SCI France Birthday - 70 years
Theme of the project: Other
Location: Paris
Work start:
2006-08-15 Work ends: 2006-10-31
Application deadline: 2006-06-30
Decision date: 2006-07-14
Total number of volunteers: 1
Project language: French
Local language: French
Preparation of the annual evaluation meeting of SCI France « regroupement
d'octobre » linked to the 70 years anniversary of the Branch. - Helping
with Workcamp season work. - Compiling statistics 2006. - informing volunteers
on long term projects.
Work: The volunteer will work with the actual office team (4-5
people). The main task of the volunteer will consist on the preparation of the "Evaluation
week-end" , taking place on 20th-21st of October close to Paris. He will
support the preparation team (5-6 members) in order to motivate members to particpate,
find former volunteers, registering the applications.etc.. the volunteer will
also have to prepare a special event (with the prep-team for the 70 years of
SCI France). He will also particpate to the office life and work : answering
requiries about long term volunteering, helping with the season work (answering
the phone, mails... as well as compiling SCI France statistics at the end of
the season.
Qualifications: Interest in SCI and the work we do, history of the
movement. Able to work on computer. To have a good knowledge of French (be
able to speak on the phone)
Accommodation: Lodging in a member flat
or in a volunteer flat. Food is on charge of the volunteer from the pocket
money.
Pocket money: 300 euro /month (for food and other...); plus
monthly metro pass.
Iceland - WF
- Cultural and Environmental Experience, Siglufjцrрur
- The
highlands of Iceland, Landmannalaugar and Thorsmцrk
Cultural and Environmental Experience
Location: Siglufjцrрur (North of Iceland)
Project description: The volunteer will be helping the local community in Siglufjцrрur to prepare and organize an international
folksong festival which will take place in the first weekend of July. After that the volunteer will work with the Environmental department of the town.
Work:
- Prepare an International folksong festival
- Helping the Environmental department of the town with their tasks
- Volunteering in the Herring museum, which is one of the most interesting museums in Iceland.
- Helping to prepare and participate in two WF Iceland workcamps in Siglufjцrрur this summer.
Location: Siglufjцrрur is the northernmost town in Iceland, located at the foot
of towering mountains on the shore of a small fjord bearing the same name. Fishing and the
processing of marine products provide the principal source of employment for the town's 1600
residents, as the settlement has developed around one of the country's best natural harbours.
Few towns in Iceland can match the dramatic history of Siglufjцrрur. As the fortunes
of fisheries and the businesses in fisheries alternately soared and plunged, the town became
famous or forgotten almost overnight. At the beginning of the 20th century this was a tiny,
half-Norwegian village, which then grew so rapidly that by the middle of the century
Siglufjцrрur was one of the largest towns in Iceland. There are
still a number of reminders that for a long time this was the capital of the
herring fishery in the North Atlantic. We can get acquainted with the fantastic
history of the herring fishery in Iceland at the Herring Era Museum, the only
one of its kind in the world.
There is plenty of variety in the life of the
town, which includes many sorts of social and cultural activities. Both the
church and music school are centres for musical activities, and sports are
very popular. Football and handball lead the way, as well as skiing; for decades
many of the Icelandic ski champions have come from Siglufjцrрur. The splendour of the mountains and natural beauty are practically an
invitation to all outdoorsmen. Short hiking trails (about 3-4 km in length) lead from the teeming
bird flocks of the waterside some 800-900 metres up to the peaks of the mountains. The most
northerly planted woods in Iceland are found here (and the farthest north on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge).
In 1967 the first major tunnel thoroughfare in Iceland was opened through the mountains bordering
Siglufjцrрur, putting an end to the town's traditional isolation during the winter
months. The road leading to Siglufjцrрur ends upon reaching the town. Following this
single route out of the town will eventually - by taking enough twists and turns - lead to
everywhere else in the world (so that by reversing the picture we can perhaps say that all roads
lead to Siglufjцrрur!).
Number of volunteers: Five volunteers will be working in the project.
Duration: Three Months. The project will start the 20th of June and
will last until the 20th of September.
Requirements:
The highlands of Iceland
Location: Landmannalaugar and Thorsmцrk
Project description: The volunteers will be working with The Iceland Touring Association,
founded in 1927, which is an organization who promotes and organize travelling within the
country. The ITA owns and operates numerous mountain huts where hikers and other travellers can
get a sleeping bag accommodation The ITA also offers a variety of tours all the year round:
Day tours (hiking, cross country skiing or bus tours), weekend tours (Friday evening through
Sunday) and longer tours.
Tasks:
- To help the rangers in Landmannalaugar and Thorsmork with their daily work
- Take care of the protected area
- Helping and participating in two workcamps organized by Wf Iceland in the area
- Give information to the many visitors
Location: The project will take place in two different places and the period will be divided
between the two places: Landmannalaugar and Thorsmцrk. Landmannalaugar is a spectacular
highland paradise with mountains of all colours, the result of intense geothermal activity.
This pearl of the interior is situated in a valley between colourful mountains at the dark
edge of the rhyolite lava field Laugahraun. Many hot and cold springs create a bathing warm
brook, where people bathe.
The surroundings are too colourful and magnificent to describe with
words. The mountains are split with gullies and gorges, one of which,
the Jokulgil, is about 13 km long. Thorsmцrk is one of the most beautiful
places in Iceland, surrounded by natural boundaries like mountains, ice
caps and glacier rivers. For these reasons it has often been difficult
to reach, limiting access to heavy duty four-wheel drive vehicles. The Thorsmцrk area
is bounded by KrossГЎ river to the south, MarkarfljГіt river to the
west, Ljósá river to the north and the ice cap Mýrdalsjökull to the east. Þórsmörk
is an idyllic place of exceptional meteorological conditions hidden in the embrace of glaciers and
mountains. Þórsmörk is a place of breathtaking landscapes
and a fauna of great variety. It is the home of 170 seminiferous plants as well as a variety of
trees, moss and fern. There are several hiking possibilities from the lodges in HГєsadalur.
A short hike leads to interesting caves and the canyon of MarkarfljГіtsgljГєfur.
The peak of ValahnjГєkur offers a magnificent iew and following a path from there a
bridge over Krossá makes it possible to visit the part of Þórsmörk
that lies on the other side of the river. From HГєsadalur it is also possible to
take the beaten path to Landmannalaugar, a treasured place where natural pools offer unique
bathing facilities fed by hot springs. Þórsmörk is a glacial
river valley and is sheltered from three sides by glaciers. It is rich in vegetation. It is one of
Iceland’s most popular hiking and camping areas. Þórsmörk park is a combination
of dark rugged mountains and rich vegetation, set among powerful glacial rivers.
Duration: Three Months
The project will start the 20th of June and will last until the 20th of September.
Number of volunteers: Two volunteers will be working in the project.
Requirements:
Scotland - IVS
-
Scottish Churches House
Theme of the project: Other
Location: Dunblane, Scotland
Work start:
2006-07-01 until 2006-12-14
Application deadline: 2006-06-01
Decision date: 2006-06-15
Total number of volunteers: 2
Project language: English
Local language: English
Scottish Churches House is a small conference centre in central
Scotland used for meetings and retreats. It is looking for 2 female
volunteers to help run events and help maintain the building and gardens.
Scottish Churches House is a row of converted 18th
century cottages opposite the Cathedral with beautiful gardens and open
spaces with ancient trees. The House is well situated in the centre
of Dunblane for shops and there are many lovely walks which start at
the Cathedral. Dunblane, which is a city of 6,000 inhabitants, is centrally
situated in Scotland and offers easy access by train to Edinburgh, Glasgow
and the Highlands. Scottish Churches House has a small staff of nine, four
full time and five part time.
Work: It is hoped 2 long term volunteers of the same
gender will help the team in the kitchen and dining room; help with
cleaning and preparation of bedrooms and meeting rooms and some decorating
and gardening. Volunteers will also work on reception greeting guests;
assist the wardens in the running of some of the events in the House,
e.g. senior citizens’ weeks,
walking weeks; and join in the work camp in the summer. 40 hours per
week; two days off per week, which may or may not Saturday and Sunday;
two days holiday per month.
Qualifications: Reasonable proficiency
in English and reasonable confidence in relating to and communicating
with people is required. Flexibility and willingness to work and experience
or skill in do-it-yourself tasks, including gardening, painting and
decorating also required. Volunteers must be willing to share living
accommodation (separate bedrooms) and work closely with another volunteer,
probably from another country. Although Christian faith is not a requirement,
it would be welcome. Openness to people of different faiths and commitments
is necessary, since such openness and search is part of the purpose
and witness of Scottish Churches House.
Accommodation: The volunteers will normally
have meals with groups using the House. When there are no guests, food
will be provided and the volunteers will be responsible for their own
cooking. The two volunteers will occupy a small wing of the main House.
Each will have his/her own bedroom with a shared common room and toilet/shower
room.
Pocket money: Ł30.00 per week.
Length: Starting July 2006. Length of stay, 6 months to one year.
Switzerland - SCI
Gruebisbalm Community, Vitznau
Abbaye de Fontaine-André
Gruebisbalm Community, Vitznau
Theme of the project: Environment
Name: Gruebisbalm Community
Location: near Vitznau (Canton of Lucerne), isolated area in the mountains
Work start:
2006-09-01 2006-12-21
Application deadline: 2006-08-15
Decision date: 2006-08-15
Total number of volunteers: 1
Project language: English
Local language: German
The ”Gruebisbalm” Community has been running the
organic farm, located on a beautiful spot above the lake ”Vierwaldstättersee”,
for years. ”Gruebisbalm” is a remote place, not accessible by car,
but only by a small railway. The lively community, consisting of six to eight
people, shares a detached old farmhouse and offers people in need a place and
chance to share life an work in a natural surrounding. There is also cultural
exchange taking place on the farm, different workshops are hold in the community’s
own hall.
Work: (according to the season) organic gardening
and building and construction work, plus work in the forest and general farming
(cows, chicken, etc.) and housework
Requirements: Willing to live and work with people in difficult
living situations, willing to work hard.
Period: preferably for spring and summer
but a 3 month stay is also possible
Food: provided
Accommodation: private room,
shared bathroom and showers.
Insurance: SCI insurance
Pocket money: 175 Swiss
Francs per month.
Other: Alcohol and drug free community
Abbaye de Fontaine-André
Theme of the project: Ideology and spirituality
Location: Neuchâtel
Work start: 2006-08-01 Work ends: 2006-12-21
Application deadline: 2006-06-16 Decision date: 2006-06-16
Total number of volunteers: 1
Project language: French and/or German
Local language: French
Short description: The Abbaye de Fontaine-André is
a course and guesthouse. The Abbaye has its own farm and is located
in a beautiful area above the lake of Neuchâtel. From here,
you have a great view of the lake and the mountains (the Alps). The
Abbaye can be reached from the center of Neuchâtel: 10 min
bus ride plus a 15 min walk through the forest. Around 12 people
(between 3 and 70 years old) live and work in this open abbey.
Work: Help in the kitchen, household (providing
for guests), farming and gardening. 6.5 hours of work per day
on 5 days a week.
Requirements: Basic French (Swiss German is
predominantly spoken in the Abbaye); self-reliant worker, be
prepared to live as part of the community, a balance between
very busy periods and rest.
Food: provided in the abbaye
Accommodation: Basic single room with shared
bathroom
Insurance: SCI insurance
Pocket money: Swiss Francs 100 (1st month),
150 (2nd) and 200 (3rd).
Period: Minimum 3 months, longer stay is
welcomed, up to 6 months.