Miami University

Ambassadors for Children

Children’s Literacy: Jamaica - Spring Break, March 6-13 2010

Ambassadors for Children – Miami University Chapter (AFC MU)

Faculty Leaders (EDT- MU Teacher Education):
Dr. Karen Montgomery montgok@muohio.edu (513) 529-2141
and Dr. Paula Webster webstepp@muohio.edu

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

Click here to download flier

Click here for workshop application
Application is due Oct. 8 or asap as long as space remains
Submit to Dr. Montgomery, pages 1-5 and workshop fee $250

Trip Location:
Kingston, Jamaica and nearby communities

School Work Sites:
Race Course Primary School, Kemps Hill (Dr. Webster’s hometown)
St. Richards Primary School, near Kingston

CREDIT OR 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 near Kingston, Jamaica March 6-13. Participants need to apply and then register by Oct. 30 or asap with the approval of Director Karen Montgomery.

GROUP SIZE: Airline tickets and space are limited to 24 maximum.

TRAVEL EXPENSES: estimated $2,000
The specific itinerary and costs are presented to potential participants. Travel costs are paid by each student. Fundraising conducted by student Ambassadors is effective and AFC MU offers advice.

VOLUNTEER WORK:
While the focus of this workshop is young children and literacy strategies, 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.

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. Montgomery has led M.U. workshops with AFC to Colombia, El Salvador (4 times), and Malawi.

This is the first M.U. workshop that focuses on children's literacy strategies in the context of an Ambassadors trip and also the first to Jamaica.

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.