| Baltic States | Germany |
|---|---|
| Latvia | Belgium |
| Croatia | Sweden |
| Switzerland | India |
| Austria | Ireland |
| France | North America |
| Finland | Bulgaria |
| Spain | SCI Belgium - International Office |
| Poland | Balkan Sunflowers |
In 1998, the POET (Programme of Education and Training) started between SCI's Nordic branches, OWA-Poland and their Baltic partner organisations: Est-Yes in Estonia, Austeja in Lithuania, and LSV in Latvia. The aim of POET is to develop democracy in these organisations by promoting voluntary work opportunities and organising a series of training seminars for activists in co-operation with SCI branches.
Short-term volunteer exchange (i.e. workcamps) has been organised for some years already between SCI and these partners. However, the concept of medium- or long-term volunteering is a relatively new one in the Baltic States. The volunteer posts described below have been developed as a first attempt at placing individual (or pairs of) volunteers with NGO partner projects of the Baltic organisations in each country. The posts, mainly in the social field, have been chosen according to the needs created by changing post-Communist social circumstances. The work is, in the main, either with people with disabilities or with children from disadvantaged areas - both target groups which are particularly vulnerable.
The experimental nature of this programme requires that volunteers should have previous SCI workcamp (or equivalent) experience and be, at least, 21 years of age.
In each country, there will be a 4-day orientation session for all the
volunteers going to that country. For further information about any of
these posts, please apply directly to the national branch of your organisation
in your own country.
2. Latvian Medicine Academy Clinic Hospital for Children
The Latvian Medicine Acadamey Clinic Hospital for Children is a state
non-profit medical structure with different departments where care and
help are provided to ill children.
The clinic provides nutritional and medical care for children, but
unfortunately psychological and spiritual help is not possible. There is
lack of helping hands and that is why children in hospital are usually
provided only with the necessary medical help, excluding any kind of psychological
support. Children are separated from parents, are homesick, the hospital
has no sources to provide games or a playroom. The time that relatives
can visit the children is limited.
Volunteers are needed to organise children's free time, to help them
forget about the hard hospital atmosphere and their disease.
Work: The task of the volunteer will be looking after the children,
organise freetime activities, play games, read books, just be there for
the children. The volunteer will work in different departments of the hospital.
There are different age groups. Working hours: 5-7 hours a day, two days
off during the week or the weekend.
Qualifications: The volunteer needs to have an open mind, be communicable,
able to inspire children, preferable
have experience in animating children. Due to difficult circumstances,
the volunteer will have to improvise a lot in setting up activities
for the children.
Project language: English
Local language: Latvian (Russian)
Accommodation: in a student flat.
PERIOD: 1.01.00 - 1.06.00, preparation seminar included, 6months ,
to be prolonged eventually.
Number of MTV openings: 1
Other remarks: There will be a 4-days preparation seminar in the beginning
of the project and a one-day evaluation in the end. Baltic volunteers are
especially welcome! Linguistic training included.
Insurance: The volunteer-insurance is covered.
Pocket Money: 110EURO a month
Travel Reimbursement: 100%, with a maximum of 220EURO
3. School Support Center
The aim of School Support Centre is to create a sustainable support
programme to support schools in ensuring the best development opportunities
for every student. Main directions of work: with teachers, administrators,
municipalities, teacher training institutions.
The activities of School Support Centre provide teachers and school
administration with the necessary skills, knowledge, attitudes, that helps
them to understand every child and facilitates the development of every
child. Special attention is paid to changing attitudes, taking into consideration
the role of motivation in the learning process, particularly in adult education,
and promoting the development of schools as learning organisations, SSC
promotes schools internal capacity for self – evaluation and for taking
charge of change.
School Support Centre is resource, consultation and training centre.
Work:
Volunteer tasks %
Developing the project "Volunteer at Latvia school", share the practical
experience, presentations during meetings, discussions.
Collecting information on novelties in voluntary movement in Europe,
making contacts, networking.
30
Collecting information on pedagogical novelties from educational newspapers,
Internet, make a short briefing for the School Support Centre and teachers.
Reading and briefing on the newest pedagogical books.
40
Organise and lead the discussion group for teachers on different topics,
for example, volunteers at schools, etc.
20
Office assistance 10
The volunteer will have two free days during the week.
Qualification: Volunteer should be fluent in English, have a good communication
skills, should have working experience with computers, Internet. Would
be preferable if volunteer has some pedagogical experience, recommendable
pedagogical student, or has an experience in voluntary work, preferably
at school.
Project language: English
Local language: Latvian (Russian is spoken here too and would be very
helpful, if volunteer knows some)
Accommodation: Volunteer will live in a student flat.
Period: open, 3 months period.
Number of MTV openings: 1
Insurance: The volunteer-insurance is covered under the SCI-Insurance
Scheme
Pocket Money: 120 DM a month
Travel Reimbursement: 100%, maximum 200 DM
"Gruebisbalm" Community, Vitznau, Canton of Luzern
The "Gruebsibalm" Community has been running the organic farm, located
on a beautiful spot above the lake "Vierwaldstättersee", for four
years. "Gruebisbalm" is a remote place, not accessable by car, but only
by a small railway.
The lively community, consisting of six to eight people, shares a detached
old farmhouse and offers people in need a place and chance to share life
and work in a natural surrounding. There is also cultural exchange taking
place on the farm, different workshops are hold in the community's own
hall.
Number of MTV openings total: 2
Free places: ?
Period: minimum of 3 months
Work: Organic gardening and building and construction work, plus work
in the forest and general farming and housework
Qualifications: Willing to live and work with people in difficult living
situations, willing to work hard
Languages: German, French, Italian or English (Local language: Swiss
German)
Other remarks: Alcohol and drug free community
Pocket Money: 150 CHF per month
Association of Epidaure in Essertfallon
It's a place in the French part of Switzerland far away from big cities
where you can share the simple life of a couple and his 3 daughters who
run a bio-dynamic farm and of 3 to 6 adults who stay there for a determined
amount of time. The association "Epidaure" receive different people (SCI
volunteers, individuals who want to learn more about agriculture,
persons in difficulties) all year long. The ideal is to look for and create
a sustainable lifestyle linked to nature and the world as a whole. The
resources of the association come principally from the production of cheese.
Number of MTV openings total: 5
Free places: ?
Period: Priority will be given to volunteers who wish to come for a
long term period (6 to 12 months).
Qualification: Knowledge in the field welcome. Some knowledge of French
is a condition.
Local language: French
Work: Renovation of the farm (electricity, walls, steps), gardening,
cheese and bread production. 5 1/2 days a week, 6 to 8 hours a day.
Pocket money: to be discussed with the volunteer, between 50 and 150
CHF/month.
Food: simple, various, mainly vegetarian.
Centre for refugees in Les Avants, Switzerland
The project takes place in Les avants a small village situated up the
mountain near Montreux 970 meters high. The centre accommodates about 50
people (only Kosovar families). The social assistant of the centre has
a lot of work and is in an official position that doesn't allow him to
create a more personal and neutral contact with the refugees. The volunteer
will have this opportunity.
Number of MTV openings total: 1
Free places: ?
Qualification: to be very motivated, autonomous, with the sense of
responsibility and reality, to like to work alone, to be able to communicate
without words!
Local language: French
Project language: Working language is French
Work: live in the centre also in the evenings and at night, be ready
to listen to the refugees, help to create a trustful atmosphere, organise
activities in collaboration with the refugees. The work will depend a lot
on the capabilities and interests of the volunteer.
Accommodation: in the centre
Food: the volunteer will cook for him/herself.
Pocket money: 200 CHF per month.
Training Centre for refugees in Lausanne
This new project has begun in August 98. One or two volunteers are
needed preferably for a period of 6 months (so that the same persons stay
with the refugees the entire time). The project takes place in a house
in the centre of Lausanne.
The project partner is the FAREAS, a foundation which takes care of
asylum seekers in canton de Vaud (regional area). The objective is to give
training in different fields (some basic courses in French and mathematics
for the ones who need it and then teach specific handicrafts) in order
to give some useful professional skills for young adults (17-25 years old)
during 6 months. These courses are starting allways in January and July.
Number of MTV openings total: 2
Free places: ?
Period: preferably 6 months
Qualifications: the volunteers should be very sociable, flexible and
responsible, like to communicate and make contacts with people from different
cultures. They need to speak French as it is the working language. Preferred
age: older than 22. Knowledge of cooking (one important task in the centre).
Local language: French
Project language: Working language is French
Work: The volunteers will collaborate with the educators and the animator,
they will participate and maybe propose activities, and be present on week-ends.
Accommodation: in the house with some refugees
Pocket money: 200 CHF per month.
Centres for refugees in Bex /Leysin
The project takes place in two centres for asylum seekers, one in Bex
(2 vols.), the other in Leysin (2 vols.). Bex receives from 160 to 180
refugees from 26 different nationalities, Leysin 70-80 from 10 different
nationalities. The social assistants and employees of the two centres have
a lot of work and are in an official position that doesn't allow them to
create a more personal and neutral contact with the refugees. The volunteers
will have this opportunity.
Number of MTV openings total: 4
Free places: ?
Qualification: to be very motivated, autonomous, with the sense of
responsibility and reality, to speak French and English (work language
is French).
Local language: French
Project language: Working language is French
Work: live in the centre also in the evenings and at night, be ready
to listen to the refugees, help to create a trustful atmosphere, organise
activities in collaboration with the refugees. The work will depend a lot
on the capabilities and interests of the volunteers.
Accommodation: in the centre
Food: the volunteers will cook for themselves.
Pocket money: 200 CHF per month.
International Peace Project Berzona
In a wild and mountainous very inspirating countryside in the South
of Switzerland (nearly Mediterranean climate) the "Workshop for Art and
Daily Life" is rebuilding an abandoned area and running a place for intercultural
learning. Working together (about 10 people in the community), making sculptures
and discussions (studies about different cultural issues) should lead to
a deepened cultural exchange. For 3 years there have always been 2-5 SCI
volunteers at Berzona. Out of this the "International Peace Project" was
formed as an interesting combination of work, art and studies.
Number of volunteers/students total: 2 - 4
Free places: ?
Period: from September preferably for 10 months, depending also on
visa conditions
Local language: Italian
Project languages: English or German.
Work: Reconstruction of an old house, landscape protection and make
sculptures with wood and stone. All this work is accompanied by the harmony
of the picturesque landscape.
Study theme: Plants, human beings, astronomy, cultural history.
Accommodation: simple.
Volunteers with SCI- or similar experience are preferred.
Other remarks: Ask for the infosheet, apply through your branch. There
is a special fee for art and study courses included in this project. More
information on the infosheet
The volunteer is needed for 5 months, starting Mid-April 18th 2000 - ending August 31st, (starting with the one week placement training in Switzerland).
Skills required:
English & French speaking
able to work under stress
some office skills or willing to learn office skills
some computerskills or interested in working with computer
The volunteers will be working together and be part of the SCI-France team. Working hours are normally from 10 to 6 pm, this means about 35 hours a week. At the beginning of the MTV a contract will be made. The volunteer is guaranteed the official (French) holidays and 2,5 free days/month.
Accomodation will be provided by the branch. Pocket money will be 1500 French Francs (or 2500 FF is the volunteer accommodates on his/her own).
Deadline for applications: March 20, 2000.
Application form to be used:Standard Long Term Form
Myllylähde Community belongs to the international Camphill network
and it is made of several houses where 4-5 disabled adults live together
with 2-3 so called staff members. All people live and work together at
the farm. The work consists of bio-dynamic farming, forestry, gardening
and household tasks. The Community also has a small cloth mill for hand
crafts where they, for example, make Steiner dolls.
Free places: ?
Period: as soon as possible for 3-12 months
Work: Various house hold tasks, farm work and work in the garden. 6
hours/day, 5 days/week.
Project language: English
Local language: Finnish
Pocket money: approx. 500 FIM/month (the exact amount will be confirmed
later)
Accommodation: Food and accommodation are provided in the community,
together with other residents. They try organise a room of his/her own
for those who stay longer in the house.
Insurance: The volunteer is covered by the SCI insurance.
Wojtowka Association
Wojtowka is one of about 100 Camphill Schools and Villages in 20 countries throughout the world. All are devoted to care and development of the mentally handicapped person - children as well as adults. Here at Wojtowka we live and work with adults - not for them, but with them. For we have found that working together in house, farm, garden and workshop leads to a very fulfilling life. The polish project consists of three units, joined under the Wojtowka Association - a non-profit making organisation. In the following we will try to divide the subject matter in the same manner as we see our life here in three separate spheres: cultural life, social life and economic life. Carrying co-workers make up three administrative groups. In addition to work with our villagers, as we call the handicapped person, an other important task is to realise in practise what Rudolf Steiner describes as a "threefold social order". This involves many aspects which differ from what is the norm in our time.
Number of M/LTV openings total: 2
Free places: 1 or 2
Period: April-October 2000, 3 months or more in these months.
Project language: English
Local language: Polish
Work:
Cultural Life
1. Our cultural life is based on Christian values.
2. An active preparation of villagers and co-workers in regular evening
or afternoon activities throughout the week is essential: singing, painting,
preparation for the seasonal festivals etc. You will also be expected to
take part in study sessions on the principles of our work and the social-economic
pattern we seek to establish.
3. Planning for the future belongs also under the cultural life.
Social Life
We strive to remove all possible barriers separating the so-called
normal from the so-called handicapped person. We work together in house,
farm, garden and workshop, for which house-parents and work-masters are
responsible.
1. You will gradually obtain knowledge and experience.
2. Some aspects of work and money are considered part of the social
sphere.
3. The social life is the only one of three spheres, where everyone
is on an equal footing.
4. The free time here has to be adjusted to the personal needs and
possibilities as well as to the demands of the community.
5. Whilst getting adjusted feel free to ask more experienced members
of the community for help.
6. You are expected to be in reasonable good health.
Economic life
The economic life should be limited to the production, distribution
and consumption of goods.
There's a high degree of self - sufficiency in farm and dairy products,
vegetables and fruits. We also produce juices, jams and dried hers for
our own use.
This rough outline of life at Wojtowka will give some idea of what to
expect. Wojtowka is a pioneer venture. Those who are living in a camphill
place are aiming to establish a new way of life. It can serve as a model
for living in community.
Accommodation: in association.
Pocket money: provided.
Emmaus Köln/ Krefeld
98-DE-92 (Köln) und 98-DE-93 (Krefeld)
Emmaus is a community of volunteers, who live and work together with
needy people. The goal of Emmaus, which has been founded by Abbé
Pierre of France, is to behave soldariously, that means to share its income
with those who have even less than the members of the society themselves.
Emmaus finances its expenses by retail sales of furniture, clothing, electronics,
and household stuff. The 23 people of the community in Cologne just celebrated
its 40th birthday, whereas Krefeld - 10 „compagnions"- is 8 years old.
Emmaus Cologne is waiting to move into a bigger house this winter( exact
time is still unclear), where there would be space for the much-needed
volunteers.
The communities ask the volunteers to respect that the use of alcohol
and drugs is forbidden in the community.
Number of MTV/Evs openings: 1 each
Free places: 1 each
Period: Krefeld: From now 6-12 month/ Köln: from now 00 for 6-12
month
Qualifications: decent German, enthusiasm and willingness to do at
times physically difficult work
Project/local language: German
Work: Both communities run fleamarkets. The volunteer will work in
sales, but will also help to collect the furniture and bring it to the
fleamarket. There is also work around the house, e.g. help with cleaning
or cooking. The volunteer will find his/her own work area as time goes
by. Work is from 9 to 18 with a rest-hour and lunch in between. Weekends
(from Saturday lunch) and evenings are free. Participation in community
life is welcome. Both Krefeld ( 300.000 people) and Cologne ( 1 Mio.) offer
a broad variety of things to do.
Accommodation: in the community: own room, with shared bath-room.
Focus Ireland's Day Centre aims to provide a safe, welcoming place where
people who are homeless can avail of high quality food and social support.
The centre cooperates as a Coffee Shop, with aspecialist housing advice
and information service.The Volunteer will work as part of a team of nine,
(4.5 of whom are professional paid staff) providing supportive contact
to customers and may be involved in assisting with social, educational
and recreational activities for adults. Training, support and supervision
provided. Hours of work: 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday.
Period: starting anytime for 6 months, with a possibliity of a further
3 - 6 months.
Project language: English
Contact Directly: Elaine Bradley, Volunteer Coordinator, Focus Ireland,
14a
Eustace St., Dublin 2. Tel: 353-1-671.2555
353-1-679.6843
e.mail: focuscid@tinet.ie
Interested people must apply through the sending branch/organisation!!!
Carrick on Suir Camphill Community in the south of Ireland
The Carrick on Suir Camphill Community in the south of Ireland require
a volunteer/co-worker for a minimum of 1 year (if possible), preferably
male. IMMEDIATELY!!! The post would be suitable for a CO.
The community has two houses in the town of Carrick on Suir (pop.6,000)
and a 13 acre farm nearby. There are 20 people living in the community,
9 of whom are adults with various degrees of disabilities e.g. autism,
Down's
Syndrome. The co-worker will join in the life and work of the community
including the daily tasks as well as taking on one key area of the community's
work e.g farm or garden work, craft work etc.
For more details/applications to: Chris Taylor,
Camphill Community,
Castle St.,
Carrick on Suir,
Co. Tipperary.
Tel: 353-51-645080
Interested people must apply through the sending branch/organisation
!
North Plain Farm of Life Needs Co-op (Cadmus)
At North Plain Farm Nick and Andrea Stanton have created a home for
16 people, eight with disabilities, in an old New England farmhouse on
some lovely land in the Berkshires about a mile from town. Some of
the people have mental retardation, some have autism or emotional disturbance.
Living this way they call lifesharing. Nick and Andrea Stanton, who founded
Life Needs, believe that: each of us is special, worthy and unique, that
we have different abilities, capacities and handicaps, that by working
in cooperation we can create outcomes that make each of us successful and
that as we develop in life or recover from a serious illness or disability
we move from dependence, through independence to interdependence. Life
at North Plain Farm is based on the insights and teachings of Austrian
philosopher and teacher, Rudolf Steiner, especially as they are developed
and practised in the Camphill communities throughout the world.
Number of M/LTV openings total: 2
Free places: 2
Period: from Spring 2000 on for 3, 6, 9, preferably 12 months
Qualifications: openness, willingness to join in, driver's license,
woman
Work: Helping with the needs of others and work around
the house. Helping with the needs of others can be giving someone a
ride to a therapy or to work, helping someone take a bath, learning to
write, making a phone call, doing their laundry or attending a play or
concert. Our social awareness extends beyond the house, to neighbors,
friends, and community needs, so we are active in recycling, hospice work,
community clean ups, etc. Working around the house can be repairs,
cleaning, garden work, cooking, building, making a compost bin or organizational
or administrative things. We are very flexible. Our aim is to create a
network of strengths to support our various weaknesses so that as a group
we can achieve a productivity we can all enjoy.
Accommodation: in the house, private bedroom, shared bath.
Pocket money: provided.
Other remarks: No TV, but VCR. Smoking only outside the house.
Shadow Wood House of Life Needs Co-op (Cadmus)
Shadow Wood is a wonderful Victorian House in Great Barrington.Within
it lives an extended family of people whose lives and needs have brought
them together. There is Nina and her son Luke (away at college most of
the time) and three adults with various disabilities. Peter is a blind
jazz and clasical pianist who keeps the house filled with music. Steven,
a cowboy at heart, works daily at a therapeutic horseback riding center,
and Ginny, who is non-verbal, helps around the house and loves to take
long walks. From time to time someone else who needs a place to be for
a while will wander into our life and join us. Our house is one of eight
other houses who work in cooperation with one another. We often celebrate
festivals and birthdays together and exchange help in each other's houses.
Each has its own lifestyle and rythm.
Number of M/LTV openings total: 1-2
Free places: 1-2
Period: April 2000 for at least 6 months
Qualification: Driver's license, woman
Work: We are looking for a woman who is self motivated, interested
in learning and able to live openly with others. Work varies with the seasons
and people's individual directions. There is the ongiong work of life like
cooking, cleaning, laundry, gardening and helping people with personal
care. There are many activities in the area that people take part
in, so taking people to these requires a good bit of time. This life is
always changing so flexibility and a good sense of humor are essential.
Accommodation: private bedroom and shared bath
Pocket money: Some pocket money is provided.
Other remarks: Free time is one day a week and flexible time as needed.
Non-smokers preferred.
Leander House of Life Needs Co-op (Cadmus)
Leander House is located 2 blocks off the main street of Great Barrington.
Here, Peter and Jennie Stanton live in a large Victorian house with their
two small daughters, two mentally handicapped adult men and one woman.
Leander House is in close contact with the other Cadmus households, so
there is ample opportunity for social interaction. Leander House has a
relaxed atmosphere and it is the hope that the volunteer will be able to
be self-motivated and willing to take part in all aspects of our life together.
Number of M/LTV openings total: 1
Free places: 1 from September 2000
Period: 6 months or longer
Qualification: Willingness to help and/or care for adults with disabilities;
willingness to be around children; ability to be left alone and in charge
of the house for periods of time; willingness to join in; international
or US driver's license, at least 6 months driving experience and for insurance
purposes we must have a copy of your driving record. Skills that would
be helpful for work (but not required): Yard work / gardening; carpentry;
cooking; particular skills that could be taught to handicapped people.
Work: There are two kinds of work: 1) helping with the needs of others
and 2) working around the house.
Helping with the needs of others may entail helping to bath someone,
or prompting them to do so properly; helping with other ares of personal
hygiene; giving someone or a group of people a ride to a class or doctor's
appointment or some other place; helping someone clean their room properly
(or doing it for them if they are unable to do so themselves); helping
someone to do other tasks properly; helping someone to write or read; giong
with someone to a play or concert, or...
Working around the house could be repairing something, cleaning, cooking,
building, garden work, organizational or administrative work. In general,
anything that would maintain and improve the quality of living for the
people who live in Leander House.
Accommodation: Private bedroom with shared bath. Room and board is
provided.
Pocket money: $100 pocket money monthly. You are required to pay for
international phonecalls yourself.
Other remarks: You can choose to have one set free day per week, or
to take time as needed (several days together occasionally), within reason.
If you want to spend extended amounts of time traveling to different parts
of the country, we recommend you do so during vacation times (when the
special needs people are away for the holidays) or that you add a sufficient
amount of time at the beginning or end of your time with us. You would
need to bring extra money with you to be able to do such traveling. Casual
attire is more appropiate for this work than formal, though someting to
wear to cencerts or church (if desired) would be needed occasionally.
Magnolia House (Cadmus)
Magnolia House is one of eight lifesharing households. It is a grand
old Victorian set up on the hill above the center of Great Barrington.
Hartmuth and Fiona Sommer-deRis live here with their three children, Tobias
10, Iolani 4, little Mareika 2 years old and two adults with disabilities,
Tommy and Stephan. Tommy has lived in this house for over eight years since
he moved here with his lifesharing family from another house nearby. Stephan
joined recently from New Hampshire. At home everyone takes part in daily
chores thus contributing to healthy community life. There are many activities
of work and recreation. Tommy goes off every workday to the recycling project
in Pittsfield. There is always time for fun. We go bowling, hiking in fact
we will do anything the weather permits and we are full participants in
the CATA program. On a sunny day Tommy and Stephan can be seen walking
along the footpath through the trees and down the hill into town where
they do their errands like visiting the library or buying a sandwich for
lunch. We presently have a vacancy for a suitable adult though our home
is not
adapted for wheelchairs at this time. We have been renovating our house
since we moved in in June of 1999. Most of the inside work is complete
and the new entry and boot room is in the last stages. In the spring we
will start on the outside and then everyone will feel better.
Number of M/LTV openings: 2
Free places: 1 needed as soon as possible
Period: at least 3 months
Qualifications: openness, practical skills , an interest in building
work, driver's license
Work: Helping with the daily needs of cooking, cleaning, transportation
to regular activities and special outings.Our main project for the next
year is renovation and we would therefore like the help of someone interested
in building. Throughout the year we host many a guest and so the life of
Magnolia House is lively and requires flexibility.
Accommodation: Private room and shared bathroom
Pocket money: Provided
Other remarks: Free time is one day a week
Christopher House North at Scribner Brook Farm (Cadmus)
Christopher House North is one of eight households in the area providing
supportive living for individuals with special needs. We are based on a
large dairy farm and we all participate in the daily work with milking
the cows, working in the vegetable garden, etc. The extended family is
comprised Gail, Morven and children John, Arriana and Ian and 2 people
with disabilities, as well as 2 or 3 farm co-workers. We have many activities
with the other lifesharing households (picnics, birthday parties, festivals,
movies, etc.), all of which help us create an interactive community of
independent households.
Number of M/LTV openings total: 1
Free places: 1
Period: Starting April or May 2000 for periods of 6 months or more
Qualifications: English speaking, driver's licence
Work: To work with our special needs people on the farm/gardens
and to accompany them to activities in other lifesharing households, to
town, social events, etc. Also to join our rotation in the house
for cooking, cleaning and general daily activities.
Pocket money: Some pocket money is provided.
Accommodation: in the farmhouse, private room, shared bathroom.
Other remarks: Free time is one day a week. Smoking is allowed
only outside the buildings. Illegal drugs will not be tolerated. Social
drinking on personal time only.
Camphill Village, Ontario
We are a community of 60 people on 300 acres of woodlands and fields
with a river running through, located about 90 km north of Toronto. We
have 6 houses with up to 10 people in each. Recently we acquired a house
in the Large city of Barrie, approximately 25 minutes away. We hope to
build up an urban day center there.
We are a life sharing community. We live and work together helping
each other where needed. Our involvement with each other is like a family,
which means from morning to evening. One of the challenges is to be aware
of each other's needs and to help each other to meet them. Concern
for each other develops social skills in the whole village. Our life
is inspired by Anthroposophy and Christianity as developed by Rudolf Steiner.
Everyone is expected to support all aspects of our life including the religious
and cultural expressions.
Number of M/LTV openings total: 3
Free places: nothing until 2001
Period: 12 months
Qualification: sensitivity to the needs of others, willingness to offer
some physical care for people with special needs, driver's license (not
required but it helps)
Local and Project language: English
Work: There would be possibilities to do domestic work, cooking, and
helping the disabled adults with their daily routine, etc. You may also
find yourself working in one of the workshops - weavery, woodshop, bakery
or in the summer food processing. We also have a farm, a garden,
maple syrup production, forestry, general land maintenance and a small
store.
Accommodation: is in the houses, usually a private room, shared
bath
Other remarks: No one receives a salary, but everyone gets their board,
lodging and monthly pocket money. You will also get some money for vacation
if you are here for a year. Your flight to and from Canada is your own
responsibility. We have an ongoing adult education program for our entire
community plus an orientation program throughout the Fall and Winter season
for new volunteers, based on an introduction to Anthroposophy and the philosophy
of Camphill. The orientation course starts the beginning of October. Canada
has a very extreme and challenging climate. It is wonderful to experience
the four very dramatic seasons. For our community, at this stage in our
development, continuity is very important. Although we do on occasion
invite people for a shorter period of time, we find that for the individual
as well as for the community, if possible, one year is best.
Innisfree Village, VA
A secular, life-sharing community of about 20 volunteers and 35 adults
with mental disabilities, living together in family-style homes, working
together during the day in the weavery, woodshop, bakery and gardens. We
are in a very beautiful area of small mountains - a great place for hiking
and near to the university town of Charlottesville. Minimum age is
21 and length of stay is one year, although a few shorter positions may
be available (with reduced benefits). Each volunteer has his/her
own room, two days off a week, food and lodging, medical insurance, worker's
compensation insurance, $213/month pocket money and 15 paid vacation days
at $30 /day. For more information, please contact your local SCI Branch.
Number of LTV openings total: We invite about 12 one-year volunteers
per year / ongoing need - as volunteers come and go every month or so.
Period: One year minimum stay - the beginning time is not set
- ever changing. The application process usually takes about one month.
Qualifications: Willing to work in a community, patience, humor, housekeeping
skills, desire to care for adults with disabilities, 21 years or older.
Project language: English
Local language: English with many accents.
Work: Volunteers live in family homes of 2-10 disabled adults, helping
with personal care, cooking, cleaning and working in the therapeutic workstations
of weaving, woodworking, gardens, kitchens, bakery.
Other remarks: Drivers of at least one year can have access to
automobiles for days off and drivers of 3 years can take out residents
(called coworkers). We require a separate application from SCI.
Maple Hill Community
Maple Hill Community is a not-for profit organization that is an extended
family made up of a husband and wife (Dietmar Emmert and Anitra Sorensen),
two boys aged 12 and 15, a volunteer co-worker, and three adults with special
needs. These eight people share all aspects of daily life including
work, educational and artistic activities, meals, house and grounds maintenance,
gardening and animal care, and recreation. Each member of the community
contributes what he or she can do and can be, and all are appreciated and
respected for their individuality. In this and other respects, Maple
Hill is inspired by the work of Rudolf Steiner, the Austrian philosopher
and educator, who provided the impulse for the Waldorf Schools as well
as for a worldwide network of social and therapeutic communities. An important
part of the community is a barn which houses horses used for a therapeutic
horseback riding program; goats that provide milk, cheese, and yogurt;
sheep that provide wool for weaving and other projects; and chickens that
provide eggs. There is a bio-dynamic vegetable garden; maple trees
used for making maple syrup in the spring; and 22 acres of land that provide
grazing for the animals and forest land used for recreation and firewood
that helps keep everyone warm in winter.
Number of M/LTV openings total: 1
Free places: from end of May 2000
Period: for 3, 6, 9 or 12 months
Qualifications: openness, willingness to learn and help where needed
Project language: English language
Local language: American
Work: Helping with the needs of others might mean reading a book out
loud, helping with teeth brushing or bathing, going to a concert
or art gallery together, helping someone learn a new skill, helping
someone with homework, going skiing with someone, assisting with artistic
activities (sculpture, weaving, watercolor painting, form drawing, etc.),
or just sitting and talking and being a friend. Helping around the house
and farm might include cooking, washing the dishes, helping cut and stack
firewood, feeding the animals, collecting eggs, milking the goats, cleaning
the house or barn, working in the garden, doing the laundry, helping with
a building project, helping with the horseback riding program, helping
collect and boil down maple syrup, or clearing a walking trail in the woods.
Our goal is to find what each person enjoys and can contribute joyfully
to keep the household and activities flowing in a harmonious way that all
can enjoy.
Accommodation: in the house, private bedroom, shared bath, room and
board
Pocket money: provided
Other remarks: Must be non-smoker. We have vegetarian meals.
Prefer to have a woman to keep the gender mix in the house balanced.
Anam Chara
Anam Chara Homes are non-profit, assisted living residences for elders
in the Boulder/Denver area, mostly serving low income seniors in a holistic,
nurturing environment.
Number of M/LTV openings total: 2 (could be a couple)
Free places: please contact before applying.
Period: minimum 3 months
Work: In summer, work in the vegetable garden. In the home, caregivers
activities could include bathing, feeding, conversation, cooking, artistic
activities such as music and dance. In general, lending support to
elders at level of care needed.
Qualifications: Some gardening experience preferred. Must have
strong interest in working with elderly population, along with openness
and sensitivity to holistic, artistic environment, be self-motivated with
ability to initiate in areas of the garden, the home, the arts and business
development.
Local and Project language: English
Accommodations: in the Anam Chara homes. Meals are prepared and shared
with those in community.
Rawson Brook Farm
Rawson Brook Farm is a small, cheese producing goat dairy located in
the Berkshire Hills. We have 50 milking goats and make about 350 LB. of
fresh cheese each week. The cheese is marketed locally and in New York
City and Boston. Susan Sellew and her eleven year old daughter Tarsi live
at the farm. Four or five local people work part time helping with the
milking, barn cleaning and cheese-room work. We have a large organic garden,
a few ponies and acres of beautiful woodland surrounding the farm. Monterey
is a small New England town located 10 miles from Great Barrington.
Number of M/LTV openings total: 2
Free places: please contact before applying.
Period: 3 months or more
Qualifications: farm experience not necessary but a love of animals
and farm life is important. Applicants should have an ability to work independently,
be flexible and, willing to help where needed and have a cheerful, positive
attitude.
Local and Project language: English
Work: Depending on the interests and abilities of the applicant, the
job will include participation in much of the following: packaging and
labelling cheese, milking and feeding goats, cleaning, pasteurising milk,
assembling orders for stores and restaurants, chatting with visitors who
come to the farm, gardening, yard, work, laughing, feeding baby goats,
carpentry, etc.
Accommodation: Housing will most likely be in a roomy, comfortable
platform tent with minimal cooking facilities. Use of the house kitchen
a possibility. We eat all kinds of food and try to eat primarily from the
garden in the summer. We would supply grocery needs. Some meals could be
taken together. Outside shower on the back of the house, toilet facilities
inside the house.
A Long Term Volunteer is needed for the International Secretariat of
SCI
(Service Civil International). The office is based in Antwerp, Belgium.
The period of service will be 1st March 2000 until 30th September
2000.
The volunteer will be the main person administrating the volunteer exchanges
of SCI with its partners in Latin America, Africa, Asia and maybe a
few partners
in Eastern Europe.
The volunteer will work under the supervision of the European Development
Worker and the International Coordinator. They will give assistance
to the
volunteer.
Work: The main task will involve:
* contact with SCI branches, groups, partners and WG's (AY, Africa)
for:
receiving and distributing NS Exchange Programmes 2000
providing appropriate information about the NS exchange procedures
* placement of volunteers:
keeping track of the reservation (quota's) system
matching volunteers to the projects
facilitating the placement of Asian, African and Latin-american volunteers
to Europe
maintaining proper filing of information
* providing support as necessary for visa applications
* sending information to branches and WGs
* related administration
In addition the volunteer will be expected to share the general work
of the
office, such as answering telephone calls, photocopying, dealing with
correspondence, filing, and any other such duties connected to the
work of
SCI as the international staff deem necessary.
Skills: General office work skills including word processing and intensive
use of email.
Fluency in English. It is also very desirable that the volunteer has
some practical experience of French and Spanish. An ability to work in
stressful circumstances will certainly be appreciated.
Conditions of service
Age at least 20 years and legally able to serve as a volunteer in Belgium
for over 6 months.
* 36 hours/week with flexible working hours including some
evenings/weekends.
* Allowance of 23,000 BEF/month if the volunteer finds and pays his/her
own
accommodation. Or: 16000 BEF/month if SCI can find a suitable
accommodation.
* 1.5 days per month holiday and any official holiday in Belgium during
this period. Insurance is covered under the SCI insurance.
scheme.
* SCI will pay approved travel expenses and costs connected when
the volunteer needs to travel for the work (e.g. TEM). However, the volunteer
has to bear him/herself the travel costs to arrive to Antwerp in Belgium
and the same for the travel back home after the period of service.
If you are motivated for this work and would enjoy doing this vital
work for
SCI, then please send a completed application form to the International
Secretariat of
SCI, St.-Jacobsmarkt 82, B-2000 Antwerpen, Belgium. Tel: (+32.3.226.57.27,
Fax:
(+32) 3.232.03.44, E-mail: sciic@xs4all.be.
Deadline for applications: January 16th 2000!
If you wish to know more about the job, please don't hesitate to contact
either Isabelle Vandenbergen (see email above) or Mihai Crisan.(scimihai@xs4all.be)
Balkan Sunflowers: Country Co-ordinator
Updated: 8 December, 1999
Balkan Sunflowers started its work with refugees in April '99 and now
continues to work in a longer term way. We are organising groups of volunteers
from all over the world to work in the Balkans for projects in and around
Kosov@ to support activities which will contribute to a lasting peace.
Number of volunteers: several, depending upon availability dates, M/LTV
positions
Period: minimum 3 months, start dates as per Short-Term Volunteers
programs of Balkan Sunflowers - every second Friday (MK and KO) or Sunday
(AL). The post should be seen as a full-time position. The co-ordinator
in question will be responsible for his or her own time management and
for taking breaks when necessary.
Work: We are looking for a mid-term volunteer (MTV) to take up country
co-ordination work in one of the countries BSF is currently involved in.
The co-ordination work involves overseeing and managing existing projects,
as well as developing new ones, but might equally be concerned with volunteer
co-ordination and running office business. The co-ordination work is done
within a co-ordination team, the size of which will vary from country to
country, from one to five persons. Thus depending on the size of the BSF
operation in the respective countries, the MTV will perform just the one,
several, or all of the pre-defined roles within the team:
* House Guardian
* Legal and Security Officer
* Spokesperson
* Office and Local Staff Co-ordinator
* Financial Co-ordinator
The work of BSF is done through good contacts with local community
groups and NGOs. Hence the co-ordination team is responsible for developing
and maintaining the contacts with these partners. The country co-ordinator
taking up the spokesperson position also serves as a liaison between BSF
and the other international NGOs. The co-ordination team is responsible
for training incoming Short-Term Volunteers and providing them with the
necessary support during their stay in the country, including ensuring
they fulfil all legal requirements for their stay. The country co-ordinator,
taking up the office and staff co-ordination, will be responsible for the
selection of other medium term volunteers, project co-ordinators etc, and
to monitor and support their activities. Local staff will be appointed
and their contracts drawn up by the country co-ordinator. The country co-ordinator,
when assigned the responsibility of financial co-ordinator, is held accountable
for all aspects of BSFs finances for the country. This responsibility includes
keeping track of income as well as expenses, which must be accounted for
in the form of receipts. He or she is actively involved in developing the
budgets for any new projects and seeking funding for them, and then ensuring
that monthly expenditure is kept within budget. The co-ordination team
is expected to write regular reports on BSF activities in the country,
as well as project updates and revised or new project descriptions when
necessary. The country co-ordination team is expected to stay in close
contact with the international co-ordination. The first three weeks of
any co-ordinator's commitment will be spent in a "regular" STV capacity
- working in just one of our projects to gain experience with Balkan Sunflowers,
and to get to know the local people before taking on the responsibilities
of country co-ordination.
Skills: language: English - near fluent, good written English
skills ; local language an advantage
Office skills: ability to maintain financial and other records; efficient
communication skills; co-ordination skills; good inter-personal skills
to co-ordinate and manage other volunteers and to liase with partner organisations.
Experience of working within volunteer organisations an advantage.
Terms and Conditions:any general conditions for BSF volunteers apply.
All volunteers make the same contribution to costs - 120 USD or 200 DEM.
The aim of BSF is to pay a small stipend for long-term volunteers who perform
a co-ordination role. The figure is currently 240 DEM monthly, payable
after the 6th week of volunteering, but is always dependent upon the necessary
funding being available.
Balkan Sunflowers: Central application office
Updated: 8 December, 1999
Balkan Sunflowers started its work with refugees in April '99 and now
continues to work in a longer term way. We are organising groups of volunteers
from all over the world to work in the Balkans for projects in and around
Kosov@ to support activities which will contribute to a lasting peace.
About the office: The international co-ordination office was located in
Germany, near Berlin, but is now being moved to the Tirana centre. The
office was established in Germany because Wam Kat and some other people
involved from the beginning live there, and because of this there will
be a continued presence there. The work of this applications post will
be based in Tirana, but may involve a trip to Germany if you are lucky!
Number of volunteers: 1 MTV position
Period: minimum 2 months from January 9 or shortly after
Work: The work will be to assist the Applications Co-ordinator most
of the tasks for the co-ordination of the volunteer applications:
Volunteer Needs - number of, compiling the 'Friday List' for SCI branches,
compiling the list of arriving volunteers for the local offices; monitor
number of volunteers at all places at all time for insurance and accounting
of volunteer contributions; confirming placements; collecting project descriptions;
info pack send to WWW, SCI and BSF USA (includes Visa information - applications
office and local legal co-ordinator share any work involved in obtaining
visas) Specific Ideas – Co-ordination of miscellaneous personal projects
e.g. chiropractor, fairytale translation; providing all sorts of information
to future volunteers; dealing with problems
Skills: Selfmotivation and ability to work independently; very good
communication skills; English fluent (mother tongue?), German would be
very good also; basic computer skills including e-mail.
Other remarks: Overworked but sympathetic colleagues; fun, Chaos and
a lot of work.
The usual short-term Sunflowers volunteer takes part in one of the
three week groups for our projects. If you would like to stay longer than
that then this will most probably be needed and very welcome. However,
due to the need to know whether we can work together etc we cannot promise
at the beginning how long you can stay with Sunflowers. We will see!
With regard to finances - all volunteers make the same contribution
to costs - 120 USD or 200 DEM. If you stay longer then you don't
need to contribute more. (However all our projects usually run on the 'breadline'
so any larger contributions are welcome!!) This position fits into the
category of longer term volunteers who take on a co-ordination role - for
you we hope to be able to pay a small stipend or 'pocket money' after the
6th week of your stay. This however is dependent on the funding for the
projects and cannot thus be guaranteed.
If you are interested, please send a personal application to applications@mir.org
, after you contacted the organisation of your own country.