United States - The Navajo Nation
Amizade at the Navajo Nation, Tuba City, Arizona
The
Navajo Nation is the cultural home to the Navajo people, marked with
beautiful sandstone mesas, towering buttes, colorful canyons, and
dramatic desert scenery. It is the largest of the Indian Reservations
in the US expanding over four states – Arizona, New Mexico,
Utah and Colorado. The Navajo people are deeply rooted in their cultural
traditions and are well known for their contributions to the world
at large, including the role of the Navajo Code Talkers in WWI and
their exquisite artistry. As the Navajo people continue to successfully
adjust to contemporary mainstream circumstances, they face the increasing
challenges of cultural identity, educating their children, and economic
development.
The Partnership
Tuba City Boarding School
At the Tuba City Boarding School, children come first. The Boarding School helps the children grow up to be unique, responsible, nurtured
adults. Opportunities are provided for positive life-long learning,
healthy growth, success, and self-worth. A quality education is supported
in a safe and culturally competent environment. Parents, community,
school, and community partners, together, are working to provide the
best education possible for the children.
The Navajo Nation is challenged daily by the responsibilities
of educating their children, maintaining their cultural identity, and promoting economic development. Providing the best education possible
to their children is the foundation to succeeding on 
all aspects. Amizade
and the Tuba City Boarding School are working together to promote classroom
success. Basic skills including reading and math are essential if the
Navajo are going to fully realize their own individual and cultural
potential.
The Commitment
Service opportunities in Tuba City are arranged in partnership with the schools and involve tutoring and mentoring youth. By working with the teachers and school administration, Amizade volunteers complement the goals set in the classroom. Participants can expect to directly contribute to the success of Navajo school children.
The Impact
Since 2000, Amizade volunteers have served in several capacities in efforts to educate the children and young adults including:
Tutoring in the Classrooms – Volunteers work with the teachers to support lesson plans, provide one-on-one tutoring for students, and promote learning in activities.
School-wide Art Program – Volunteers develop
and implement a school-wide week-long art program for students in
grades K-4.
Special Programming – Volunteers serve in the
school in specific roles including aides in the library, computer
lab, reading rooms, and physical education.
Navajo Nation Program References
Michael Accorsi - Accorsi@mitty.com
Sandra Noll - sjnoll@earthlink.net
Dorothy
Ann Altwarg - slialt@yahoo.com
John
and Kathleen Franke JohnKathleen@webtv.net or jfranke@tms-hq.com
Kazuo
Yamada - kazuoyamada@gmail.com
Vernette
Marsh - neospora@aol.com
Kara
Tiggas - ktiggas@hotmail.com
Ryan
Wolfrum - wolfrum@gmail.com
Jessie
Lortie - jessie.lortie@gmail.com
Leslie
Lee - leslielee713@hotmail.com
Atheline
Wagner - atheline@aol.com