PARTNER: "L’Enfance de l'Art", created in
1997, is a non profit organisation whose aim
is to help parents to become more involved
in their children's education. To that
purpose, the organisation set up hosting
facilities for children or people with reduced
autonomy, leisure workshops, nurseries,
schools. The organisation follows Steiner
pedagogy principles.
L’Enfance de l'Art hosts about 105 children from 0 to 12 years old. The kindergarten, the nursery, the
nursery school and the primary school are recognized by the French-speaking Community of Belgium and
the organisation is now established in the former boarding school of « Dames de la Providence ». These
buildings are rented for a very low price before a probable purchase in order to avoid vandalism. They
were dilapidated and deserted since 2004 before the parents of the organisation decided to begin
renovating them and that's where the workcamp steps in!
WORK: In partnership with a construction company focused on social improvement, l'Enfance de l'Art
organises a renovation workcamp in the former boarding school of « Dames de la Providence » that has
hosted for 3 years the new Waldorf school of the French-speaking community of Belgium, as well as a
kindergarten in the first of the six renovated buildings. This company uses ecological material and
techniques that are in harmony with our environment.
Volunteers will work from Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 12 am and from 2 pm to 4 pm, on the
renovation of a building in order to turn it into a new daycare centre for children from 2 to 3 years old and
related premises (toilets, kitchen, dormitory, playroom,...). They will be asked, according to work progress,
to work, in 2 or 3 teams, on different techniques and activities:
Wall scarping and application of
coating (straw/hemp and lime)
Disassembly of the building and
sorting of materials
Renovation works in the gardens
and the courtyard
Participation to the management
and the preparation of a community
kitchen of good quality
ACCOMMODATION: In the former boarding school in other non renovated buildings
- Two showers and toilets
- A kitchen and dining area
- Two dorms
It will be in a “comfort” of a “Scout camp”. Please bring a sleeping bag, a torch (in order to move inside the
buildings) and toiletries (including a towel).
FOOD : Meals (breakfast, a light lunch - sandwiches, salads, soup,... - and full and warm dinner) will be
prepared by a member of the hosting organisation and 2 volunteers in turn. The emphasis will be put on
the good management of the community kitchen in order to get quality food and avoid food waste as much
as possible.
LOCATION: Templeuve is a small town 2 km away from the French border, 20 km away from Lille
(France) and 10 km away from Tournai. Templeuve has its own market and neighbourhood shops, is
connected to Tournai with a bus service (every hour) and has a flat land without relief, making the use of
bicycles very easy (a few bicycles will be provided to volunteers). Tournai is a city that attract people who
like old stones, History, museums,... Tournai cathedral has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage
Site.
SPECIFIC INFORMATION: This workcamp is open to anyone interested by sustainable construction
techniques. Please bring good working shoes and clothes.
LANGUAGES : English, French
TERMINAL : Brussels International Airport (Zaventem) or Brussels South Airport (Charleroi), meeting at
Tournai train station on 13/07. Train timetables on www.b-rail.be/main/F/