BIDEWW AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM SUMMARY

After several parents engaged us to create a program that will support West African kids with their academic, life, and social skills needs, in February of 2022, WAWAC finally created what we call our “BIDEWW” (STAR) After School Program. WAWAC’s BIDEWW/star after-school program and homework club seeks to create a culturally appropriate fun and new learning environment that fosters social skills and provides learning opportunities for our kids through exciting semi-structured activities such as science experiments, cooking classes, art projects, singing, dancing, music, cinematography, storytelling and more at a culturally appropriate setting for free of charge.

Since the kids spend a lot of time at school where they learn in a structured and formal environment, the BIDEWW After School program is done in a loose environment where they still learn fun stuff that they create themselves. Additional recreational activities also take place to encourage them to stay active, healthy, and connected with each other.

This is also a platform for West African kids to interact, learn from each other and build their own community. It is available to school-aged children 5 to 17 years old in Snohomish and King Counties twice a week. Through this platform, the kids of our community explore their artistic instincts through collaborative art projects. It holds significant value for our kids because it inspires them to be creatively driven at an early age. An opportunity that they don’t ordinarily receive from their parents because a lot of West African parents deem art as a “waste of time” -This grossly deprives kids of the possibility to explore their creativity. We pride ourselves in opening our program to a wide range of African kids tailored to their unique needs, identity, and values.

•  In Lynnwood, WAWAC offers this program twice a week (Wednesdays and Fridays (4:30 pm to 7:00 pm) and needs support helping to maintain and improve this essential service. This location is a high need as both the kids and the parents eagerly look forward to this program.
• After successfully implementing the pilot Bideww After School program in Snohomish County, in September of 2022, WAWAC partnered with School’s Out Washington to start a similar program in King County. This program  is also offered to the West African youths in King County twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm) at the Live Life Church (800 SW 16th St, Renton, WA 98057.)

Take a look at what a week can look like in the afterschool program: here or here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_eQze7c3-4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohHvRnLZqzY

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The WAWAC Bideww After School Program Director manages programs outside of school hours for the West African kids in Washington. His/her role includes:

• Planning, preparing, and implementing an approved curriculum that includes language studies, math, art, social/life skills, and African culture and realities.
• Enrolling new students as needed.
• Engaging and meeting with parents to discuss their children’s performance and concerns.
• Creating all necessary documents relating to the program such as incident reports, compliance forms, transportation request forms, etc.
• Having monthly meetings/briefings with WAWAC ED to update him on progress made and discuss any challenges regarding the program.
• Overseeing daily lesson plans and activities that focus on developing children’s social, life, and motor skills.
• Scheduling and managing program staff and volunteer tutors.
• Coordinating with UW Instructors and student volunteers.
• Attending meetings and capacity-building training organized by WAWAC funding partners and submitting required reports to such partners as needed.
• Managing all petty cash and finances relating to the running of the Bideww program and submitting a monthly report to the WAWAC finance department.
• Writing program narrative and monthly financial reports.
• Ensuring program compliance with city, state, and federal licensing requirements and working in partnership with WAWAC management to achieve this.
• Assisting children with assignments and homework, such as reading, writing, and math.
• Preparing learning materials and equipment, such as books, arts and crafts, stationery, and other supplies as needed.
• Interacting with the children to provide guidance, emotional support, and motivation to complete tasks.
• Engaging and meeting with parents to discuss their children’s performance and any concerns.
• Managing the Bideww WhatsApp group chat.
• Maintaining an organized/safe environment and helping students learn skills that help them conduct themselves appropriately.
• To aid the emotional and social-interactive growth of kids, to enable them to communicate their joys as well as their frustrations appropriately.
• To encourage the social, physical, and intellectual development within children that attend our after-school program.

REQUIREMENTS

Candidates are required to fill out this job application form and do a criminal background check. WAWAC carries a background check through Checkr and will need your full name and email address to process this. It can take up to 72 hours to get the results back.

QUALIFICATIONS:

•  While a Bachelor’s degree in Education, Child Development, or a related field is preferred, we may accept candidates with an Associate’s degree, some college, and relevant experience.
• Ability to speak and write Standard English appropriate in a school setting and willingness to learn and teach about Africa.
• Must pass a criminal background check and fingerprinting.
• At least six months of experience working with youth in a classroom, after school, summer camp, community, or other settings
• Math and English skills (K-12)
• The Bideww After-School Program Director will be responsible for managing staff and volunteers, coordinating activities, and supervising students. Thus, we prefer a candidate with good leadership and organizational skills.
• Bideww Program Director will be responsible for the safety of the students and staff in the program. Thus, he/she is required to be First Aid and CRP certified.

SALARY/HOURS:
This is a part-time 10 hours/week position if working at 1 location and 20 hours a week if working at both locations. The salary is $30/hour.

Contact: For more information, contact WAWAC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,  Pa Ousman Joof via Email: pajoof@wawac.org, Tel : (253)-235-2132.