top of page
CURRENT
PROJECTS
We work together with schools in Brazil, Colombia, Thailand, Zambia, and Mongolia, where we send volunteers twice a year. Not all projects may take place due to local circumstances.
ALL AT A GLANCE
Brazil - Saõ Paulo
Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world and its eighth largest economy, the largest country in South America. However, Brazil is also a country where a quarter of the population lives under the poverty line and which counts around 13 million illiterate people. Since English is essential to the development of a country, PIECES is committed to better education by teaching English to children and young adults. This also promotes cultural exchange between the people from different continents.
In Switzerland, we enjoy the privilege of free education. It is a matter of course. We often forget that in poorer countries the education system does not work reliably. Although compulsory schooling for children ages from 7 to 14 is mandatory in Brazil, it is poorly monitored. The schools are far apart and secondary schools are only available in the big cities. The schools are poorly equipped and in a structurally bad and unhygienic condition. Unfortunately, too little funding is provided by the state to support the education system. Under such conditions, school attendance is made more difficult and therefore only about one in eight children goes to school in the favelas. However, PIECES is strongly convinced that donations and the use of motivated volunteers can help the situation in Brazil.
With the help of donations, people in poorly educated countries like Brazil can be helped. Education is the key to poverty reduction and an important prerequisite for economic growth. Those with good education have comparably higher chances of employment and income. However, an incredible number of people are still excluded from elementary education. For this reason, "education for all" is a fundamental goal of the international community between developing and developed countries.
In Switzerland, we enjoy the privilege of free education. It is a matter of course. We often forget that in poorer countries the education system does not work reliably. Although compulsory schooling for children ages from 7 to 14 is mandatory in Brazil, it is poorly monitored. The schools are far apart and secondary schools are only available in the big cities. The schools are poorly equipped and in a structurally bad and unhygienic condition. Unfortunately, too little funding is provided by the state to support the education system. Under such conditions, school attendance is made more difficult and therefore only about one in eight children goes to school in the favelas. However, PIECES is strongly convinced that donations and the use of motivated volunteers can help the situation in Brazil.
With the help of donations, people in poorly educated countries like Brazil can be helped. Education is the key to poverty reduction and an important prerequisite for economic growth. Those with good education have comparably higher chances of employment and income. However, an incredible number of people are still excluded from elementary education. For this reason, "education for all" is a fundamental goal of the international community between developing and developed countries.
Colombia - Cundinamarca
What happens with many rural areas in Latin America, the education system is not fully developed, thus limiting the opportunities that children have. In the department of Cundinamarca, although it is very close to the capital Bogotá, there are situations of educational instability and inequality.
ICSEF has been helping the community for 50 years by offering university and college programmes in different regions of the country. Their students are very excited and eager to learn English!
The project is located in the heart of the Andean region, near the town of Silvania in the department of Cundinamarca.
Nestled in the lush green mountains, Silvania offers a peaceful and vibrant natural environment, often referred to as “the garden of Cundinamarca” due to its rich biodiversity and pleasant climate. Volunteers will have the opportunity to discover and immerse themselves in the culture of local rural communities and explore the stunning landscapes filled with cloud forests, rivers, and agricultural fields.
The region is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including numerous species of birds, butterflies, orchids, and native trees. Silvania and its surroundings serve as a transition zone between the high Andes and the lower tropical regions, making it a biodiversity hotspot.
Although Colombia is a diverse country with many cultural regions, Cundinamarca plays a central role in national identity. The rural traditions, agricultural practices, and deep connection to the land make this area a meaningful setting for cultural exchange and sustainable development projects. Each community has its own rhythms and customs, and volunteers will be welcomed into a lifestyle that values nature, hospitality, and community ties.
Requirements:
- Volunteers must be intermediate or fluent in Spanish (B2, C1 or C2)
- Volunteers need to be vaccinated against Covid-19 (at least two doses)
ICSEF has been helping the community for 50 years by offering university and college programmes in different regions of the country. Their students are very excited and eager to learn English!
The project is located in the heart of the Andean region, near the town of Silvania in the department of Cundinamarca.
Nestled in the lush green mountains, Silvania offers a peaceful and vibrant natural environment, often referred to as “the garden of Cundinamarca” due to its rich biodiversity and pleasant climate. Volunteers will have the opportunity to discover and immerse themselves in the culture of local rural communities and explore the stunning landscapes filled with cloud forests, rivers, and agricultural fields.
The region is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including numerous species of birds, butterflies, orchids, and native trees. Silvania and its surroundings serve as a transition zone between the high Andes and the lower tropical regions, making it a biodiversity hotspot.
Although Colombia is a diverse country with many cultural regions, Cundinamarca plays a central role in national identity. The rural traditions, agricultural practices, and deep connection to the land make this area a meaningful setting for cultural exchange and sustainable development projects. Each community has its own rhythms and customs, and volunteers will be welcomed into a lifestyle that values nature, hospitality, and community ties.
Requirements:
- Volunteers must be intermediate or fluent in Spanish (B2, C1 or C2)
- Volunteers need to be vaccinated against Covid-19 (at least two doses)
Thailand - Nong Chang
Numerous countries are in need for humanitarian help. Thailand is one of them. Located in South-East Asia, between Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and Myanmar, the country is well known for its capital, Bankgkok, and its beaches such as Koh-Samui. The country is divided into a more developed south surrounding Bangkok and a north part which is characterized by mountains chains and poverty. Poverty and Education are recurrent problems developing countries are nowadays facing. Thus, there is room for humanitarian help.
4,017,103! This number represents the amount of illiterate persons in Thailand. Yes, this number is tremendous and represents more than 5% of the population but the implementation of a compulsory education system tends to reduce it. English has become one of the most important language for Thai people to unable them to pursue higher education and to develop their country outside their border. In addition, a lot of the country’s wealth come from tourism, which make them extremely dependent on it. However, some regions such as Nong Chang have difficulties teaching a suitable English. Therefore, Pieces (in cooperation with Jan & Oscar) has find the opportunity to implement a volunteering system trying to improve the English level in school located in remote areas. This system is sending volunteers from the University of St. Gallen to Nong Chang twice a year in order to teach English to students from 6 to 16 years old.
In Switzerland, we have the chance to receive an incredible education which teaches us strong values. These values, we believe, push us to act accordingly and help people which got less lucky; which might not be less smart but are just born in poverty! The Thailand project is, in this sense, really important as it provides English education to children which might latter help their country develop and reduce poverty. A famous sentence on a wall at the St. Gallen university states: “happiness is expensive”; volunteers all around the world would disagree with that. They will state that people in need give you everything when you come to help them, they breathe happiness, they are clueless and innocent. Isn’t it time that we give a bit back? That we help them?
Lots of ways exist to help others, lots of association, lots of actions, lots of funds levying, … Pieces is an association as others but being a student association requires found to pursue actions and to have a greater impact. Donators are the most important… without founds, any actions would not be possible. The Thailand project being made with a particularly present association in the county offers a big opportunity for donators which want to have an impact and help. Pieces sponsors housing and board in a local host family to, on the one hand, support locals and, on the other hand, ensure a high quality of teaching by being able to engage those volunteers with the highest qualifications and not those with the highest income. This volunteering is of primarily importance for Thai children as it provide them with proper contact to English accent and pronunciation which their English teacher cannot teach them.
4,017,103! This number represents the amount of illiterate persons in Thailand. Yes, this number is tremendous and represents more than 5% of the population but the implementation of a compulsory education system tends to reduce it. English has become one of the most important language for Thai people to unable them to pursue higher education and to develop their country outside their border. In addition, a lot of the country’s wealth come from tourism, which make them extremely dependent on it. However, some regions such as Nong Chang have difficulties teaching a suitable English. Therefore, Pieces (in cooperation with Jan & Oscar) has find the opportunity to implement a volunteering system trying to improve the English level in school located in remote areas. This system is sending volunteers from the University of St. Gallen to Nong Chang twice a year in order to teach English to students from 6 to 16 years old.
In Switzerland, we have the chance to receive an incredible education which teaches us strong values. These values, we believe, push us to act accordingly and help people which got less lucky; which might not be less smart but are just born in poverty! The Thailand project is, in this sense, really important as it provides English education to children which might latter help their country develop and reduce poverty. A famous sentence on a wall at the St. Gallen university states: “happiness is expensive”; volunteers all around the world would disagree with that. They will state that people in need give you everything when you come to help them, they breathe happiness, they are clueless and innocent. Isn’t it time that we give a bit back? That we help them?
Lots of ways exist to help others, lots of association, lots of actions, lots of funds levying, … Pieces is an association as others but being a student association requires found to pursue actions and to have a greater impact. Donators are the most important… without founds, any actions would not be possible. The Thailand project being made with a particularly present association in the county offers a big opportunity for donators which want to have an impact and help. Pieces sponsors housing and board in a local host family to, on the one hand, support locals and, on the other hand, ensure a high quality of teaching by being able to engage those volunteers with the highest qualifications and not those with the highest income. This volunteering is of primarily importance for Thai children as it provide them with proper contact to English accent and pronunciation which their English teacher cannot teach them.
Zambia - Livingstone
«Zikomo!»
This is a word which the PIECES volunteers heard many times during their stay in Zambia. It means «Thank you» in the local language Chichewa.
The thankfulness, happiness and joy which the students from the Nekacheya School showed towards the volunteers was overwhelming. They had so much fun together during the classes in which the volunteers taught them English. The African pupils always wanted to know more about this far country called Switzerland and their thirst for knowledge seemed to be endless. That is because the students see education as a chance. In Zambia over 60% of the population lives below the poverty line. Education is their opportunity to escape it and have a better life in the future. PIECES plays a special role in this process by teaching them essential English skills. Along the way the kids really sneak into the volunteer’s hearts.
«Thank you»
When was the last time, you received a truly meant one from one of your peers? We are used to say it all the time, but do we really mean it?
The «Zikomo» from the students in Zambia, is a truly meant one. The PIECES volunteers were very warmly welcomed by the students and teachers. Teaching in Zambia is really a one-of-a-kind experience. It was a pleasure to see all the students making process and participating eagerly during the lesson. Of course, sometimes it can get a little messy and a little loud during the class. But in the end the exchange between the «mzungu» - as the foreigners are being called and what actually means «traveller» - and the children is a very valuable experience for both sides. The volunteers influence the lives of the kids in a very meaningful way by broadening their horizon and helping them personally as well as academically. The volunteers on the other hand experience and learn to appreciate the pleasure of a simple life. And most importantly: They learn to be thankful, even for the little things. One volunteer said that during his stay in Zambia, he never heard anyone complain – even if the sun was stiflingly hot burning down on their heads or the children were hungry as they have not received any breakfast.
So now, here is the opportunity for you to join in and feel the love from the beautiful country of Zambia. Your donation will be very much appreciated and deserves hundreds of truly meant Zikomo’s! It provides education for the children far from our homes and makes the world a little bit fairer. Furthermore, doing something good by donating money gives us so much back. Sometimes this seems like a paradox: Because the smiles, the thankfulness and the love of the children from the Nekacheya school really is priceless.
This is a word which the PIECES volunteers heard many times during their stay in Zambia. It means «Thank you» in the local language Chichewa.
The thankfulness, happiness and joy which the students from the Nekacheya School showed towards the volunteers was overwhelming. They had so much fun together during the classes in which the volunteers taught them English. The African pupils always wanted to know more about this far country called Switzerland and their thirst for knowledge seemed to be endless. That is because the students see education as a chance. In Zambia over 60% of the population lives below the poverty line. Education is their opportunity to escape it and have a better life in the future. PIECES plays a special role in this process by teaching them essential English skills. Along the way the kids really sneak into the volunteer’s hearts.
«Thank you»
When was the last time, you received a truly meant one from one of your peers? We are used to say it all the time, but do we really mean it?
The «Zikomo» from the students in Zambia, is a truly meant one. The PIECES volunteers were very warmly welcomed by the students and teachers. Teaching in Zambia is really a one-of-a-kind experience. It was a pleasure to see all the students making process and participating eagerly during the lesson. Of course, sometimes it can get a little messy and a little loud during the class. But in the end the exchange between the «mzungu» - as the foreigners are being called and what actually means «traveller» - and the children is a very valuable experience for both sides. The volunteers influence the lives of the kids in a very meaningful way by broadening their horizon and helping them personally as well as academically. The volunteers on the other hand experience and learn to appreciate the pleasure of a simple life. And most importantly: They learn to be thankful, even for the little things. One volunteer said that during his stay in Zambia, he never heard anyone complain – even if the sun was stiflingly hot burning down on their heads or the children were hungry as they have not received any breakfast.
So now, here is the opportunity for you to join in and feel the love from the beautiful country of Zambia. Your donation will be very much appreciated and deserves hundreds of truly meant Zikomo’s! It provides education for the children far from our homes and makes the world a little bit fairer. Furthermore, doing something good by donating money gives us so much back. Sometimes this seems like a paradox: Because the smiles, the thankfulness and the love of the children from the Nekacheya school really is priceless.
Mongolia - Altai
In Mongolia’s vast countryside of seemingly endless green plains there is not much more to find than a few nomad family’s ger. Whenever you knock on a ger’s door, whether you know the family or not, you are welcomed into their home and they share their food and milk with you. Sharing and caring for each other is deeply rooted in Mongolian culture. Even if they do not have a lot they are happy to give whatever they have to help out. This generosity can also be seen by the behaviour of students from rural areas. They help each other out in solving tasks and share their pencils or books with others, who do not have any. Also, teachers have to be very generous as they have to pay for teaching material themselves, e.g. printing or even chalk for the blackboard. As teachers in Mongolia do not have the same level of education as in Switzerland the knowledge they teach is limited. Therefore students are eager to learn English in order to go to university and learn more.
In Switzerland we are privileged with our education system which gives everyone the same opportunities. In Mongolia students from rural towns have it more difficult to gain the same level of education as students from the capital in Ulaanbaatar. It is important to provide the students from rural areas, such as Altai, with opportunities to learn more. Not only does the project teach English to students, but also to English teachers. By giving them insights into alternative teaching techniques the project's goal is to have a long lasting effect.
In Switzerland we are privileged with our education system which gives everyone the same opportunities. In Mongolia students from rural towns have it more difficult to gain the same level of education as students from the capital in Ulaanbaatar. It is important to provide the students from rural areas, such as Altai, with opportunities to learn more. Not only does the project teach English to students, but also to English teachers. By giving them insights into alternative teaching techniques the project's goal is to have a long lasting effect.
bottom of page