Bona Fides Association and EstYES are looking for Polish volunteers to join their European Voluntary Service project in Estonia. To apply please fill the application form and send it to the following emails: mariachiara@bonafides.pl, k.zychowicz@bonafides.pl and evs@estyes.ee. Please, write in the title ”EVS in Laulasmaa – application”, “EVS in Loitsu Kindergarten in Tallinn – application” or “EVS in Uuemõisa Kodu– application” depending on the project selected.
Laulasmaa School
- Location: Laulasmaa, Estonia
- Deadline: 09/08/2019
- Duration: 12 months
- Mobility period: 04/09/2019 – 03/09/2020
Loitsu Kindergarten in Tallinn
- Location: Tallinn, Estonia
- Deadline: 07/08/2019
- Duration: 12 months
- Mobility period: 04/09/2019 – 03/09/2020
Uuemõisa Kodu
- Location: Uuemõisa, Estonia
- Deadline: 19/08/2019
- Duration: 12 months
- Mobility period: 04/09/2019 – 03/09/2020
Application form:Application-for-Volunteering-in-Estonia
Laulasmaa School
- Location: Laulasmaa, Estonia
- Duration: 12 months
- Mobility period: 04/09/2019 – 03/09/2020
About the hosting organisation
Laulasmaa School is a kindergarten-basic school consisting of three kindergartens and three school buildings. 2017 the Schools of Klooga and Lehola with kindergartens joined the School of Laulasmaa with the kindergarten. Laulasmaa school and kindergarden is the biggest of three. There are 280 pupils and 85 employees. Laulasmaa school and kindergarten grows fast with every year. We have classes from 1. until 9. class. In the kindergarden there are 126 children in the age of one to six. Lehola and Klooga are smaller, both including about 60 pupils. In addition about 50 children in both kindergartens. Laulasmaa School has developed its strong face for 11 years. We stand for the preservation and development of the Estonian nation, language and culture. In kindergarten and school we pay great attention to Estonian language and culture studies. In addition to traditional (subject) lessons, learning takes place through folklore, craft, art and folk dance classes, hobby classes, folklore and song choirs, laptops, piano and other musical lessons, contests and other celebrations and projects. Our children and students have also participated in major folk parties such as the youth song and dance festival.
The teaching and upbringing of Laulasmaa School also draws attention to the cultures of different peoples of the world. Learning is done through global education and international projects, language week and other activities. Additional lessons are given to history and foreign languages. Learning an A foreign language (English) begins in Second Grade and learning a B foreign language (Russian) in Fifth Grade.
We have several international cooperation projects.
In order to support entrepreneurship, digital and technology competence, Laulasmaa School provides additional lessons for mathematics, entrepreneurship education and career education, informatics lessons, robotics lessons and IT-lessons. These measures give our students better knowledge how to use information technology tools. We are in close co-operation with HITSA Foundation to complement our digital equipment park and train teachers. Our students have successfully participated in the Robotics (Junior) First Lego League and Robotex.
Context
Laulasmaa is a village in West Harju County on the shore of Lahepere Bay. The village has gotten its name after its sand that has been mentioned to sing („laulma“) under the foot. The village was first mentioned during the Swedish time in Estonia (Laulasmeh). There are about 700 residents living in Laulasmaa. Laulasmaa School is near to a Laulasmaa Beach. The beach is just 5 minutes of walking from school. We are surrounded by a beautiful pine forests. In a walking range of our school there are Laulasmaa SPA with saunas and pools, hiking trails, disc-golf trail and Arvo Pärt music Enter .
Proposed Activities for the Volunteer
- Laulasmaa School knows that non-formal learning is also important. During breaks, we try to offer children a variety of activities. For example, every Wednesday there is a disco – children dance, move and it promotes health. We have outdoor breaks, where children plays outside. We would like to bring more youth work and non formal learning to our school.
- At the end of school day we have after-school program for younger children, (where they can do their homework, play or do art). In addition wide range of hobby lessons for children. The activities are different – for example glass, wood or technology hobby lessons. There have been different workshops in our school and we are always ready to learn new skills, that can help children in the future.
- There are thematic weeks and other activities to value healthy lifestyles. Every year in April, we celebrate the World Health Day, focusing on various health topics. For Laulasmaa School it is important that children and our staff take care about they health. So we have different various activities for that as lectures for parents and teachers, orientation, sport games, out door activities etc.
- Presenting volunteer´s homeland culture;
- Practising English/German/Russian/or some other language with pupils or teachers/parents in hobby groups;
- Organize or help to organize school events such as world-education week, Valentine´s day, Christmas celebrations etc;
- Help at study visits and excursions;
- Help to guide the after-school program;
- Organising hobby group according to the volunteer´s talents (for example art, music, sport etc).
Profile of the Volunteer
We will be pleased to get applications from anyone who is:
– ready to work with children and have enough patience;
– willing to be involved in youth work and youth activities;
– friendly and open-minded;
– aged between 18 and 30 years;
– optimistic and cheerful.
Working experience is not required. Most importantly the volunteer should be ready to work with children and have optimistic, tolerant and cheerful nature. All sorts of artistic, musical, pedagogical or sports related skills are welcome as they can be implemented educational and extracurricular activities of the school.
Pictures: instagram- laulasmaakool
Loitsu Kindergarten in Tallinn
- Location: Tallinn, Estonia
- Duration: 12 months
- Mobility period: 04/09/2019 – 03/09/2020
Organisation description
Loitsu Kindergarten in Tallinn is located in the capital city of Estonia – Tallinn.
Loitsu Kindergarten is meant for preschool children to provide basic education and day-care. Kindergarten will assist children’s family to support youngsters’ growth, progress, knowledge gathering and kids’ individual identity.
Loitsu Kindergarten in Tallinn is multicultural. We are dedicated to teach Estonian language to Estonian children as well as children from other nationalities. Studying and teaching is held in a playful way. We also arrange educational outdoor trips.
We encourage healthy lifestyle among children and their families with many other Estonian kindergartens. In our house, we have swimming pool where we teach children to swim and we also arrange musical education, singing etc.
Children can take part in different activities in our kindergarten. We offer sport related activities, dance lessons, art classes, possibility to learn English and Estonian.
We have 11 different groups in our kindergarten. Three of them are nursery groups (children up to age 3), 2 mixed groups (children of different ages) and 6 groups for children in similar ages (children whose age is between 3 and 6).
In every group we have three staff members/employees. In most of our groups there are two teachers and one assistant. In nursery groups we have one teacher, one support teacher and one assistant. All together we have 40 employees (teachers, support teachers, assistants, speech therapist, management members and cleaner). People in our institution are very innovative and friendly.
The Kindergarten is open from 6:30 to 18:30 on weekdays. The day in Kindergarten is following:
- 6:30 children come to kindergarten,free time, games, teacher assigned activities
- 8:35 breakfast
- 9:05 lessons, musical or sport activities, swimming, outdoor learning, games, walks
- 12:30 lunch
- 13:15-14:45 reading a book for children, sleep
- 15:00 free time, games or teacher assigned activities
- 15:45 evening snack
- 16:15-18:30 free time, games, teacher assigned activities/children going home
We are doing a lot of cooperation with many other kindergartens and institutions to give interesting skills and knowledge to our children. Many exciting events are taking place. We write, initiate and take part of different cooperation projects.
We study a lot while being outdoors and in the wild.
We have interesting and fun events from which other kindergartens can also take part in
Our rooms are children friendly, safe and will support the growth of the children.
Our children also have an opportunity to perform outside of kindergarten.
Every year we hold a Kindergartens Day of Athletics in Lasnamäe Kergejõustikuhall (Lasnamäe Athletics hall)
Our kindergarten became 35 years old in March.
Project context
Loitsu Kindergarten is located in the capital city of Estonia – Tallinn. People in Tallinn are very friendly. Main languages spoken here are Estonian and Russian. Most of the younger generation can also speak English.
Close to our kindergarten are many shopping centres, Lindakivi Cultural Center, jogging trails. It is three minute walk to a MyFitness where there are different sporting possibilities (gym, group training etc.). Tallinn Song Festival Ground (3 km), city centre (6 km), Kadriorg park (5 km) and many other interesting places are quite close. Public transportation is very good.
Proposed activities
We are searching for volunteer who is active, creative and who really likes children.
Volunteer will have the chance to get to know and take part in kindergarten everyday work and projects. The main tasks for the volunteers is to instruct children, help children if needed, play with children and help with organizing events. It is good opportunity for the volunteer to study Estonian language. Especially because we offer education in Estonian to children whose mother tongue is not Estonian. One of the very good parts of this programme is the possibility to find out a lot about the Estonian culture and manners.
Because we have many children, employees and parents in our kindergarten whose mother tongue is Russian then it would be very positive if volunteer could speak Russian (in addition to English). Russian language skills are not a must.
Profile of Volunteer and Recruitment Process
The selection process will be carried out by our kindergarten in cooperation with our coordinating organisation MTÜ Noortevahetuse Arengu Ühing EstYES.
We will be pleased to get applications for participation from anyone who:
- wants to work with children from ages 5-7
- is active, creative and who really likes children.
- is between ages 18-30
- is prepared physically and mentally to work with children at the ages 5-7
- is prepared to communicate children with different cultural backgrounds.
- it is very positive if volunteer can speak Russian (in addition to English).
Support
Accommodation will be arranged by coordinating organisation MTÜ EstYES. Volunteer will be placed in flat that correspond to normal Estonian living standards. Volunteer will have either single or double room and common rooms: equipped kitchen, WC, shower/bathroom and living room. Normally in Tallinn volunteers share a flat with other international volunteers and use local city transport to go to work. Volunteer will be provided with monthly pocket and food money and they will buy and prepare their own meals. In kindergarten they will also have the opportunity to eat on working days.
Loitsu kindergarten will give the volunteer the opportunity to learn Estonian language, because we offer education in Estonian to children whose mother tongue is not Estonian. One of the very good parts of this programme is the possibility to find out a lot about the Estonian culture and manners.
Risk Prevention, Protection and Safety
Tallinn Loitsu Kindergarten ensure: that the volunteer work is safe and been assessed for risk; that every effort is made that project meets high health and safety standards; that the volunteer is trained and familiar with the volunteering work and have access to adequate safety equipment if needed; that the volunteer will get all the practical and psychological support from the staff. Problems and Conflicts would be avoided and/or solved using continuous communication and listening to all parties.
More information: http://www.tallinn.ee/est/loitsu-lasteaed/
Uuemõisa Kodu
- Location: Uuemõisa, Estonia
- Duration: 12 months
- Mobility period: 04/09/2019 – 03/09/2020
Organization description
Uuemõisa Kodu is a home for 71 adults with special needs of mental and physical disabilities. 12 of them have multiple and heavy mental and/or physical disabilities. There are men and women aged 20-75 years. The total number of staff is 25 – 23 of them are activity coordinators, 2 of them are coordinating cooking. In addition, there are 1 teamwork manager and 1 client work manager to guide activity coordinators everyday work and activities in Uuemõisa Kodu. All workers have received special training and are well experienced, many of us have worked with our clients for more than 5 years.
Every day we work for one goal- that people who live with us should have active and positive day no matter of their age, gender or disability. We are also very active in sports like walking, games, dancing, singing and activities like art and handicraft. In the spring and summer we have a greenhouse and we teach our clients how to plant and take care for nature. Mostly we plant herbs, tomatoes and cucumbers. We think that being in contact with nature is very important for our clients. In addition we have sheeps and lambs in our Home from spring to autumn.
We have also a protected working day centre to help to shape our clients working skills and to give them opportunity to acquire a working experience in the first place. There our clients practice pottery, handiwork and also knitting on handlooms.
Project context
Uuemõisa Kodu is located in Uuemõisa just in walking distance of Haapsalu city, which is known as a resort town and is famous for its mud therapy. The overall impression is the mosaic of the landscape here, with dark green forests, alternates with fields, meadows and big hills. Uuemõisa itself is a small part of Haapsalu city and is located in western Estonia in southern coast of the Gulf of Haapsalu. There lives approximately 13 500 citizens.
All services and institutions necessary for everyday life are nearby- there are shopping centres, multiple food stores, library, cultural house, where will be carried out different events (cinema, theatre and local gatherings) and also different spas and of course the beaches and swimming opportunities in the Gulf of Haapsalu. You also may find beautiful parks and many hiking trails in there and of course the opportunities to take part in different community activities and national celebrations like Jaanipäev. You can’t forget also the beautiful Haapsalu Castle and the legend of the White Lady, who is seen only in the full moon nights in August.
The next bigger cities are Pärnu and Tallinn (about 100 km, you can drive either by bus or car there). We cannot forget also the islands of Estonia – Vormsi, Hiiumaa, Saaremaa. Vormsi and Hiiumaa, which could be visited by ferry from harbour of Rohuküla, which is 9km from Haapsalu city. You can also make a trip from Hiiumaa island to Saaremaa island by ferry and go forward to mainland again and make a trip through Pärnu – the summer capital of Estonia. The prices of transportation and accommodation in Estonia are very reasonable and its nature is breath-taking and worth seeing.
Proposed Activities
The volunteer(s) will have an opportunity to gather different knowledges and skills in working with disabled people. It also grows motivation, initiative and broadens the mind. Volunteering will also give an opportunity to get to know different culture and teaches how to communicate with people with disabilities.
The working time will be around 30-35 hours a week. Volunteer will have 2 days off per week either during week or at the weekends, it is negotiable with the volunteer. Work will be done Under supervision and with support of staff.
The activities are very flexible considering individuality of volunteers. There is an opportunity to deal with a client one by one, or in a group. The volunteer has the opportunity to propose and carry out different activities.
An example of a volunteer day at Uuemõisa Kodu:
Morning:
- Morning gymnastics with clients
- Helping activity coordinators and cooking assistants in their work assignments
- Sending clients to work and assisting instructing them in their work assignments or household work with clients who doesn’t have a job
Lunch:
- If necessary supervising and instructing clients in preparation of lunch
- Eating lunch with clients and other workers
- Cleaning and other housework
- Sending clients to shops library and other community services
- Board games and handicraft with clients
Afternoon:
- Supervising and instructing clients in preparation of dinner
- Eating dinner with clients and other workers
- Meeting with activity coordinators – conclusion of the day and discussion about plans of tomorrow
- Free time
Profile of Volunteer and Recruitment Process
We expect that the volunteer is committed to the project, is mature, independent and active, willing to learn and willing to be open-minded. Also, active to support our clients in everyday activities , working activities, hobbies and also to be ready to give suggestions to improvement of our service. Some experience in work with people with special needs would be advantage. Positive way of life, friendliness and sociability are the characteristics that describe a successful volunteer candidate. We also expect the candidate to be reliable, responsible and taking initiative. We would prefer volunteer being not under 18 years of age.
Support
All our volunteers are instructed and supervised by our teamwork and client work managers before working with our clients. Twice a week volunteer will have meetings with our tutor and other activity coordinators to discuss volunteer’s work and to make suggestions and observations how to improve it. It is also a perfect time to help volunteer to reflect his/hers work, achievements and thoughts about volunteering. Meeting will support volunteer in Youthpass process and evolve in everyday work.
The volunteer will be accommodated by the coordinating organization. There is possibility to live in flats in Haapsalu and we will help coordinating organization in finding them. Transportation and other possible support for living in community can be negotiated with the host. Uuemõisa Kodu has 3 electric cars which can be used for transportation with activity coordinator when possible and we can offer lunch and dinner in Uuemõisa Kodu with our clients and activity coordinators.
Haapsalu city is in walking distance from Uuemõisa Kodu and it has perfect public transportation with other cities (like Pärnu and Tallinn). Also coordinating organization will find a mentor to help resolve different problems which might emerge and a teacher to help study Estonian. Before coming to the service, coordination organisation recommend the volunteers to start learning Basic Estonian by offering them different options for this:
http://www.loecsen.com/travel/0-en-67-2-21-free-lessons-estonian.html http://www.innove.ee/en/language-examination/keeleklikk http://www.surfacelanguages.com/language/Estonian http://www.livemocha.com/learn-estonian/aprender-estonio http://www..digitaldialects.com/Estonian.htm http://mylanguages.org/learn_estonian.php
http://en.eki.ee/index.php – Eesti Keele Instituut web page where you can find Estonian Explanatory Dictionary, Estonian-English and Estonian-Russian dictionary and Estonian language rules.
Risk Prevention, protection and safety
- The volunteer´s work is safe and has been assessed for risk by Hoolekandeteenused AS;
- Every effort is made that Project meets high health and safety standards;
- The volunteer is pretrained and familiar with the volunteering work and have access to adequate safety equipment;
- All staff in Uuemõisa Home have been informed and guided about tasks of volunteer;
- The volunteer will have the supervisor who will guide him and with whom he works.
Mentor and tutor shall offer psychological support to the volunteer. The volunteer is also always welcome to turn to the tutor, mentor and sending organisation if necessary. Communication is the key to solve the problems that may occur. Volunteers are covered by insurance plan, which covers possible medical expenses and help to solve health-related issues during their volunteering service.
More information: http://www.visithaapsalu.com/