ABOUT US: YMCA SERBIA is a non-profit, non-governmental, non-religious and an inclusive youth organization which aims to provide opportunities for youth on a grass-roots level. At YMCA Serbia we focus on working with children and youth (aged mainly between 8 – 30 years). Our aim is to support the personal development of children and young people by organizing leisure time activities. Our programs, services and initiatives enable kids to realize their potential, prepare teens for college, empower young people and prepare them for employment.
LOCATION: The project will take place in Backi Petrovac, a small agricultural town situated in Vojvodina (in the northern part of Serbia), 25 kilometers away from the country’s second largest city, Novi Sad and 98 km from the capitol. The municipality of Backi Petrovac has approximately 13.000 inhabitants while Backi Petrovac itself has around 6,000. It is a unique multinational community with ethnic Slovaks forming a majority of the population in the municipality. Backi Petrovac together with the surrounding towns offer a lot of possibilities for young people. There are a number of historical and cultural places to visit. In the summer there are a lot of festivals and cultural events in the municipality and Novi Sad. The "Fruska Gora" mountains are close by and are an ideal place to go hiking, cycling or just relax in the nature. In Backi Petrovac there is a canal with greenery where locals like to go fishing, cycling or to barbecue. There are regular bus lines connecting all the surrounding towns and Novi Sad. In Backi Petrovac, everything is within walking distance. There is a bicycle route for cycling, jogging or roller-skating.
WHAT IS A WORK CAMP? Work camps are the most common form of short-term volunteering, where a group of volunteers work and live together on a project which has been identified by a local community or working with that community. International work camps bring together volunteers from different nationalities and backgrounds, aiming at building up international understanding and therefore encouraging peace while working for an identified need of the local community.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK: The main goal of this year’s camp is to renovate the newly acquired rooms of the youth and daycare center as well as to clean and arrange the green surfaces surrounding it. This work camp will be an attractive option for young people that wish to engage themselves in environmental and renovation activities. Work includes gathering trash, planting, cleaning and arranging green surfaces (park, pond, garden), but also making furniture from used materials or refurbishing old furniture.
One of the main goals is to promote cultural exchange among participants, through collective work, various workshops, cooking and music. During the camp we will also be sharing games and youth work activities, so please come prepared. In the evenings we will also be sharing stories from our own countries so we expect participants to be open and willing to share. Volunteers will be encouraged to go cycling, fishing, swimming, play sports and organize cookouts and campfires during their free time.
DESCRIPTION OF FOOD AND ACCOMMODATION: Volunteers will be accommodated in a sports center, 30 meters from the youth center where most of the work and activities will take place. Food, toilettes and showers are provided on the spot. There will be excursions to the local canal where the volunteers will have a chance to spend time in nature and sleep in a wood cabin.
DURATION: 16.07.2016 – 28.07.2016
REQUIREMENTS:
– Interested in environmental issues; Interested in gardening and building; Interested in working with young people; Flexible and quick to adapt to a new living environment; Creative and able to work with limited resources.
– Minimum 18 years old
– Good knowledge of English
WHAT TO BRING? Bring a sleeping bag, thermic mat, flashlight with extra batteries, adapter plug, work clothes and shoes (for warm weather but don’t forget it can get cold during some nights), pyjamas, swimsuit, rain protection (rain coat and boots), sunscreen (sunglasses, sun cream, hat), towels, personal hygiene, and anything else you might need for a 10 days stay!
COSTS: Food and accommodation costs are covered, transportation costs are not.
HOW TO APPLY: You can apply directly to us (ymca.bpetrovac@gmail.com) by sending your CV with previous volunteer experience.
