Service Learning Institute in San Cristobal de las Casas
Students
The Service Learning Institute (SLI) in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, runs 5-hour workshops introducing UNACH (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Chiapas) students to a process of introspection (values, attitudes, beliefs) which leads students to identify service projects that benefit others. SLI’s objective is to change lives and career choices and to be of service to those less fortunate.
SLI is championed by an energetic and committed Michael Greces, who integrates service learning into his English classes and requires that students give final oral and written reports on their service activities in English.
If you would like to support or participate in a Service Learning Institute project, please contact:
Michael J. Greces
Director, Service Learning Institute
San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas
michaelgreces@yahoo.com
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This year, the NGO “Amigos de San Cristobal” is supporting the Service Learning Institute (SLI) with a grant. The Amigos grant, in turn, is used to provide disadvantaged students with funding to undertake their service projects. Michael is currently in the process of selecting which student projects will be supported by the Amigos grant. The 46 projects already submitted address violence and women's issues, AIDS education, and working in disadvantaged communities.
Small grants to the selected projects will pay for such things as transportation to and from communities being served and materials needed for the projects. Amigos is proud to support this project because it helps youth understand and appreciate the value of service to others and to act upon that value. Michael reports that many students continue to stay involved in service projects after they have left his English class. In addition, other teachers who see the positive impact of this service learning model are using it in their classes as well.
- Article from “El Boletín” which is the newsletter of Amigos de San Cristóbal, a nonprofit organization based in San Cristobal, Chiapas, Mexico.
- Communications Committee: David Orr, Diane Livingston, Alison Abbott, Ann Conway
- Editor: Ray Stevens
- http://www.amigosdesc.org/
