Long Term EVS in Malo (Italy)
duration: 10 months
THE PROJECT
DESCRIPTION OF THE ORGANIZATION
The main aim of our cooperative's work is to contribute to integration, always prioritizing the people and their needs. Our members are specialized to assist people with disabilities.
We are convinced that the involvement of young European Volunteers will be a priceless support for our educational activities for disabled people, who rarely have a chance to get in touch with youngsters coming from different countries and different cultures. The volunteers would provide them with a stimulus, different point of view and an intercultural experience.
More information about our organization can be found under the link:
https://europa.eu/youth/volunteering/organisation/42001222296_en
ROLE AND TASKS OF THE VOLUNTEERS
The EVS volunteers will provide support to educators in two services:
• The Volunteers will serve as support to the educators of the "Group Apartment" that accepts six disabled people involved in a project of personal autonomy.
• Creative workshops and recreational services (preparatory work, called "labs jobs").
Volunteers will work side by side with educators throughout the duration of the activities, from its planning to development and implementation. Initially, the volunteers will help educators in conducting various planned activities and workshops and later on, if they wish, they can propose their own activities and initiatives.
ACTIVITIES IN THE “GROUP APARTMENT”
Volunteers support the 6 disabled residents in an apartment in the management of their daily lives for the acquisition of basic autonomy such as preparing breakfast, small works of household cleaning, gardening etc.; Also accompanying the disabled to the grocery store and helping them to manage small amounts of money; Allow some businesses to know these people and people with disabilities to acquire a correct attitude towards them, respect and courtesy; accompany the disabled out for dinner and to cultural evenings to allow them to get in touch with the local community; accompanying them and stimulate in sport: hiking, swimming, etc.
It is a very varied work that develops in everyday life also according to the peculiarities of the guests and volunteers. So creativity is welcome!
RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND CREATIVE LABORATORY
These are workshops aimed at small groups of people with disabilities to facilitate the emergence of creativity and sociability - may be gambling activity, group cooking activities or small assemblies to teach.
ACTIVITIES WITH SCHOOLS: the cooperative often welcomes students from secondary schools to raise awareness of their own reality with the short courses. Volunteers will be able to support these students with the aim of:
- promoting a culture of acceptance
- helping our guests to socialize
- making our cooperative known in the local community by young people and their families.
In addition to a general programming periodically, every week (or month) the team of educators come together to define a program of activities in detail.
The volunteers will participate in the weekly schedule to know in advance all the activities that they will be involved in and to be able to make their personal contribution if they wish.
PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS
• Accommodation: a single room in a flat shared with another evs volunteer. The flat is located in the community above another flat that also hosts 6 mentally retarded, but independent people (they work in the host organisation).
• Working hours: 31 hours/week
• Day off: 2 consecutive days (Saturday and Sunday) free every week. In case that the activities were previously agreed to take place on Saturday or Sunday, the volunteer will be entitled to take 2 other consecutive days off to rest during the week.
• Holidays: 9 hours of holiday per month; 5 days of Christmas Holidays; other holidays can be discussed with the tutor.
• Pocket money: 115,00 EUR per month, paid every month in cash
• Local transport: The organization will provide the volunteer with a bicycle to reach the town centre in 10 minutes from the apartment.
• Language support: an italian language course with a professional teacher will be provided for the volunteer, according to his/her needs.
• Trainings and support: guaranteed by the sending, receiving and coordinating organizations.
• Hosting guests: Lodging people that don’t belong to the project or guests is not permitted. In case you would like to host some of your family members, your boy/girlfriend or your friends, the hosting organisation will try to find a solution.
• Insurance: Sending organization is responsible for the volunteer’s insurance (CIGNA), all the parties are obliged to get acquainted with the insurance plan and the rules. The volunteer is responsible for the payment of any medical expenses during the evs service and to fill out the Healthcare Claim in order to receive the reimbursement.
• Other information: in the Province of Vicenza there are other 20 evs volunteers. Different Coordinating Organizations provide initiatives to promote the experience exchange between the volunteers.