YSEL Classes

 

A big part of the YSEL camp is the academic program.  Students spend most days studying a variety of subjects: English, Geography, U.S History, Academic Writing, Public Speaking, and Reading.  Each course is designed to help students build their English language as well as critical thinking skills.  The YSEL curriculum is a rigorous program but helps students learn in new ways and be exposed to new information and ideas.  The approach is very student centered and makes students become active participants in their own learning—a fairly new concept for many of our campers.

  The teaching team is made up of eight Peace Corps volunteers, split into two teams of four, teaching for two weeks at a time.  Not only is this a chance for students to be exposed to native speakers, but this is also a great opportunity for volunteers to learn new teaching skills that will prove valuable back in their sites after camp.

Besides the academics, students also have a less academic course during the day we like to call “Enhancement.”  This is divided into four subjects: Urban Gardening, Theater, Project Design, and Peace Building.  Enhancement classes provide students with a chance to learn new skills that they can use back in their communities.  The Urban Gardening component is taught by the JeCCDO staff who have much expertise in this area.  Students learn how to bring soil to life and grow things in places that may seem inhospitable. The camp site has a large garden that has been developed to teach people different ways to garden.  During the first week of camp, students learned different types of gardening methods and how to compost.  They even got their hands dirty by learning how to prepare plots for planting. 

For many this was a first and quite an eye opener into different ways one could create a garden in the most unusual places.

Impressions on Urban Gardening

  The first thing that impressed me was the idea of agriculture.  We are thinking agriculture is only for rural areas, but I learned it can be done in urban areas.  I also learned how we can use vacant space for making gardens.  Workig in the garden here in Debre Zeyit was a really good experience; digging the soil and planting.  It was a little difficult but nice.

  Nedir Zeki, Harar Region

  I was amazed by the urban gardening session.  My parents have a garden area, but we use it in a traditional way so I am happy to learn new, modern ways of gardening.  Also I learned information how fertilizer is made, how to dig soil, and how to plant vegetables.  By using these methods, I will teach my family and my community.

Eyerusalem Mamuye, Amhara Region