BREAKING BARRIERS BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS

BREAKING BARRIERS BUILDING PARTNERSHIP allowed Everything is Possible and our partners to mobilise 90 volunteers (but 94 have been prepared) from 10 countries across 2 continents (Costa Rica, Peru, Uruguay, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Spain, Malta, Ecuador, Mexico and the UK), and introduce many of new partners to EVS, creating strong and lasting partnerships which we’re happy to continue with in the future. Nearly half of the volunteers were young people with fewer opportunities. We’ve hosted 28 young people in the UK on pla-cements ranging from two weeks to 12 months and sent 62 volunteers (66 were prepared) on projects lasting between three weeks and 12 months.

This project has been supported by the Youth in Action programme of the European Commission

EVS Project «Rainforest FUDEBIOL»

COSTA RICA

the projectVolunteers in this project will work in an environmental project located in and around the rainforest. FUDEBIOL is interested in volunteers who will like to work outside and enjoy hard maintenance work , mix of conservation and educational activities and promoting sustainable tourism. The project would also love to have help

with the maintenance of trails including sign making.Volunteers will live in a family in Quebradas, so you will have to be willing to walk up a hill for 45 minutes to go to your project. There will be opportunities to meet with other volunteers from different countries and programmes.There might be a chance for

interested volunteers to help with the creation of leaflets about the bird population in therainforest.

contactLong term coordinator

email : [email protected]

Unit 28, 30-38 Dock StreetLeeds, LS10 1JF, United KingdomTelephone: +44 (0) 113 242 0888Fax: +44 (0) 113 242 0999

www.everythingispossible.eu

accommodation and mealsLodging: You will live with a local family in Quebradas, 10 minutes from the small town San Isidro. The houses are all fitted with electricity, drinking water and telephones.

Meals: The hosting family will provide the volunteer with three meals a day. There is also a small grocery store in Quebradas, if

you wish to buy additional food.

Special Comments: Make sure to have Insect repellentwith you as there will be many mosquitoes, fortunatelyno malaria.

For the project, volunteer • Need to be happy to live under simple conditions• Eat the local fruits and vegetables up to three times a day.• Be prepared for physical work such as constructing and maintaining of trails.• Bring clothing suitable towork outdoors.

‘‘...cleaning out the lagoon, checking in the butterfly garden

for eggs and looking after the garden... I have had an amazing

experience and would recommend anyone who is thinking about

an EVS just to go for it!’’ Jaqueline.

Andy in the Biological Reserve Tom in the project

FUDEBIOL Project

http://bit.ly/nUH4U4

The country Climate: Tropical climate 25—30©C at costal resorts with lower temperatures in mountainousregions and cloudy forest areas. Dry season fromDecember until April and rainy season from May till November.

System of Government: Constitutional

Democracy

Capital: San José

Currency: Costa Rican Colón (at some places USDollar)

Language: Spanish

Time zone: (-6hours)

the project placeQuebradas is located in the Valley El General near the small village San Isidro. The weather in the region is humid and the average temperature 24ºC.The village was founded by farmers and the region still thrives from agriculture, although many people are

working in San Isidro. There is a grocery shop, pay phones and internet cafes in Qebradas and the trains to San Isidro a running every half an hour. Quebradas has some indigenous heritage from the pre-columbine times and you can still find traces of it in the region.

the hosting organisationName: ACI Costa RicaWebsite: www.aci.cr


COSTA RICA

The languageA few words in Spanish:

HolaAdios

¿cuánto cuesta?¿Cómo se dice.....?

Me gustaría.... ¿Cuál es tu nombre?

Mi nombre es.....Yo soy de.....

HelloGoodbyeHow much does it cost ?How do you say......?I would like.....What is your name?My name is......I am from.......(country)

Quebradas

Localisation

For more information and testimonies visit Everything is Possible website or scan this QRcode


COSTA RICA

Testimonies

Alex, long term volunteerAfter being picked up from the airport and driving through San José to the ACI (host organisa-tion) office the excitement of being half the way across the world and of the six month ad-venture ahead really began to sink in. Although exhausted after the long journey I couldn’t help but try and take in every sight and every sound. First impressions of my host family and house in San José were really good – with a fantastic night time view over the city greeting me on my arrival.

Before getting to explore San José I was whisked off for an induction weekend, in a place called Orotina, with my fellow new volunteers and others who had already been in Costa Rica for about 6 months. The location was beautiful and spending the weekend getting to know new people and having fun, games and parties just added to my existing excitement.

On returning to San José, I then had two more weeks of orienta-tion and Spanish lessons before heading off to my project. Spa-nish lessons were for three hours every afternoon and the evenings were filled with activities such as a film night, dancing and foot-ball. Although enjoying my time in San José nearing the end of

the two weeks my enthusiasm to get to my project and start wor-king had grown, especially after being given a presentation on exactly what it would be like.

Before leaving for our respective projects, ACI had a leaving party for the volunteers, thoughtfully organised the night before I had to leave at 5 in the morning to travel to my project. Leaving the city life of San José and travelling through the mountains and the central valley was my first real experience of the real Costa Rica – beautiful countryside, rolling hills and dodgy roads.

The first impression of my new home, Quebradas, was of just how ‘tranquilo’ it was. Far remo-ved from the busy city of the past two weeks it was nice to be able to walk down the street and hear only wildlife and breathe fresh air. My new host family were bet-ter than I could have wished for – so welcoming and always wan-ting to do things for me. Treating me as a member of the family right away I felt right at home just with the temperature about 20 degrees higher than I’m used to in February.

With a couple of days until I offi-cially began work on the biologi-cal reserve (FUDEBIOL) my host brother offered to take me and my fellow volunteer Andy to visit it and show us around. This was my first experience of ‘the hill’ – a 3km walk up the side of a moun-

tain to get to work. I’d been in-formed of this before but wasn’t sure whether it had just been over exaggerated to prepare me for this walk 5 days a week for the next 5 months. Honestly, the first time wasn’t too bad. It wasn’t until the end of the first week that the prospect of wal-king up the hill after just waking up didn’t seem to appealing.

Although already having seen pictures, I was not ready for the treat that greeted me on arrival at FUDEBIOL for the first time. Such a picturesque location with views over the surrounding hills and down through the valley, a lagoon, a butterfly garden and a variety of interesting wildlife. Not to mention the five trails through tropical forest (one containing a waterfall) on which to explore the reserve even more.

Another bonus was that I would be answering to Jesus for the next 5 months. Jesus was my boss! A small, middle-aged Tico (Costa Rican) with a cheeky grin who, although not speaking too much English, was proficient in ‘Spanglish’ and would be wat-ching over me for my stay in FU-DEBIOL.

During my first week I was intro-duced to the most common tasks to expect including watering plants, raking leaves and other general gardening tasks. I was also allowed the time to explore the trails and use the andarivel (a zip-line going across a small

I have also become involved in helping with the vege-

table patch in the local school, going once a week to help the

students with the growing of vegetables... a useful way for

me to improve my Spanish

valley). After the first week the tasks have become more varied with the cutting down of trees, planting new plants, building a new compost shelter and also some vegetable patches among other things.

As well as the work in FUDEBIOL I have also become involved in helping with the vegetable patch in the local school, going once a week to help the students with the growing of vegetables to be used in the school kitchen – not only educational and good fun for the students but a useful way for me to improve my Spanish.

After being in Costa Rica for about a month and a half I vi-sited the Corcovado national park on the south pacific coast which was one of the most ama-zing places I’ve ever been to. Being billed as one of the most bio-diverse places on earth and the ‘real Costa Rica’ it definitely lived up to my expectations. Seeing Scarlet Macaws, Squirrel, White-faced and spider monkeys and a Tapir was without doubt reward for two days of gruelling hiking through rainforest and on beaches in blazing heat. My only disappointment was that I didn’t get to see the elusive puma.

I’ve since visited the beach in a place about 35km from where I live, on the pacific coast, cal-led Dominical. It’s definitely not the nicest beach I’ve ever been to but the sea was amazingly powerful and warm and great for riding the waves.

Nearing the end of my first three months here and I was invited to take part in an international day promoting England with my fellow English volunteers from different projects. This entailed a full week of preparation in San José before a full day in which we had a room of our own to present our country.

Coming joint fourth we won a bottle of red wine to share between 11 people and a T-shirt each. After a week in San José which I thoroughly enjoyed I was more than ready to return to Que-bradas, which had become like home, and see my family again.


COSTA RICA

Arriving in San Jose, quite pos-sibly the ugliest city I have ever seen, I wondered why on earth I had chosen Costa Rica, and where all this beautiful nature was that everyone talked about. But after a few days of induction I was on the bus over the Cerra de la Muerte (literally mountain of the dead!) where I saw some spectacular views as I entered the town of San Isidro, my home for the next 7 months, and I soon realized what a beautiful country I was in.

When I first arrived at my host family it was pretty daunting, they just chatted away at me in Spanish, and I had no idea what anyone was saying to me. I spent the first week feeling lonely, confused and with my head in the dictionary. After a few weeks it started getting better, and af-ter a month I was able to have a conversation with my host family in Spanish which was amazing! Although I am nowhere near fluent I know enough to unders-tand and make myself unders-tood.

The long walk up to my project (45mins uphill) felt like it was ne-ver going to end, and I wondered how the hell I would do this every day, but again day by day it got easier and now I can get up there in half an hour. Arriving at my project was wonderful, it is such a beautiful place, with so many amazing birds and butterflies just flying around, and when we are really lucky the white faced monkeys pop out to say hello.As the only long-term volunteer at the project it can be hard some-times, because other volunteers will come and just as you are get-

ting to know them they leave, but at the same time its lots of fun and I get to meet different people from all over the world, Denmark, Switzerland and the U.S as an example.

The project at times can be frus-trating because of the way of working here, everything takes soooo much longer than in the U.K and starting my own project was hard. I got involved in the local school and helped out with their vegetable garden and orga-nized environmental education projects. We made solar ovens, tetra pack wallets and bird feeders out of plastic bottles. Things didn´t work out quite like they would in the U.K with all the high volumes of rain here, and the bird seed actually grew in the bird feeders (something which has never happened when I did the same project in England!) Working with the kids was a great way to help my Spanish, and get more involved in the local com-munity.

Day to day tasks include gene-ral maintenance of the trails, cleaning out the lagoon, chec-king in the butterfly garden for eggs and looking after the sen-sory garden. As well as this I deal with English speaking tourists and spent some time translating all their info into English.

But it´s not all work, and as well as Quebradas I have been lucky enough to explore the country too (and a trip to Nicaragua for my visa renewal) Costa Rica is a beautiful country, and if you are into wildlife then it is definitely worth a visit. I spent new years at the beach, Christmas in the sun and have climbed up a Volcano, seen 4 different species of mon-key in the wild, trekked through the cloudforest, had a thrilling zip line canopy tour, and been white water rafting.

I have had an amazing expe-rience and would recommend anyone who is thinking about an EVS project just to go for it!


COSTA RICA

Testimonies

Jacqueline, long term volunteer

‘‘I have had an amazing experience and would recommend

anyone who is thinking about

an EVS just to go for it!’’


COSTA RICA

Testimonies

Andy, long term volunteerMy first two weeks are spent learning Spanish in the city centre and getting to know the other volunteers. I’ve never met so many Germans in my life.. Even when I was in Germany! San Jose is definitely different from any other city I’ve been to before. Barbed wire on the top of every house and shop, gangs everywhere, no street names and crazy directions from Tico’s (Cos-ta Rican’s) who can never say «I don’t know.»

After two weeks of being lost in San Jose I’m delighted to be finally sent to my project in Que-bradas, four km North of the small town San Isidro. I arrive feeling rough after a party with the fellow volunteers. Memo-ries of standing on stage in an elephant thong singing Happy Birthday to a German friend are etched on my mind forever along with some funky moves on the dance floor. Living in Quebra-das is like living in a post-card.The views are amazing and the people are awesome. I love my new family, job, rabbit and the fact that women out number men nine to one here! San Isidro is a small town with a population of about 50,000 with a massive church in the middle making it impossible for even me to get lost. The small road North leads to my village Quebradas then a further three km up the mountain takes you into my work place for the next 6 months.

I’m working in a Biological Re-serve called FUDEBIOL, surroun-ded by forest and mountains from where the Quebradas river flows. Duties include mainte-nance of the reserve, planting

trees, cleaning the lagoon and following Jesus (the Park Ran-ger). We’re encouraged to start projects of our own and I’m ho-ping to start a vegetable garden soon. I’m woken at five am eve-ry morning by a chorus of dogs of which I plan to eat at some point before I leave for Scot-land. Especially my neighbours little mutt. The EXPO’s in town. It’s a popular event that travels through Costa Rica It’s on TV all the time and everyone loves it. It’s a kind of rodeo with people getting chased by bulls in an arena. The bulls aren’t harmed and the event lasts for four hours with about 25-30 bulls at diferent times.I never knew how fast I can run until now!

I spent a weekend at Puerto Jima-nez and The Corcovado National Park and see crocodiles, scarlet Macaws, squirrel monkeys, spi-der monkeys, white faced mon-keys, tapir and a rare Jaguarundi. After eating snails, octopus and squid I’m ready to start a new day by eating bulls testicles. Not so easy to keep down! We’re sunbathing on a long, flat stretch of grass in the middle of the rain forest which turns out to be a lan-ding strip for a small plane that takes lazy people to the camp site. It’s not everyday that your asked to move because there’s a plane coming. I set off for Peru for three days where I stay in a five star hotel complete with swimming pool on the roof and a fantastic view of Lima’s beach. I’m here for a meeting with my sending organisation to learn

about other opportunities in vo-lunteering and share our expe-riences with other people who have projects in Peru. It’s so nice to have a hot shower and a bath. First I’ve had for two months.

The calm before the storm. Now I must leave for San Jose for my International presentation. I’m with a new family now and living with some of the other voluntee-rs for a week while we prepare for a day of cultural exchange. I pre-pare a table for Scotland and in-clude information about haggis, deep-fried Mars bar’s, Nessie, Robert Burns, William Wallace, whisky, Scottish inventions and charge people for the pleasure of

trying Soupa de Andy, short-bread, Irn Bru (Fanta with an Irn Bru label slapped on) and liste-ning to my sweet, sweet voice destroying Flower O Scotland. At 11:00 and 13:30 I make my way to the auditorium to read To a Mouse by Robert Burns and sing Auld Lang Syne to groups of around 20. Alex copied the words down for me and managed to squeeze in the word «bum» to which I read out before noti-cing. Thanks man! I really wish someone would have told me earlier that while at my Scottish stall selling food, I was asking people in Spanish if they had a man, instead on if they are hun-gry. Hombre and hambre sound far too similar! After the madness that is San Jose I’m so glad to be returning home to San Isidro, my mountain retreat.

‘‘Only two months down and another four to look forward

too. Don’t think six months

will be long enough...’’

EVS Project in

ECUADOR

the projectJUCONI is offering volunteers many different opportunities. The volunteers can help with the interaction with families, which includes sport, art, event and activities like photography workshops.There is also the possibility to work in the office and help with translations from Spanish into English, so donors can be

informed about progress and funding.The volunteer will also help with local fundraising events. Further work will be the updating of the webpage. Another way to Volunteer could be to start your own project and make for example a leaflet about contraception, or design a programme to help individual children.

JUCONI is very flexible and would love new ideas.





accommodation and mealsYou will live in a volunteer accommodation and receive an allowance for food.

For the project, volunteer • The volunteer needs to be able to work with children and parents, and bigger groups.• For certain projects thevolunteer needs to be fluent in Spanish.• Must follow the risk prevention and crisis management rules anytime.

‘‘Just go for it, that’s the best experience that

I had in my life’’

Nathan


The country Climate: Rainy and hot season from January through April with the daytime temperature 30 ºC. May to December rarely rain and slightly cooler temperature, but it can be overcast and gray during July and August. The weather in the highlands varies but there will be no a full day of rain.

System of Government: Presidential Republic

Capital: Quito

Currency: US Dollar

Language: Spanish


the project placeEcuador is surrounded by Colombia in the North, Peru on the South and East and the Pacific Ocean in the West. The Galapagos Island in the Pacific are also part of Ecuador. Ecuador has not one single culture but many that are mixed together. Some of the rural population speak Quechuan, but most of

the population speaks Spanish.Ecuador is known for its rich musical culture and the Ecuadirians have a distinctive dress code, which identify certain regions. The food is also quite distinguished as it is experimental and traditional.

the hosting organisationName: JUCONI (Junto con los Niños)Website: www.juconi.org.ec

EVS Project in

ECUADOR

The languageA few words in Quechua:

¿Habla inglés?¿Qué tal estás?

¿Cuánto es? Estoy muy bien

No entiendoHoy

Servicios Mañana

Do you speak English?How are you? How much does it cost? I’m very well I don’t understand Today Toilets Tomorrow

Guayaquil, Ecuador

Localisation


EVS Project «National Cat Trust»

MALTA

the projectThe National Cat Society works on a national scale. The aim of the Society is to• Save as many stray cats as possible by picking them, neutering them, giving them medical assistance where needed, keepthem in a large sanctuary with ample space for freedom.• Re home the cats to prospective

persons.• Educate the general public mainly through school lectures and forums.The tasks of the volunteers are:To keep the sanctuary in extreme cleanliness and the cats happy and healthy. To give advice to cat owners re any problem with their cat(s). To give advice to cat feeders

re their colonies and help wherever possible. To raise funds for the above tasks to be conducted efficiently. To respond to calls from the general public regarding cats in distress ( e.g. car victims) To evaluate prospective adoptions to ‘new’ homes. To do vet runs for cats at the sanctuary which show symptoms of irregular health.

contact: Short term coordinator




accommodation and mealsLodging: You will live in a flat a bus ride away from the project and will share a room with one or more volunteers from a different country. (The flat can host 9 volunteers).

Meals: You will be givenmoney for meals which you canprepare in your flat, where youhave a fully equipped kitchen.

For the project, volunteer • An interest in working with animals and a love of cats!• Not mind getting dirty andsmelly as each day yourmain tasks will be cleaning• An adventurous spirit andready to use your free timeto investigate.• A desire to meet new people• Be flexible about workinghours, weekends etc.

‘I want to be a vet in the future and this experience

has given me the chance to hopefully making my future

bright working with animals’

The National Cat Society Volunteer in the project

Accomodation: living room


the country Climate: Temperatures during the summer months in Malta easily reach 30 degrees centigrade when the hot sirocco winds blow across the sea from North Africa. The winter months are generally mild, temperatures rarely fall below 15 degrees centigrade and still maintain 5 or 6 hours of sunshine per day.

System of Government: Republic

Capital: Valletta

Currency: Euro

Language: Maltese, English and Italian

Time zone: (+1hour)

the project placeThe history of Malta has been shaped by its strategic location and perfect harbour setting. A long list of colonisers chequersthe history of Malta. From the ancient Carthaginians to the Normans and the French, all the major forces in history have ruled Malta at some point. The hand of British rule touched

Malta when they ousted the French in the early 1800s and still the majority of people speak English. During the time of British rule the Maltese had their fill of being governed and began to fight for independence. Their plea for political freedom was only granted in 1964 and soon after, it became a republic.

the hosting organisationName: National Cat Society MaltaWebsite: www.maltesecats.2kat.net

EVS Project «National Cat Trust»

MALTA

the languageA few words in Maltese:

Bonjour

Addiju

jekk jogħġbok

nirringrazzjak

Jisimni ...

Hello

Goodbye

Please

Thank you

My name is ...

Malta

Localisation


EVS Environmental Project

MEXICO

the projectThe project offers environmental education Camps to children and young people from 6 to 16 years old. These young people are from the city and from vulnerable nearby communities. This is to generate the interest in children and youth to take care of nature, through different recreational activities.

During the year: the volunteer will organise ecological activities for groups of children coming from different school including reforestation and environmental workshops.

Summer time: organizing summer environmental education Camps as well as green weeks in which the children have workshops on

art and recycling, play different sports such as soccer, basket ball, volley ball, they participate in a mini olympics, ecological rally, etc.

contact: Long term coordinator




accommodation and mealsYou will live in a volunteer accommodation and receive an allowance for food.

For the project, volunteer • Enthusiastic and open• Interest in working with children• Responsible

Desirable:• Between 22 and 30 years old.• Minimum knowledge of the current environmental situation. • Experience in working with children.• Basic knowledge of spanish.

‘‘Volunteering was one the best

decisions I’ve ever made.’’

Adam


EVS Enviromental Project

MEXICO

Testimonies

Stephanie, long term volunteer

EVS Project «Supporting Kids in Peru»

PERU

the projectSupporting Kids in Peru (SKIP) is an NGO working in an impoverished district in El Porvenir, Peru. Volunteers can work on several different projects all supervised by qualified SKIP project staff. The SKIP office where most activity takes place is a taxi ride away from the main volunteer house. Peruvian children aged 3-18 years work with SKIP in an after-school

programme. Areas of volunteering include, teaching English, maths, art, computing, communication and Spanish and helping with homework. Volunteering in the nursery singing songs, playing and reading books. Coaching sport, such as volleyball or football.

SKIP also works with parents, roles could include working with

the Economic Development team supporting local families, in designing and making jewellery or supervising microfinance loans.

There are positions available in volunteer coordination for those interested in gaining insight into NGO management and people to write for the website and newsletter and take photos of activities.





accommodation and mealsLodging: Accommodation is provided in a large volunteer house (housing around 20 volunteers at any one time) in the centre of Trujillo. You are likely to share a room with another volunteer of the same sex.

Meals: Volunteers will be provided with a food allowance and there are restaurants and bars near by and a fully

functional kitchen where you are allocated your own shelf to store food. Once a week all the volunteers come together for family dinner where nominated volunteers cook food traditional to their country.

For the project, volunteer • Commitment to learning Spanish,• Enthusiastic and motivated,• Able to work with children and parents,• Flexible and adaptable to change,• Able to work with limited resources and use initiative accordingly,• Have a positive mental attitude,

‘‘Volunteering with SKIP was one the best

decisions I’ve ever made. I really wanted gain some

insight into the «real» South America and I gained

this and more with SKIP.’’

Liz, in the school project Greg, in the IT teaching project

Accomodation: living room


the country Climate: Trujillo is called, ‘The City of Eternal Springtime’ and it rarely rains. You will need warm clothing, though, as it does get chilly in the winter months. If you plan to go to Machu Picchu, just remember that this is at high altitude and can be very cold at night.

System of Government: Presidential Republic

Capital: Lima

Currency: Nuevo Sol (PEN)

Language: Spanish,

Time zone: -5hours

the project placeMARKETS AND SUPERMARKETSThe volunteers can buy food in the local metro which is close to the main house or go to Tottus supermarket. Also you can go to La Hermelinda a traditional Peruvian market which is economical.

FREE TIMETrujillo is by the coast in the North of Peru. Beaches are nearby, approximately 20 minutes by bus. Huanchacho beach, Las Delicias beach and Chicama which has the longest wave in the world. You can learn to surf on the beaches and SKIP has contacts with a number of

surf instructors.

There are also a number of interesting historical sites that are close by, Chan Chan, The Temple of the Moon and Sun and the Temple of the Wizard are all well worth a visit.

the hosting organisationName: Supporting Kids in PeruSupport Worker: Liz WilsonWebsite: www.skipperu.org


PERU

the languageA few words in Spanish:

HolaAdios

¿cuánto cuesta? ¿Cómo se dice.....?


Mi nombre es..... Yo soy de.....

HelloGoodbyeHow much does it cost ? How do you say......?I would like..... What is your name?My name is......I am from.......(country)

Trujillo

Localisation

‘‘Our mission is to work towards a Peru where each child realises his/her full potential through quality education, economically-stable families and healthy home environments.’’

Liz Wilson, SKIP Director

Trujillo


PERU

Testimonies

Sam, long term volunteerSam Webb joined Clair Brown, the Everything is Possible Co-Founder at the event ‘’Your Story’’. He sha-red his experience with partners working through the Leonardo, Grundtvig and Youth in Action Pro-gramme.

While I have travelled a lot and volunteered in England before, my experience in Peru is my first time living outside of the country and volunteering full time. I chose to come to SKIP after meeting the director, Liz, at an event organized my Everything’s Possible in Leeds. The organi-zation came across as having clear goals, a methodology and a purpose driving it. It also see-med like somewhere I would be able to work hard and actually be able to contribute.

Before arriving here I had some experience of working with kids and working with organizations but no real experience of teachi-ng. Teaching English was a new challenge that I was excited, if pretty nervous about taking up. Although at first was a struggle to get used to and it’s certainly incredibly tiring job, I feel like I’ve developed my skills as a tea-cher and have taken on more and more responsibility within the En-glish team. This has given me all sorts of new coordination skills, lesson planning experience and increased self-confidence that I feel that will be incredibly useful both personally and professio-nally in the future.This can also be paralleled with my experience learning Spanish, this too has developed and I hope will conti-nue to do so throughout the rest of my stay here.What has struck me most whilst

working with SKIP, is the immen-sely high caliber of volunteers that the organization attracts. People with a vast range of ex-perience from around the world seem to be turning up every day.This means that, although a volunteer based organization, everyone is giving their work the dedication, responsibility and hard work that are required in order to make SKIP success-ful. It also a great place to learn about the world and live and work with people from a variety of countries.

Trujillo itself is, on the surface, a rather unremarkable place. However, the colonial center is nice, its location near to the beach fantastic and the long-weekend trips that are available from here to explore Peru are incredible. The lifestyle here is also intriguing, stimulating and, at times, frustrating, which makes living here all the more enjoyable.

The fact that Peru always lurks just outside the door means that the daily routine is often broken up by exciting adventures in taxis, trips to the enormous mar-kets and the exotic sounds (and smells) of the city.

Finally there are the kids. The most incredible bunch of little people you will ever meet. In-sane, frustrating and exhausting beyond belief they definitely are extremely hard work. However, spending time with them, wor-king with them and developing my skills amongst them has been a more rewarding experience than I ever imagined. Getting to know the community and seeing their everyday struggles can be difficult. However seeing the work that SKIP does working with the people and immensely posi-tive results that can be noticed nearly every day insures that we can all feel positive about the contribution we are making.

‘‘ The experience of living and working in

Peru has been incredible’’

«As I prepare for my departure from SKIP, aside from my chec-klist of practical things to do, I have to come to terms with lea-ving on an emotional level.

For the last eight months I’ve been living the SKIP experience. I’m still not quite ready to say goodbye to the volunteer house, or to being greeted each day at the office by excitable children. I know I’ll miss chatting with the mothers about the products they’ve been knitting (current collection includes bags and bikinis!) and carrying out hose visits to see how our loans have been improving the living condi-tions of the families we work with...

Trujillo has a blend or ordinary and extraordinary. For me, a perfect mixture of routine and work, tasks to do, meetings to organise, everyday life, outings to bars, the cinema and thea-tre, British-esque weather. Yet enter the extraordinary, hear the increadible stories of the SKIP families, find yourself surfing in Huanchaco on weekends, or ta-king an 8 hour trip to Huaraz, the awe inspiring Andes mountain range.

The SKIP experience is quite apart from anything I’ve ever done before. It brings together so many dedicated individuals, working full time on the long term goal of improving the qua-lity of life of participating Peru-vian families. Having seen long and short term volunteers pass through the doors of our SKIP office, I can say that each one brings something valuable to the

organisation; a new perspective, worldly experience or a spirit of fun to compliment the positive energy focussed on sustaining the project. SKIP is not about quick fixes. It’s about building on relationships within the com-munity and working together to plant the seeds, providing the support for steady and ongoing improvement. It’s been fascina-ting to see how each individual fits into the SKIP family and even though I am sad to leave, I know I will continue to feel a part of it.»


PERU

Testimonies

Beth, long term volunteer

‘‘The SKIP experience is quite

apart from anything I’ve ever

done before. ’’

Beca, long term volunteer“Sometimes I forgot the reason why I came to volunteer, then I hear my name... The children with a smile in their faces open the door and say: ‘¡Hola profe!’ Then I feel I am back on track”

Alex, long term volunteer“Not many opportunities like this come up in life. The last 3 months have been a rollercoaster and I’m sure the best yet to come.”

EVS Project <<AFEMJO Work camps>>

SPAIN

the projectAFEMJO host multinational workcamps located around the region of Castilla la Mancha.Work is themed and may includesport activities with handicappedpeople, arts & music workshops,working at refugee centre, building birds’ nests or signposting the hiking paths on touristic areas. Volunteers will be able to pick the themes of the

camps they would like to join according to their preference.The participants of workcamps will be Spanish young people as well as international volunteers aged 18-30.The project is a great opportunity for cultural exchange, teambuilding and a wonderful idea for a valuable wayof spending the summer.





accommodation and mealsLodging: You will share accommodation with other volunteers. The type of it will vary on different camps: it can be youth hostel, camping site, school facilities or farmhouse.

Meals: The hosting family will provide the volunteer with meals. In the volunteer accommodation you will.

Free time: is often arranged by host organisation. As a groupyou will be able to make culturalvisits, go hiking to mountains, see museums, go to the beach or do some sports.

For the project, volunteer • You will be expected tobring lots of positive energy & enthusiasm• You will need to enjoy living and working withpeople from different cultures.• You need to be openminded & happy to join different types of activities, working with Spanish youth & your peers from other countries.

‘‘Just go for it, that’s the best experience

that I had in my life’’

Nathan

The country Climate: Due to its geographic position Spain experiences oceanic, Mediterranean and European weather. Usually though the summers are hot and the winters are mild, except for the mountainous regions.

System of Government: Costitutional

Monarchy

Capital: Madrid

Currency: Euro

Language: Spanish

Time zone: (+1hour)

the project placeCiudad Real is situated in Campo de Calatrava, landscape dominated by many hills. This city offers exceptional cuisine centred on game, cheese and wine. In addition, the Cabañeros and Las Tablas de Daimiel natural parks tell us of its rich ecosystems. Ciudad Real is one of most important cities of Castilla

la Mancha, dry windmill region characterized in Cervantes’s novel Don Quixote. Don Quixote’s museum is amongst the attractions of the city. One of the most popular festivals in the city is La Pandorga, which takes place July 30th and 31st. On the last day the festival honors its patroness “La virgen del Prado.”

the hosting organisationName: AFEMJOSupport Worker: AdrianWebsite: www.afemjoclm.net

EVS Project «AFEMJO Work Camps»

SPAIN


HolaAdios





Ciudad Real

Localisation


EVS Project in

URUGUAY

the projectYour EVS project in Uruguay can either be working with rural development project, or, working with children/youth, teaching English and arranging cultural & sports activities.Children’s/Youth Project- Organising creative workshops for children and young people- Taking part in & helping organise adventure activities such as hiking and cycling trips

- Taking part in occasional AUDELE activities such as youth exchanges, international trainings.Agriculture /Environment ProjectAgriculture and rural areas play a very important part in Uruguayan history and national identity, until the middle of the twentieth century the entire country was sometimes likened to a single huge estancia (agricultural

estate) centered around Montevideo. This importance for the economy continues, your role in this project will be to undertake general volunteer tasks which will be connected with gardening and agriculture.The timetable for volunteers will be organised during the week, giving you free weekends toenjoy the local culture and of course beaches!





accommodation and mealsLodging: Your EVS with AUDELE will involve you staying with a local family (this is called a homestay). In such a differentculture we feel a homestay is often the best way to meet people and learn about local culture.You may share your room with another volunteer. The region is home to a large urban area and offers many social activities for

the volunteer to indulge in.

Meals: You will eat your meals with the host family and be given money for your other expenses. You will also have the chance to prepare some meals typical of your own.

For the project, volunteer • You should like sports or environmental activities.• Be happy to work with children, and young people.• Be flexible to try different activities in different places and to help where you aremost needed.• Get involved with thelocal community.• Be prepared to try out a very different culture, climate & lifestyle.

‘‘I began to feel more and more at home [...] doing my

European Voluntary Service in a school and with people who

made it both a special and rewarding experience.’’ John,

volunteer in Uruguay

Jean-Christophe teaching french John in the project

Jean-Christophe preparing food for children


The country Climate: Temperate climate with hot humid summers and chilly winters with temperatures ranging from 40°C in the summer to 8°C in the winter. The winters feel colder due to southern polar winds.

System of Government: Presidential representative Parliamentary Democracy

Capital: Montevideo

Currency: Uruguayan Peso

Language: Spanish


the project placeMontevideo is the capital city and the main port of Uruguay. Montevideo is the primate city in Uruguay, the only city in the country with a population over 1,000,000. Montevideo has a privileged harbour, one of the most important in the Americas. Also, it has beautiful beaches, like

Pocitos, Buceo, Malvin, Playa de los Ingleses, Playa Verde, Punta Gorda and Carrasco. Many monuments and museums cover the city, as well as historic buildings and squares.According to the Mercer Human Resource Consulting, Montevideo is the Latin American city with the highest

quality of life. It is among the 30 safest cities in the world and the second safest capital city.

the hosting organisationName: AUDELEWebsite: www.audele.org.uy

EVS Project in

URUGUAY


HolaAdios





Montevideo

Localisation


EVS Project in

URUGUAY

Testimonies

Natalie, short term volunteer

BREAKING BARRIERS BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS

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