Language: English, Russian is welcome
Location: Project takes place in Novodevichy Convent, which is situated in the center of St. Petersburg
Work: Volunteers will help nuns with renovation works in the monastery and will work in the monastery garden. International volunteers will be integrated into a group of several Russian volunteers and will work, eat and live all together.
Accommodation: Volunteers will stay in a dormitory in the area of monastery (2-4 persons per room). Monastery provides beds with blankets, pillows etc. Monastery provides ordinary (with meat) or vegetarian food. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served in a monastery canteen.
Free time activities: Participants will be able to see the inner life of the Orthodox monastery. If volunteers would like to ask questions about Orthodox religion, they will be able to do have a conversation with one of the nuns.
The monastery is situated in the center of St. Petersburg. St. Petersburg is famous as a “cultural capital” of Russia. It is a huge city, which offers a great number of entertainments. Except several activities and excursions which your team will be provided with by the organizers, you will get a lot of opportunities for the exploring of this city. There are a lot of places for sightseeing, museums, galleries and parks as well as various bars and cafes.
Requirements: Volunteers should be patient to orthodox religion, to follow dress code – for girls it is long skits, which should cover their knee, their heads should be covered by kerchief or something like this. Boys shouldn’t wear T-shirts and shorts in the monastery – more details about dress code you will find in the infosheet.
W4U-11 “Gathering houses” aka “S Miru po Domu” (Moscow)
18-31 August 2013, KIDS/ART; 10 int. vols, 18 +
Location: Moscow is the capital of Russia :)
Work: S Miru po Domu is a children day camp for about 50-60 kids from large families. The work is dealing with the children - communicating with them and sharing your ideas. During these 2 weeks you will be building small copies of national houses from all over the world e.g. Indian wigwam, nomads’ tent, Chinese fanza and Russian izba. You will be discussing the plan together with the kids in a group in which they will be divided, building and then decorating your house to prepare it for the highest point of the project and final event – The Festival ‘S Miru po Domu’ (Gathering Houses) when we will be showing theatrical presentations of our houses and making role-playing of how to drink tea in different countries and take care of the guests. There is a lot of freedom for the creativity and all your ideas are very welcome! Also loads of hand-made workshops will take place in the camp e.g. plaster mask and pizza making or preparing of the national décor items for houses. Several big games for the whole camp will be organized and you can take part in them. Moreover, some time will also be left for sport and activities, so outside games from all over the world are the best idea to be realized hereJ
The aim of this project is to highlight the importance of the ‘house’ among young generation, to draw their attention to the national traditions and customs and have a look on the ones from different cultures, to popularize hospitality and show the kids the unique atmosphere of house holding.
Accommodation: You will be staying at the youth centre on the territory where the workcamp will take place. There is a kitchen and 2 bathrooms, which will be shared (gender divided). You will be provided with the mats and pillows, but make sure you have you own sleeping bag with you. Meal will be prepared as a group.
Requirements: motivation form (with short description of your vision of the house you can build up with the kids). A basic knowledge of pedagogy is preferable.
Free time activities: Moscow is a huge megalopolis which offers a great number of the entertainments. Except several activities and excursions which your team will be provided with by the organizers, you will get a lot of opportunities for the exploring of this vivid and bright non-stop city. A lot of places of sightseeing, museums, galleries and parks – it is never a problem to find something to do there. The summer in the city is also worth of saying as the endless amount of various bars and clubs makes Moscow night-life one of the most world famous.