Volunteers! We need you!

The SOAAR program at NCA has ONLY come to fruition this year due to the commitment of several volunteers this year. . .Gina, Katelyn, Olinda, James, and Candace have enabled NCA to serve SO many more students that I could ever do on my own. Some volunteers spend most of their time with one student with significant needs, while others float from class to class to give additional support to small groups of students. As we begin to think about school year 2016-2017, I am a little anxious regarding the SOAAR assistants. I know that God will provide the perfect people for the job. . .he certainly did this year!. . .and I need to trust that. At the same time, I'm excited to the get the word out! Please inform your friends, neighbors, and recently graduating college students that we need YOU at NCA International!

I sat down with current volunteers Olinda Keegstra and Jim and Candace Ducharme to ask them some questions about their experience volunteering with the SOAAR program, to give potential volunteers a little more information about what it might be like. Okay, in truth I actually emailed them these questions as we rarely have time to all sit down together:) I'm thankful they took the time to respond to my questions.

1. Tell me a little bit about yourself--where are you from? What is your education background?

Olinda :I am from a small town in British Columbia Canada called Houston. I was raised on a farm and love the outdoors as well as traveling. I have an Educational Assistant Certificate. I have worked in multiple schools over the last couple years.
Jim and Candace: We are Jim and Candace Ducharme and we are from Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada. We've been married for 39 years and have 2 sons, 1 daughter, a daughter-in-law, son-in-law and a total of 5 grandchildren. Over the past decade we have been blessed to be able to serve the Lord through teaching English in the Dominican Republic, being House Parents at a home for at risk teens, working for Youth for Christ as well as assisting mentally and physically handicapped individuals reach their full potential.Jim's focus of education was in Residential Youth Care as well as with Vulnerable Persons.Candace's background is in Bookkeeping and Counseling.

2. How did you hear about NCA and the SOAAR program?

O: I receive the CRWM volunteer newsletter. There was an advertisement that said "Educational Assistant needed in Nicaragua to help with children who have special needs in a SOAAR program."
J and C: We heard about NCA while searching the internet for a place to serve. The positions that were available at NCA International seemed to be a perfect fit for both of us as well as NCA.

3. How are you paying for this volunteering experience? Are you with an organization?

O: Over the summer prior to leaving for Nicaragua I did some fundraising booths at farmer markets. And now I also have support from my home church as well as another church that I had attended.
J and C: We were blessed to be able to save up money over the summer to cover a large part of our expenses here. Candace's parents also contributed and very dear friends of ours, who have huge hearts for missions but are no longer able to go themselves, covered our return airfare. We are not with any organization and right now the exchange on the US dollar is brutal for us Canadians making this a much more expensive venture than we were expecting.

4. In a few sentences, summarize your job duties as a SOAAR volunteer.

O: In the mornings I work with a PreK student who needs support in language and social skills. In the afternoons I mostly help out in other elementary classrooms with reading support.
J and C: Jim has been focusing a lot of his time being a support worker for a 2nd grader with Asperger's Syndrome, general grade 2 classroom assistance and a bit of remedial work with a few other students as identified by the SOAAR program and classroom teachers.
Candace has been doing remedial work consisting mainly of math and English language skills with several students, assisting in various classrooms as needed and tutoring.

5. What is the hardest part of your job?

O: I would have to say working with the PreK2 student. I need to be on my toes and always trying to think one step ahead of him. It takes a lot of energy to keep up with him.
J and C: Watching students struggle with learning issues.

6. What is the most rewarding part of your job?

O: It is rewarding for me to see the PreK2 student do well in his classes and with his friends (like when he voluntarily shares with another student.)
J and C: When even the smallest of goals have been achieved and we can celebrate the successes.

7. What qualities or previous experiences do you think are important in a potential SOAAR volunteer?

O: I think anyone who works in the SOAAR program should have some previous experience working with students who have special needs or has a deep desire and willingness to help and not be
J and C: Our thoughts are that some background in Special Needs experience, be it through formal education or personal experience, would be an invaluable asset. It is the type of work that can be both mentally and physically demanding so coming into it with that knowledge base would be a big plus.
Set aside your own agenda and any pre-conceived notions of how things should be done. Come with a willingness to serve the kids you're going to be working with, it's not about your own abilities, it's about what God can bring about through your willingness to serve.

8. Tell me a little about your living situation and community.

O: I live with a missionary family, They work at the school so I ride with them. I like the feel of family life and she cooks gluten-free things which helps me out a lot. They live in a community where a few other teachers with families and single teachers live, so I can walk over to hang out with them too.
J and C: We live in Quinta Allyson which is a gated apartment/townhouse community where many of the teachers and other NCA staff make their homes. We have a small 1 bedroom apt. that is absolutely all we require. We've only been here a month but so far the internet has been pretty decent so that's a plus. Speaking of pluses, you will pay extra for internet. The place has a nice pool area, the grounds are clean and it is only about a 10 minute walk from the school, if you want/need to walk. There is not, however, any place convenient to walk to for just a few groceries and Quinta Allyson and the school are situated out of Managua itself.

9. What are the biggest challenges of living in Nicaragua?

O: . The biggest challenge for me is not knowing the language and not having a vehicle.
J and C: For us the biggest challenge is not having our own transportation; we really miss the independence of going places and doing things on our own schedule. There are buses but since Managua streets are not marked it is hard to even know where you are never mind where you want to go until you know the city somewhat. Taxis are normally an option but when the support is meager you may just be staying home.

10. What is next for you?
O: I don't know yet.
J and C: Back to Canada for a few months, renew family ties and friendships and we'll have to see what's after that.

For a specific job description and application, please click here.

For information about parterning with the SOAAR program through Christian Reformed World Missions, click here.

Any questions? Please contact Andrew Ippel (aippel62@gmail.com)