Cost includes round-trip airfare from an international airport in a major US city, local transport, accommodations, meals, translators.
Now is your chance to make a global impact. We are seeking educators of all types to join us for the adventure of a lifetime teaching vulnerable Ethiopian children in a fun, summer camp format.
Join our volunteer team in beautiful Ethiopia, Africa. Classes include ESL, core subjects, and extracurriculars. We welcome teachers, musicians, artists, coaches, and more. No international experience needed.
Cost includes round-trip airfare from an international airport in a major US city, local transport, accommodations, meals, translators.
Submit an e-mail response answering the questions below no later than December 31, 2022. Must also submit trip application with $40 application fee by December 31, 2022. Serious candidates only.
1. What inspired you to take this trip?
2. What skills / talents / passions / knowledge do you hope to use during your trip?
3. What personal life experiences can you leverage?
Scholarship recipient will be asked to document their experience through writing and photos and share this upon return.
|
Time |
Activity |
|---|---|
|
8:00-9:00 a.m. |
Breakfast & Morning Devotional |
|
9:00-9:30 a.m. |
Travel to Campus & Set Up |
|
9:30-10:15 a.m. |
Grade K-2 |
|
10:30-11:15 a.m. |
Grade 3-4 |
|
11:30-12:15 p.m. |
Grade 5-6 |
|
12:15-1:00 p.m. |
Lunch Break |
|
1:00-1:45 p.m. |
Grade 7-8 |
|
2:00-2:45 p.m. |
Grade 9-10 |
|
2:45-4:15 p.m. |
Group Recreation |
|
4:15-4:30 p.m. |
Clean Up |
|
4:30-5:00 p.m. |
Teacher Meeting |
|
5:00-7:00 p.m. |
Dinner |
|
7:00-8:00 p.m. |
Prepare for Next Day |
|
8:00-11:00 p.m. |
Personal Time |
|
11:00 p.m. |
Lights Out |
Submit your trip application no later than 12/31/22.
Raise support for your trip and any special projects you hope to accomplish. View 10 Guidelines for Raising Ministry Support for helpful tips.
Make your first payment of 1/3 of your trip fees no later than 2/1/23. You can mail a check to the office, make a secure payment online, or call our office at 1-888-269-2719 to provide a credit or debit card.
Make your second payment of 1/3 of your trip fees no later than 3/1/23. You can mail a check to the office, make a secure payment online, or call our office at 1-888-269-2719 to provide a credit or debit card.
Make your third and final payment of 1/3 of your trip fees no later than 4/1/23. You can mail a check to the office, make a secure payment online, or call our office at 1-888-269-2719 to provide a credit or debit card.
Apply online for a tourist visa. You will need to receive your air travel itinerary and other important details from the US office first. Be sure to secure your visa as soon as you receive your travel itinerary. Note that your passport must have at least 6 months remaining as of your departure date.
Blessing the Children International is a unique organization that is big enough to make a broad and lasting impact but small enough to offer an intimate and individualized experience for each traveler. Our staff in Ethiopia will work closely with you to ensure that your ministry objectives are met and that your trip is personally rewarding and impactful. We know each child in our program by name and there is a great sense of community in our organization that you will be welcomed into with open arms.
Debre Zeyit is located approximately 39 miles southeast of Ethiopia's capital city of Addis Ababa. The climate is moderate, with an average high of 78 degrees Farenheit and an average low of 44 degrees Farenheit. The elevation of Debre Zeyit is 6,300 feet, which is comparable to Colorado Springs.
The period from May through October is the rainy season, with the heaviest rainful occurring in July and August. If you are traveling during the rainy season, we recommend packing appropriately by including rainboots, a waterproof jacket, an umbrella, a poncho, and a waterproof bag for carrying your personal items.
Debre Zeyit is a popular tourist destination due to beautiful Lake Bishoftu. There are many nice hotels and resorts in the area.
We have never had a problem with violence or aggression against our teams or missionaries. As a safety precaution, our guest house has a guard who acts as a gatekeeper to ensure that only BCI staff and missionaries enter the guest house, and you will be accompanied by a staff member when traveling around town.
You will stay in a guest house, which will have modern amenities that include running water, electricity, and a bathroom. Many of the guest houses offer wi-fi to help you stay in touch with family and friends back home. As Ethiopia is a third world country, please be aware that the availability of running water, electricity, and wi-fi is not always stable from day-to-day. Flexibility is the key to a successful trip.
Meals in the BCI guest house are prepared, served, and cleaned up family style. Upon your arrival, a team cooking / cleaning schedule will be created. Each team member will be expected to participate.
If you are traveling alone and there is no scheduled team at the guest house during your stay, you may prepare your own meals or hire a cook to assist you with meal preparation.
The best way to stay in touch with your loved ones is through e-mail. Many guest houses offer wi-fi and there are several internet cafes in Debre Zeyit. Note that there are periodic internet outages, so at times you may need to wait several days to send an e-mail.There are also pay phones and call centers if you wish to phone. In addition, you can send postal mail from Ethiopia. Keep in mind that postal mail could take several weeks to arrive home.
We serve orphaned and impoverished children in Debre Zeyit, Ethiopia. Our children need an education. They need global learning. They need fun. They need hope. With your help, we can provide this in an unforgettable summer camp format. We will develop a schedule and curriculum that uses the skills and talents of our volunteers. We are open to anything from English as a second language to soccer to painting. If you have the skills to teach or instruct any subject matter, we have a place for you on our team. We will host the program on the campus of our school, the BCI Academy.