My time here in Montevideo has been going really well. I've been having wonderful conversations with students and teachers, sharing what I can about the US and learning everything I can about Uruguay. It's becoming clear to me, though, just how little time I have left. It's practically September already, and I leave in November.
So I want to get started with some more ambitious projects. Even if I can't finish them, the important thing is that someone might be inspired to keep working with these ideas in the future.
What really interests me is the concept of doing things voluntarily rather than it being an obligation. I've already talked a good deal about literature and music in this way, trying to incorporate stories and songs so as to motivate students to want to learn. My favorite source for these kinds of ideas is Philip Pullman.
OK, so that can help people develop as individuals, but what about on a larger scale? And what about doing something more hands-on? One of my previous jobs was with City Year Boston, a non-profit organization whose motto is 'Putting Idealism to Work.' We tutored students in schools and did murals and other projects in the community.
The proximity of many ciclo basico and segundo ciclo liceos here makes me think students tutoring other students could be practical. I am still finding out how to get started, though.
So far, the best organization I know of here is Un techo para mi pais, but I'm sure there are others. And even brainstorming with students, we can come up with lots of ways to get involved.
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