Who:
We are looking for volunteers (known as mentors) to be paired with children (known as mentees). The mentees are 5-year-olds, the kindergarten class from Centro Educativo NOVA, an inclusion school in Cuenca, Ecuador. Thirteen children need 13 mentors. Some of the children have special needs children, and are integrated into the regular classroom.
The pairs will practice the unique, award-winning Move With Balance® activities together.
How:
Volunteer mentors will experience a two-hour mentor training on Tuesday January 28 from 10—12, then be paired with a child. The pairs will improve focus, concentration, functional vision, cognitive skills, coordination, balance, and have a great time becoming friends.
Trainer Karen Peterson will lead the activities. Mentors will individualize the activities for their mentee.
When:
Mentors for the children will meet with their mentee, one hour a week for 10 weeks, from Friday, January 31—April 3 from 9—10 AM.
Benefits and take-aways:
You will benefit from the sensory-motor integration Move With Balance activities, improving your balance and brain function.
You will assist a mentee in learning the activities and engaging with them socially.
You will be involved in the Cuenca community, working with both expats and Cuencanos.
You will make friendships with both other mentors and mentees.
You will share your own gifts and life experience.
You will have lots of fun!
Time Tested Program
Move With Balance mentor/mentee program was ongoing on Maui, Hawaii for many years. Move With Balance is part of the 501(c)3 non-profit agency Giving Back, both founded by Karen Peterson, who has been living in Cuenca for the past 2 ½ years.
Children’s program: 1999—2009
Elder’s Program: 2005-2017
Go to http://www.MoveWithBalance.org to see photos, videos, mentor testimonials, and awards for the program on Maui.
For more information, find out exact location, and to sign up to participate: Email Karen Peterson kp@givingbackmentoring.org
January 28, 10 AM-Noon, no charge, Please contact me for exact location, Cuenca.
Karen Peterson
