Jose Rivera is a small school and therapy facility for special children in Puerto Lopez, a quiet fishing village in Manabí, Ecuador. Here, children with physical disabilities can receive therapy and children who have problems with language can learn to read and write in a safe, learning-conducive environment. There are very few schools like this within the area, so Jose Rivera is the only place where children from the village can come to learn and receive therapy. However, the school is very small and needs a lot of help. There are very few materials to help the children learn, and it is hard to find people with expertise in this area to teach the kids in a way that will help them. We need volunteers!
Volunteers working with Jose Rivera will have the opportunity to truly make an impact on the lives of a disadvantaged community. Not only do these children have problems learning, but they have no way to improve their quality of life because of their lack of resources. Jose Rivera is trying to change that by providing free education for special children, but we could do better work with your help; all that’s needed is teachers and materials.
Our Programs
Physical Therapy
Here at Jose Rivera, children in need of physical therapy can receive it for an extremely low price (about $1 a month). At therapy sessions, they receive a short massage of the legs to loosen their muscles and then work with the therapist doing exercises that help strengthen their legs and train them to walk better. The children who come have a variety of different physical ailments, but they are usually born with them. Our physical therapy program provides these kids with a better quality of life by greatly improving their ability to walk.
Language Therapy
Jose Rivera also has a small language school for special needs children or children with learning disabilities. Here, they learn to read and write as well as do art and interact with others. It is a safe, learning-conducive environment where the children are able to interact and learn at their own pace. Ages vary from 6 to 12, but we also have a couple students who are 21 and older.
Older Women’s Program
In the afternoons, Jose Rivera provides classes to older women of the community where they can learn to make crafts which they can later sell in order to create revenue. It is also a relaxed place for the women to talk with friends, stimulate their minds, and work with their hands maintaining small motor coordination.
At Jose Rivera, we are selective with our volunteers as they build close relationships with the students, and we expect the volunteers to be professional, honest, and positive. We require a commitment of at least a month, with volunteers working at least 15 hours a week.
Physical Therapist
We are looking for volunteers with experience in children's physical therapy to help with our physical therapy program. Volunteers would be expected to work with the children and help improve the physical therapy offered at Jose Rivera.
Necessary skills: Physical therapy work, Spanish, and love of children
Language Teacher
We are looking for motivated, proficient Spanish speakers with experience teaching or working with special children to teach class and help improve the school. Teachers must be patient, kind, good with kids, and eager to help. Advanced Spanish is helpful, but intermediate is sufficient. Although it is not necessary to have a degree in teaching special children, it is preferred that our volunteers come with extensive experience as we are attempting to improve the quality of education at the school.
Required skills: Spanish, teaching experience, experience with special needs children, motivation, and a positive attitude
Teacher’s Assistant
If you do not have extensive experience teaching special kids and still want to help, we have a teacher’s assistant position for those who would like to gain experience working with special children. The teacher’s assistant would be expected to assist the teacher in the classroom, maintain order, and help with the upkeep of the facility.
Requirements: Some Spanish (preferred), some experience with special needs children (preferred), and a positive attitude.
Teachers and Teacher’s Assistants will also be expected to spend some time doing whatever jobs are necessary to help improve the quality of the facility; getting donations, helping publicize, organizing events, maintaining the website, etc. Volunteers are also encouraged to help out with the Older Women’s Program teaching new skills and helping with craft time. For this, experience with creating a variety of crafts is preferred, especially projects that are sustainable or less expensive.
