With nearly 70 percent of the local population infected with HIV/AIDS, the rural villages of St. Lucia have an exceptionally large number of children who have lost either one or both of their parents. The prevalence and impact of HIV/AIDS in these communities reflects the importance and need for volunteers to help care for the abandoned children and raise awareness in the community.
Part of this project works across several day-care centers run by local women, known as crèches. So far the women running the project have built an adventure playground with swings and slides, helped refurbish classrooms and added bedrooms to school facilities to help bring in children who live too far away to attend school regularly. In addition to supporting the needs of the children, the other part of this project aims to raise awareness about the reality of the HIV/AIDS virus, preventative techniques, and treatment possibilities.
Your work will vary day-to-day, but will be focused around caring for and spending time with the underprivileged children of the local communities as well as spreading knowledge, understanding, and awareness of HIV/AIDS to the surrounding area. Your morning schedule will include volunteering at one of the following projects:
Day care centers: Overall, your aim is to assist the crèche caregivers and local teachers by helping with fun, educational activities for the children. Your tasks may include:
- Teaching children basic lessons in an interactive and engaging manner
- Providing one-on-one assistance to help children in their transition to primary school
- Developing imagination and creative skills through crafts and games
HIV/AIDS Awareness Education: Education is vital in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS and breaking down stigma surrounding the illness. As a volunteer, you will be teaching primary school students about:
- What the HIV/AIDS virus actually is and how it affects the human body
- How the virus is transmitted and how infection can be prevented
- How, after infection, life can be prolonged through medication, healthy eating, and lifestyle changes
After your morning activities, you will participate in other community development projects throughout the area. These include:
- After-school club: Provide attention, care and stimulation to the abandoned children in the area through educational games and sports.
- Adult English classes: Help adults find employment by assisting them with their English speaking, reading, writing and listening skills.
- Reading club: Create a relaxed and fun environment to promote literacy by leading the reading club at the village library.
- Family empowerment program: Help the program promote its focus on family nutrition and income generation.
- Farming: Create and maintain the community vegetable garden.
- Building and refurbishment: Repair schools, day-care centers and other rundown buildings in the community.
A typical day: Your day will begin at 7:00 AM with a healthy breakfast before you head out to your morning project at 8:30 AM. After lunch at 12:30 PM, it’s time to resume your afternoon tasks. Your work day will end at 4:30 PM, at which point you will return to the volunteer house for a debriefing and to discuss the schedule for the next day. Dinner is served at 6:00 PM, followed by free time to relax or explore the area.
During school holidays activities may differ from the usual schedule, but the work will be equally engaging and rewarding.
