Mariposas Amarillas

As mentioned before, I spent time in Santa Marta volunteering with a program called Fundacion Mariposas Amarillas. The program works in the outer barrios of Santa Marta where education and basic services are lacking. There is two schools: one in the barrio of Oasis and one in the barrio of Fundadores. I worked exclusively in Fundadores as a teacher. The program runs each afternoon during the week as an after school program. In my tiny room in the back of a private school, I had students ranging from 5 years of age to 13. It was not an opportune teaching situation. I wanted to have actual classes since I knew about half my students did not attend another school before the classes. In order to do this the curriculum had to be catered around attempting accomplish a learning opportunity without resources and a vast difference in intellectual capacity and education level.

The experience, like many volunteer experiences, was frustrating, hard-work, and sweaty; that being said ultimately rewarding. If you are going to be in Santa Marta or want more information, check out the website at here. Plus the kids are really cute.