Vereinigung Junger FreiwilligerKirgisien
LEADERSHIP
ACHTUNG: EXTRA FEE
MID AND LONG TERM VOLUNTEERING PROGRAM
General Information
Program Requirements:
Language - Though the working language of international volunteers is English, at least basic knowledge of Russian is recommended in order to communicate efficiently with local volunteers and staff members of the organization. Beginner’s Russian/Kyrgyz language lessons are provided in the participation fee. Knowledge of other world languages is welcome; this will enable you to hold language courses with local volunteers and other youth in Karakol.
Other skills - In order to participate in the program you are expected to have past experience with volunteer work, working as a part of a team, and depending on which project, working with teenagers. For certain projects, it is recommended to bring literature and CDs with language teaching programs.
We also expect you to be motivated and to actively participate in your own program’s implementation and evaluation process.
Duration of the Program and Your Schedule:
In order to be admitted you must be able to participate for at least one month while the maximum period of involvement is one year. Your work will range from 6 to 8 hours per day, depending on a mutual agreement and the needs of the host organization. Normally volunteers work Monday through Friday, though special events and activities sometimes require their presence during weekends.
Program Costs:
The costs of the program are as follows:
· Cost for 1 month: 250 EUR.
- Cost for 3 months: 700 EUR
- Cost for 6 months: 1400 EUR.
- Cost for one year: 2500 EUR.
The program fee covers administrative charges, accommodation and food (provided by a host-family), pre-departure preparation assistance, beginner's Russian/Kyrgyz language classes and 24-hour support and guidance from professional, locally based staff. If you need a guided transfer from the Bishkek Airport to Karakol, an additional 50 EUR will be charged.
The program fee does not cover your roundtrip flight to Kyrgyzstan. Your visa, medical and travel insurance, airport departure taxes, and travel expenses during your stay in Karakol (if not directly connected to the volunteer work) are your responsibility. Costs of personal Internet time and phone calls are also the responsibility of the volunteer.
Application process:
Please contact your sending organisation so that they can send you an application form. After receiving your completed application we will inform you within 10 days whether you have been accepted.
LSM–01 Youth Volunteer Organization “Leadership” Karakol 18+
About Youth Volunteer Organization “Leadership”
Leadership is a non-profit organization bringing together young volunteers with the mission of involving youth in civil society through volunteerism, project design, and cooperation both locally and internationally. Leadership was founded on November 1, 2005 as a youth volunteer organization under the auspices of the public association Leader, a centre of civic society initiatives.
Accommodation
You will live with a local host family; they will provide you with your own room and all the necessary conveniences. You will join your host family for breakfast and dinner while lunch will be provided at the office with other members of Leadership.
Desirable Skills
-Website design
-Accounting
-Public Relations
-Media
You will be able to work in the following sphere of activities:
§ Assist in the coordination of our youth volunteer and the organization of regular meetings as well as motivation and team-building activities.
§ Participate in the organization and implementation of various events.
§ Plan and implement short-term international volunteer projects and summer camps together with program coordinator.
§ Get involved in fundraising activities.
§ Actively participate in our current projects.
§ Hold language courses and discussion clubs.
§ Create any PR materials of our organization: possibilities include booklets, mini clips, photo exhibitions, etc.
LSM–02 Community Based Tourism (CBT) Karakol 18+
About CBT:
“Community based” means supporting products, services, knowledge and practices found in local communities and offered by local stakeholders. CBT is the practice of providing natural, value-packed travel services that utilize local accommodation, food, music, art, crafts and traditions. CBT is an excellent value and travel experience that supports rational and sustainable development. CBT gives travelers authentic visits inside homes, villages and heritages while delivering proceeds directly to the families that visitors stay with and buy from.
Tourism is one of the most rapidly growing of all industries globally. But despite the industry’s enormity and pattern growth, everyday tourism destination citizens have commonly found themselves left out of the decision-making and investment process. As a result, in all too many places among Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, unsustainable tourism has degraded communities, increased crime, damaged natural resources, ruined artifacts and destroyed sites of heritage. CBT shifts the paradigm from focusing on aggregate “growth” to include participatory stakeholder decision-making, investment opportunity for traditionally local inhabitants and sustainable environmental practices. Thus, CBT is used to describe a variety of activities that encourage and support a wide range of objectives in economic and social development and conservation. CBT principles include:
· CBT relies on participation of local stakeholders
· CBT has to contribute to the local economic development through increasing tourism revenues
· CBT has to develop socially and economically sustainable tourism
Volunteer’s role:
§ Actively participate in current projects of the Association;
§ Create any PR materials for the organization (by wish): booklets, video clips, photo exhibition, etc. and translations (especially French and Spanish)
§ Actively participate in daily work of the association (to maintain a database of guides, porters, cooks, to provide information for tourists)
§ Participation in management of CBT
§ In May and June, CBT conducts practice trips into the mountains. If the volunteer is here during that time then they will also be able to participate in these tours. If the volunteer is here during another time, the opportunity may arise to go on other trips into the mountains.
Accommodation
Volunteers will live with a local host family; they will provide a private room and all the necessary conveniences. You will join your host-family for breakfast and dinner while lunch will be provided at the office with other members of the CBT.
LSM–03 Public Union “Ravenstvo” Karakol 20+
About Public Union “Ravenstvo”:
Ravenstvo (translated as “Equality”) is a non-governmental organization that works with disabled people of all age groups. The organization was founded in 2004 and unites 400 people with disabilities in 4 areas of the region. Ravenstvo has its own specialized school for 15 handicapped children and a library for blind people.
Volunteer’s Role:
You will be able to work in the following sphere of activities:
§ Participate in organization of various activities/programs (music, photography, art etc.) with handicapped people including children and the elderly
§ Hold language and computer courses (upon request)
§ Take part in meetings with disabled children’s parents
Accommodation
The volunteer will live with a local family, which will provide the volunteer with their own room and all the necessary conveniences. You will join your host-family for breakfast and dinner; lunch will be provided at the office together with other members of Ravenstvo.
Note: A volunteer is requested to have basic skills working with disabled people, as well as basic Russian or Kyrgyz language skills. New methods/approaches are always welcomed.
LSM–04 Orphanage Karakol 18+
About Karakol Orphanage:
Karakol Orphanage is located in Issyk-Kul Oblast, in Karakol City. The Karakol Orphanage was founded in 2002 by the “Childhood” Foundation and currently hosts 46 children, aged 3 to 19. Children speak both Russian and Kyrgyz languages and study at secondary schools around Karakol City. Children have many opportunities to participate in different kinds of activities at the orphanage such as dressmaking class, drawing and dancing classes, and sport clubs. Tutors in the orphanage are also interested in having conversation practice and working with international volunteers. The best time for mid-term volunteering is summer and fall.
Unfortunately, in Kyrgyzstan we have many children living in orphanages. The children arrive at orphanages for a variety of reasons but most commonly it is because the parents cannot afford to care for them or they have problems with drugs and alcohol. Often times, the orphans’ parents died because of health problems or in accidents and they do not have relatives who are able to care for them.
Volunteer’s Role:
The mid-term volunteer can take part in the following activities:
· Participate in everyday life at the orphanage with the children
· Conduct language, sport, handicraft, drawing, and dancing clubs (based on kids’ needs/requests)
· Assist in conducting charity events by Leadership
Accommodation:
A volunteer will live in the Orphanage with kids in a one-bed separated room with a minimum standard of all necessary conveniences.
Note: Basic Russian/Kyrgyz is necessary. Volunteers will be asked to bring any games, stationary, and books for working with children. Volunteers are not supposed to change children’s general schedule and their general outlook, but to encourage cultural exchange and enrichment in their experiences. Volunteers are encouraged to be flexible and enthusiastic. Leadership will provide counterpart support.
LSM–05 Issyk-Kul Guides and Porters Association (IGPA) Karakol 18+
About IGPA:
Founded by mountain guides of Issyk-Kul oblast in 2006, IGPA unites guides, porters, cooks, interpreters and organizations who are interested in developing ecotourism in Kyrgyzstan. Their mission is to realize sustainable ecotourism in Kyrgyzstan through providing high quality service to their clients, protecting members’ rights, improving members’ work conditions and offering ecotourism education for local people.
Volunteer’s role:
§ Actively participate in current projects of the Association;
§ Create any PR materials for the organization (by wish): booklets, video clips, photo exhibition, etc. and translations
§ Actively participate in daily work of the association (to maintain a database of guides, porters, cooks, to provide information for tourists)
§ Participation in management of IGPA
§
Accommodation:
Volunteers will live with a local host family; they will provide a private room and all the necessary conveniences.
LSM–06 Ecotrek Karakol 18+
About Ecotrek:
Our association was founded in 2002 and is registered with the Ministry of Justice. Members of our association are the guides, porters, cooks and other staff necessary for the maintenance of cavalry and infantry tracks. Most members of our organization have extensive experience in the service tracks.
The main objectives of our association are:
• Improving the quality of services provided by trekking staff and the provision of necessary equipment and facilities
• Creating an enabling environment for cooperation among members of the Association, potential employers, porters and clients
• Improving the living standards of members of the association
• Contribution to the development of sustainable tourism in the country
• Contribution to the preservation of the cultural, historical and natural heritage of the Kyrgyzstan
• Promotion of ecotourism
Volunteer’s role:
• Assist in the development and promotion of projects
• Preparation and promotion of advertising materials
• Work with youth groups
• Assist in finding foreign partners
• Monitoring of Ecotrek
• Assist in the coordination and efficient operation of Ecotrek
Note:
English and Russian
Accommodation:
Volunteers will live with a local host family; they will provide a private room and all the necessary conveniences.
