El Salvador
Qualified candidates will have expressed interest in working directly with adolescents (10-14) and youth (15-24), and one or more of the following criteria:
• Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any field
OR
• 5 years' professional work experience
Competitive candidates will have at least one or more of the following criteria:
Master’s degree in social work, Psychology, Education, Youth Development, Applied Behavioral Science, or related field.
Bachelor’s degree in social work, Psychology, Education, Youth Development, Applied Behavioral Science, or related field, AND at least 3 months experience working with youth and/or families.
3 years of professional experience working with children, youth and/or families from under-resourced communities.
Experience designing and/or facilitating workshops on societal roles of youth and life skills development, such as self-esteem, communication skills, emotional health, and critical thinking.
Experience collaborating with teachers, social workers, youth leaders or guidance counselors on designing, planning, and implementing positive youth development activities.
Experience working in a school setting on activities such as teaching an academic curriculum, teaching through experiential education, after-school or tutoring program management, etc.
Experience with parent/caregiver support or education programs.
Experience community organizing with a focus on youth development, such as managing a youth group, using community assessment tools, leading committees/community projects, networking, etc.
Experience engaging in and/or facilitating arts, sports, physical activities, or recreation for youth.
Experience facilitating volunteerism and service learning for youth, such as high school or university level service-learning programs, volunteer project design or implementation, mentoring projects, etc.
Diet: The food varieties available depend on the season, the size of the community, and region. Salvadorans eat a combination of meat, eggs, and dairy at most meals. Common foods include corn tortillas, black beans, rice, and chicken. Common fruits and vegetables include bananas, mangos, papaya, citrus fruits, tomatoes, onions, avocado, and a squash called huisquil (chayote). Pupusas are the national dish of El Salvador, a delicious thick tortilla filled with beans, cheese, meats, and served with pickled cabbage.
Geography/Climate: The weather in El Salvador is marked by two distinct seasons. The dry season runs from November to April and the rainy season runs from May to October. Annual average temperatures range from 58 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit and vary based on location and altitude. Temperatures can also vary during the day, so dressing in layers and having rain protection is recommended. Homes and workspaces are generally neither heated nor air conditioned.
Housing/Homestay: Volunteers are required to live with a host family throughout their entire service. In these homes, the Volunteer will have a private room with a lock on the door. The homestay experience will provide unique exposure to the culture, and powerful opportunities for Spanish language acquisition. Safety and security are seriously considered while selecting and preparing host communities who will become partners in the wellbeing of the Volunteer. Volunteers must be willing to follow cultural norms and respect family dynamics. Applicants should think carefully about their commitment to adaptability when living and integrating with a Salvadorean host family that may have limited resources. Most host-family homes have indoor bathrooms, showers and potable water.
Professionalism: Volunteers work full time and will create a work plan in coordination with their community partners. They are expected to demonstrate healthy personal habits, attitudes, ethics and act as consistent positive role models in the community. Volunteers should be willing to adapt to cultural dress norms both in the community and in the workplace. Volunteers are encouraged to keep tattoos covered, if possible, to respect community norms and avoid cultural perceptions that associate tattoos with gang activity.
Identity: Peace Corps El Salvador strives to support all Volunteers and recognizes that Volunteers might experience unique challenges as they navigate integration into the local culture (social, cultural, political, religious, and personal matters). Volunteers need to be mindful of cultural norms and be prepared to use cultural agility when approaching topics of identity in their communities. Staff and currently serving Volunteers will provide context for these topics during training and will share the strategies and support mechanisms available to Volunteers throughout service.
Crime and safety:
Despite significant challenges with economics and stability, the El Salvadoran people continue to demonstrate impressive resilience in moving their country forward to a safer and more productive future. Improved security has led to a significant increase in tourism and the return of many expatriate Salvadorans who now are investing and re-establishing lives in their home country. Peace Corps has an important opportunity and privilege to support these goals and efforts at the community level through partnering with the mission of world peace and friendship.
Peace Corps El Salvador has an expert safety and security team tasked with coordinating with international, national and local agencies to monitor security issues. Strong attention is given to monitoring crime and placing Volunteers in the areas of the country with low levels of crime. Safety training and information about security is provided to the Volunteer on an ongoing basis.
(PCV) Spanish 1
Youth in Development
Yes
El Salvador
24
Yes
PCV
No
As the preeminent international service organization of the United States, the Peace Corps sends Americans with a passion for service abroad to work with communities and create lasting change. Volunteers develop sustainable solutions to address challenges in Education, Health, Economic Development, Agriculture, Environment and Youth Development. Through their Peace Corps experiences, Volunteers gain a unique cultural understanding and a lifelong commitment to service that positions them to succeed in today's global economy. Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961, more than 240,000 Americans of all ages have served in 142 countries worldwide.
