Internships Details

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, including her role as the Associate Director of Ministry at Lewis University near Chicago.

Over 150 children (ages 6 months to 5 years) are registered at the 2 sites which include a 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 day care center. 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. 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.

# of Positions per term

2

Start Dates

Beginning of any academic term

Duration of Internship

10 weeks or longer

Qualifications

Academic Background

Students in their junior or senior year in early childhood development, child and family studies, or related majors preferred.

Skills/Experience

Some experience working with young children.

Language Ability

Minimum completion of 1st year university level Spanish required. The more Spanish the interns have, the better. The children and the mothers who come to the daycare/refuge do not speak English.

Other Requirements

Interns need to be self-motivated and take initiative.

Internship Costs

Total costs vary depending on how long you plan to be abroad, where you will be living, your personal spending habits, and current exchange rates. The following estimates will give you a ballpark figure for this internship. Get help with the math from our handy Cost Calculator.

IE₃ Program Fee

The program fee* for the first term of any internship is $2950 - $3150. You do not pay tuition in addition to the program fee. Visit your University's IE₃ page for details, costs for additional terms, and campus administrative fees.

*The program fee noted above reflects the anticipated fee increase that will go into effect for the Fall 2010 term and will apply to all terms thereafter.

Estimated One-Time Expenses

Expense Type	Price
International Travel	$600-$800
Visa Fees
Recommended Immunizations

*See Additional Cost Information below.

Estimated Monthly Expenses

Expense Type	Price/month
Housing	$150-$350
Food	$150
Local Transportation	$50
Recreation	$50
Personal Expenses	$50

Compensation

None.

Additional Expense Information

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.

If there is space available, interns can living in the Volunteer house for a charge of $30 a week for lodging. 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 at the Volunteer House. 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.

If space is not available, interns can rent a room or apartment in San Miguel de Allende for about $300-$400/month. The director of CASA may be able to assist with suggestions.

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.

Additional Information

Casa de los Angeles website

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 INFO San Miguel and Portal San Miguel

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.

Previous intern's final report: Rosie