New Student Mentoring Projects Enhance Volunteers’ Impact in the Cook Islands

James Puati, Global Volunteers’ Cook Islands Country Manager, recently sent an update on two new volunteer projects in the Cook Islands. Volunteers continue to expand their positive impact in schools throughout the island.

Announcing Two New Volunteer Projects in the Cook Islands

Volunteers have started serving at Avarua School to provide student support in literacy and numeracy. Avarua Principal, Engia Baxter, is no stranger to Global Volunteers and has been instrumental in hosting many of our volunteers. We look forward to engaging future volunteers at Avarua School.

Avarua School (Apii Avarua), a co-educational primary school, is the largest primary school in the Cook Islands, with an enrollment of 505 in 2019. The school was founded by the London Missionary Society in 1916, becoming the third school on Rarotonga. From 1926 it was also used a teacher’s training college.

This is an excellent opportunity to teach classroom subjects one-on-one and in small groups. Enjoy improving the learning environment in classrooms where you’re a valued resource. Even if you’re not a professional teacher, you can employ your personal experiences and imagination to bring subjects to life and give children the extra attention they need to excel.

In addition, the July team began serving at a new after-school homework program. The first two volunteers to be engaged in this new service project were two high school scholarship recipients from Amery, Wisconsin. They embraced the cultural learning, service of supporting literature, and sporting activities. We would like to offer our sincere appreciation to the people sponsoring these two wonderful ambassadors of the USA and Global Volunteers.

The after-school program made the Cook Islands newspaper with Global Volunteers Tristen, one the high school students from Amery, appearing in a photograph.

The free after-school program is for young children who need extra assistance with literacy – with a focus on providing psycho-social support and helping raise the children’s self-esteem.

“This week, five volunteers from the United States and New Zealand have come to help with the programme via the Global Volunteers organisation that arranges opportunities for people to volunteer to help children around the world.

Cook Islands NEWS website.

Visit our Cook Islands volunteer page to learn how to become a Global Volunteer in the South Pacific. Experience Cook Islands’ culture  and develop relationships with the local people – all while volunteering in one of the most beautiful places on Earth!

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