Host Families Needed for Exchange Teachers

Host Families Needed for

2017-18 Exchange Teacher Assistants

Sarasota Christian School (SCS) has been approved for the second year in a row to participate in the International Volunteer Exchange Program (IVEP). In order to proceed with final arrangements for this exchange, two host homes must be identified by February 15.

Mr. Joseph from Indonesia, and Mr. Phonesawai from Laos, are eligible and eager to volunteer as teaching assistants at SCS for the 2017-18 year. They have successfully completed an arduous application and screening process with parent organization, Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). MCC will provide further training upon their arrival. Host families will receive a monthly stipend while the teaching assistants reside with them mid-August through May.

Mr. Phonesawai, 24 years old, has a degree from Teaching Training College, specializing in secondary education. He is presently volunteering at a lower secondary school. In church, Phonesawai teaches Sunday School and assists with worship and preparing for celebrations. His interests include growing vegetables and fruit trees, sports and reading. References describe him as calm, motivated, polite, easy going, responsible, friendly and determined. One day, he would like to open an English training center in his village

Mr. Joseph, 22 years old, has a BA degree from Wacana Christian University, specializing in English Education Study. He enjoys graphic design, art, photography and making new friends. He is presently teaching English to children in Jepara. Now that he's graduated, Joseph is a Sunday School teacher as well as participant in the young adult group. References describe Joseph as cheerful, humorous, positive, enthusiastic, responsible, reliable and social. Joseph hopes to teach English for free in a remote area in the future.

This school year, Ms. Eirene from Indonesia, and Ms. Sarou from Cambodia, are Teaching Assistants at SCS through the IVEP program. Superintendent Lehman, a champion of the program said, "It's a privilege to participate in this exchange program. Not only have we benefited from the support of Ms. Sarou and Ms. Eirene in the classroom, we have learned from them, we understand more about their cultures, and we have been encouraged by the relationships they have built with students, teachers and staff. We want to participate in this program next year, and hope that host families will step forward so it can continue."

Ms. Sarou and Ms. Eirene are also giving to the greater Sarasota community by volunteering at Girls, Inc., an after school educational program offered for girls, particularly those in high-risk, under-served areas.

For more information about becoming a host family or supporting this cultural exchange please contact Sarasota Christian School at 941.371.6481 ext. 264 or visit www.mcc.org.

IVEP, under the umbrella of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), is a yearlong work and cultural exchange opportunity for young, Christian adults. Every year 60 IVEP participants come from more than 25 countries around the world to volunteer in the U.S. or Canada, where they live with a local family.