Location: Estonia
Duration: 9 – 12 months
Start Date: 05/09/2017
Deadline: 19 December 2016
See below the descriptions of the vacancies.
If you would like to apply, send your application to: evs@estyes.ee. Clearly identify your project by using the full title as described below.
1. Sakala Center and Open Youth Center of Viljandi – Viljandi, Estonia – 12 months
2. Abja Municipality Government/Abja Vallavalitsus – Viljandimaa, Estonia – 12 months
3. Kindergarten Kaseke – Valga, Estonia – 10 months
4. Kilingi-Nõmme kindergarten Krõll- Kilingi-Nõmme, Estonia – 12 months
5. Võru Kindergarten Päkapikk – Võru, Estonia – 12 months
6. Võru Kindergarten Punamütsike – Võru, Estonia – 12 months
7. Experimental Movement Center – Tallinn, Estonia – 12 months
8. Tallinna Laagna Lasteaed-Põhikool – Tallinn, Estonia – 12 months
9. Tallinn Kullatera Kindergarten – Tallinn, Estonia – 9 months
10. Tallinna Kihnu Kindergarten – Tallinn, Estonia – 12 months
11. Tabasalu Youth Center – Tabasalu, Estonia – 12 months
12. Imastu Residential school – Imastu, Estonia – 12 month
Sakala Center and Open Youth Center of Viljandi
Viljandi, Estonia – 12 months
We are expecting active and friendly volunteer to work in the youth centre. The activities for the volunteer in the Open Youth Center of Viljandi are seen as follows:
*Organising different activities for the young people
*Helping to prepare and organise different culture and youth events
*Could lead a workshop, course or event
*Helping with projects
*Presenting her/his own country and culture
*Communicating in foreign language with young people, which would help them to understand the importance of learning languages
*Assisting youthworker in everyday activities.
The volunteer will also be involved to Sakala Centre activities ( Sakala Centre birthday, Christmas dinner etc). Also the volunteer will be involved to our community – as a result of cooperation with different organisations and schools in Viljandi the volunteer might go and visit English lessons and introduce his/her country and European Voluntary Service.
2. Abja Municipality Government/Abja Vallavalitsus
Viljandimaa, Estonia – 12 months
Future participant must be prepared to be in the middle of small community and readiness to live countryside. We will give volunteer a mentor who will be his/her trustee. We will introduce her/him our parish and opportunities. The volunteer will be living in boarding school surrounded by youngster, who staying there on school time. We support the volunteer as much as we can – cause we want that the volunteer feels welcome in our hometown.
We would like to give for the volunteers various tasks which is linked with their creativity. We would like to encourage them to lead some activities with children, youngsters, adults and seniors. Through tasks we would like to give volunteers opportunity to try different tasks and get to know better our culture and our human nature. We want volunteer to feel that her/his presence is needed and
her/his work gives a lot to the community.
The volunteers will be involved mostly in cultural abd youth cetnters, but also in day-care center because that way the volunteer has opportunity to cooperate with all age groups. In the cultural center the volunteer will be part of local culture.
In Abja´s cultural center we have theater and movie nights, concert evenings, exhibitions, national evenings and events. Also we would like that the volunteer presents her/his culture. Volunteer has opportunity to use creativity by decorating the hall and house for different events. The volunteer can
use her/his talent to mentor some course. Abja´s Youth Center is located two different buildings from year 2009. This center is based on open youthwork and its open 32 hours per week. Abja´s youth center’s mission is to offer leisure-time
opportunities, non-formal education and different courses and workshops to youngsters. We include youngsters also events preparing process and support their own initiative to organize events and workshops themselves. The workers support and guide them in the process. In the centre there are two youth workers and many course teachers. At the moment we have workshops and courses like
ceramics, music, cookery, handicraft. Youngsters have opportunity to be part of youth organizations like Abja´s youth council, 4H club and A.N.O as opportunity to develop town’s life and to participate in decision-making process. At first the volunteers have opportunity to learn everything about the youth center and our work and be part of our workshops and courses. We introduce volunteers our
work principles and support and courage them to communicate with youngsters.
From the volunteer we expect initiative to leader some course or workshop. Also we would like to give volunteer opportunity to be part of county youth workers meetings, cause this gives opportunity to understand better our country’s youth-work system.
Abja ´s Day-care Centre is for seniors and adults who have special needs and who can´t work daily because of their special needs.
Day centre doings:
– Weaving in loom (rugs, towels, national shawl aso).
– Burning technique to the wood (cutting boards, clothes pegs, wood spoons aso.)
– Sewing (national clothing, linen)
– Cooking (national foods
– Furniture restoration supported by professional
– Events and meeting preparing for Association of People with Disabilities – everyday life support service – individuaal plans for each one, compliance of action plan, assessment.
Volunteer is going to be part of our litte family and can help seniors and disabled clients through workshop guidance. Also we would like to give volunteer opportunity to get know Estonian social system. The working time will be around 35 hours a week. Volunteer will have 2 days off per week either during week or at the weekends. According to the volunteers skills and project needs priority tasks and more detailed working schedule (including holidays and periods of breaks) will be worked out together with the head of project and staff. Volunteers will be working under supervision and with support of staff.
3. Kindergarten Kaseke
Valga, Estonia – 10 months
We are looking for a volunteer who likes children. Other things are learnable. Also it would be a good thing to have playfulness and child-like mindset. For example likes to sing, play, do sports, dance and construct. It would be a benefit to have abi ity to play some instrument or to have some other extra assets. Especially good would be if he/she could share knowledge – teach it to
children and also to the kindergarten personnel. Assets would be patience, friendliness, readiness to communicate and cleanliness. We are looking for open minded and friendly person.
Volunteer who is joining our team is going to have the opportunity to work with children in different age groups. Most of all we would like he/she to be working with children in a group at the age of 3-4. As in every group there are children who will need attention and individual approach then we are seeking that the volunteer is a teacher’s aide who will help and engage with children who need extra support and attention doing the daily routines. Volunteer is going to have opportunity to take part in planning of daily and according to his/her abilities conduct different activities. Also learn how to cope w children group up to 22 individuals, how to organise work, how to conduct group work and events in the whole kindergarten. There is possibility to see and take part in the collaboration with the parents and with other institutions in the city.
Inside accommodation centre is possibility to associate with other young people. In Valgmaa Vocational Training Centre are learning young pupils and most of them live in dormitory. He/she will have opportunity to find new friends and associates whom to spend leisure time. Also we are collaborating with Valga Youth Centre.
4. Kilingi-Nõmme kindergarten Krõll
Kilingi-Nõmme, Estonia – 12 months
A person whom we expect in our institution is definitely child-friendly and has a desire to work with children. We are looking forward to someone who wants to be a part of our a team. He/she has to be open-minded, ready to be part of a team and ready to cooperate. Also he/she has to be innovative, initiative and interested in using ICT tools in teaching process.
Kilingi-Nõmme is a small town which is located in the south-east of Pärnu County. About two thousand habitants live in Kilingi-Nõmme. A nationally important transit road bypasses the town. It makes transport connection with Pärnu, Viljandi, Võru, Tartu and Tallinn more convenient.
Killing-Nõmme is the economic and cultural center of Saarde Parish. The biggest employer is the public sector. In the town there is a kindergarten, a gymnasium, a music school, a library, a post office, a culture center, a leisure center, a sports hall, a family physician and the health center, a police station and a rescue service.
Many different hobby circles are carried out in the culture center, kindergarten and school (dance and song circles, handicraft, art and sports circles). Several sports and cultural events have been established like singing contest “The Most Beautiful Forest Song” (“Kaunim metsalaul”), music festival “Schilling” and “Rock Club”, sporting events “Three Schoolhouse Run” and Kilingi-Nõmme triathlon, etc.
Kilingi-Nõmme is surrounded by pine forest, in the region that has a lot of greenery and pure nature. It gives a variety of opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking and playing Disc Golf. In winter there are illuminated skiing trails.
Volunteer is a part of a team whose task is to assist the teacher in the learning process.
The duties are:
• directly assisting the children
• individual work
• preparing teaching devices if necessary
• taking part in the study visits (expeditions), in outdoor education and in the movement activities
• assisting the teachers in the preparation of the traditional house events – sports days, night disco, folklore festival, health mornings, study visits, field trips, excursions, etc.
Volunteer would be fully included in organizing the events. Volunteer has an opportunity to use modern teaching materials and tools. Kindergarten is equipped with an innovative and modern information and communication technology (ICT) tools. We have computer network and also Wi-Fi hot spots, which facilitates the use of ICT tools. Each nursery group has interactive whiteboard, projector and laptop. This enables to diversify the learning activities. ICT tools are used actively in learning, creating learning materials, making animations and videos with children, etc (media education).
5. Võru Kindergarten Päkapikk
Võru, Estonia – 12 months
The project is open to everybody who is motivated and ready to work with small kids. The male volunteers are as much welcomed as female. Interests in music and art are an advantage, also some previous experiences with small kids. The volunteer should be ready to learn Estonian language. She/he should be vaccinated against hepatitis.
Kindergarten “Päkapikk” is a municipaltity kindergarten in Võru. Kindergarten works in 10 groups: two groups for small kids: 1,5 to 3 years and eight for children aged 3 to 7. There are 44 teachers and employees. Our kindergarten values outdoor education and cultural traditions.The kindergarten is working all yearround.
The international volunteer could bring an international awareness to the life of children and also employees. Võru is quite small town in South-East of Estonia and as Estonia is member of EU it would be nice to give personal experience to children starting their early years. Volunteer cold be as assistant of kindergarten teacher, music teacher or at sport activities in hall or outside. Workers of kindergarten will support volunteer initiative to make children play –
scheme more exiting.
The day in Kindergarten is following: 7-8.30 gathering and games; 8.30 breakfast; 9-11 lessons, musical or sport activities; 12.30 lunch and mid-day sleep; 15-16 games, 16.30 dinner and games.
Võru County with its hills and valleys and its forests is one of the most beautiful regions in Estonia. The town of Võru (founded in 1784) is situated in South-East of Estonia, on the bank of lake Tamula, It is the centre of Võru County, there are 43 000 people living in the County of Võru and 15 000 people living in the town of Võru. Tourism near Võru is growing very fast. The distance to capital city Tallinn is 280 km but to second biggest town Tartu only 69 km from Võru. Võru and its county have quickly developing tourism.
Võru has long traditions on holding very special and unique cultural events like The Võru Folklore festival. The Folklore festival is an international event where music events are very important. The Lake music concerts in August on the Tamula lake. The most famous person from Võru was Fr.R.Kreutzwald, the same person who wrote the Estonian national epic “Kalevipoeg”. If you are in Võru, you should walk in the Kreutzwald park, it is a very beautiful park. In winters people go skiing and snowboarding. Besides these events there are many art exhibitions: The Võru Artists Union events, workshops, social events for people in all ages and contests.
There are one high school, 2 primary schools, a sport-school, a music-school and many hobby groups, a cultural center “Kannel”, a library and a sporthall, also other clubs and pubs in Võru. The possibility to go to swimming pool is in Väimela what is 7 km from Võru, also health trail in Kubija. In summer the best place for swimming is lake Tamula or numerous other lakes around the Võru. In winter there are nice hills where is good chances to skiing and snowboarding.
There is also possibility to do extreme biking, hiking and other sport. Võru has already two or even more EVS projects and this will give possibility to get more information about different spheres of voluntary work and to spend time together.
The task of the volunteers is to help the kindergarten personnel in their daily work with children. She/he can work in one age group or share the work between different groups depending of volunteer interest or ability. She/he will never work alone but under supervision and guidance of kindergarten group teacher. The main tasks are following: participate and help teachers in games or lessons with children, prepare lessons and materials for activity, help music teacher in music lessons. She/he can bring his songs and games and sometimes teach simple songs in her/his language. Prepare festivals or holidays (Christmas, Easter,
Independence Day etc): teach songs, dances, dramas or prepare exhibitions. The exhibitions about his/her country or some country from Europe would be very welcome.
The working time for volunteers will be 30 to 35 h per week from Monday to Friday. The schedule could be different: in some days from 8 to 13 and other days 12 to 17.30. Volunteer can have the meal with children. In free time she/he will have money for food. In free hours volunteer can use internet in kindergarten. She/he will live in rented room or flat. Volunteers will also expected to take part of other practical activities: to assist to dress kids for going out to play in the yard; collect toys or books after plays or lessons; help kids before and after mid-day sleep and during their meals.
Another sphere could be to organise different events for teachers – like language courses.
6. Võru Kindergarten Punamütsike
Võru, Estonia – 12 months
We are looking for a person who wishes to work with young children, loves children, has a positive attitude and is willing to assist. We welcome to our team a young person who is open to new ideas and is tolerant especially with children of special needs.
All the volunteers who contact with coordinating organisation International Youth Association EstYES will be informed about the vacant of the project for certain deadline. Volunteer will get special application form to fill in, which is the basis for the pre-selection. Then host project receives applications approved by EstYES to make their final decision. Staff of the host project chooses the volunteer, whose profile and interests match the best the proposed activities of the project.
Kindergarten “Punamütsike” is a municipaltity kindergarten in Võru. Kindergarten works in 11 groups: three groups for small kids: 1,6 to 3 years and seven for children aged 3 to 7. There are 54 teachers and employees. The kindergarten working all year round.
Võru is a small town in South-East of Estonia and as Estonia is member of EU it would be nice to give personal experience to children starting their early years.
Võru County with its hills and valleys and its forests is one of the most beautiful regions in Estonia. The town of Võru (founded in 1784) is situated in South-East of Estonia, on the bank of lake Tamula, It is the centre of Võru County, there are 43 000 people living in the County of Võru and 15 000 people living in the town of Võru. Tourism near Võru is growing very fast. The distance to capital city Tallinn is 255 km but to second biggest town Tartu only 69 km. Võru and its county have quickly developing tourism.
Võru has long traditions on holding very special and unique cultural events like The Võru Folklore festival. The Folklore festival is an international event where music events are very important. The most famous person from Võru was Fr.R.Kreutzwald, the same person who wrote the Estonian national epic “Kalevipoeg”. If you are in Võru, you should walk in the Kreutzwald park; it is a very beautiful park. In winters people go skiing and snowboarding. Besides these events there are many art exhibitions: The Võru Artists Union events, workshops, social events for people in all ages and contests.
There are 1 high school, 2 primary schools, a sport-school, a music-school and many hobby groups, a cultural centre “Kannel”, a library and a sport centre, also other clubs and pubs in Võru.
The possibility to go to swimming pool is in Väimela that is 7 km from Võru. In summer the best place for swimming is lake Tamula or numerous other lakes around the town. In winter there are nice hills where is good chances to skiing and snowboarding. There is also possibility to do extreme biking, hiking and other sport.
Beside of personal growth, being a volunteer in Võru kindergarten Punamütsike, is an opportunity for a young person to get to know pedagogical work; develop his/her organisational skills; get practice in teaching children; learn new language and culture as well as get experience in a teamwork.
The task of the volunteers is to help the kindergarten personnel in their daily work with the children. They can work in one age group or share the work between different groups depending of personal interest and ability. Volunteers will never work alone but under supervision and guidance of kindergarten group teachers. The main tasks are following: participate and help teachers in games or lessons with children, prepare lessons and materials for activities. They can bring songs, games and introduce their own culture and traditions as part of intercultural learning. Prepare festivals or holidays (Christmas, Easter, Independence Day etc): teach songs and dances. The exhibitions about their country or some other country from Europe would be very welcome. Volunteers are welcome to join every activity we organising either for children or only staff members. Kindergarten “Punamütsike” has 32 year history and nice traditions like: days with family, sport activity days, visiting theatres and concerts, hikes and excursions during spring and summer. In addition, together with staff
members, volunteers can help to organise Võru Christmas Fair, Võru’s Birthday celebrations and participate in the Folkloric Festival as an interpreter, etc.
The working time for volunteers will be 30 to 35 h per week from Monday to Friday. The schedule could be different: in some days from 8 to 13 and other days 12 to 17.30.
The day in Kindergarten is following:
7-8.30 gathering and free play;
8.30 breakfast;
9-11 lessons, musical or sport activities;
12.30 lunch and mid-day sleep;
15-16 free play,
16.30 dinner and free play.
Volunteers can have the meals with children. In free time they will have money for food. In free hours volunteers can use internet in kindergarten. They will live in rented room or flat in Võru. The volunteers will have the opportunity to learn to play the zither.
7. Experimental Movement Center
Tallinn, Estonia – 12 months
Because of the nature of the work it would be very handy if the olunteer has a sports and art minded attitude. Experience in dealing with children, circus, acrobatics or other stage or creational activity is very much appreciated. Physically active and healthy life style is big plus. The ideal candidate matches with our cheerful and positive minded collective. We appreciate if the candidate would have good sense of humor, is easy to communicate with and likes dealing with children and youngsters, is ccurate and does everything on time. Adabtable and prepared for changes. English or Russian language is inevitable on the comminicative level. Basic knowledge of computer skills is very much helpful.
The project environment is located to the capital of Estonia – Tallinn. Experimental Movement Center has very decent and well equipped rooms in Kopli which is near Tallinn city center, 10 minutes by public transportation.
Estonia is socially tolerant – people with cultural differencies are generally treated well and nearly all information is available in English. Economy has developed in the last decade to the average European level with some discrepancies in some cases.
The Experimental Movement Center (ELK) is not a live-in community so the volunteer wouldn’t live in a residential area of Tallinn with other international volunteers. The volunteer should be ready to share a room and and have a flexible attitude.
Main directions of ELK are: acrobatics, circus, theatre with a hint of dancing. More about the organisation can be found from http://www.omatsirkus.ee/eng.
We have different age groups of children having classes almost every day of the week. The volunteer will have exact instructions what, when and where is expected from him/her. The working team is nice and friendly and the rooms are equipped with decent proper requisites for the trainings.
Main responsibilites: to assist in trainings as assistant coach. For example holding the jump rope, hold the unicyclist hand, helps the children with somersaults (everything happens by the instructions of the coach). The volunteer would help to bring the requisites, prepare the room for trainings and carry out the trainings with coach. Is present in performances, camps (city
camp, summer camp). Helps to organaize the competitions (coffee tabel, receptor, printing the diplomas, enters the data of the judges, helps in rewarding).
In addition the volunteer should help organizing the events (communicating with people, spreading advertisement, selling and checking tickets, organizational activities, assisting). Dealing with children.
If the volunteer wishes he/she can help with creative work (organizing the performances and programs, choreography, music, costumes etc).
Can participate in trainings, use rooms and requisites. Getting know Estonian culture and circus activity in Estonia is a plus. Communicating with young art and sports people.
Depends on the strong sides of the volunteer – if the person has a hobby or a strong knowledge of for example photography, design or film making he/she is very welcome to take photos, tape the performances or trainings or design the costumes or whatever he/she does the best. Our trainers also have very different strong sides and everybody does what they do best.
We offer the volunteer the possibility to participate in the trainings and through that develop his/her athletic side and acrobatical and circus skills. The volunteer would participate in the camps and will learn to communicate with children and improve teaching skills. Tha volunteer is welcome to participate in the tuitions for trainiers which we occasinally arrange during the year. And of course we offer the opportunity to learn the language and Estonian culture by communcating with our splendid collective.
8. Tallinna Laagna Lasteaed-Põhikool
Tallinn, Estonia – 12 months
We are interested in people who are willing to work with disabled children and understand their specific needs. We would certainly prefer mature volunteers. As for personal profile, we would like to welcome a sociable, cheerful and considerate person. All sorts of artistic skills are welcome as they can be used in art lessons and other therapeutic activities.
MTÜ EstYES has been the coordinating organisation for Laagna Lasteaed-Põhikool for several years and will make the primary selection among volunteer candidates. All volunteer applications approved by EstYES will be forwarded to Laagna Lasteaed-Põhikool so that we could do the final selection. We are open to work with any competent sending organisation.
The project takes place in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia (www.tallinn.ee). Tallinna Laagna Lasteaed-Põhikool is located in Lasnamäe, which is one of the residential areas of Tallinn. Local residents belong to middle-class with average level of income. Geographically the school is conveniently located with the city centre: it takes about 10 minutes to reach it by bus.
The experience in our organisation will help the volunteer to acquire different social skills such as dealing with disabled children, learn more about their needs and abilities, understand their and their parents’ psychology, as well as the process of integration children with special needs into social life. On the other hand volunteer will learn how to accept different cultures and live independently in new environment. Volunteer will have the opportunity to get to know life in
Estonian capital. Should be mentioned that Estonian society is quite closed and getting friends with local people usually needs bigger effort. EVS volunteer will be supporting the school or kindergarten personnel in looking after the children and running daily tasks such as looking after the children and helping project staff during the lessons and free time, playing with children, arranging children’s outings, e.g. culture visits, excursions, hikes, picnics, etc. The volunteers are supposed to render assistance to children between and during the lessons, as well as during different events, such as performances, excursions and etc, and help the staff to organise leisure time activities. We would like to invite volunteers to assist the lessons of such subjects as art and craft, English and physical education. We mainly need their assistance during the breaks and after lessons to organise different indoor and outdoor games with children. These could involve different table games, ball games, etc. During the lessons sometimes our children need individual assistance in performing such simple tasks as opening books, taking a pen into their hand, switching on a computer etc. There can also be such moments when some children experience emotional breakdowns during the lesson and they need to be taken out from the classroom and calmed down individually.
Volunteer will be encouraged to propose his/her personal micro-projects/ initiatives related to the theme of this EVS project, which will be supported by the host and coordinating organisation in all ways.
Typical day in the school looks like follows:
8:15 Lessons begin
12.00 -13:00 Lunch
13:30 Lessons continuing
15:15 Afternoon snack
15:45 Time for leisure activities and homework
18:00 Children go home
9. Tallinn Kullatera Kindergarten
Tallinn, Estonia – 9 months
Working experience is not required but we will be pleased to get applications for participation from anyone who are:
– ready to work with children and have enough patience;
– friendly and open-minded;
– speaking English on a basic communication level;
– optimistic and cheerful.
– open to new ideas
Tallinn Kullatera Kindergarten is located in Tallinn, capital of Estonia. Tallinn is situated on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland, in north-western Estonia. Tallinn has population of 430 00 inhabitants. Tallinn is one of the most developed areas in Estonia with a lot of enterprises, businesses, organizations, etc. Governmental institutions and representatives international organizations are situated here as well. Native language is Estonian, but also English, Russian
and Finnish are widely understood.
Tallinn was founded about 1000 years ago. Now it is a very beautiful modern city with ancient buildings and fantastic sightseengs. Tallinn’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a major tourist attraction; others include the Seaplane of Estonian Maritime Museum, the Tallinn Zoo, Kadriorg Park, and the Estonian Open Air Museum. City is very popular touristic place.
The usual tasks for the volunteer would be helping teachers in everyday indoor and outdoor activities and participating in learning activities. Volunteers will also expected to take part of other practical activities: to assist to dress kids for going out to play in the yard; help kids before and after mid-day sleep and during their meals. The volunteer will join in our visits to museums, art exhibitions, sports events, outings (to the park, to the forest, to the sea etc.).
The exhibitions about their country or some other coun from Europe would be very welcome. Also welcome would be introduce his/her nation and cultural traditions to our children, parents and personnel (e.g. easy games and dances for children, national food). The volunteer will participate in our traditional kindergarten events. For the volunteer it should be a good opportunity to learn and practice the Estonian language and culture.
The working time for the volunteer will be 5-7 hours per day.
The day in Kindergarten is following:
7-9.00 gathering and free play;
9.00 breakfast;
9.30-11.00 lessons, musical or sport activities;
11.00- 12.15 outdoor activities (walks, observations, games)
12.30-15.00 lunch and mid-day sleep;
15.00-16.00 free play,
16.00-18.00 dinner and free play.
10. Tallinna Kihnu Kindergarten
Tallinn, Estonia – 12 months
Volunteer who is joining the team of Tallinna Kihnu Kindergarten and is going to have the opportunity to work with children. He/she is one of the team member and team work is very important for us. As in every group there are children who will need attention and individual approach then we are seeking that the volunteer is a teacher’s helper who will work with children who need extra support and attention doing the daily routines. Volunteer is going to have opportunity to take part in planning process, activity process and see how teatcer prepare for activities and help her. Also learn how to cope with children up to 24 individuals. There is a possobility to teatch something to the children or personnel what the volunteer are good of, share his/her knowledge :do playing or music or singing or art lessons.
Volunteer who is joining our team is going to have the opportunity to work with children. He/she is one of the team member and team work is very important for us. As in every group there are children who will need attention and individual approach then we are seeking that the volunteer is a teacher’s helper who will work with children who need extra support and attention doing the daily routines. Volunteer is going to have opportunity to take part in planning process, activity process and see how teatcer prepare for activities and help her. Also learn how to cope with children up to 24 individuals. There is a possobility to teatch something to the children or personnel what the volunteer are good of, share his/her knowledge :do playing or music or singing or art lessons.
11. Tabasalu Youth Center
Tabasalu, Estonia – 12 months
The project welcomes mature, motivated and committed volunteer understanding the nature of the project.Some previous experience in work with young people or social work is an advantage. Volunteer is expected to be positive, smiley, open-minded, flexible, friendly, helpful, kind.It is good to be active, take initiatives, responsibility and be reliable. Speaking basic English is an advantage also.
Tabasalu is a small borough in Harju County, northern Estonia. It is located about 13 km west from the capital Tallinn.
It is the administrative centre of Harku Parish. The settlement’s population is about 3500. There are three food stores in Tabasalu, a high school with more than 1000 students, sports center with big pool. Also different cafeterias and pubs. If you want to go to the live concert, sports game, shopping or anything else you can think of, then Tallinn old town is only 25 minute bus drive away and the bus traffic is very good.
One of the biggest shopping center is even closer –around 5-6 km. You can find out more about different activities, tours and local life in Tallinn from here: http://www.visittallinn.ee
The main educational value of this EVS project is in providing young volunteers with profound experience of youth work and social work. This experience may determine future studies or field of work for the volunteers.
Besides the project will give volunteer a chance to experience life near Estonian biggest city, learn Estonian language and culture. The main task for volunteer in this project is working in open youth center, organizing different activities to them and supporting the staff in their work.
The division of the tasks may be changed and adapted for certain volunteer, depending on their interests and skills. Volunteer will be encouraged to propose their personal projects/initiatives related to the theme of this EVS project which can be supported by the host and/or coordinating organisation.
The working time will be around 30–35 hours every week. The volunteer will be working during the youth center opening hours. Usually the week will be 30 hours, but if we are organizing some activities for the evening, then the day might be a bit longer.
Volunteer will have 2 weeks off in the weekend (Saturday and Sunday).
According to the volunteers skills and project needs priority tasks and more detailed working schedule (including holidays and periods of breaks) will be worked out together with the head of project and staff. Volunteers will be working under supervision and with support of staff.
A typical day would look like that:
–Volunteer works from 1pm to 7pm from Monday to Friday, weekends are off.
–The volunteer starts with working in the open area of the youth center.
–The volunteer will be helping to organize different activities, sports games, etc.
–Trying to find a contact with the young people visiting our youth center
–playing different games and doing different activities with them, talking to them.
–Helping our staff to keep the good discipline in the youth center.
Once in a week our volunteer will be organizing their own club and they can always take their time to prepare for the club.
Every school break we have youth day camp for younger kids (from aged 7-12), the volunteer will be helping us to organize those and will be there during the camps as well.
During the summer there is different day camps, also camps with sleepovers. The volunteer will be a part of those as well.
12. Imastu Residential school
Imastu, Estonia – 12 month
The project welcomes mature, motivated and committed volunteers understanding the nature of the project and its particularities like being in very small place in the country side, working with kids having very serious mental and physical disabilities. Some previous experience in work with children in general or/and with handicapped people is an advantage. Volunteers are expected to be positive, open-minded, flexible, friendly, helpful, warmhearted. He/she should
be active, taking initiatives, responsible and reliable. Also the volunteer should be open to the real challenge this project offers.
Imastu is a tiny village, situated in the North-Central part of Estonia, about 90 km from Tallinn, Estonian capital. The closest larger town is Tapa (approximately 10 000 inhabitants), which has shops, a post office and a library with internet connection. Tapa is important railway junk and has some direct and indirect connections with bigger cities. The area around Imastu is mainly rural characterised by slower development than industrial area around Tallinn. About 30 km from Imastu lies Lahemaa National Park, largest national park in Estonia. For additional information visit http://www.tapa.ee
The main educational value of this EVS project is in providing young volunteers with profound experience of social work and assistance to those in real need. This experience may determine future studies of field of work for some of the volunteers. Besides the project will give volunteer a chance to experience life deep in the countryside raising in an alternative way the European awareness.
The main task for volunteer in this project is looking after the disabled children, organise different activities to them and supporting the stuff with their work. The work is different in every group, but mostly volunteer help out with feeding, washing, brushing children’s teeth, dressing for the day, sending kids to school, doing activities. Besides the main room, the volunteer can also use day centre, dance class and sense room to offer diverse activities to children and brake the daily routine.
The activities for the volunteer in the Imastu are seen as follows:
looking after the children and helping project staff in teaching them basic work skills (20%);
playing with children (30%);
arranging children’s outings, e.g. culture visits, excursions, hikes, picnics, etc. (10%)
offering extra activities for kids outside regular curricula (puppet theatre, handicrafts workshops, thematic parties, etc.) (20%)
helping to feed children (10%);
assisting with all other required activities (10%).
The division of the tasks may be changed and adapted for certain volunteer, depending on his/her interests and skills. Volunteers will be encouraged to propose his/her personal projects/initiatives related to the theme of this EVS project which can be supported by the receiving and/or coordinating organisation.
Another task of the volunteers could be to establish contacts with similar institutions for mentally handicapped children in his/her home country in order to have mutually beneficial cooperation/ exchange between institutions in future.
The working time will be around 35 hours a week. Volunteer will have 2 days off per week either during week or at the week-ends. According to the volunteer’s skills and project needs priority tasks and more detailed working schedule (including holidays and periods of breaks) will be worked out together with the head of the project and staff. Volunteers will be working under supervision and with support of pedagogical staff of each family group.
A typical day would look like follows:
the volunteer starts with dressing the children and helping them to take breakfast;
part of the children goes to school, and the volunteers plays with others or takes them for a walk (in case of group of young adults volunteers assist to organise their work and supervise it);
if necessary the volunteer helps out in the kitchen to prepare meals;
helps children to take their lunch in family groups;
in the afternoon the volunteers play with children and youngsters or run various activities for them, read books, take them for a walk or organise outdoor activities, etc.;
The organisation is willing to accept 3 EVS volunteers who will work in different family groups having to generally similar tasks, which however may vary depending of age of youngsters and type of their disabilities.
Contact person in Imastu Residential School:
Lairi Einmaa
records manager
lairi.einmaa@hoolekandeteenused.ee
+372 32 71 383
Web: http://www.hoolekandeteenused.ee/imastu
