Casa de Los Angeles Guarderia y Refugio
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Mexico-023
Internship Description
About the Organization:Casa de los Angeles is a not-for profit foundation founded by Donna Quathamer to serve families that would otherwise not be able to afford daycare for their babies and young children. Donna has years of experience as an educator and most recently as the Associate Director of Ministry at Lewis University near Chicago.
Local Activities:
Over 50 children (ages 6 months to 5 years) are registered at the daycare center and pre-school; most of their mothers either commute from the outskirts of town to work or have part-time and poorly paid positions in the town. In exchange for the care of their children, parents regularly help in the kitchen, help with the children, or clean the guarderia. The children are provided breakfast and lunch daily, along with activities, games, crafts, and loving care while their parents are at work. The casa is also a shelter where mothers have the opportunity to participate in vocational programs.
Job Description:
The interns will be directly involved in the education and care of the children and will work under the supervision of a qualified pre-school teacher. Intern may be asked to substitute if a teacher is absent. Duties will include teaching basic numbers, colors, letters, crafts, dressing, shoe tying, and basic hygiene; they will also take children on field trips and read to them. The children are at the daycare and preschool from approximately 9:00 to 5:00; they are fed breakfast at 10:30, have a fruit snack at noon, and then eat lunch at 2:30, all prepared by the cook on site. Interns must be willing to participate in a community where they share meals and household chores and be expected, as they gain confidence, to interact with parents. Interns may be asked to help with fundraising, including pancake breakfasts and chili dinners (except during the summer months.). During July there is a three week summer camp for children and older siblings (ages 6-12). The days are long but rewarding. Weekends are free. The Casa is non-denominational but there is a spiritual element, especially during the afternoon hour spent on reflection and process. Dress at the Casa is casual (but conservative) because the interns will get dirty (a washing machine is on site). In addition, San Miguel is a casual town, not nearly as formal as larger Mexican cities. Good walking shoes are a necessity.
Additional Information:
www.casadelosangeles.org. San Miguel de Allende is one of Mexico's loveliest cities in Colonial Central Mexico and has many sites on the Internet. Two suggestions are www.infosma.com and www.infosma.com/atencion. Hogar de Los Angeles is located in Colonia San Antonio, ten minutes from the Historic Center of town. Stepping into the courtyard stimulates the senses: terra-cotta walls, bright red and yellow furniture, blue skies, large trees, windows looking down from two-story interior structure, a central sandpit, a kitchen in the back, a classroom to the side, and children everywhere.
Rosalie Richards (intern winter 2007) final report
Click
here to read the January 2006 newsletter.
Click here for the site's May 2006
newsletter.
Start Date:
Beginning of any academic term
Duration:
10 weeks or longer.
Number of Positions:
2
Intern Qualifications
Academic Background:Students in their junior or senior year in early childhood development or related majors
Skills/Experience:
Nearing the end of a degree in early childhood education or its equivalent.
Language Requirement:
Proficiency in Spanish equivalent to two years university study strongly preferred, however interns with little to no Spanish can work in the area of childcare or construction of the new site. The more Spanish the interns have, the better...
Other Requirements:
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:
None. Housing is provided. Interns pay only $30 a week for lodging and breakfast and a simple but nutritious lunch taken at the day care center, Monday through Friday. Interns can buy and fix their own food and store it in the refrigerator.
Accommodation:
Interns share an apartment with Donna and volunteers. All linens and blankets are provided. The apartment is about 20 minutes walking from the day care center, or a short bus or taxi ride. The accommodations are simple but clean and comfortable.
International Travel:
$700-$775 for a round-trip flight to Leon from Oregon. An airport pick up can be arranged which will meet you in Leon and take you directly to the day care center or apartment. (Costs about $40). Note: here may be less expensive flights into Mexico City a($500-$600) and then a 4 hour bus ride to San Miguel de Allende.
Cost of Living:
Incidentals and entertainment $200 a month (in addition to the $120 needed for board). There are wonderful things to see and do in and around San Miguel, and weekends are open for travel. You should budget extra to take advantage of these.
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.