Project Medellín

English teacher/co-teacher WHAT?

With Intercambio, we strongly believe that learning other languages at a young age offers interesting chances for life. That’s why we organize English classes (A1 A2) for the children of “Belencito Corazón”, an underprivileged neighbourhood (part of Comuna 13) in the hills of Medellín, Colombia in colaboration with a local organisation.

We are looking for an open-minded volunteer with a good level of English, with good communication skills and at least a basic level of Spanish (and the motivation to improve) who can help us with the English classes.

One of the most important conditions for working with teenagers is building a relationship of trust which takes time. Therefore, we require a stay of min. three months.

Your mission as an English teaching volunteer will be to teach English to students with a basic level of proficiency, as well as organize cultural classes on topics such as religion, your own culture, subcultures, and history.

Most of our students are between 8-16 years old. The English classes are part of a bigger program to prevent children getting into prostitution, drugs or criminal activities. Besides this, speaking English can help them obtain scholarships, giving them the opportunity to study abroad for a period of time.

Belencito Corazón (Medellin)/ WHERE?

The “Belencito Corazón” neighbourhood is part of “Comuna 13”, which used to be one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the world. It was run by violent drug trafficking organizations, who used the poor barrio as a transit route in and out of the city, and served as a stronghold for guerrillas, gangs and paramilitaries.

On 16 October 2002, Operation Orion began in Comuna Trece, an action by the Colombian army (supported by the government) aimed at regaining power in the neighbourhood and so on to make the neighbourhood safer. This action lasted two months and caused numerous casualties.

In addition, in 2004, the Colombian government began to build escalators and a metro cable connecting Comuna 13 to the city, which made it easier for people to enter and leave the neighbourhood. Thanks to these measures, the neighbourhood evolved into a place of flourishing culture, art, music, sport and dance.

Medellín is the second largest city of Colombia and it is known as the city of eternal spring because of its pleasant warm weather all year round. There are tons of possible activities in the city: you can visit some of the museums, go for hikes to amazing viewpoints to catch a good sunset over the city, hop on one of the chivas (party bus), enjoy a local football match in El Estadio, take salsa classes, cycle around in the city, and many more.

Practically? TASKS and MATERIAL

You are expected to be in the classroom three days a week, from Tuesday to Thursday. Including the time spent thoroughly preparing each class, your total workload will be approximately 25–28 hours per week.

You will work with four different groups of children in collaboration with two local organizations.

In addition to your work with the children, there is an opportunity to assist on Thursday evenings with food distribution for people living on the streets in central Medellín (optional).

Besides the classes we’ll ask you to think about ways to expand the project, to organize a fundraising, design games, social media, ..

To organize the classes, you’ll have the following material at your disposal: a whiteboard with markers, notebooks, computers, a projector and an intercambio teaching manual which includes the standard practices of teaching + lots of games + tips and activities to make the classes interactive.

Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

You’ll have the opportunity to share your culture with the Paisas (inhabitants of Antioquia) who are truly the most genuine friendly people of Colombia. Besides this, not so many people speak English in “Belencito Corazón”, so you’ll have to use your Spanish a lot during the time you spend in this neighbourhood so this will help you to improve quickly.

Each week, you have the opportunity to organize a cultural class. Topics previously covered include Islam, armed conflict, circus culture, and feminism. Based on past experience, these sessions have proven to be both popular and enriching. They offer the students a valuable chance to learn about other countries and share their own perspectives, as well as present their own culture to you.

In a way to strengthen your competences we’ll organize a workshop once a month. Possible topics are: culture shock, interactive learning, organize fundraising, …

Accommodation?

You’ll have a private room in a shared apartment in the San Javier neighborhood (one of the nicest neighbourhoods of Medellin, with a lot of parks, bars, sport facilities,...).

You’ll live together with the other volunteers. The apartment has all the necessary equipment: there is a kitchen with a gas stove, fridge, microwave, washing machine, two bathrooms with showers, a desk to study, two bicycles, Colombian books and a television/screen and proyector. There is wifi as well.

We do expect volunteers to keep this place clean during their stay, as it’s a form of respect for the people who you’ll be living with.

This should go without saying but be aware that drugs and prostitution in the apartment aren’t allowed. For us this is an important condition, because you are going to work into a program that focuses on the prevention for children getting into these sectors.

What's included?

Private room
Taxi from Medellin airport (Jose Maria Cordova) to your room.
Pocket money for transport
Guidance in finding a Spanish language course
Assistance with booking the airline tickets and travel insurance.
Intercambio guide with recommendations for visits, contacts, info about food, activities in Medellin,...

(send us an email (intercambio.npo@gmail.com) or contact us via our socials to get more information/price)

How to apply?

Send us an email (intercambio.npo@gmail.com) with your cv and/or motivation and we'll get in touch with you within two working days.