Q | What is West African Vocational Schools?
A | West African Vocational Schools is a Christian, Seattle-based nonprofit that teaches job skills to people in Guinea-Bissau, one of the smallest and poorest countries in the world.
The West African country has struggled for decades with poverty and political instability. Today, drug cartels in Latin America use the country as a place where they can safely store cocaine before smuggling it into Europe. West African Vocational Schools helps counter this trend by empowering local leaders in Guinea-Bissau and giving them practical skills that translate into jobs. At its school in the city of Canchungo, more than 100 students take courses in sewing, computer basics, English and auto mechanics. In the future, WAVS hopes to build similar schools in other cities in Guinea-Bissau and throughout West Africa.
Q | What is the WAVS teacher sponsorship program?
A | You can have a direct impact on the lives of people in Guinea-Bissau by becoming part of a teacher sponsorship team. You can do this either individually or with a group of friends or family members. The way this works is simple: Each member of a teacher sponsorship team contributes $30, $50, or $100 a month toward funding the teacher’s salary. The teachers at the WAVS school are paid $130 to $330 per month depending on their qualifications and the course they’re teaching. So usually it takes three to six teacher sponsors to form a team. For example, a team of two people contributing $50 a month and one person contributing $30 a month would help fund one teacher (for a total of $130 a month).
Once you sign up to become part of a teacher sponsorship team, you will get an update every three months on how your teacher is doing and what impact the teacher is having in the classroom and in the community.
Q | How do I know whether I should contribute $30, $50, or $100?
A | It’s up to you! The more you contribute, the greater the role you play in your teacher sponsorship team. But we know not everyone is able to contribute $100 a month. Monthly contributions of $30 or $50 make a big difference, too!
Q | Can I participate even if I don’t know anyone else who wants to be part of my teacher sponsorship team?
A | Yes! We will find other teacher sponsors who will become part of your teacher sponsorship team.
Q | How do I sign up?
A | Great question! You can sign up online here. If you would rather give by mail, you can fill out the teacher sponsorship form and mail it to:
WAVS
P.O. Box 25455
Seattle WA 98165