Descrizione

Objactive of the project is to enhance the literacy, creativity, and life skills of children aged 5-16 by fostering a love for reading, promoting self-expression through storytelling and arts, and providing opportunities to develop critical thinking, teamwork, and communication skills in a supportive and engaging environment.

Work

Conduct engaging storytelling sessions for children aged 5-16 to spark their imagination and instill a love for reading. Sort and catalog books to create an accessible library system. Design and decorate a welcoming, child-friendly reading space. Organize cleaning campaigns in the building and manage the garden area. Visit local schools to organize mobile reading activities. Facilitate art and craft sessions to encourage creativity and self-expression. Help children write short stories, poems, or journals to develop their writing skills. Conduct games that promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Teach Basic English through songs, rhymes, and interactive activities. Use storytelling and discussions to teach moral values, teamwork, empathy, and communication skills.

Partner

VIN constructed and opened the NaraTika Community Learning Center (NTCLC) in the tranquil village of Nisankhe, Okhaldhunga. This ambitious project is designed to support learners of all ages. It features a dedicated children’s center for children aged 3 to 8, a library for those aged eight and older, and facilities that include training rooms, a conference hall that accommodates 200 people, a workspace for 16-20 individuals, and a dormitory for 50-60 people. The center features restrooms and showers for both men and women, a lobby, a computer lab, and a multipurpose seminar hall that offers extensive resources to support learning and community development. NTCLC is a dynamic hub for education, empowerment, and sustainable practices. It promotes lifelong learning and innovation and includes a vegetable farming plot developed using permaculture techniques, emphasizing environmental sustainability. The center seeks to enhance literacy, creativity, and skill development for children, youth, women, and adults through its diverse programs and interactive learning space. It is looking for volunteers and interns to assist with the NaraTika Community Learning Center, which serves the underprivileged communities of Okhaldhunga. This could be your ideal volunteer opportunity if you enjoy gardening, farming, painting, or other activities. Volunteers at the "Creative Minds Library Camp: Enriching Young Minds Through Learning, Sparking Smiles" engage children aged 5 to 16 with interactive storytelling sessions that ignite their imaginations and cultivate a love for reading. They organize library resources, create a welcoming reading environment, and establish catalog systems to enhance accessibility. Volunteers share stories to convey moral values, cultural traditions, and life skills while assisting children in overcoming literacy challenges. Activities such as mobile reading sessions, creative arts workshops, and support in writing stories or poems foster self-expression and creativity. Additionally, volunteers deliver engaging English lessons through songs and rhymes, introduce educational games to foster critical thinking, and teach teamwork, empathy, and communication skills through dynamic discussions. Storytelling and reading challenges further inspire children, making the camp a fulfilling and enjoyable experience.

Location

Siddhicharan Municipality Ward 2 is located in Nisankhe, within the Okhaldhunga district, about 250 km from Kathmandu. A local jeep can transport you there in approximately 8 to 10 hours. This area highlights the beauty of Nepal’s hilly and mountainous landscape, surrounded by forests and fertile fields. For more information about the region and its development initiatives, visit www.ntchc.org.

Accomodation

The volunteers will stay with the host family/hostel identified by VIN. The living facilities are simple and basic. Male and female volunteers will share the same living area with separate rooms. The volunteers sleep on simple beds/mattresses. Please bring your sleeping bag.

Requirements

 Basic English should be spoken among the participants  Physically sound as per the project requirements.

Meeting point

Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu

Descrizione

Objectives of the project are:  To provide comprehensive support to elderly individuals in their day-to-day activities, including health management, personal hygiene, and household cleaning, to enhance their overall well-being, happiness, and comfort in daily living.  To promote friendship, understanding, and solidarity among local young volunteers and cross-national volunteers.  To provide an opportunity to understand and appreciate the Nepalese culture and traditions via cultural immersion.

Work

Drawing from your experience, you will participate in various activities to support elderly individuals. This includes helping nurses care for sick, elderly individuals, performing health checks, and administering first aid as needed. Additionally, you will act as a caretaker, ensuring the well-being and comfort of elderly residents. Your responsibilities will also include assisting with food preparation and maintaining sanitation standards. You will organize social and recreational activities to encourage engagement and happiness among the elderly residents. You will coordinate cleaning and possibly farming tasks to sustain a conducive living environment for the elderly home.

Partner

The concept of elder care has emerged relatively recently in Nepal, coinciding with shifts in familial structures and societal dynamics. As job opportunities disperse families, older adults increasingly find themselves marginalized, isolated, and neglected. Few care homes cater to older people throughout Nepal, highlighting a significant gap in support services. Defined as individuals aged 60 and older, the elderly population in Nepal faces significant challenges, mainly related to poverty and lack of resources. A staggering majority cope with the lasting consequences of lifelong deprivation, worsened by factors such as limited access to education, inadequate healthcare, poor nutrition, reduced social status, widespread discrimination, and difficulties with physical mobility. Traditionally, family structures in Nepal have upheld the responsibility of caring for older people within extended family homes. However, the landscape is evolving rapidly, characterized by smaller family units and increased participation of women and youth in the labor force. Additionally, migration from rural areas to urban centers or abroad in search of employment has further strained family bonds, leaving many older individuals isolated and struggling with loneliness. Approximately 30% of Nepal's elderly population lives below the poverty line, struggling to meet their basic needs due to financial limitations and resources. The standard health challenges faced by Nepal's elderly population include high rates of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and arthritis. Additionally, respiratory illnesses like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are common, mainly due to factors such as indoor air pollution from traditional cooking methods. Studies indicate that approximately 40% of elderly individuals in Nepal experience social isolation, which arises from factors including changing family dynamics, the migration of younger generations for work, and a lack of community support systems designed to meet the needs of older adults. These figures underscore the need for comprehensive support systems and initiatives to address the multifaceted challenges faced by Nepal's elderly population. To address these issues, VIN organizes camps where volunteers can participate in this Elder Care project. The volunteers provide comprehensive support to elderly individuals in their daily activities, including health management, personal hygiene, and household cleaning, which helps enhance their well-being, happiness, and comfort.

Location

The Lapsephedi Community is located northeast of Kathmandu. Nestled amidst the serene foothills of the Himalayas, it offers a picturesque landscape characterized by lush greenery, terraced fields, and breathtaking mountain vistas. The community is approximately 40 kilometers from Kathmandu.

Accomodation

The volunteers will stay with the host family/hostel identified by VIN. The living facilities are simple and basic. Male and female volunteers will share the same living area with separate rooms. The volunteers sleep on simple beds/mattresses. Please bring your sleeping bag.

Requirements

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Meeting point

Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu

Descrizione

The project is based in Ramisi, Kwale County, along the Kenyan coast. The focus of this initiative is advocacy against gender-based violence in society, tackling the root causes and contributing to community awareness and empowerment.

Work

Volunteers will engage in both manual work and intercultural activities, working six hours per day from Monday to Friday. The activities will primarily include: Digging foundations for new classrooms to expand learning facilities. Carrying water and sand to the construction site to support renovation work. Mixing cement, sand, and water for building purposes. Laying concrete blocks for classroom walls. Clearing bushes in the school garden to create a clean and safe environment for pupils. Conducting home visits to understand the community’s development challenges and encourage social solidarity. Volunteers will also participate in community advocacy programs focused on gender-based violence, engaging with residents, educators, and local leaders to discuss ways to reduce domestic violence and empower victims.

Partner

This project is organized by the Kenya Voluntary Development Association (KVDA) in collaboration with Kanana Hill Academy, a mixed private school in Kanana village, Pongwe Kikoneni location, Lunga Lunga constituency, Kwale County. The school was founded in January 2019 and is registered with the Ministry of Education. The school sits on a 4.2-hectare piece of land along the Mombasa-Dar es Salaam highway, approximately 80 km from Mombasa town, just past the major tourist town of Ukunda. The institution serves 150 pupils with a dedicated team of 12 teachers. The surrounding community is composed of the Digo, Duruma, and Giriama ethnic groups, all of whom have strong cultural ties to the Indian Ocean coastal region. Kanana Hill Academy operates with a mission to: Provide quality learning opportunities for young learners, particularly the less privileged. Offer a friendly learning environment where pupils feel safe and encouraged to grow. Shape future leaders with a strong vision and a commitment to excellence. Strive to be a leading institution in academic achievement in the region. The school and community have welcomed both local and international volunteers over the years, engaging them in teaching, construction, and mentorship programs.

Location

Kanana Hill Academy is located in Kwale County, a coastal region known for its stunning beaches, rich Swahili culture, and historical sites. Volunteers will have the chance to visit Mombasa, Diani Beach, and other nearby attractions in their free time. KVDA also organizes educational tours, including visits to the world-famous Maasai Mara Game Reserve, at an additional cost. Volunteers interested in such trips should contact KVDA for details.

Accomodation

Volunteers will be hosted in a local homestead within the community, where they will experience basic living conditions. As part of the experience, volunteers will be encouraged to adapt to the local way of life, promoting mutual learning and cultural exchange. There is electricity at the homestead, allowing volunteers to charge electronic devices and use essential appliances. Food will be provided by KVDA, but volunteers will take turns cooking their own meals. Drinking water is sourced from local springs, and volunteers are strongly advised to boil or medicate the water before drinking. Alternatively, bottled mineral water is available at nearby supermarkets.

Requirements

Volunteers must confirm their participation at least one month before the project starts via email.

Meeting point

International volunteers should fly into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Nairobi, Kenya).

Work

During this camp, participants can share their love for (and learn more about) global and localenvironmental issues, as well as photography. If you are interested in topics such as climate change, wastemanagement, animal protection and sustainability, and you also love taking photographs, making videos orwant to develop your photography skills, then this project is for youWhile developing artistic and technical photography skills, you will be focusing on environmental andsustainability issues through non-formal activities such as workshops, discussions, presentations and visitsfacilitated by SEEDS. One of our aims is to help create more environmentally aware consumers and travellersYou will visit local projects on environment and conservation. These may include hands-on activities or guidedvisits. Some examples include outdoor cleanup tasks, a geothermal power plant, a local fauna and/or floraexhibition or an outdoor Icelandic culture museum. Some of these activities are dependent on conditions suchas weather, as well as availability or restrictions of our partner organisations.You will also have time to put the theory about photography into practice, walking around and exploring the city.At the end of the camp, the best photographs from each participant are selected for an online exhibition onSEEDS social media. Participants should bring their own digital cameras, lenses, tripods and laptops if possible.SEEDS programme combines learning, sharing, hands-on activities, getting to know Iceland, its culture, havingfun, exploring the city and its attractions, as stunning natural attractions in possible excursions. Participantsshould prepare to share environmental issues from their countries and should be ready to spend time outdoorswalking medium distances during activities and sightseeing.Note this project is a learning/sharing camp and not a standard workcamp. This project has a smaller volunteerwork part and puts a bigger emphasis on the personal learning process than on the community impact.In this project SEEDS will organise a night photography (Northern Lights) workshop in the city or in the vicinity ofReykjavik. This will take place during late evening and possibly into the night. Northern lights are a naturalphenomenon depending on solar activity and meteorological conditions; we cannot guarantee you will seenorthern lights, but the night photography workshop will be organised anyway.

Partner

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Location

Reykjavik is a dynamic, modern city which lives in harmony with nature, using renewable energysources. The world s northernmost capital bridges the Atlantic, between Europe and North America. Reykjavik isspread across a peninsula with a panoramic view of the mountains and the Atlantic. It is an international citywith a lively cosmopolitan cultural scene surrounded by beautiful nature.

Accomodation

SEEDS participants will stay in a house in Reykjavik. The facilities are basic with a kitchen,showers, and a washing machine. Everyone is expected to show consideration for their companions.Participants will sleep in shared rooms or dormitories.Volunteers will receive food supplies and will be in charge of cooking and cleaning. Please note the food SEEDSprovides will be vegetarian. Do not forget to bring some traditional/typical food, drinks, recipes, music, games ormovies from your country for the intercultural evening. Please be aware some items or ingredients may beexpensive in Iceland and you will need to buy them yourselves or bring them from your country.

Requirements

English will be the language in the camp; intermediate conversational skills are needed.

Meeting point

The Meeting time will be at 18:00 (6:00 pm) on April 6 at SEEDS office in Reykjavik. Participants that cannotarrive on time (later or delayed flights) will be sent information on how to reach the camp on their own.

Notes:

Participation fee EUR 400 (Euros). The fee can either be transferred in advancevia bank transfer, or paid in cash on arrival. It includes transportation from the meeting point to the camp (on the first day) and the night photography workshop.

Descrizione

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Work

The major aspect of this project will be focusing on community lifestyles. Volunteers and community members will have an opportunity to experience and exchange both work and leisure behavior patterns in various activities, attitudes, interests, opinions, and values. This provides an opportunity to reflect on each involved person’s self-image or self-concept, the way they see themselves and believe they are seen by others. This is expected to be a composite of motivation, needs, and wants influenced by factors such as culture, family, reference groups, and social classes. In realization of the above objective, volunteers will join a series of activities that will include: Community economic life (I do what they do): Participation in the daily activities of community members. This will include working in small businesses, farming, handicrafts, arts, taking care of animals, and other daily economic activities of community members. Social-cultural life: Participation in various social aspects of community life, including traditional medicine and healthcare (learning and experience). Rituals: Visiting ritual sites, learning and understanding. Ceremonies: Participating in weddings, initiation, and other traditional and religious ceremonies available during that time. Language exchange: This will include Kiswahili language (1-2 hours every day) and an optional foreign language teaching class (1 hour per day, preferably English or French). Knowledge exchange: This will include intergenerational exchange—age groups' knowledge and experience-sharing events. Images of my (self, culture, country, etc.) vs. others. Community exhibitions: Sharing various arts, music, food, etc.

Partner

It is believed that the world’s population recently passed more than 7 billion people, an incredible number to measure. In Tanzania, Africa, as well as around the world, many people still barely meet anyone outside of a small circle of family, friends, and community, while even more never venture beyond the culture in which they were raised. The Intercultural Exposure Project aims to serve as an important means of introducing people around the world to realities they might not normally be exposed to. Many barriers have begun to fall between people around the world, with near-instantaneous communication allowing people on opposite sides of the world to meaningfully interact. The Intercultural Exposure Project encourages people from all walks of life to appreciate and understand distinct cultures and play a key role in creating productive dialogue across the world. The project will be hosted at Lolarash Lutheran Church.

Location

Nakilongos is an area of Longido District, Arusha, Tanzania, located about 112 km from Moshi town. The community is accessible via public transport starting from Moshi Main Bus Terminal to Tarakea and then changing to Kamwanga via Lolarash. Indigenous inhabitants are the Maasai tribe; however, due to the economic activities happening in the North Kilimanjaro Forest, there is a good mixture of people from various parts of the country. The community shares a border with Kenya as well as the Kilimanjaro Forest. If arriving from Kilimanjaro Airport (about 43 km), volunteers will need to take a shuttle to Moshi town. Possibilities and options for leisure activities include wildlife safari trips to Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and Tarangire National Parks. Various packages are available depending on the available time and budget. Other options include mountain climbing (Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru, and others) and eco and cultural tourism.

Accomodation

Accommodation will be at a community residential house. It is basic accommodation where volunteers should expect to use water, toilet, and have a bath. Mattresses will be provided in shared rooms. Volunteers are expected to help in meal preparation and cleaning. Vegetarian meals will be available for the entire period of the project.

Requirements

Potential volunteers for this project need to have sufficient language proficiency to understand instructions given in English. They should be flexible, open-minded, eager to learn, independent, and committed to treating others with respect. Volunteers should also have a non-judgmental approach that values different cultures, as well as an interest in people, cultures, and their stories.

Meeting point

The nearest bus/Ferry terminal is Moshi town Central Bus station located in the capital of Kilimanjaro region.

Work

Joining the festival – During the Songkran festival, the participant will be a part of the festival as an international participant. The participant will help the local people to prepare the celebration of the festival. You can bring a performance from your own country to perform during the festival including a music instrument to show at the festival (optional). Kitchen garden – The participant will work in the small farm as a kitchen garden. They can renovate and plant some vegetables for making the food in the future

Partner

The Thai New Year season called “Songkran” will be held on 13-15 April. Songkran is an important custom for Thai families, community and religion. It is also very popular with visitors. Thai people will prepare themselves for the beginning of the New Year by cleaning their houses and preparing to celebrate the festival in the local temples and communities. There are many activities during the festival including the water splashing, the bathing rite for Buddha images and the monks, and the performances for all 3 days. Moreover, local foods that it is not easy to find on a normal day will be provided by the local people. Everyone can join in the celebration and festival. VSA has organized this work camp to support the festival and celebrate Thai traditional New Year with the international participants by collaboration with the local temple and community. This year, VSA hopes that we can continue to help the locals prepare for the festival, and exchange the culture.

Location

19/1 M.6 Khlong La, Khlong Hoi Khong, W Songkhla, Thailand,

Accomodation

At local home stay (shared room with other volunteers). Volunteers expect to cook with Thai ingredients. Recommend to buy data sim card

Descrizione

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Work

With the mission of sustainable living and community development. Volunteers will play a vital role in preserving the village’s natural environment, promoting eco-friendly practices, and supporting local initiatives. By participating in various tasks, such as organic farming, education, and community outreach, volunteers will contribute to creating a more sustainable and self-sufficient village. Their involvement will not only benefit the local community but also provide them with a unique opportunity to learn about different cultures, gain valuable skills, and experience the beauty of sustainable living Volunteers will teach English to children from 3 to 17 years old (about 15 students per class) and adults, focusing on communication. Besides, the volunteers will support the local villagers in their daily tasks, such as in the kitchen, reception, restaurant, farms, and other manual work, to maintain the beauty and preserve the culture of the village.

Partner

Every year, VPV cooperates with V.GO (Vietnam Global Outreach organize different international workcamp as well as send International volunteers to support sustainable living, promote eco-tourism and preserve ethnic cultures of Vietnam in Thai Hai Village. Thai Hai Village - one of 32 ‘Best Tourism Villages 2022’by UN Tourism. Thai Hai Village is the result of Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh dedication to preserve traditional cultural values of Tay ethnic group in Vietnam and contribute to building a just and humane society and sustainable development. More than 30 original stilt houses, at least half a century old was rebuilt and restored in a natural area surrounded by hills and trees in Thai Hai Village. Not only the house;s structure but also the ethos of Tay culture, the soul and vitality of the traditional values were preserved and passed on from generation to generation. Day after day, the villagers cultivate and raise livestock, grow fruits and green tea to accommodate for their daily life, and to serve tourists who come to the village. Together, they form a community that “Eat Together, Share Together”, preserves and promotes their traditional cultural values. After a working day, they gather around the fireplace of the house and sing Then songs (Tay’s traditional singing) with “dan tinh” (traditional musical instrument), with flute and traditional “nang then” dance, together creating a very peaceful and cosy atmosphere.

Location

Thai Hai Reserve area of ecological house-on-stilt village, Address: Cuong Hamlet - Thinh Duc Commune - Thai Nguyen City - Thai Nguyen Province – Viet Nam

Accomodation

Vegetarian options will be available. The volunteers will share meals with all the villagers (three meals per day). They will sleep in a dorm room. There are washing machines and hot water for the shower.

Requirements

Good at English. Volunteers are required to write a motivation letter explaining why they would like to join this project. Due to the vulnerable people and children in the village, recruit ONLY female volunteers.

Meeting point

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Descrizione

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Work

Volunteers will engage in assisting various tasks that include: Renovation: This will include manual work (making new floors, partitioning rooms, painting, and cement mixing). Children’s games: (children’s indoor and outdoor games that will stimulate learning, team building, and activeness. Local games will be introduced as well as foreign ones from the volunteers. Please bring new games to share with kids). Nature activities: (bird watching, planting a tree, creating tree feeders, learning about various plants, birds, animals, worms, and insects available in the area). Academic development activities: (after school hour homework, various competitions aiming to motivate children’s academic development).

Partner

This project will be hosted by the Lutheran Parish in Rongai which is intending to address providing early childhood accessibility to all children in the community. Distance travelled to school every day by pupils has substantial adverse effects on attendance at school. Younger children at the age of 4-6 are often the most vulnerable to accessing early childhood educational centers. Walking several kilometers every day is more strenuous for a small child than a teenager. Schools are located further from children’s homes. These factors among many others create significant barriers preventing millions of the world’s younger children from attending school. This project is aiming to renovate an old church building into a day care center where young children from the community can access early childhood education. It is also aiming to provide extracurricular activities for students after school hours.

Location

Kamwanga is an area of Longido District, Arusha Northern Tanzania, located about 112km from Moshi town. The community is accessible via public transport starting from Moshi main bus terminal to Tarakea and then changing to Kamwanga via Lolarash. Indigenous inhabitants are from the Masai tribe, however, due to the economic activities happening in the North Kilimanjaro Forest, there is a good mixture of people from various parts of the country. The community shares a border with Kenya as well as the Kilimanjaro Forest. If you are coming from Kilimanjaro Airport (about 43km), you will need to take a shuttle to Moshi town. Possibilities and options for leisure activities are: - Wildlife safari: Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and Tarangire National parks. There are various packages depending on the available time and budget, including mountain climbing (Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru), eco and cultural tourism.

Accomodation

Accommodation will be at a community residential house. It is basic accommodation where you should expect to use water, toilet, and have a bath. Mattresses will be provided in shared rooms. Volunteers are expected to help in meal preparation and cleaning. Vegetarian meals will be available for the entire period of the project.

Requirements

This project will appreciate having a volunteer who is interested in doing manual work, works well with children and teens, is patient and committed, interested in other cultures and local realities, creative, and easy to adapt to different situations. This person must prove to have zero criminal record related to children.

Meeting point

The nearest bus/Ferry terminal is Moshi town Central Bus station located in the capital of Kilimanjaro region.

Descrizione

Spontaneous Celebrations is a festival and community arts center in Boston, Massachusetts committed to art, activism, community, and the environment.

Work

Wake Up the Earth Festival is our biggest festival which takes place on the first Saturday of May every year.  This year will be the 47 th festival.  The original festival was to celebrate the stopping of a highway being built through our section of Boston.  Since then, the festival has raised awareness about the environment, labor issues and other political issues.  This year we are focusing on Climate Change and Climate Justice. The volunteers will join the festival committee to organize, publicize and engage the community in the event. They will help prepare signs, banners, costumes, decorations, kids; activities, etc.  They will run workshops for children to prepare costumes and props for the parade that starts the festival. Volunteers will walk in the Carnival-like parade which starts the event.Volunteers will help during the event with logistics, set-up, and general support.  Volunteers will walk in the Carnival-like parade which starts the event. After the event, the volunteers will be involved with breakdown, clean up and final analysis of the event. We are hoping for volunteers to come to this camp who enjoy art, music, children’s activities, festivals and community events. There will be a great deal of interaction with children. It will be quite helpful if you have some experience with children. Enthusiasm and positive energy is very important. Study Themes: Activism, Community Organizing, Climate Change and Climate Justice

Partner

Our organization hosts many community events, classes, dinners, projects, gatherings, meetings and children’s activities. We run two large festivals a year.  Spontaneous Celebrations has developed a spirited, successful, and unique approach to community building. Volunteers For Peace (VFP) is a US non-profit organization founded in 1982 and located in Burlington, Vermont. Through international voluntary service VFP promotes intercultural education, service learning, and community development. Each year we support local communities by organizing and promoting about 20 short, medium and long-term service projects in the USA and many projects in Haiti and Nicaragua. We have exchanged over 31,000 volunteers worldwide and offer over 3,000 projects in more than 100 countries around the world. Through these projects, nations join together to improve life on our planet. Our volunteers experience a microcosm of our world within the international group of volunteers, and communities are able to create goals that improve life for their members. We provide opportunities for volunteers to build cultural understanding and connections around the world while exploring grassroots community development and leadership roles. Volunteers will be encouraged to learn, share and plan effective ways to address local and global challenges together. Through these experiences, our volunteers gain valuable skills and an enhanced global consciousness, which we believe will help them become citizen diplomats, global leaders, and advocates for a more peaceful world! For more information visit our website at www.vfp.org.

Location

Jamaica Plain is a neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts. Jamaica Plain, or JP as the locals call it, is a classic "streetcar suburb"; that has evolved into one of Boston's most diverse and dynamic neighborhoods. The ethnically diverse area is home to many Latinos, young families, artists, activists and a growing gay and lesbian community. Boston is a popular city in the northeast known for its history, universities, sports teams, and easy access to New York City. Km from New York City: 306 km Km from San Francisco: 4339 km There will be opportunities to explore the city during free time and engage with the community.  Leisure activities will be based on volunteer interest. The host families homes and Spontaneous Celebrations are close to the subway to downtown. Many community members will be involved in this event and will be helping before and after the event. ****(Bring music, games, photos, memorabilia, and recipes or other activities from your country to share****

Accomodation

Volunteers live in pairs or alone with local families close to Spontaneous Celebrations. Accommodations will be communal and space will be shared. Breakfast will be eaten at the host families’ homes or at Spontaneous Celebrations. Volunteers will take turns cooking lunch and dinner for the group at Spontaneous Celebrations and some meals will be provided from community members or restaurants. There is access to laundry nearby or in the homes. Be sure to tell the other volunteers and the co-leaders if you have any special diet needs. Vegetarian and vegan options available.

Requirements

VFP hosts, staff and co-leaders work hard to ensure a rewarding and unforgettable experience in the USA. Please read the following expectations below. ● Every volunteer is an important and valuable part of the group. You are expected to be an active member, contribute to the work project, assist with cooking and cleaning, and participate in work and free-time activities. Please come prepared with recipes, photos, music, cultural information, group games and other information and activities to share with other volunteers and the community! ● Work activities will take place for about 7 hours a day, 5 days a week. ● VFP and your local hosts will provide many fun and cultural free-time activities during the project. If volunteers decide to travel to a different location as a group or plan their own free-time activities they will be responsible to cover the expenses. The camp leaders will be able to share how much free-time activities will cost. ● Co-leaders, workcamp hosts and work project leaders are there to help you plan activities, understand your tasks, teach you how to use tools and many other things. They are not there to solve all your problems! If you have concerns or issues please raise them with a leader and work with the leader to engage the group in finding a solution that works for everyone! ● Volunteers are expected to live as a group. You are expected to stay for the entire duration of the project and are not allowed to arrange your own activities and spend days or nights away from the project. ● Smoking use is on the decline in the USA and in most of the communities where you are serving you will not see people smoking. It is prohibited in many buildings and also public spaces. You must be 18 years old to purchase cigarettes in the USA. ● The drinking age in the USA is 21 years old! It is illegal to purchase alcohol for a person younger than 21. Excessive drinking is a major social problem and is an obstacle to overcoming the social and economic problems that afflict the world community today. Alcohol is not allowed at the work camp. ● Any illegal drug use is strictly forbidden.

Meeting point

Volunteers should arrive at Boston Logan International Airport. In some cases, someone will be able to pick you up at the airport. Please communicate all flight information in advance at the below emails or call. If you arrive earlier you must find your own accommodations until the project starts. Paula might be able to arrange a homestay one to three days early or after the camp if necessary. Please notify Paula if you are arriving in Boston early and do not have specific accommodation. You must send your arrival details to vfp@vfp.org and pjcantor1@gmail.com Please send the information to both emails. If you have any specific questions, call Paula at 617-543-2534 or send her an email. There will be opportunities to be picked up from the airport, but it is also easy to arrive on the subway. If for some reason you cannot be picked up at the airport, the following are directions to take the subway to the stop which is one block from Spontaneous Celebrations and a few blocks from the host homes. The subway stop closest is called “Stonybrook” and it is on the Orange Line. (the “T” or subway system is broken into four colors.) Make sure you get onto the Orange line to Forest Hills and get off at Stonybrook. When you come out of the station, take a right. Cross the street. The next right is Danforth St. Spontaneous Celebrations is at 40 Danforth St.

Work

You will also have time to put the theory about photography into practice, walking around and exploring the city. At the end of the camp, the best photographs from each participant are selected for an online exhibition on SEEDS social media. Participants should bring their own digital cameras, lenses, tripods and laptops if possible.SEEDS programme combines learning, sharing, hands-on activities, getting to know Iceland, its culture, having fun, exploring the city and its attractions, as stunning natural attractions in possible excursions. Participants should prepare to share environmental issues from their countries and should be ready to spend time outdoors walking medium distances during activities and sightseeing. Note this project is a learning/sharing camp and not a standard workcamp. This project has a smaller volunteer work part and puts a bigger emphasis on the personal learning process than on the community impact.In this project SEEDS will organise a night photography (Northern Lights) workshop in the city or in the vicinity of ReykjavEk. This will take place during late evening and possibly into the night. Northern lights are a natural phenomenon depending on solar activity and meteorological conditions; we cannot guarantee you will see northern lights, but the night photography workshop will be organised anyway.

Partner

During this camp, participants can share their love for (and learn more about) global and amp; local environmental issues, as well as photography. If you are interested in topics such as climate change, waste management, animal protection and sustainability, and you also love taking photographs, making videos or want to develop your photography skills, then this project is for youWhile developing artistic and technical photography skills, you will be focusing on environmental and sustainability issues through non-formal activities such as workshops, discussions, presentations and visits facilitated by SEEDS. One of our aims is to help create more environmentally aware consumers and amp; travellersYou will visit local projects on environment and conservation. These may include hands-on activities or guided visits. Some examples include outdoor cleanup tasks, a geothermal power plant, a local fauna and/or flora exhibition or an outdoor Icelandic culture museum. Some of these activities are dependent on conditions such as weather, as well as availability or restrictions of our partner organisations.

Location

ReykjavEk is a dynamic, modern city which lives in harmony with nature, using renewable energy sources. The worlds northernmost capital bridges the Atlantic, between Europe and North America. ReykjavEk is spread across a peninsula with a panoramic view of the mountains and the Atlantic. It is an international city with a lively cosmopolitan cultural scene surrounded by beautiful nature.

Accomodation

SEEDS participants will stay in a house in ReykjavEk. The facilities are basic with a kitchen, showers, and a washing machine. Everyone is expected to show consideration for their companions. Participants will sleep in shared rooms or dormitories.Volunteers will receive food supplies and will be in charge of cooking and cleaning. Please note the food SEEDS provides will be vegetarian. Do not forget to bring some traditional/typical food, drinks, recipes, music, games or movies from your country for the intercultural evening. Please be aware some items or ingredients may be expensive in Iceland and you will need to buy them yourselves or bring them from your country.

Requirements

English will be the language in the camp; intermediate conversational skills are needed.

Meeting point

The Meeting time will be at 18:00 (6:00 pm) on April 16 at SEEDS office in ReykjavEk. Participants that cannot arrive on time (later or delayed flights) will be sent information on how to reach the camp on their own.

Notes:

EXTRAS / SPECIAL REMARKS: Participation fee EUR 450 (Euros). The fee can either be transferred in advance via bank transfer, or paid in cash on arrival. It includes transportation from the meeting point to the camp (on the first day) and the night photography workshop. The Meeting time will be at 18:00 (6:00 pm) on April 16 at SEEDS office in ReykjavEk. Participants that cannot arrive on time (later or delayed flights) will be sent information on how to reach the camp on their own.Some excursions (e.g. to the Golden Circle, Hot River hike and/or South Shore) can be arranged at discount fares if there is free time after the camp workshops/sessions. It may be very cold and/or rainy, so we recommend bringing warm and waterproof clothes (underlayers, overcoats, scarves, gloves and hats) and good walking shs, as some of the activities take place outdoors.