Cemetery of Civilization

Zooevka village, 18/08-31/08. 2001

The project was organized by SVIT, ECC “Bakhmat”, “Eco-Action” NGO

With support of Milieukontakt Oost-Europa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs MATRA, Service Civil International

Camp leaders: Julia Yakusheva, Maxim Agadjanov, Julia Myasyshcheva. Local project partner: Vladimir Vygonny and “Eco-Action” NGO

Information about the participants: the group consisted of 16 people, including three camp leaders. There were 8 foreign volunteers from Moldova, Germany and USA (U.S. Peace Corps volunteers), ten males and six females.

Technical preparation and development of infosheet has started in early July. Camp leaders visited local project partner and work site, discussed logistical and work issues, compiled preliminary shopping list of materials and other camp supplies needed, discussed further preparation program. Prep visit was continued by workshop organized in Artemovsk, Bakhmat office. The responsibilities for preparation were divided among campleaders and local project partner. Campleaders helped the volunteers to arrange their travel to the camp site.

Here comes work: restoration of the Monument to Victims of Environmental Terror (also called Cemetery of Civilization). Being more specific, there were several types of work: cleaning the rust and painting, cleanups, digging trenches for foundation, breaking and transporting stones for building, preparing cement and building foundations and fence. Second work site was bus stop at the center of the village. Work: cleaning the rust, painting the bus stop, drawing flags of participants’ countries and environmental sayings. There was no individual division of tasks; the group did it on each site internally. Local project partner coordinated work at all three sites, corrected and advised.

All three groups worked out of doors. People and working materials were transported to the sites by tractor. Volunteers were equipped with spades, shovels, kirks, hammer, brushes for metal and paint, ladders, crowbar etc. They were provided with gloves, protective glasses, and mittens for safety. There were enough tools and materials for everyone. The amount of work was more than enough.

Volunteers made significant contribution to the project; the results were obvious after a couple of workdays. Some difficulties occurred due to limited transportation abilities, lack of skills and experience of most volunteers, busy schedule of local project partner.

Free time activities: Local project partner made a presentation of his NGO and history of the monument, also he organized excursion in the neighborhood, demonstrating some other activities he’s doing (renovation of the wells). One of the local participants showed the group local canyon and river.

We visited two sites belonging to the “wonders of the region”, national nature park and monastery in Slavyanogorsk, and the oldest salt mine with underground museum and church (currently under construction). In Slavyanogorsk volunteers had a guided tour in the monastery and caves, visited several exhibitions dedicated to history of Eastern Slavs and local area (results of archeological excavations), history and traditions of the monastery. After the tour participants climbed the neighboring hill with 40 meters high statue of communist leader Artem, made in cubic style. The second excursion was to the salt mines. Participants visited museum, guide from salt company told about history of salt extraction and the enterprise. Then volunteers visited under-ground salt mine, where salt museum and under-ground church are being constructed. They visited oldest parts of the mine, digging salt crystals and trying old mine stairs.

How we lived: participants were accommodated in school gymnasium, in the sleeping bags. Four tents were available for those who preferred to sleep outside, in the school’s backyard. Shower and sinks were in the school building; the toilet was in the school’s backyard. There was also a second shower available, outside. Volunteers were responsible for cleanup of schoolrooms we were using. One of camp-leaders was responsible for this type of work; he coordinated volunteers. There were several problems related to logistical issues: volunteers for-got to turn off the water taps, to close the windows, to remove tents in time.

Volunteers cooked for themselves. Cooking schedule was compiled and arranged on the wall, each meal was usually prepared by three or more people. Volunteers sometimes preferred to cook in national groups when they wanted other participants to taste their national food. We were using school’s kitchen facilities, dishes, and dining room.

Roles of camp leaders were to coordinate the group for work and logistical activities, to help to get acquainted with local community, to learn about the region and the project, to help with free-time activities. These responsibilities were divided among three camp leaders. Project partner spent most of the time with the group, coordinated the work, explained some of the logistical issues, and helped to organize some free-time activities.

During the camp we faced some problems related to logistics. There were some internal conflict situations between several volunteers, which were also solved internally. No big conflict involving the whole group occurred. Some of the participants played active role in work and cooking, and helped camp leaders by showing a good example and organizing other volunteers to work.

Local project partner Vladimir Vygonny helped the volunteers to get acquainted with local community. At the beginning there were some disturbances from local youths, after getting acquainted with some people from our group locals came to visit, helped to get music tapes and to do some shopping.

We are happy with the results achieved with the help of many volunteers. We had good time and interesting project "Cemetery of Civilization" in Zooevka village.