quiché is a professional organization and upholds a professional office environment. Interns will be expected to wear clean jeans, pants, or a skirt, with a semi-formal top. Short sleeves are acceptable.
Internship Costs
Program Fees:The program fee includes tuition, internship site development and placement, pre-departure orientation, international health insurance, internship monitoring and follow-up.
Click here for application information, including the program fee, for your school.
Note: The program fee does not include airfare, housing, living expenses or any other estimated costs noted below.
Note:
Any financial or in-kind support provided by the host organization is explicitly indicated.
Compensation:
Optional: Interns can teach 1 or 2 classes a week to earn a stipend.$75.00 a month per English course taught (max: 2 courses). Each English class is 4 hours a week.
Accommodation:
Each intern is provided housing in the Ajb’atz’ Enlace Quiché Volunteer House. This includes a room and all utilities and amenities including cable TV, electricity, water, telephone, shared kitchen, on-demand hot water, washing machine, wireless internet and computer and internet access in the home. There is space in the house for 4 volunteers/interns at a time. The organization can also direct students to where they can buy any additional household items desired.
International Travel:
Air fare: approx. $600-$700 to Guatemala City. Host will pick up intern at the airport in Guatemala City upon arrival and transport to Santa Cruz del Quiche. As well, the intern will be taken to the airport for departure.
Cost of Living:
The cost of living for an intern for one month can be estimated at:
Housing: $250.00
Food: $100.00
Visa/Work Permit: $0.00
Local Transportation: $10.00 (Note: Local transportation is not a necessity. Most volunteers, interns, and staff members walk to work very easily.)
Miscellaneous Expenses: $100.00 for entertainment, souvenirs, and personal travel on weekends
Budget Note:
Applicants should use these estimates for preliminary budgeting purposes.
IE3 will issue an official budget after acceptance by the host organization.
Application Information
Academic Credit:
Up to 12 credits available as per arrangement with supervising department.
Application Materials:
IE3 is a program of the Oregon University System.
Students from participating
partner universities are also eligible to apply.
Click here for application
information and select your school from the list.