Cafeteros Project Update

Maureen Orth

On September 29, 2008, at the Caldas headquarters of the Colombian Coffee Growers Association, two teams of ex-Colombia PCVs will begin a twoweek workshop for Colombian teachers of English. It’s the first time Colombia Volunteers have returned as a team The Colombia RPCVs, joined by a recent ex-volunteer from Honduras, a Colombian, and two other interested U.S. teachers, will be in charge of instructing two groups of public school teachers—30 from primary grades 1-5 and 30 secondary teachers.

Both groups will live together the first week on the campus-like setting that houses the Federación de Cafeteros offices in Caldas, near Manizales. The Colombian teachers will undergo intensive English classes and will also learn better teaching methods. During the second week, the U.S. volunteers will travel to the teachers’ own classrooms to monitor how they are employing the new techniques. Former Colombia PC Volunteers Beverly Moskowsky, Barbara Muchi-sky, Mary Ray, and recent Honduras PCV Patrick King, will be training the Colombian teachers, along with teacher trainer Robin Schrague and reading specialist Nancy McLaughlin, wife of former PCV Brian Kiefer. Colombia RPCV Merrily Beyreuther will coordinate the efforts in Caldas. Friends of Colombia President Arleen Cheston is overseeing elementary school curriculum development, and Mary Ray is coordinating the curriculum development for the high schoollevel teachers. Luís Fernando Sánchez, Executive Director of the foundation that trains English teachers at the Escuela Marina Orth in Medellín, will also be on hand in Caldas to contribute his valuable expertise.

All volunteers will be paying their own transportation costs, but room and board will be donated by the Cafeteros, who also wish to videotape the classes for further utilization. Donations are gratefully accepted for teaching materials.

Checks can be made out to K12 Wired and mailed to 4907 Rockwood Parkway, Washington, D.C. 20018. K12 Wired is a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt organization set up for educating and training in Latin America.

We’re grateful to the Cafeteros for their steadfastness, generosity, and cooperation. Our goal is to have an exciting and successful program which will serve as a model for other interested Colombia volunteers to participate in the future. It really is fun to go back!