Introduction to SKIP
SKIP is an NGO working in an impoverished district of Trujillo, Peru. Our diverse team is comprised of teachers, social workers, psychologists, economic development workers and a range of other volunteers. We provide school fees, uniforms and materials to over 350 children each year. In addition, we provide lessons to reinforce what they are learning in school; reading comprehension, maths, English, art, sport and help with homework.
SKIP does not just provide direct educational support to children. Our team also work to educate and empower parents so they are able to take control of their lives and improve their own living circumstances. Through the Economic Development Team, we offer microfinance loans, group business training and are in the process of developing several small business ideas with groups of parents.
Social Work and Psychological support also helps parents to deal with difficult issues and gain better understanding for how to manage their children's behaviour. This includes innovative projects where we involve the parents as teaching assistants in the educational groups we have for the children in both primary and nursery.
Latest SKIP news:
Education is the key to the future
Unlike public education systems in Western countries, those in Peru are not free, and many families cannot afford their costs. For many uneducated parents, the difference that an education can make in their children's futures remains unrealised.
In addition, a wide range of social problems, from family violence to drug dependency, directly influence a child's academic success.
Quality education is an important and sustainable factor in development
This is why we are working to address these issues and to put quality education at the forefront. Volunteer with us to help make a difference in the lives of these children.
Buy a SKIP calendar 2012.
Read the SKIP 2010 Annual Report (2.2MB)
DONATE NOW!!!!
Read more about SKIP or watch the SKIP video.
|
|
|
Attending student Graduation - By Nico Pishnery |
|
Wednesday, 18 January 2012 11:10 |
|
As I walked into the party center, I succumbed to the brilliant colors and the rhythmic music of Céline Dion and Kenny G, as they shared their rendition of “My Heart Will Go On.” From there I was over whelmed by the abundance of color that covered the walls, tables, and fixtures and continued on to intermingle into the clothing of all the young men and women being honored tonight. It was a joyous evening filled will with the faces of dozens of smiling proud parents. This was the night of “Promocion” for the students that graduated from primary school and who will be moving onto secondary this next coming school year.
I was invited to this wonderful evening of celebration because for the past four months I have had the privilege of working with these young men and women at SKIP (Supporting Kids in Perú.) It was there that I had not only the opportunity to teach them key points of communication, mathematics, and English but they had taught me about their individual personalities and their dreams that motivate them.
For each student this night meant something different, whether it be a personal or family accomplishment, it was a night of magnificence. That was why when I walked in, I didn’t see the little angels from class but rather young men and women who were about to take their next step toward adulthood. It was inspiring to see the smiles on all their faces as they were presented to their friends and families. They were leaving behind their childish games and school teachers to progress and start a new chapter in the book of their life.
The promotion was gala filled with food, friends, family, and dancing. Traditional customs of dancing one last time with each of the student’s teachers, their mother or father along with a final dance with the head of their school was followed by words of wisdom and encouragement not to give up and to continue fighting and working hard for what they want in life. Tonight was meant as an elegant night of passage and progression on to the next level while being surrounded by the people they love.
This year 30 SKIP children graduated from 6th grade in primary and will go on to study in Secondary School next year. We are extremely proud of this fabulous achievement, in fact not one child in 6th grade in 2011 failed to pass the year and progress to Secondary. |
|
|
SKIP partners with leading US University |
|
Monday, 09 January 2012 17:15 |
|
SKIP is currently working with the University of Virginia, one of the leading Universities for literacy education in the USA, to improve the reading abilities of all SKIP students. The University of Virginia is pilot testing a new reading assessment called PALS Español: Phonological Awareness and Literacy Screening in Spanish. This field test will involve testing twice per year for two years and SKIP is training local volunteers to undertake the reading assessments.
In partnership with the University, SKIP will use the PALS test to identify students who are struggling in reading. The test will allow teachers to pinpoint the exact skills students are lacking and suggest appropriate teaching strategies and activities to help students succeed in reading. SKIP will be using the PALS Español reading assessment with all primary students in groups 1-2 and will begin testing in March. Students who are identified as struggling readers by the PALS assessment will be given additional instruction in reading by a SKIP volunteer trained in literacy instruction Students will receive one on one reading instruction using leveled books (see books below!). For more information on PALS Español visit the website
Once the assessment of the children's reading level is completed, we will then be able to use the reading scheme which we purchased last year with the fundraising efforts of the Cripps Family. There are 435 levelled books which will enable the children to read gradually more complicated texts so they can improve at their own pace. We plan to combine this with a specialised reading instruction programme for struggling readers and, again, we are working to train local volunteers to be able to work with the children on an ongoing basis. For more information about the Spanish leveled books we are reading, click here
|
|
|
