Begin your Summer in El Salvador (May-June):
Learn Spanish while learning about the history of El Salvador’s civil war and justice movements. Learn about life in an economically poor community and assist with work on a coconut plantation to better understand the issues of labour and trade. Connect with many local grassroots organizations that are working for change today, such as fair trade coffee co-ops, human rights organizations, and a wide range of community development projects.
Alternative School Year in Ghana (Sept – April):
Live in a rural village with families that farm cocoa. Learn about life in an economically poor community and assist with work on a cocoa farm to better understand the issues of fair/free trade chocolate. Spend the second half of your time volunteering with one of many local organizations working for change through activism and grassroots development. Special attention is given to match participants with communities and organizations that are addressing issues specific to the participant’s own interests and/or academic background.
Each program begins with a preparation period during which participants and facilitators take part in workshops, activities, and retreats designed to prepare participants - mentally, emotionally, and spiritually – for their cross-cultural experience.
While abroad, groups will have the opportunity to live with host families, learn local language, and volunteer with local organizations and on-going projects such as schools, medical clinics, food programs, women’s groups, and orphanages. Although participants will be involved in various development projects, the primary objective is not to teach or to fix, but rather to learn from their hosts and work in solidarity with them.
Upon returning to Ontario, each group participates in a follow-up and debriefing program to help participants reflect on their trip, make sense of their experience, share what has been learned, and re-integrate back into their home society.