The Bona Fides Association and the Latvian organization “Siguldas Alternativa izglītība ” are looking for the “EVS 4 sustainable life” (Wings of Hopea) project. The Applications (CV and cover letter) should be sent to : mariachiara@bonafides.pl, magdalena@bonafides.pl and info@valdorfabernudarzs.lv. In the title of the email, please write: “EVS in Sigulda, LATVIA (Wings of Hope) – application”
Receiving organization : Siguldas Alternativa izglītība
Location :Sigulda, LATVIA
Deadline : 26/09/2018
Duration : 7-8 months
Mobility period : 1/10/2018 – 27/04/2019 (the detailed dates can be changed but the number of days of the volunteering period stays always the same)
Tasks of the volunteer:
“Wings of Hope” is the non-governmental organization established in 2003 to provide social services for children and young adults with different types of disabilities and to support their families, as well as to promote a positive public attitude towards people with functional disorders. In 2005 WH acquired a public benefit organization status.
Every year more than 70 children with disabilities (and their families) can regularly receive a variety of professional services in WH’s Day-care Center in Sigulda: counseling, babysitting services, therapeutic exercises, speech, art, music, dance and pet therapy, etc.. With the growing demand for social services, in 2013 WH created specialized workshops for persons with mental disorders. There they can develop and improve the necessary basic and social skills by engaging in different workshops – ceramics, candles and soap-making, weaving, leather processing, household activities, etc. In 2015 the organization established its own social enterprise “Pogotava” which is selling a variety of handicrafts made from different materials and with different techniques – leather and felt products, woven mats, hats, scarves, candles etc. Here you can see the products: https://www.facebook.com/Pogotava/, http://www.draugiem.lv/pogot/, http://www.meistardarbs.lv/veikals/16792414. In the daily work and social services of WH are involved more than 20 personal (social workers, caregivers, trainers, therapists, speech therapists, etc.). For more information about WH go here: www.ceribusparni.lv/en (in English).
The main activities or tasks of volunteers are assistance to NGO’s staff in their daily work with the children with disabilities while they are waiting for the procedure of health being (teaching some new skills, painting, hand-crafts etc.). Or assistance to NGO’s staff in their daily work with adults with disabilities (participating in work-shops: art, leather handcrafts, sewing, weaving, and making candles). The youngster can think his own work shop to develop the skills of people with disabilities. The volunteers participate in walking, events organized by NGO’s and can organized their own activity for the organization.
Requirements to youngster: Active, independent, with high level initiative, stress persistence in work with people with disabilities. No previous experience needed but the priority will be given to youngsters who would like to be social workers in the future.
What we can offer: You will be able to choose to work with children or with adults with disabilities. Working in the morning or in the afternoon. You will be able to learn practical things in organization’s workshops, getting experience in social work, participation in seminars organized by NGO.
Accommodation and funding :
Accommodation-rented and well equipped rooms or flat in the city / separate or shared room in a host family (the living space will have the equipment necessary for the coexistence of the volunteer) / youth hostel
Transportation-within the city – by foot or bicycle. Public transport available very often to Rīga, Cēsis
- Transportation from airport at the beginning and to the airport at the end, to Arrival and Midterm training is paid.
- Transportation to other hosting organizations in Latvia is paid 2 times per EVS period.
Pocket money-EUR 90 per month for household, hygiene, medical goods.
Food-150 EUR per month to shop at grocery stores or coffee shops (but no alcohol, cigarettes, household, hygiene or medical goods). The volunteers have to collect recipes for the food and make expenses report every month. It will be possible to have meals (breakfast, tea break and lunch) in some hosting organizations!
Insurance-EVS insurance plan:ttps://www.cignahealthbenefits.com/en/plan-members For European Union citizens with EHIC, the medical expenses will be reimbursed in their home country. We are suggesting checking the possibilities, in order to get reimbursement in your National Health Department before EVS.
Communications – prepaid telephone card with limited amount (for calls in Latvia, Limited Internet)
Free time-EVS volunteers have 2 additional free days per months. In case of infection / health problems, volunteers are allowed to stay 3 days without doctor’s notice. EVS volunteers will be informed about the city (dancing, theater, trekking, music, sports, etc.) See also: http: //tourism.sigulda .lv /
Participants’ profiles :
– be available for the duration of the volunteering period and pre-departure training;
– strong motivation for work in a different area;
– work requires psychological and physical resistance, patience and compassion;
– volunteers must be active, flexible, creative, responsible, with good communication skills, ready for teamwork;
– volunteers must be
– volunteers should be ready for independent life, winter season, open to living for people from different countries.
How to apply :
The Applications (CV and cover letter) should be sent to : mariachiara@bonafides.pl, magdalena@bonafides.pl and info@valdorfabernudarzs.lv no later than August, 25th. In the title of the email, please write: “EVS in Sigulda, LATVIA (Wings of Hope) – application”