GUADELOUPE
Education Program

Background

The Caribbean island of Guadeloupe is an ideal destination for students looking for a service learning program in a French-speaking country. Few Americans come here and few islanders speak English, so a basic command of French is a must. Direct flights to Guadeloupe leave regularly from Miami and Atlanta and are relatively affordable, especially in the low travel months from May to July.

Guadeloupe stands out for its natural beauty. The western side of Guadeloupe’s main island is dominated by La Soufrière, a 4,700-foot volcano that periodically belches steam and ash. The volcano forms the heart of the Park Naturel de Guadeloupe, one of the largest nature reserves in the Caribbean. This huge tract of mountains, waterfalls and rainforest offers stunning views of the minty-green Caribbean waters.

There is much to do in Guadeloupe. Kite surfing is popular on Guadeloupe’s palm-fringed beaches. Snorkelers will find colorful reefs and an abundance of fish life at La Réserve Cousteau and sea kayakers can explore the isolated islets Grand-cul-de-sac Marin, a marine reserve on the northern side of the island.

Issues

Guadeloupe is a department of France and its schools, clinics and highway systems are heavily subsidized by mainland France. Nonetheless, schools in Guadeloupe are lacking resources and offer few, if any, extra curricular and summertime activities for children.

Internet access is extremely limited in Guadeloupe, depriving children of valuable access to educational resources. Children in many areas of Guadeloupe do not even know how to use a computer.

Solutions

In Guadeloupe, the World Leadership School offers programs on the main island of Guadeloupe and also the more rural satellite island of Marie Galante.

We live with local families and work on a variety of education-related projects with children. We teach English, which is a valuable tool for children wishing to work in the travel industry. We also hold environmental workshops and beach cleanups that help children develop environmental values and understand concepts of sustainability. We commit to one education infrastructure project, which can include the construction of a playground or the donation and installation of a computer lab. We also train children and community members on computer skills and the use of the internet.

During the program we discuss education around the world and its critical role in helping solve problems such as poverty, overpopulation and infectious diseases. We also understand the concept of “digital divide,” or the line separating those in the world who have internet access and those that do not. We focus particularly on the educational system of Guadeloupe and work towards long-term solutions.

We hear from mayors, community activists and parents on the challenges they face. We discuss their leadership styles as we also work towards articulating our own leadership approach and vision.

We learn about Guadeloupe’s rich history, which includes pirate attacks, sugar cane plantations, slave revolts and Guadeloupe’s modern-day process of identity building. We visit 18th century windmills, snorkel in the Cousteau Reserve, kayak along the coast and camp overnight in Guadeloupe’s rain forest. With luck, we will climb to the top of La Soufrière, and peer down into its steamy crater. We can also work with farmers in the sugar cane fields, learn Guadeloupe drum rhythms and head out into Caribbean waters with local fishermen.

Requirements

All students in the Guadeloupe program must have at least an intermediate knowledge of French.
We require that students have a satisfactory level of physical fitness in order to participate in manual labor and other physical activities of the program.
Students are also required to fill out a detailed application and medical questionnaire prior to being accepted.
Students should remain flexible to changing circumstances, delays and other hurdles that are common in Guadeloupe.
The specifics of volunteer work will be decided according to the needs of the community or organization shortly before the group’s in-country arrival.