30 August 2008

INFO

Here's some of the basics of where I'll be and what I'll be doing over the next eight months with Thinking Beyond Borders. I've included my mailing addresses so everyone is welcome to send letters. My e-mail is rslajda@comcast.net, and I'd love to hear from all of you, even if I won't always have time to respond. But this blog is to keep everyone updated, so I'll write whenever I can. A few more days...

Ecuador: Fundacion Yanapuma (www.yanapuma.org/en/index.php)
We will be working in the community of Bua (20 minutes outside of Santo Domingo) to improve the water system at a local elementary school of 250 students and teachers.

Mail can be received in Ecuador until October 17th
Fundacion Yanapuma
Veintimilla E8-125 y 6 de Diciembre
Quito, Ecuador

China: The Yunan Center for Cultural Learning and Development (www.ynccld.org/)
In Kunming, TBB students will be paired with a local English teacher to gain direct knowledge of the Chinese education system by observing and acting as a Teacher's Assistant. Students will also spend a shorter time as TAs in the schools of Shaxi (a rural community 10 hours outside of Kunming).

Mail can be received in China until November 11th
Lu Yuan and Sam Mitchell
Center for Cultural Learning and Development
School of International Education
Yunnan Nationalities University
12.1 Street #134
Kunming, Yunnan, 650031
China

Vietnam: CET (www.cetacademicprograms.com)
The work will entail urban environmental protection with a variety of small local nonprofits in Ho Chi Minh City.

Mail can be received in Vietnam until January 1st
c/o Rylan Higgins
1B Pham Ngoc Thach
District One
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

India: The Indian Association of the Experiment In International Living (www.experimentindia.org/)
Primarily, morning will be spent working on your homestay family's farm. Afternoons will be spent with the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), which is a project of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. KVK scientists help to implement to research and technology at the village level. You can read more about them or access a video from our visit with them through the TBB website. We will be in Dethali in the state of Gujarat.

Mail can be received in India until February 6th
Manda Parikh
Indian Society for Community Education
Community Education House off Ashram Road
Navjivan Press Road
Ahmedabad, Gujarat
India

South Africa: Willing Workers in South Africa (www.wwisa.co.za/)
Half the day will be spent working with Plett Aid in townships surrounding Plettenberg Bay. Students will be paired with Home-Based Care Providers who serve as social workers to those living with HIV and AIDS. Several afternoons each week students will also work in an after-care program with local youth.

Mail can be received in South Africa until March 16th
Mr. Rocky Reeder
Willing Workers in South Africa รข€“ WWISA
PO Box 2413
Plettenberg Bay, 6600
South Africa