Country: Switzerland
Duration time: 13.07.08 - 26.07.08
Code of volunteer program: CH-1.2
Type of work: KIDS

After one-year break, i apply for a few volunteer project abroad. I want to spend my volunteer vacation somewhere on the seaside in Croatia or Greece, but unfortunately there where no more free places in this kind of programs. So i`ve got plan “B” in this case, and continue search for a “tasty” volunteer programs in Switzerland. And i found it.

I am standing in front of passport control in Zurich airport and pretty women asking me about purpose of my trip. I said a password “volunteering” and she stamped my passport, without any questions. The weather was really terrible, and my imagination drawing really frightfully pictures of ghetto with angry emigrants from Muslim countries, but deeply inside believes that i will see another situation. More over i did not see the Alps, cause of clouds and finally it is killing me...

Why this volunteer program:

1. First of all i was really curious about the life in emigrant center, why they are here, what they are expecting from live, and can i try to stay i Switzerland, like they are or not, if I want of course?

2. I love children, and volunteer with kids, for me is fun and not work. I grew up in Transnistria where all my childhood i spend on the street. I have a lot of interesting ideas how to make life better for kids in this center.

3. Volketswil located close to the Zurich, just 10 kilometers on the east, so if in this center I’ll face up with my scary dreams about ghetto, I’ll escape from this place, to my friend who lives in Zumikon...

Volunteers:

In this project I’ve met very interesting people, and first in my life with American citizens. There were wonderful girl from USA Loren. Tishaka (USA) i didn’t understood when she start to talk, Bojana(Serbia) - wonderful and opened girl who lives near Belgrade, Mark(Switzerland) – Mr. “Swiss Clock” as we called him, he would be excellent manager in future, Leticia (Switzerland) – friendly and intelligent girl from France part of Switzerland , Kristina (Slovenia) – Now i know that Slovenia and Slovakia it is not the same, Dimity (Russia) - Me, Imma (Spain) – she was older then everybody in this camp, but her soul still young. Chi Hu (South Korea) – Funny Sleepy girl, her parents is millionaire, Pablo (Campleader) – this is our campleader who is escaped after one week, in another transit center.

Volunteer work:

The theme of this program was “holiday activities with the children, women and men of the center”. In the first day, we have a big sheet of paper and write down our ideas and plans for a future week. All together, we generate so much interesting ideas, and we realized most of them during this volunteer program. This year Summer Olympic Games was in China and we organized for the kids - mini Olympic Games, with different tasks. Close to the center located beautiful forest where we played with kids in “Treasure Hunt” with the main prize at the end of the race. For the adult and kids of this center we organized basic computer courses, which were very popular.

In “Backed Day” children making different forms with dough and after they backed it. In one of the sunny day, we organized painting workshop on the fresh air. Near our center, there were many farms and in one of the day, we visit one of the farms. Where children could feed donkeys and horses. The farmer explain them how they milk cows. In addition, at the end of our farm tour a lot of children rode the donkeys. Finally, our farewell party they will never forget.

Tried out:

Most of all interesting things that I tried out were during my break between first and second camp and in my art volunteer program in Solothurn.

Summary:

Unfortunately, there were two minuses in this camp. First budget per day was 50 Franks, so we can’t buy prizes for some games. Despite of this we spare some money for a farewell party and bought ice cream for our “Ice-cream Day”. The second one that we have to pay for a trip to the Luzern near 150 Franks. In any case i am recommending this project for everybody who is like to volunteer with kids and want to see real life in emigrant center and make own opinion about it.

Country: Switzerland
Duration time: 26.07.08 – 08.08.08
Code of volunteer program: WS09S
Type of work: Art Center, Solothurn

When I saw this art volunteer project in the announced list of programs, I decide that this is perfect match for me. I am creative person and I am working in graphic programs, so I feel inside that this volunteer project would be very interesting for me. I filled application from, placed my photos, and wrote about my skills and success, I’ve got invitation! So if you are designer or painter and you want to spend perfect volunteer summer, this project is definitely for you.

Why this volunteer program:

1. I have a special interest in this program, because I’ve found very interesting guy from Solothurn, who did virtual city of Solothurn. I was curious how he do it, and can i do the same project in my own country? And actually before I came to this city I already knew how the old town of Solothurn city looks.

2. As I wrote bellow I am a web and graphic designer, and opportunity of drawing real pictures on canvases was really exciting for me, because after this we selling our pictures and have an exhibition in Altes Spital.

3. And honestly, I don’t want to work hard on farm or building something as I did it in my previous volunteer projects. Milking cows, or pulling trees somewhere in Alps, just when I imagine this picture it is killing me…

Volunteers:

In this camp there where a lot of volunteers, and most of all there were people from South Korea as I called them Korean Mafia. However, everybody was very positive and friendly, and I am glad that I have met this people.
Min Sun, Lury Lee, Sang Woo, Chin (Campleader) (South Korea), Rico, Daniel (Switzerland), Dimity and Uliana (Russia), Marta (Spain), Bartek (Poland), Akiko and Ajano (Japan), Adelka and Tania (Czech), Cassia (Nederland), Jennifer (USA)

Volunteer work:

During the volunteer project, we worked in cooperative with members of a small union of local artists, who are working in the region of Solothurn. They taught us how to paint on canvas using various techniques. Moreover, after one week of painting we had a great opportunity to share our knowledge with kids from local schools. Some of our pictures we sold out on the traditional Saturday market in the center of the old town Solothurn. More over, we organized exhibition for the local community. I could never imagine that in one day I would participate in such an exhibition. On the exhibitions volunteers made little presentations own countries and read short poem in them native language in guitar accompaniment.

Tried out:

Our volunteer program includes interesting cultural program. We visited the Zurich museum of modern art, tried traditional Swiss dishes, climbed to the top of the hill with unforgettable views on the Alps, and had a night trip to the caves of wishes. Unfortunately, there was no place to experience the nightlife but there were many other alternatives how to spend the evening time.

People in this volunteer project were positive and opened for new ideas! The organizers of this program noticed that this year on the canvas appeared much lighter and bright colors as compared with the previous year.

We stayed in the scout house very close to the place where we worked in Solothurn. One of the great things that exist in that house is a big professional kitchen that allows us to express our imagination not only in the studio but also in cooking national dishes!

Summary:

Remember that most of your time in this volunteer project you will spend with other people. Communication is the main idea of this project. Therefore, you need good knowledge in English, because if your level is low, you will not be able to participate in the camp. It will be quite complicated for you and not so interesting.

I wish you to have you own experience about this volunteer project and expand your vision on art and creativity.

1. Secret friend

Old like a world, but never go out of fashion game - secret friend.
Are you ready feeling yourself like a James Bond and find out who is your secret friend? Spies, checking styles of writing, all that attributes of this game, where is the main aim is find out who is your real secret friend.

1. Write down on the pieces of paper name’s of all participants
2. Put it down in the cap and suggest to participants take out of paper with secret friend’s name
3. The game is started

Now everybody has own secret friend and during all volunteer project you are became a mentor of this person. You should take care of him, write letters or helping in different activities, or you could buy little gifts or candy. Whatever you want.

In Vienna’s project we have big board, where we stuck envelopes marked with names of volunteers. It was kind of mail-service where everybody could send private message to his (her) secret friend. Our envelops saw so much things during they short life, such cane corn, cheese and hum, love messages, chocolate, spam and another unusual and funny stuff…

In the end of the volunteer program, participants get know who is who, sometimes they were really surprised if the secret friend that person about whom they thought in the last time.

I recommend to everybody who participating in the volunteer project, where number of volunteers more then 10 try this game. And you will never forget all positive emotions and sweet memories that your secret friend gifted to you.

2. Sushi and Cheese

Let me introduce to you one more interesting game which called Sushi and Cheese. This game becomes a hit in our Vienna’s volunteer project. Simple rules and unpredictable effect that how i could describe it in a few words.

The best time for playing in that game is evening, when all tasks is done and volunteers have a rest after the working day. Private environment and little group of honest people this is the key. So now we could start the game. All what you need is to say magic words Sushi or Cheese in address of one of the volunteers.

Sushi means that you want to spend one or maybe more than one unforgettable nights with this person, and Cheese means that this person isn’t interesting for you as a sexual partner. During the game Italian guy Mattia remembered a lot of kinds of Cheese and few volunteers who were rewarded with Cheese Rockford wasn’t so happy.

But it is not enough just knew few kinds of Cheese or Sushi you have to explain why you did this choice. Some people could say that this is unfriendly, but in this game hidden big useful potential. You could know about yourself something special that you never thought and make some conclusions how you could improve yourself. Or maybe you’ll understand who is like you. All what you need after this do right steps.

If somebody wants to join the game he or she has to realize a wish of all players.
I am recommending you play in this game at minimum twice during the project and you would be really surprised how fast changing your opinion about another volunteers and how they change they vision about you.

Special thanks for the Tim and all my Vienna’s teammates, who gifted me these magic moments.

I think every day many people doing volunteer work. You could ask me how it is possible. The answer is very simple. When you are helping blinded people cross the street, or helping to your colleague with important project despite of your working day is over, or just presented one more smile to somebody for free. This is how i understand volunteering. If you still don’t know how to became a volunteer there are 10 simple steps, that helps you realize your wish.

1. Check yourself

Before your participation in a volunteer program you should know, are you ready for this? Make your opinion about be or not to be is not so complicated, as it could seems on first sight. Just spend a little bit time on our blog, read the stories of another volunteers, feel the spirit of volunteering and ideas that bring it is inside. After that you can decide is it for you or not.

2. Choose country

If you do not hesitate anymore, that is perfect time to start finding country. At this moment, you could find different volunteer opportunities around the world, so feel free to choose what you want. If it is your first experience as a volunteer, I recommend you choose programs close to your country, or place where you have friends. In addition, you could find more information about volunteer opportunities and countries where to volunteer on our blog.

3. Select volunteer program

The third step is choosing few volunteer projects which most interesting for you.
I recommending 3-5 projects, and probably in one of them will be free place.
Lists with new programs updating every year and you could check this list on special web sites or reading our annotation about different programs on our blog. One more thing that I want to say is much better be the first than the last.

4. Volunteer application form

It is one of the most interesting and important moments in all process – filling volunteer application form. Just imagine that you are PR manager, and your head client is you! Seat in comfortable chair and start writing about yourself, describe yourself as much interesting as you can, skills, abilities, hobbies all what accomplish with the main topic of the program and I convinced that you form will have much more points in compare with another candidatures!

5. Volunteer organization

As soon as all information collected on the scene appears new actor. This is a volunteer organization. First, you have to make offer with them, and after this, you will send information about projects you have chosen and your application form. Volunteer organization provides you with necessary information and represents your interests abroad. They also received invitation abroad and give it to you for the embassy.

6. Embassy and visa

As soon as your volunteer, organization confirmed your candidature for a volunteer program. You can start collecting essential documents for embassy. Do you need to go in embassy or not depends, where you live. If you are citizen of EU or USA probably, you do not need a visa.

7. Tickets, bags, gifts

My congratulations with a new chapter in your life. Now you could start your preparation for the trip. I think it is “sweet trouble”. However, do not lose you head! Prepare all stuff before. Read info sheet about volunteer program again and have a look at the special remark sometimes you could find interesting things here. Now when all you clothes, sleeping bags, sunglasses and sun creams packed in big heavy bag the last thing that you have to do is buy gifts for your future friends. Sometimes in the camp your relationship developing in more than just friend’s so in that case do not forget special “weapon”.

8. Last instruction

Usually they come in your mailbox in last moment before your departure. Here you could find useful info about where is a volunteers meeting point and in what time. If you will be late, location of volunteer program, be ready to find camp themselves.

9. Enjoy your time

Good luck and i wish you a safety trip! And don’t forget send your amazing report how you spend your time and get special prize.

10. P.S.

When you will came back from volunteer program you can proudly say that you are real volunteer!

Country: Austria
Duration time: 29.07.06 - 18.08.06
Code of workcamp: YAPA-04
Type of work: DISA / RENO
Language: English (German)
Volunteers: 20+
Participation Fee: EUR 70
Volunteer organization: Grenzenlos
Explore Vienna on Google Map: Location of the project

Theme:

The workcamp will take place in Vienna. We will renovate a part of the a famous public park located in Vienna. For example we will plant trees and creating a wooden oak sculpture. Apart from our work, the volunteers can participate in different creative workshops. At the end of the workcamp we will try to organize a festival including the official inauguration of the park you will have the chance as well to work on the design of the festival.

This is an official description of this workcamp and it is quite far from realities. The truth is that you will volunteer in Vienna in the park on all area, there are no creative possibilities to creating wooden sculpture or participating in the festival.

Work:

We will work five days a week, approximately six hours a day. We will work together with local youth groups and local volunteers. Moreover, you will work with handicapped people. We want to offer them the possibility to get to know people from all over the world. In this way we want to set an example of integration.

Work takes more time because you need 1 hour to get the Augarten park from youth center.

Free time:

On the weekends, we will plan different activities to get to know the city of Vienna and a little bit of Austria.

Accommodation:

We will be hosted in a youth centre in Vienna. We will cook for ourselves. (Please inform us whether you require a special diet or vegetarian.)

Very good equipped kitchen and leisure area 2 table football, karaoke, private rooms, and the real disco-club in the basement, also there are billiard. Big minus is one shower cabin.

Bring with you:

You need sleeping bag and mats because we will sleep on the floor, working clothes, working shoes, raincoat for working under the rain, swimming suit, sun protection. If you require any medicaments (e.g. because of an allergy), don`t forget to bring them with you.

Your accommodation, food and travel costs to the work (exception Vienna) are covered however, we are recommending you to bring money with you. More over we invite you to bring traditional food, spices, drinks, games and music from your country for intercultural evenings and of course a lot of motivation.

During the workcamp we will only have an insurance for accidents. Nevertheless, you need a full insurance for your travel and the time in Austria, don`t forget to arrange your insurance prior to your departure.

Location:

This workcamp located close to the train station, just 5 minutes.

VOLUNTEER STORY FROM THIS CAMP

At the beginning, this question was typed in search field of Google, but as result numerous count of links on “clone” web sites, with similar information about Switzerland. All this information is a glance surface but not a basis of success.

In that case, I deiced to write e-mail to my teacher Claude Schumtz, who read business course in my university. This man worked in one of the biggest pharmaceuticals company of Switzerland, Hoffman La Roche, where he begin as a manager and finish his carrier as a CEO of Asia head office.

He received my letter and very soon answered on it. We arrange the meeting in Solothurn, because he lives not so far from this city, and my second volunteer project taking part in this city. In one of the day, he picked me up and we go to the bar where we talked a few hours about life, business and so on...

He told me about Switzerland and me about my country. When I asked him about the secrets of high quality of live in Switzerland, he explained his vision on this question:

1. Hi – Technology – this knows how, that let them, do competitive products on the global market.
2. Tolerance – as known neutrality, towards situation in the world and other countries. After this words imagination drew many hard working gnomes in Alps, who know the aim and do not stuck they noses in other deals. This is true, very often in the news I have never heard about what Switzerland government thinking about other countries...
3. Geographical position – he means that in Switzerland 3 official languages, (French, German and Italian) and it helps entrepreneurs organize business everywhere they want in short time.
4. Orientation on export – 90% of all producing goods, exporting abroad.
5. Investment – to improve their quality of live, Switzerland investing money in most perspective branches.

It can be the end of my short remark about Swiss high quality of live, but there are appears new questions, that born others and so on. Just few examples, why Hitler who defeat all Europe did not conqueror Switzerland?

Switzerland has very close cooperation with America, last events snow that America has pressure on Switzerland, as result they public information about owners of banking account. Who are interested in keeping Switzerland as a pirate bay for store money in banks? Switzerland is still big question for me…

VJF was founded in March 1990 as an independent, non-governmental workcamp organisation, obliged to the ideas of solidarity, humanism and mutual understanding among young people from all over the world.

Common work and other activities should make young people think about such problems as the maintenance of peace, the preservation of the natural environment, solidarity with developing countries and the fight against old and new fascism, against racial hatred and all forms of discrimination; social, racial, sexual, political or religious.

ACTIVITIES

The VJF organises international workcamps, seminars and projects corresponding to the ideals of voluntary service mentioned above for youth between 18 and 26 years old and trilateral teenage camps for youngsters aged 16 and 17.

We also participate in similar activities, which are organised by our partners in foreign countries all over the world. However, VJF is not just about workcamps. One of our other activities is an annual ecological programme in Berlin. During a 12 month period 50 volunteers study and work in ecological centres and on experimental projects.

We also have a “project and meeting centre” situated in the forest on the bank of the “Langer See” in Berlin.

This centre is used for many different purposes: workcamps take place there, meetings are held and it is also used as a holiday resort for school children and families.

WORKCAMPS

Our workcamps are usually during the summer and last for 2 or 3 weeks. These camps involve environmental projects, monument restoration, especially historical sites; clean up of rivers, parks and protected sites; restoration of historically significant buildings and the organisation of activities for children and handicapped persons as well as antifascist and study projects about special topics.

The work can be done by international groups of 8 to 20 (untrained) volunteers, who will work mostly 5-6 hours per day (weekends are free). Tasks are not separated according to sex because men or women can do most jobs with equal ease and no special skills are required.

A camp leader who is a volunteer like the other participants makes sure that the camp runs smoothly and coordinates all activities. There is also quite a bit of free time. The participants can take advantage of this to discover the region and its inhabitants. They can organise short trips, discussion groups and social events.

Though the camp leader can make suggestions, the cultural program is always the result of the inspiration and initiative of the participants themselves.

Official Website

Campleader is a showman

If you want to organize a great show, you have to find best showman! Success of any project depends on how well that person is. Volunteer programs are not an exception of this rule, because for a campleader as well as for a showman, leader skills are essential. Good campleader, care about volunteers, organizing working process, planning leisure activity, suggesting different ideas how to spend time, and making special atmosphere in the project.

Volunteers are participants

Have you ever seen any serious reality tv show without participants? I think it is impossible. In any volunteer program, you will meet people all over the world who came in volunteer program also like you. They have own life experience, point of view on different things and you can know more about another culture. If you choose the right camp, probably you will meet people with the same interests that make your time in the camp unforgettable. So very often, you could find not just real friends but, love in the volunteer program.

Casting and interview

You do not need to spend much time for casting or interviews, if you want to participate in any volunteer program. All what you have to do is choosing the topic of the project, country, and time for your future travel. After this step, you fill a volunteer application form and send it to the volunteering organization, which is making final decision about you candidature. However, like in real casting, there is competition and if you want to go in best project, you have to know how to fill volunteer application form in best way.

Aim

Reality tv show is an aim, and prize is money. In volunteer programs, you will reward with another kind of prize, because main aim of volunteer programs is your helping to other people. What kinds of help it depends on what project you choose. There is wide spread of volunteer opportunities such as playing with children, organizing intercultural events, helping in festivals preparations, working on eco farms or take care of disabled people and more…

Atmosphere in the program

Atmosphere in volunteer program and in reality tv shows is similar. In most volunteer projects, you could feel the spirit of freedom, positive attitude, fun, because the participants in such kinds of programs are young people. You do not have to compete with another member of project and during this time, you can find a lot of friend and interact with local people who live in this country. Sometimes people cry at the end of project because they realize that they will never meet again. At such moments, you understand how beautiful life is and all these magic moments. I guess anyone who has taking part in such projects agree with me that during this short period you are live one short incredible life!

New skills and knowledge

1. Met people all over the world in one place. Learn more about they culture, speak in foreign language, life so close and solve different problems together.
2. Get new experience depends on what topic of volunteer project.
3. Take off stereotypes about any nationalities.
4. Tried out national dishes which handmade by volunteers.

However, reality-show as a volunteer program comes to the end. In reality-show winner got money, and in volunteer program you’ll get love and smiles of people, which you help and share your time with them.

During that time when you are reading this text, somebody is packing bags and get ready the new volunteer travel experience around the world.

As soon as first group of kids came, all frightening disappeared and all volunteers find a common language with children. I used my knowledge in German to speak with them and know more about they life.
Special for our table i made proper advertising, that have to attract attention to our Russian team. I have to do this because in another case i can’t be a advertiser manager anymore.

We were similar with these kids, because most of them were emigrants and one of they parent’s was not a Swiss. They were like volunteers all over the world India, Serbia, Albania, Latin America, and other countries.
Every group we invited to our exhibition of big pictures in Altes Spital(Ex Hospital). However, nobody was detected there, so i think they have something more important to do in this day.

I convinced that our power in union, and doesn’t matter what is your skin color or your religion. The moments like this very important cause they let us to touch another culture and get something new for own grows.

The Street Parade is the largest event in Zurich and second most attended techno parade in Europe. Comparable to Berlin's Love Parade, the Street Parade is one of the largest techno parties in the world.

What to do?

I was sitting in a Pirate Bar in Hinwill with Hans, where we are talked about life in Switzerland. In that bar I found leaflet with information about Street Parade and of course I decide to be there in the center of this event, because I’ve never seen show like this before in my life! That how I knew about it!

1. I came early morning in the Utoquai district cause one of the most interesting activities going on boards of love-trucks. Every truck has own music and decorated in unique style. So if you want on board you are welcome, just buy a VIP - ticket find proper thematically dress and you can dance on the stage of love-truck. One of the places where you can buy a VIP – ticket is a “Pirate Bar” in Hinwill.
2. Of course you can follow your favorite track as I did. But if you a sexy girl, and you want to see all this show in comfortable place! Get in the cabin of the love – truck as these girls did it! I also noticed a helicopter in the sky but I am not sure that you could get in…
3. It's practically guaranteed to be hot, so take off gray and simple closes and find proper dress. I think that never go out of fashion different national dresses. So you could take this stuff in your trip.

After Street Parade Zurich looks like after war, tons of garbage, on the streets. But on another day nothing could say that yesterday there were events like this. I am recommending to everybody who is like a loud techno-music, dance, and want to get for a maximum experience from own volunteer travel, visit this show.

Also we have a Event Calendar on our web-site, where we are announcing interesting events around the world check it out for updates…

For me this day continuing on the Rote Fabric where I’ve been with my Swiss friend George but this is another story…