BYU Village Mentors
What is BYU Village Mentors?
BYU Village Mentors is a local chapter of an international nonprofit organization called It Takes a Village. The goal is to empower villages around the world, “to drive change and end the cycle of poverty through education.” Our focus will be on virtual mentoring of students in countries around the world that may not have access to quality education at this time due to high student-to-teacher ratios, lack of school infrastructure and inability to access educational materials.
In our chapter, a BYU student and a partner mentor an elementary, middle school, or high school student online once a week. This may include supporting the curriculum they are currently learning and practicing English skills. You do not need to have any prior teaching experience! You will be given the resources and training needed to feel successful!
To learn more about It Takes a Village, visit joinourvillage.org.
How do I get involved?
BECOME A VOLUNTEER
Volunteer Description: Volunteers will meet virtually with students around the world and will help teach them in various subjects including English.
Volunteer Commitment: You will meet with your student for 1 hour at the same time each week. It Takes a Village asks each mentor to commit to at least four months to get to know and build a relationship with your student, but that is not required. If you would like, you can sign up to meet with more than one student a week if your schedule permits.
Step 1
Please complete this survey to start the process of getting registered with a mentee.
Step 2
Reach out to Eric White (contact info below), the Lead Program Director to schedule a quick orientation meeting.
Step 3
Join our Microsoft Teams channel for updates on activities and the program!
If you are unable to commit to mentoring every week please still join our chapter but most importantly our Microsoft Teams channel! Here we will post activities and other ways to get involved in our program besides mentoring once a week!
Due to the virtual nature of the program and youth protection standards, we ask that you conduct your mentor sessions in a public place including on campus or in a living space where someone else is present.
For any questions, feel free to contact the program directors at byuvillagementors@byu.edu. When you join our program make sure you log your hours on Y-Serve through the BYU app or Y-Serve website!
Contact Info
For the past 8 months, I have been doing video calls with Comfort, who is 13 years old and lives in Ghana. The calls are so I can help her with any homework questions she has, and help her to learn more English. When we first started doing video calls, she was super shy and wouldn't say much. But as I have shared pictures and other things from my life, she has opened up a lot. Now, we are super good friends! We both have three younger sisters and both love to read. I introduced her to Harry Potter and now we read a chapter or two each week on the video call. She gets to ask me about any words she doesn't know, and I also help her with other unfamiliar words she reads in books throughout the week. Interacting with Comfort, who lives such a different life than me, has truly changed my life and has helped me to grow in empathy. This program is the best!
I have been meeting with Axel now for almost 2 years, and it is one of the most fulfilling things I have ever done! It's amazing to hear about his goals and dreams and help him see that it is possible to accomplish what he wants to do in life through education.