AMA with young friends in Vera Cruz.

 

AMA's at Kids Kabin show off some of their kids' artwork.

 

 

Getting ready to bowl in Chaparral, New Mexico. 

 

Laura with the sign made by Kids Kabin goers many years ago...and still standing!

 

What's Involved

 

Most of the placements offered by AMA involve teaching of some sort (elementary, secondary, language classes, mentoring, tutoring), youth work, parish ministry, Hispanic ministry, community work, advocacy, or health care.   However, through our Assumption sister organizations and other collaborating mission partners, we are flexible in finding projects that match the skills and gifts that AMA applicants have to share.

Applicants should consider the following list of skills needed when discerning an AMA year of service:

  • Knowledge of the language of the host country
  • Experience working with youth
  • Creative, computer, and/or people skills
  • Willingness to learn new skills
  • Professional qualifications - teachers especially!
  • Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), where applicable
  • An ability to work alone and in a team; self-motivation and direction
  • An ability to adapt and integrate into new cultures and ways of living
  • Willingness to grow in faith
  • Comfort in working alongside vowed religious
  • Lots of enthusiasm, energy, and commitment!
  • Interest in peace and justice issues and empowering the poor

***After considering this list, please refer to the requirements for application.  The process of applying usually takes about a month.  Applications and acceptances for sites are taken on a first-come, first-served basis until all positions are filled. ***

Program Specifications:

  • Terms of Service: One to two years (renewable).
  • Requirements: Please see Apply Now! Page
  • Benefits: Room and board. Volunteers usually live in a faith community. Stipend. Medical insurance. Student loan deferment.
  • Training: Mandatory one-week orientation program in Worcester, MA. Ongoing formation through the Religious of the Assumption or the Assumptionists. End-of-year retreat program and Re-orientation program offered for returning volunteers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                     

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"I must remind myself that I came here to serve, to volunteer for a year, but that after one year the services this place and I will render each other will be but sprouts in the compost of our experiences. It is only over time, as the year’s experiences and emotions work their way into our minds and hearts that the true services we will provide to each other will begin to take hold – that the growth we will inspire in each other will slowly mature into our lives."

Tim Hoppe

AMA Tanzania

2003-2004   

 

"....In France I always had enough of everything; I had a happy childhood, a happy life… I never needed anything. So, in each task I have here, I think about that. It is the reason why I became an AMA. It’s the reason why each day I am here, I wake up and I want to do my best with all of these people.

And that makes more sense in mentoring because I try to give to those kids more chances in  life, the chances I had. I never wait to receive something back. I do everything for them. But one day, I received a “thanks” from a 6 year old kid and at that moment I knew what I was doing made sense. If you are looking for God: He is everybody, He is Society, He is Life. You see Him each time you feel some gladness from a person: for a child, it’s easy. You can see God in every smile."

Pierre Tardivo

AMA Worcester, MA 2007-2008