PBH / colombia (travelguide, pictures) / post

Anyone care to help with our non-profit volunteer project in COL?

Case Statement for Colombia

One of the main goals of our Books and Dreams Colombia project is to raise the level of the poorest kids in Colombia to that of their classmates. Along with those students who attend public schools from the most marginalized segments of society, we are also creating programs for students who are on the streets and haven’t even had the opportunity to have a teacher or a desk in a traditional classroom.

The students we work with have had tremendous difficulty learning in their regular schools. Many have missed at least 75% of their classes over the last 2-3 years because they were asked by their parents to work to support the family. Many beg for money on street corners or perform in “shows�? at stop lights in order to bring in a couple of dollars per day. We help them with their homework and do supplemental tutoring in Spanish, Math and occasionally English.

These students all have special characteristics. Before they were forced by a law signed in January of 2006 to return to school, many of them would spend all day on the streets vandalizing, robbing people, selling themselves…just being delinquent. These students not only need extra help with their education, but also in readjusting to a normal school setting. We help teach them respect, along with simpler things, like how to clean themselves, how to play with others and be surrounded by other kids in a social setting, to smile, to be responsible and to improve their schoolwork.

These projects change the lives of these students and their families. By accomplishing all our goals and objectives of our project, we can demonstrate success and get the necessary funding that will allow us to help all the poor kids that need help in Colombia.

The costs to maintain a child in schools and centers throughout Colombia are very reasonable. For lunch-breakfast, snack, uniforms, books and supplies AND additional tutoring support four times per week for two hours (8 hours total per week outside of class), it only costs $54,000 pesos. That’s about $25 USD per month for a sponsor to change one child’s life for the better, or $300 per year.

Unfortunately, the government here in Colombia doesn’t provide any additional funding for the students who are now in many schools, but are often 5-7 grade levels behind by the time they reach high school. The government considers it to be a victory for them to be in school at all. However, a majority of students in public schools are graduating without the necessary skills and level of competency to be self-sufficient as adults.

One day, there will be Books and Dreams “Balance Centers�? in the majority of departments in Colombia.

Along with our paid tutors, we are recruiting volunteers from the wealthier high schools and universities to help. These students can fulfill their volunteer requirements for graduation, help poor kids have a better opportunity for success in life AND get invaluable practice as many of them prepare to become teachers, counselors and social workers.

With publicity, coordination, collaboration and the help of global institutions and people with great hearts, we can accomplish everything so that this project becomes not only a possibility for founder Joe Hogue, but a reality. Right now, we are taking our very first steps, but we are very confident in reaching that final destination. And the same plans are taking place not only in Colombia, but all over Central and South America.

By caulfield2 on Jun 3, 2006, 07:22 in Friendly Talkzone.

corazon en colombia says on Jun 3, 2006, 07:53:

Wow! This sounds like a great program. Are you teaching in it or coodinating it? As a teacher, I am always encouraged to hear about people who are making a difference in kids' lives, especially those who are at risk. Where is this program currently working, in what cities? in what countries?

Wasn't it you that said he did AmeriCorps? I did too. I participated in a Urban Education program through my university. Awesome experience.

Colombia = paradiso

Colombia = paradiso

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caulfield2 says on Jun 3, 2006, 08:10:

Yes, I was in AmeriCorps for two terms.

I am the Program Director, so I won't be doing as much tutoring as I used to do, because management positions in non-profit are less direct service oriented. I've spent four years as a teacher and five plus years in non-profit leading volunteer projects...so I have had my share of tutoring, lol.

I am leaving my position as a teacher in COL to do this, it's something of a risk financially (I'm leaving a $24,000 position) for one that will pay quite a bit less.

HOWEVER, money is never the reason to do anything, and, if you really love what you are doing, you will do it well and be taken care of financially, IMO. Everything just tends to work out when you are doing things for others, although it is certainly easier when you are by yourself as compared to taking care of a spounse or family.

We are starting at least two programs in the Armenia-Circasia area, with the hope to expand to Barrio Nelson Mandela in Cartagena, maybe Bolivia...and two Central American countries, probably Honduras, El Salvador or Nicaragua.

It is a lot easier to collaborate with existing school networks than to create a program for students on the streets and who haven't been in a traditional school setting for months or even years...however, these kids are the ones we will fight to serve, as difficult and frustrating as it can be at times to see progress with a young person, then see them a week later in a morgue, on the streets, a prostitute, a gang member. No doubt, it's a battle worth fighting all around the world, as educational opportunity is the means to address most of the problems in the world.

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Atrevido says on Jun 3, 2006, 09:03:

Great Project But but your big problem is that Colombians will never support it financially. i.e. donate money to it. Never in a million years.

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corazon en colombia says on Jun 3, 2006, 09:15:

Teaching I agree, education opens up essential opportunties, especially for kids in difficult situations. Learning in itself can be liberating and inspiring. Yes, to the money thing too, when you do what you love and are helping others there is something more fulfiliing in that than a great salary.

You live in Armenia, am I correct? What can you tell me about that city? I'm seriously considering moving to Colombia to teach in a few years. I lived and worked in Bogota for 5 months. Loved Colombia, but Bogota is a little too cold and a little too big for me. (I come from a city of 500,000.) Are there many bilingual schools there? Are there parks, universities, places to shop? Typical rent? How much do you spend a month on bills? Any info would be good, only thing I can find on the internet is weather.

Colombia = paradiso

Colombia = paradiso

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corazon en colombia says on Jun 3, 2006, 09:19:

Financial support Maybe not Colombians in Colombia, but I know of Colombians in the states that would support something like this, and gringos. Where is the financial support coming from? How to contribute? Is this company registered anywhere? I always like to check things out well before I contribute or tell others about.

Colombia = paradiso

Colombia = paradiso

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tigredelnorte says on Jun 3, 2006, 10:11:

how does someone contact this organization?

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Colombiche says on Jun 3, 2006, 10:14:

Caulfield Do you have an email address where I could reach you?

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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caulfield2 says on Jun 3, 2006, 10:42:

jewisler at yahoo.com

The website for our organization is www.booksanddreams.org

We have about 33 contacts from our volunteermatch.org website that I´m going to ask for support when I go back to the US in three weeks...serving on board, as advisors, helping with PR or marketing ideas, fundraising events, etc.

Joe Hogue, who lives in Des Moines, Iowa, is the Executive Director.
You can e-mail him directly at jhogue99 at hotmail.com We are a 501-c-3 non-profit registered in the US.

Any help (financial or otherwise) would be greatly appreciated, and I´m sure Joe would echo those sentiments as well.

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caulfield2 says on Jun 3, 2006, 10:47:

As far as Armenia goes....

Great climate in terms of temperature (like LA or SD), lots of rain though.

About 310,000 population, smaller than Pereira and Manizales, two other cities in Eje Cafetero.

Less cosmopolitan, more touristic, lots of fincas and haciendas. Good shopping, but not compared to the Big 4 cities.

Very safe, good security. I really like living here, it can get boring sometimes, but it´s nice. That´s true of most cities. Lots of different things to do outside the city....hang gliding, bolsaje, horseback riding, Parque del Cafe, Panaca, Salento and Sevilla are two of the prettiest cities (or views) in all of Colombia IMO.

If I didn´t live here, it would be Medellin or Manizales, maybe Pereira. Manizales has more universities....I teach at Universidad La Gran Colombia, Universidad del Quindio is our public university. There are a couple of smaller ones...

Rents are reasonable but going up, nice 2-3 bedroom (without utilities) for around $350-550,000 per month, on average.

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caulfield2 says on Jun 3, 2006, 10:50:

Oh....Gimnasio Ingles is main bilingual school but is around $4,000 USD per year. Expensive for here...there´s another bilingual school, but no native English speakers.

San Luis Rey, Carlomagno and Bethlemitas are probably the three best schools after ours...although SLR might be better, depends who you ask. Definitely cheaper, about half of our tuition.

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corazon en colombia says on Jun 3, 2006, 13:00:

Confused... You said you work for Universidad la Gran Colombia, and then you start talking about other schools that I'm assuming aren't universities in comparison (SLR, Carlomagno, etc.) do you work for the University or for a bilingual school(gimnasio ingles) or both. Where is it you are working for $24,000USD a year. Seems like a lot compared to my 1,400,000pesos I got at a good bilingual school in Bogota. Do you live like a king on that? Seems like expenses are lower in Armenia than Bogota. Thanks for the info. I'm also considering Pereira and Bucaramanga. I think Medellin is probably too big for me.

Colombia = paradiso

Colombia = paradiso

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corazon en colombia says on Jun 3, 2006, 13:06:

Books and Dreams What kinds of help are you needing other than financial? Let us know what's needed maybe someone here has a contact. Do you need materials in Spanish? volunteers? a place to do the tutoring? More info on how to help.

Colombia = paradiso

Colombia = paradiso

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caulfield2 says on Jun 3, 2006, 17:12:

I work for both. I only, being relative, of course, in Colombia, make $500,000 for teaching 8 hours per week of advanced and conversational English at the University.

Most of my money comes from the private colegio. The other schools I mentioned were also private colegios. I think the average for ESL or English teachers in places like Colombo Americano or Francesa is something like $15-16,000 per hour in Armenia.

That money is a little high, in the sense it includes health insurance, gym club membership, rent for my apartment...but it's a solid $20,000 or so (w- free rent), either in pesos or dollars (both, actually).

Yeah, I eat out all the time, go out 2-3 times per week, travel quite a bit and I'm still going to end up saving somewhere in the vicinity of $6-8K this year. I try to spend it, I promise you that.

We use the schools, and I will know more next week about needed materials. Anything in English is great, but it is really hard to come by. Our priority is teaching Spanish and Math, then, maybe a little English....

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Atrevido says on Jun 3, 2006, 19:41:

Hold On I really believe that Colombians living in Colombia particularly the upper class living in strata 6 (and above) are the people you should be asking to donate money to this project if it's legitimate and not a bunch of foreigners. It is precisely they (and not a bunch of foreigners) who have created the circumstances that your project apparenty wishes to address. I personally would not donate one red cent to any project intended to benifit Colombians unless there were first matching funds donated by a Colombian citizen on record, firma y cedula please. Failing that guarrentee I'd say you are just aiding and abetting the hustle masters of the planet to hustle once again the ingenio gringos.

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caulfield2 says on Jun 4, 2006, 09:09:

Well, gringo...I am sure part of the money from the project will come from my own funds, when I consider it ridiculous to make volunteers pay for their own transportation when I can easily enough pay them $2-3 mil

In essense, Strato 6 is subsidizing me, because there wouldn´t be American or English based schools in Colombia that could pay teachers $20-30,000 without the high tuitions charged by these institutions

I COULD get the money in the US, but I do prefer to have the support of Colombians, of course...then again, if I get money from USAID or the Inter-American Development Bank, I´m sure they will try to get their hands on it somehow, lol

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corazon en colombia says on Jun 4, 2006, 15:27:

Let me know when you get some more info. I possibly could help. Especially getting some children's books in English or Spanish, but website of bookanddreams said they get the books donated locally cheaper??? Keep us updated on this interesting project.

Colombia = paradiso

Colombia = paradiso

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corazon en colombia says on Jun 21, 2006, 14:29:

Any more info? Hey Caulfield, any more info on materials needed?

Colombia = paradiso

Colombia = paradiso

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caulfield2 says on Jun 22, 2006, 06:59:

Less than 15%, the majority goes directly to tutoring and program costs...

Most national charities in the US, over half of your donations goes to paying their fundraisers and telemarketing people.

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caulfield2 says on Jun 22, 2006, 07:00:

Less than 15%, the majority goes directly to tutoring and program costs...

Most national charities in the US, over half of your donations go to paying their fundraisers and telemarketing people.

0 funny, 0 helpful.