Blyth Education, Community and Environmental Services

The View Foundation

Blyth International Summers

Blyth Academy

OUR MISSION
The View Foundation was founded in 1995 and is a federally incorporated not-for-profit organization.
Our mission is to provide assistance to developing communities through education and environmental initiatives. Over the years, we have done substantial work in South America, Africa and on the Antarctic Continent. In 1999, the Foundation won the Conde Nast Award of Merit for its ecological work in the Antarctic. Blyth Education provides administrative support to the Foundation on a not-for-profit basis, thus ensuring all monies flow into projects and their volunteers’ costs.

The Foundation’s community and environmental projects continue a tradition of giving back to people and their environments in the developing world. The projects bring together North American volunteers who over the years have spoken of their work with our Foundation as the most transformative and powerful learning experience of their lives.

From teaching English or computer skills to children in Ethiopia, to building schools in Tanzania or working on restoration projects at the CUJAE university near Old Havana, our participants will not only give back to these communities through their time and effort, but they will learn a wide range of new skills in the process. Through our programming, volunteers experience firsthand the challenges faced by a large number of people around the world and are introduced to the tools that enable them to affect change within these communities.

As an international volunteer you will be given the chance to open your heart and mind to realities very different from your own as you move beyond the boundaries of spaces you know well and with which you feel comfortable. Participants need not have previous experience or specific skills, but rather an enthusiasm and openness to a new culture and the task at hand.

RABBI RONNIE AND KAREN CAHANA

The View Foundation

For Abebech Gobena, founder of The Abebech Orphanage, it all began during those terrible years of famine and drought in the early eighties in Wollo.

Our project in Tanzania addresses the needs of a Masai community where we are building a school.

Cuba is one of the Caribbean’s richest cultures with a tradition of literacy and social programs.

Our 2008 March Break project is centred at the CUJAE University in Havana.

New This Year! Community Service hours before leaving and Leadership Component and our Adopt a Project initiative.

Accreditation for Senior High School Students
Our high school volunteers will receive 30 to 40 hours of community service per week, not including pre-project volunteer opportunities. Frequently, students have used these experiences as the subject matter for essays for schools, universities and newspapers or for contemplating career changes later in life.

Fund Raising and Bursaries
Many volunteers will successfully raise funds to defray their airfare and living costs. We are happy to support these efforts and provide leads and advice.

Awards and Scholarships
These are awarded based on the applicant's demonstration of community service involvement and strong leadership capabilities.

Supervision
Our ratio of staff to volunteers will be in the order of 1 to 6. We provide care and support for our volunteers both during and after work hours.

Language Requirements
There are no language prerequisites. For many participants, our programs represent a great opportunity to start or to improve their language skills. In Cuba we provide daily language lessons.

Daily and Weekly Schedules
Monday to Friday schedule
9:00 am-12:00pm Community work
12:00pm-2:00pm Lunch and rest
2:00pm to 5:00pm Community Work
(Tentative schedule only. Subject to change depending on project)

Our day commences early with breakfast and work continues into the afternoon with a break for lunch. Weekends are dedicated to travel in the regions on a variety of excursions (some included in the fee, others optional) that will help bring further cultural understanding.

Our Volunteers
Our volunteers range from 14-25 years of age. Participants’ work is closely supervised and coordinated by professionals who have extensive experience in the areas of education, international development and cross cultural exchange with an emphasis on developing nations.

OUR TEAM
Chair
SAM BLYTH was educated at Pembroke College, Cambridge (MA) where he read anthropology, and the University of Paris. He spent much of his adult life working and travelling in developing nations, with a focus on Africa and Cuba. He has led numerous expeditions into polar and high altitude regions.

Executive Director
JAASON GEERTS is a PhD candidate at U of T in Leadership, Theology, and Education (2008). Jaason is also the Director of the College of Prefects Youth Leadership network. He has led International Summer trips for the past 8 years.

Program Administrator
ALEXANDRA PATINO has spent several years successfully coordinating International programs and View Foundation projects.

The View Foundation is grateful for Roxana Naveas from Progressive Marketing for designing our website.