Want to know how to teach English ?

This Wiki has been created by the volunteers to help current and future volunteers with ideas and experiences of teaching English at Conviven.

http://sites.google.com/site/convivenvolunteers/

Musical Instruments needed please

Centro Conviven is a non‐for‐profit, non‐governmental social organization that

serves the children, teenagers, youths and families that live in Ciudad Oculta, a

shantytown located within the city limits of Buenos Aires, Argentina where more

than 16,000 people live in acute poverty. Founded in 1994 by Valmir S. Viera,

Conviven’s mission is to promote educational, extracurricular and occupational

development for not only young children, but also young men and women so that

they may take control over their futures. Conviven also acts as a healthy

environment away from prostitution, crime and drug addiction.

Its educational program includes classes in literacy, English, French, secondary

education and computer science among many more. To promote creative

development, Conviven offers workshops in drawing, photography, painting, loom, dance, theatre, and circus production, again among many more. Finally, Conviven also has a successful music program that offers classes in guitar, percussion, singing, piano and trumpet.

The significance of these classes in the lives of the hundreds of children and youth Conviven serves cannot be emphasized enough. For those who have so little, these acts of creativity cultivate empowerment and hope.

Given its success, we are currently in the process of expanding our music program to include a full symphonic band. While we have the teachers and infrastructure in place, we still lack the instruments. If you or someone you know is interested in donating instruments, we would be extremely grateful for your support.

For more information on Conviven, please feel free to visit our website at

www.centroconviven.org.ar or email us at centroconviven@yahoo.com.ar .

Thank you very much for your support!

Warm wishes,

Centro Conviven

A new Year

We started off the term of English classes 2010 the first week of March with a whole new group of volunteers. A new year is always a fresh start and we wanted to make sure that these new volunteers got off to a great start so we made some time to have demo lessons and meet several times to make sure everyone knew what they where doing. Once a volunteer has good class room management and plans their lessons with care and takes the time, one can see a huge difference in the number of children who return. I am really pleased to say that this past month has seen new children arriving every week to the extent that now we have children sharing seats as we are running out of space ! We have also been able to offer morning classes to the children and my weekly art club is still going strong.
Thanks to all the new volunteers who really have given us a great start to the year. I really hope that those who follow can carry on the great example and standard they have set in motion.

"La Culta Rock"

Please join us this Sunday afternoon (20th Dec) for the close of the photography exhibition by the Conviven group "Ojo de Pez".

Conviven band, La Culta Rock, will be playing and Circo Robando Sonrisas will be performing.

Sunday 20th December 2009 from 16:00 - free entry
Venue: la Dirección General de Museos, Av. de los Italianos 851, Puerto Madero

"La Culta Rock" comprises:
Alejandro González (voz y composición)
Eusebio Barrios (guitarra)
Emiliano Suárez (guitarra)
Ramiro Alfoso (bajo eléctrico)
Javier Villca Flores (batería)
Pablo Gallardo (armónica)
Diego Galeano (dirección y arreglos)

Conviven end-of-year party

Please join us for the Conviven end-of-year party this Saturday 19th December! Classes will be showing their work and there will be circus displays, hip-hop, open photography workshop, dancing and refreshments.

Date: Saturday 19th December, 2009

Time: 16:00 - 20:00

Martiniano Leguizamon 2974, Mataderos/Lugano

Buses 5, 80, 97, 103, 117, 141

Fernando: photos of Circo Festival on Matadero Nov 2008

Nichole: a rude awakening!

I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to live abroad in Argentina – to experience the culture, make new friends, and explore new areas. But more than anything, I am thankful that I followed through on my goal to take time during the trip to volunteer.

I remember scouring the Internet looking for organizations that offered volunteer programs. I had not realized how challenging it could be to find opportunities to donate time, so it came as a huge relief when I found Conviven, an NGO that promoted social and community development. The center only required your time and dedication to their after school English program. Conviven was located in the Ciudad Oculta, known for the poverty affecting 10,000 of its citizens. As I prepared to begin, I was excited about the possibility of learning more about this new culture through the opportunity to help children.

My first day at Conviven I was ready to take charge, and felt I could handle anything. I was in for a rude awakening. I was placed in a class with thirteen children from ages five to eight. I was responsible for teaching them English words and concepts. I quickly learned that I would have to speak Spanish in order for them learn English. I struggled with my rusty Spanish, and at times, the students were my teachers. Hand gestures and acting out themes was routine; I was responsible for their curriculum, and tried to be creative and resourceful. Many students were eager to learn while others were shy and unresponsive.

Over the course of my teaching at Conviven, I was amazed at the different relationships I built with the students and volunteers. The students all became dedicated and responsive to my teaching style. I was thankful for each student that came to class after attending a full day of school.

I realized it was the small triumphs that made the difference. Many students were not going to conquer the English language in the time I was there, but their dedication to working relentlessly makes me believe that they will master the language in the future, and reminded me that with persistence and dedication, any goal can be achieved.