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Volunteer Trip to
Cartagena, Colombia
Spring Break, March 6-13 2010

Ambassadors for Children – Miami University Chapter (AFC MU)

Faculty Leader: Dr. Kerry Hegarty hegartkt@muohio.edu (513) 529-4507

This workshop is a service learning study abroad alternative for spring break week.

Click here for information flier

Click here for workshop application
Apply as soon as possible, spaces will fill fast for this great opportunity!
Submit to Dr. Hegarty, pages 1-5 and workshop fee $250

Trip Location:
Cartagena, Colombia  

VOLUNTEER WORK SITES:
Sueños de Libertad (“Dreams of Freedom”) Pre-School
Villa Gloria Pre-School
Casa del Niño (Children´s Hospital)

While the focus of this workshop is on young children, non-education majors are welcome as the cultural component and work activities have wide appeal to many undergraduate and graduate students.  Each student will take a 50 Lb. bag of donations as requested by sites and agencies.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:
In addition to our volunteer work, we will be able to participate in the following activities in Cartagena: cooking class, dance lessons, excursion to the Totumo Mud Volcano, snorkeling in the Islas del Rosario, museum tours, and visits to other historical and cultural sites. On this trip there will be many opportunities to interact with the people of Cartagena from all social levels.

CREDIT/NON-CREDIT WORKSHOP:
The workshop may be taken for non-credit (workshop fee $250) or for credit as a 2 hour workshop with before-during-after assignments (tuition charged).  The credit workshop begins in January 2010 with the on site service learning taking place in schools and other sites in Cartagena March 6-13.  Participants need to apply and then register by Oct. 30 or asap with the approval of Director Kerry Hegarty.

GROUP SIZE: Minimum 10; Maximum 25

TRAVEL EXPENSES: Estimated $1,700
Total cost is subject to airfare price, which is currently $650 RT. Travel costs are paid by each student. Fundraising conducted by student Ambassadors is effective and AFC MU offers advice.

Affiliated with Ambassadors for Children (AFC), a non-profit that has offered volun-tourism experiences in over 20 countries, Miami University has offered similar workshops.  Dr. Hegarty has led an M.U. workshop to Antigua, Guatemala in 2008.

AFC MISSION:
Ambassadors for Children (AFC ) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to serving children around the world through short-term humanitarian service trips and sustainable programs. AFC MU is a student organization that shares this mission on campus with both study abroad opportunities and local service projects.  MU AFC was the first chapter in the country.

AFC VISION:
Ambassadors for Children will make a significant impact on world peace and understanding through face-to-face cultural exchanges. AFC trips provide hands-on interaction with disadvantaged children, balanced by opportunities for sightseeing and immersion in the native culture of the community served.