Potential Roles in the ECE Community

I am a resident in a foreign, non-English speaking environment so my work in this field seems to be restricted to my own international school and international organizations with offices in this country. However, these are such exciting ventures.

The first is Plan International (www.planinternational) and more specifically Plan China (www.planchina). This  organization was established in 1995 and works to see that the early childhood community has access the their rights of health, education, protection and home.

Their vision expresses this by stating that each and every child has the chance to live out their congenital potential. They work to provide and improve for basic needs for survival; help build bridges from a marginalized place to cities and opportunities; and to promote the rights of children in the community and society at large.

Of particular interest to me is their goal to raise awareness about the critical importance of the 0-3 years and 3-6 years. Apparently, if schools are available, the wont of the parents is to enforce book learning and memorizing with the desks and long hours that accompany this way of learning. The focus of their approach is play - YEAH!  for our team!. They are working to show parents that their children have a much better chance at succeeding at school and onwards to a career and life skills.

There are no jobs available just now. However, I have emailed Liu Jianghong  the Chinese director. I told him of my school affiliation and my pending Master's completion. There was some mention of teacher training programmes as well. Mentioning both of these areas, I asked if there was a way that we could help these ventures.

The next organization is Right to Play from Toronto, Canada (www.righttoplay.com/canada/). Wouldn't you like to be the one who thought up that title! Their second title is: Sport for development and peace.  Their slogan is: When Children Play, the World Wins. They use games to educate , empower, and build social and cognitive skills. They base their mandate on the UN statement on the rights of every child to education, health, social life and inclusion.

Their vision is a healthy world and the mission is to use sport and play to educate and empower children to overcome the effects of poverty, conflict and disease in disadvantaged communities (www.rtp.org).

Since 2007 they have worked with government, local organizations and private interests to fulfill their mission. It seems that there is a need for qualified teachers in China but there are no jobs posted. Immediately I could assist by donations. I have subscribed for emails so will keep up to date in ways I can help.

The job that interested me is in Islamabad, Pakistan. This person would  build curriculum and help coordinate facilitating projects in schools and communities. While not here, it would give experience and contact with the organization. Another plus is I only need a good command of English. I would need to complete this Masters and I have the seven years required experience. The only thing I would need to do is move to Pakistan which would not be out of the question to be able to work with such a fantastic and developmentally sound premise.

I have  left this one until last because it also speaks to the community of practice that we have talked about this week. The source organization is Migrant Resource Network (www.mrn-china.org). Their mission statement is: Building collaborative movement among organizations assisting migrants in China (www.mrn-china.org). Starting in Beijing in 2008 they have worked to support and strengthen non--governmental agencies to actually build a community of practice. In the sharing of resources and experiences these communities learn with and from each other and together face the challenge at hand. By helping these groups on the ground join forces a great impact will be realized and the effort will be more sustainable. The goal is see a change for the better in the position of migrants in the Chinese social system.

Organizations are pooled to address health care, laws, living conditions, financial aid and education. Businesses, government departments, community aids, local and international companies and private citizens are working members of this network system.

The organization under this umbrella that I would choose to be a part of is Compassion for Migrant Children - Included (www.cmc-china.org). Their statement of mission is; a future and a hope for every migrant child. They look to do this by establishing community centers in migrant communities.

All the jobs available for this organization must be filled by local staff. However, there are opportunities open for volunteering. Events like  Open House Weekends. This is a program running 11-12 weeks twice a year from 1330 hrs to 1630 hrs on Saturdays. This would mean a commitment for each Saturday.

Super Saturday Program runs 11-12 weeks twice a yer from 0930 hrs to1130 hrs on Saturdays. The commitment is for every Saturday as well.

There are also winter and summer camp programs that would be a week commitment during our holiday periods.

These programs would be ESL as well as social and life skills.

This is mostly a time commitment which I would be able to do during the Spring Festival holiday. I meet the requirements. The import of this activity is to interact with this organization and see other ways that I can assist.

This has been an amazing search. In a very short time I have become acquainted and made furthering contact with organizations that I did not know existed and they are right here on my doorstep. Every new day opens  new doors of opportunity.

References

Compassion for Migrant Children (Included). www.cmc-china.org

Migrant Resource Network. www.mrn-china.org .

Plan International. www.plan-international.org

Plan China. www.plan-china.org

Right to Play. www.righttoplay.com/canada/