Youth-built international development and cultural exchange programs.

In order to empower the 11th grade students of Class Afloat and challenge them to take full advantage of their international opportunities, the Global Education Association has developed C.A.R.E: The Class Afloat Ripple Effect. C.A.R.E introduces youth to the challenges, frustrations and rewards of conceiving, planning and carrying through an international project and cultural exchange and is integrated directly into a Nova Scotia curriculum.

Students are broken down into groups of 5 and must choose on of several of Class Afloat’s ports of call in which to implement a program. The program can be a cultural exchange, a development project, a funding project or a meaningful activity which involves an exchange of knowledge, resources or culture.

The various groups each independently brainstorm ideas which range from fund-raising for wells in Africa to planting seed gardens, orphanage days to cross-cultural cook-offs. After brainstorming, the students will have to actually put the projects in motion, researching and making contacts in the country or community of choice, building funding plans and articulating a rational for the project.

Each small group then presents their idea, work to date and plans going forward. The presentations and demonstrated leadership ability of each group are reviewed by a panel of teachers and GEA staff based on several criteria. The top group is then asked to lead the whole class to implement one of the projects. They class is expected to actually carry out the project and report back on it to GEA.

Throughout the process GEA educators guide the learning and provide support but it is ultimately the hands on engagement of the students which provides the most valuable and empowering learning.

Previous C.A.R.E. projects have included:

C.A.R.E. 2007/2008 at a Namibian Orphanage.

C.A.R.E. 2008/2009 sees Class afloat in Walvis bay to share culture through food and music.