Work Groups
Volunteer Application
In 2010 Seeds of Learning work group volunteers came from counties all across California, as well as Tennessee, Ohio, Oregon, Florida, and Canada. We welcomed a total of 242 work group volunteers who traveled to El Salvador, or Nicaragua in response to requests from rural communities to help build a school. After speaking with in-country staff, community members, and other Work Group Alumni, I sense that it was an incredible, unique, and eye opening, even life changing experience for many of you.
In El Salvador, six groups traveled to work on the Las Trincheras School, to support and participate in the construction of the two classrooms and kitchen. Volunteers also had the chance to get to know some of the students who will attend the school. Members of the community, students, teachers, and the director of the school asked me to personally thank each and every one of you who came. Thanks to hundreds of hours of hard work, sweat, companionship, singing, jumping rope, sharing, laughter, and more, the two classrooms and kitchen are complete, with the roof on, floor in, and windows installed. Since the school has been built, enrollment figures went from 210 in 2009, to an expected 500 students in 2010.
A total of six groups traveled to Nicaragua - three to Ciudad Dario, and three to San Ramon. The Dario groups, worked closely with the people of Palo de Agua to help to repair an existing classroom and build a new one. The San Ramon groups traveled and worked with the rural community of San Martín, where they constructed a new classroom, repaired an older one, and built a kitchen. Community leaders, teachers, and students from all the communities have expressed their sincerest gratitude to SOL and all of you for your help. These repair and new building projects have allowed for hundreds of children to now study under a dignified learning environment. From the staff and volunteers in the Dario Learning Center, to the children, teachers, and parents in Palo de Agua and San Martín, everyone sends saludos and says "Muchas Gracias".
We consider all of our work group participants and donors part of the Seeds of Learning Work Group Alumni family.
Tax-deductible contribution letters/receipts will be sent to you in late November. If anyone else also supported your trip, they have already received an acknowledgement and a tax-receipt letter. Please let me know if you have any questions or would like any more information about our programs. The 2010 Work Group Schedule is now available here.
FEES
The base fee is $1300. This fee covers all expenses in country (including food, transportation and accommodations) except for personal items, tourist cards and airport exit fees. It includes the funds for building materials. Group airfare costs may vary between $450 and $770. sol will arrange all group travel and airfare.
We look forward to welcoming over 250 work group volunteers in 2010