This past month I attended a Youth Forum workshop put on by the Peace Corps. This two-day event was centered around understanding the National Curriculum Base in Guatemala and how it relates to the Healthy Schools Project. We also participated in a round robin session where groups taught sample health lessons for the 4th, 5th, and 6th grades. One key aspect of a "healthy school" is that the teachers teach two twenty minute health lessons each week. From my experience, the vast majority of teachers that haven't worked with healthy schools volunteers don't do this. This is one of the problems with the Healthy Schools Project. It is an initiative of the Guatemalan Government (Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health), however no one seems to know about it if there isn't a Healthy Schools Volunteer working in their school.
For some Peace Corps trainings we have the opportunity to bring work partners. Below is a picture of me with the two work partners that I brought (teacher on the left, and principal on the right). This is also a good example of how I am considered tall in Guatemala! I definitely don't hate it :). Guatemalans love diplomas. I have received so many from various trainings here and have also made many of my own to give to participants of my trainings.
Your description of the role of PCVs in raising awareness of the Guatemalan Healthy Schools curriculum gives us new insight into both the rationale for the PC program and the impact it can have. Forty minutes a week in those schools you and your colleagues touch is better than what the schools without your participation provide.
ReplyDeleteLove the venue. Congrats on your diploma.
ReplyDeleteYou know, the PR issue for programs is true here in the US I think also. I have been aware of how special programs are almost a nuisance factor for teachers and I realize that if the school doesn't make it a priority, or include the subject and training in the regular curriculum, then it will not be on the teachers "to do" list. It doesn't make sense that Healthy Schools shouldn't be a normal party of the school day/ week. Love the venue for the training!!
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