HUJ Koriun 19A, Yerevan, VOLUNTARY SERVICE Armenia, 0009 OF ARMENIA Tel: +37410 522788 +37410 522701 Fax: +37410 522772 www.huj.am huj@arminco.com EVS Project Arbes Day Care center Duration: 6-9 months Local community ArBeS Day Care Center is situated in Yerevan, capital of Armenia. It is an institution for children with special needs. The main activity of the center is directed to the rehabilitation of the children with developmental delay such as cerebral palsy, autism, disturbance of awareness and language, behavioral problems. It will be a pre-school education for children with different mental and physical disorders. It is very important to define the individual needs of those children and give them a possibility to realize their potential as full as it is possible. The children, who are being backward in physical, social and language development, are in need of proper organized system of treatment and education for improving their skills in self-care and independence in every day activities. Objectives and motivation The main aim of the project is to work with children with different disorders, to help teachers and psychologists in their work and help them to participate in different activities. The volunteer will be involved in all programs and will be encouraged to propose his/her own ideas and suggestions. The volunteer will live and work with the local community. Apart from working with the children, he/she will have the possibility to spend his/her free time with them and to learn a lot about Armenia. The volunteer will be involved in discussions and seminars about the future of the children, researches about the diseases and new methods of treatments and will be able to share his/her opinion on the situation. It s preferable the volunteer to have concrete interest, for example, in drawing, dancing, handicrafts, music, teaching skills to be able to organize teaching and playing groups. He/She can help in group life of children, in organizing games and parties. The volunteer must follow the methods used in the Day Care Center and will have a training and seminar before the start of his work organized by the staff and the parents of the center. Different educational games will be organized as well as physical training. The children can hear another language and learn about the volunteer s culture which will be a great learning opportunity for them. Volunteer tasks The volunteer will participate in most activities with the children and have a variety of different tasks: The volunteer will have the opportunity to participate in handicrafts lessons and to support the staff in organizing these activities (painting, sculpturing, handicrafts, sewing etc.) He/she will support the children to be more active and independent in decision-making, he/she will organize group and leisure time activities with the children groups.. The volunteer will try to become a friend for children and be ready to help with an advice or a talk The volunteer will learn about our cultures and traditions, and will learn our language. The volunteer can have the following tasks: playing with the children social activities, group games etc. excursions and outdoor activities the volunteer will have the task to help organizing a big exhibition of the art works of the children on different topics.
Support and training will be provided by the staff of the organization and by the community. The volunteer will be invited to social events and will be supported in learning and practicing basic Armenian language. The volunteer will be encouraged to present a personal project which he/she could carry out with the children, depending on their skills and interests. The volunteer will work 5 days per week (5 hours per day) and will have weekends off Recruitment There are no gender, age and other requirements for the selection/recruitment of volunteers. The volunteer should be interested or have some experience in working with children with special needs and disorders; he/she should be kind, communicative and reliable. The volunteer should be active, energetic, creative, taking initiatives and the main he should love children and get pleasure of communicating with them. Practical arrangements for the volunteer Accommodation: During her/his voluntary service the volunteer will live in a guesthouse of the Center. All facilities will be provided. Food: The volunteer will be able to prepare his/her own meals. Language training: The language training will be provided by a language teacher 2 times per week. Training and support: There will be specialists and psychologists who ll provide training and support to the volunteers in working with the children. Training on educational programs is foreseen as well. The mentor will meet regularly with the volunteer to check on his/her progress and help solve any problems. They will also ensure ongoing support for the volunteer. Volunteers will be given any training necessary for them to carry out their tasks. Efforts will be made to help the volunteer integrate into the local community. Volunteers will attend the on-arrival training organised by the host organisation as well as organised mid-term meetings. During the week-ends the volunteer will have an opportunity to visit different historical places; there will be excursions to different ancient places of Armenia, to introduce him/her to the culture and traditions of Armenia. In addition the volunteer will visit Armenian families and birthdays and enjoy our hospitality, which will help them to be closer to Armenian history and culture. They will taste all kinds of Armenian traditional food and drinks, such as dolma, kabab, khorovats (barbecue), Armenian wines and brandy, incomparable fruits of Ararat Valley several sorts of apricot, grape, peach, apple, berries and a big assortment of vegetables.
HUJ Koriun 19A, Yerevan, VOLUNTARY SERVICE Armenia, 0009 OF ARMENIA Tel: +37410 522788 +37410 522701 Fax: +37410 522772 www.huj.am huj@arminco.com EVS Project Zatik orphanage Duration: 6-9 months Zatik Orphanage The idea to establish Zatik orphanage was presented to the Ministry of Culture and Education and other governmental groups who provided a building, which needed general renovation. Zatik was established on 1 September 1993 with 16 to 25 children in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. However, the children found a home filled with love and care; although many doors were knocked upon for food. Today, Zatik still faces many problems. Besides the daily physical needs, main concern is for the future of these children. One of the major goals to enable them to find an identity and a position in the changing Armenian society. Zatik has 100 children aged from 3-17. Local community The orphanage Zatik is located in Yerevan. There are 100 children living at the orphanage Care, who study at different schools of the city. These children have lost their parents. Objectives and motivation The main aim of the project is the work with children-orphans, to provide educational activities and to prepare them for an independent life. Involving international volunteers will be a great opportunity for this project as the children will learn about the culture and traditions of foreign countries. The presence of an international volunteer will enrich the program offered to the orphans. The discussions with the children on different subjects will be more interesting in getting to know other beliefs and points of view. Orphans more than other children need care, help and education, to become good members of society in future. The volunteer together with the educators will be involved in the organization of different cultural programs, where children will learn to paint, sculpture, sing and dance; they will also learn some basic abilities in theatre, art and pantomime. The possibility to organize a big performance with the children is also foreseen. The decorations and text will be prepared by the volunteer with the help of the children. Also, depending on the abilities, knowledge and fantasy of the volunteer, he/she will be able to offer different games and courses to the children. Volunteer tasks The children are divided into 3 age groups. In each group different tasks will be carried out by the volunteers as follows: The volunteer will work mainly with children aged 5 to 15 years. He/she will assist in offering workshops and leisure time activities to the children, where they can draw, sculpture, learn different national and foreign songs, games, disco dancing, etc. In addition, the volunteer is encouraged to propose activities according to his/her own interests and skills. The volunteer will support the children and they will support him/her which will give them the sense of being needed. The volunteer will participate in and organize meetings and educational games, using his/her own experience and ways of working in his/her country.
He/she will introduce his/her traditions, customs and culture which will make children to easier understand foreign society and life style. He/she will be invited to organize a big performance and exhibition with songs and dances of his/her country of origin. The volunteer will spend his/her time with these children which will give him/her possibility to understand and to learn about Armenia, traditions, history and our language The volunteer will work 5 days per week. 2-3 times a week the volunteer will visit the HUJ office, where he/she will have a possibility to take part in HUJ work and to practice Armenian language. During the week-ends the volunteer will have an opportunity to visit different historical places; there will be excursions to different ancient places of Armenia and invitation to Armenian families, to get to know the culture and traditions of Armenia. Recruitment There are no gender, age and other requirements. The volunteer should be interested or have some experience in working with children, he/she should be kind, reliable and communicative. Practical arrangements for the volunteer Accommodation: During the voluntary service the volunteer will live in Zatik orphanage. All facilities will be provided. Volunteer will have his/her own room where he/she will be provided with beds, sheets and linen. Food: The volunteer will have his own meals in the orphanage together with the orphanage staff. Language training: The language training will be provided by a language teacher 2 times per week. Training and support: Specialists and psychologists will provide training and support for the work with children. Volunteers will be invited to take part in training programs. HUJ as host coordinating organization will provide on-going support and invite the volunteer to some of their activities and meetings with other volunteers.
HUJ Koriun 19A, Yerevan, VOLUNTARY SERVICE Armenia, 0009 OF ARMENIA Tel: +37410 522788 +37410 522701 Fax: +37410 522772 www.huj.am huj@arminco.com EVS Project Rehabilitation Center Duration: 6-9 months Rehabilitation center Yerevan Rehabilitation Center is specially opened for Children with motor-system infringement and cardiac-vascular system illnesses. Founded in 1991 it is the only specialized clinic in Armenia, providing stationary and ambulatory service. The Center is equipped with up-to-date medical equipment. Local community The Rehabilitation Center is situated in a former governmental villa, which is not far from the center of Yerevan, close to an artificial Yerevan lake on a hill, which leads to a picturesque canyon dividing the city into 2 parts. For the past 9 years Yerevan Rehabilitation Center has hosted international work camps organized by HUJ. This camp has become a tradition and from year to year the number of volunteers is increasing. Volunteers, who help them, come from different countries and bring along lots of ideas, spirit, love, happiness, warmth, kindness and make the stay of the children in this Rehabilitation Center a great holiday. The presence of international volunteers is also a great support for the staff of the camp. Objectives and motivation The main aim of the project is to work with disabled children, to educate and train them and to make them feel equal members of society. The volunteer will be involved in all programs and will be encouraged to propose his/her own ideas and suggestions. The volunteer will live and work with the local community. Apart from working with the children, he/she will have the possibility to spend his/her free time with them and to learn a lot about Armenia. The volunteer will be involved in discussions and seminars about the future of the children and will be able to share his/her opinion on the situation. There are about 50 children in the Rehabilitation Center with motor-system infringement and cardiacvascular system illnesses. 30 staff people work directly with these children. With the help of the volunteer they will be able to organize more workshops, in which the children according to their health can draw, sculpture, sing and dance. Volunteer tasks The volunteer will participate in most activities with the children and have a variety of different tasks: The volunteer will have the opportunity to participate in all arts workshops and to support the staff in organizing these activities (painting, sculpturing, handicrafts, etc.) He/she will support the children to be more active and independent in decision-making, he/she will organize group and leisure time activities with the children groups. He/she will establish social contact with individual children and their parents by chats and games. He/she will present his/her country and culture to the children The volunteer will work directly with children in different areas concerning daily life The volunteer will learn about our cultures and traditions, and will learn our language. According to his/her interest and priorities the volunteer can also work in the integrational kindergarten of the Rehabilitation Center, where volunteers are needed as well. There his/her tasks will be:
playing with the children social activities, group games etc. excursions and outdoor activities the volunteer will have the task to help organizing a big exhibition of the art works of the children on different topics (the vision of the future, their country etc.) Support and training will be provided by the staff of the organization and by the community. The volunteer will be invited to social events and will be supported in learning and practicing basic Armenian or Russian language, according to his/her wish. The volunteer will be encouraged to present a personal project which he/she could carry out with the children, depending on their skills and interests. The volunteer will work 5 days per week (approx. 30 hours) and will have weekends off. Recruitment There are no gender, age and other requirements for the selection/recruitment of volunteers. The volunteer should be interested or have some experience in working with children; he/she should be kind, communicative and reliable. Practical arrangements for the volunteer Accommodation: During his/her voluntary service the volunteer will live at the Rehabilitation Center. All facilities will be provided. The volunteer will have his/her own room where he/she will be provided with beds, sheets and linen. Food: The volunteer will be able to prepare his/her own meals. Language training: The language training will be provided by a language teacher 2 times per week. Training and support: There will be specialists and psychologists who ll provide training and support to the volunteers in working with the children. Training on educational programs are foreseen as well. During the week-ends the volunteer will have an opportunity to visit different historical places; there will be excursions to different ancient places of Armenia, to introduce him/her to the culture and traditions of Armenia. In addition the volunteer will visit Armenian families and birthdays and enjoy our hospitality, which will help them to be closer to Armenian history and culture.
HUJ Koriun 19A, Yerevan, VOLUNTARY SERVICE Armenia, 0009 OF ARMENIA Tel: +37410 522788 +37410 522701 Fax: +37410 522772 www.huj.am huj@arminco.com EVS Project Armenia Tree project Duration: 6-9 months Local community Armenia Tree Project Based in Watertown and Yerevan, ATP conducts vitally important environmental projects in Armenia s impoverished and deforested zones and seeks support in advancing its reforestation mission. Since 1994, ATP has made enormous strides in combating desertification in the biologically diverse but threatened Caucasus region. Over 1,250,000 trees have been planted and restored, and hundreds of jobs have been created for Armenians in seasonal tree-regeneration programs. ATP works to further Armenia s economic and social development by mobilizing resources to fund reforestation. These vital new trees provide food, wood, environmental benefits, and opportunities for economic growth. Our goal is to assist the Armenian people in using trees to improve their standard of living and protect the global environment. In so doing, we are guided by the need to promote self-sufficiency, aid those with the fewest resources first, and conserve the indigenous ecosystem. What we do: Community Tree Planting and Rural Reforestation Armenia s estimated forest cover is less than 8 percent of its territory, a dramatic decrease from a healthy 25 percent forest cover at the turn of the 20th century. ATP is working to reverse deforestation by implementing programs to restore degraded and lost forest areas. In addition, ATP helps to revitalize urban and rural communities, by working in partnership with residents to plant trees at parks, public institutions and other sites throughout Armenia that have been severely depleted of greenery. Community Development and Poverty Reduction Armenia s ecosystem is in grave jeopardy. Currently 70 percent of cut timber is used for heating purposes due to unavailability of alternate fuel sources. If this trend continues, Armenia will turn into a desert wasteland in an estimated 20 years. In response, ATP combines reforestation with locally based poverty reduction efforts in order to protect existing resources and investments in the future. Environmental Education and Advocacy By actively engaging youth and the general public in a process to better understand and appreciate the value of a healthy and sustainable environment, ATP seeks to protect the trees we plant today from future exploitation. The public school system in Armenia does not have an environmental education component in its curriculum, so ATP designed a curriculum that will be introduced to the Ministry of Education for consideration as a mandatory teaching tool for primary through secondary school students.
Objectives and motivation The main aim of the project is to work in Armenia Tree project office, helping them in all their projects. The volunteer will be involved in all programs and will be encouraged to propose his/her own ideas and suggestions. Apart from working with the ecology, he/she will have the possibility to spend time with schoolchildren and students organizing workshops about environmental education and necessity of the environment. Volunteer tasks The volunteer will participate in most activities organized by the office: The volunteer will have the opportunity to participate in all workshops and to support the staff in organizing these activities (in schools, universities etc.) He/she will establish social contact with individual children and their parents by chats and games. The volunteer will work directly with children in different areas concerning daily life The volunteer will learn about our cultures and traditions, and will learn our language. The volunteer will take active part in the following projects: Community Tree Planting and Rural Reforestation Community Development and Poverty Reduction Environmental Education and Advocacy Support and training will be provided by the staff of the organization and by the community. The volunteer will be invited to social events and will be supported in learning and practicing basic Armenian or Russian language, according to his/her wish. The volunteer will be encouraged to present a personal project which he/she could carry out, depending on their skills and interests. The volunteer will work 5 days per week (approx. 30 hours) and will have weekends off. Recruitment There are no gender, age and other requirements for the selection/recruitment of volunteers. The volunteer should be interested or have some experience in working with ecology and environment; he/she should be kind, communicative and reliable. Practical arrangements for the volunteer Accommodation: During the 8-9 months service the volunteer will live in a flat with other EVS volunteers. All facilities will be provided, he/she will be provided with beds, sheets and linen. Food: The volunteer will be able to prepare his/her own meals. Language training: The language training will be provided by a language teacher 2 times per week in HUJ office. Training and support: HUJ as host coordinating organization will provide on-going support and invite the volunteer to some of their activities and meetings with other volunteers. During the week-ends the volunteer will have an opportunity to visit different historical places, to get to know life in Armenian families and to taste all kinds of Armenian traditional food and drinks.