Daryn's Teaching and Community Development Internship in San Antonio

Daryn Teaching in San Antonio
Originally uploaded by Creation Care Study Program.

My three week internship was spent in a charming Mayan village called San Antonio. My base organization was a community development group known as the Itzamna Society. Most of my time was spent helping at the local schools in hopes to gain experience for becoming a high school science teacher. Both elementary and Jr. high schools in the town welcomed me as I aided teachers in grading homework, covering full class lessons, and substituting in the absence of a teacher. It all turned out to be very educational as I had no experience with teaching prior to my time in the village. I also had the privilege of surveying the newest national park in Belize found less than one mile from the village. James, an active community development worker, and I became good friends as we spent time in the Elijio Panti National Park and designing a brochure for the park. James taught me so much about some real issues of community work. He spends many long hours putting into his community and often only receives a sense of “village pride” in return. The highlight was certainly the homestay with a great family of seven. The children walked with me to school and we laughed and played games into each night.

Daryn Dockter
Northwestern College