N A D I Y A
Kryvyi Rig 20/08 - 04/09.2003
Acknowledges: This project is a result of many people's work. They come together to explore how best to develop and support volunteer activities in local context; how to transfer international volunteer experience to local level; to experience challenges and attractions of a volunteer camp. I would like to thank to my colleagues Olha Krivenko, Natalia Bondar, Ira Bohdanova for their continuous support, enthusiasm and enthusiasming. Thanks must go to all participants of the volunteer camp for their dedication and good will. To the administration of the boarding school for generous sharing with us their knowledge and skills.
Project Activities: During the period of 20 August - 04 September an environmental volunteer camp took place in Kryvyi Rig organised and hosted by Cultural and Creative Centre "AYA" within SVIT working group on volunteering activities.
The camp was successful. We were able to improve selection of volunteers procedure, practical arrangements at camp site in comparison to the last year camp. Besides, it helped us to strengthen co-opertion with international organisations working in the field of volunteering. This year is the first time we welcome eight international volunteers placed in our camp through Civil Service International.
Information support is wider then we planned. Instead of radio broadcast we succeeded to give information for local radio and TV. The brief information was given at national TV too.
Volunteer
Camp: Major works on the project were started late July 2003 - begin of August
with practical preparation of a volunteer camp. Although already in May we
announced the camp in Ukrainian through SVIT group on volunteering internal
mailing lists, which cover
Volunteers stayed at project site - the boarding school. We worked for 11 days, and for the rest of the time (5 days) we had workshops, field trips, meetings. During this period we have done a lot of work important for the boarding school: painting pipes and the shower in the swimming-pool, tapestry, window-sills and walls; washing floors, tables, windows; removing plants, which cause an allergy; co-organised the Knowledge Day (first day in school). We have prepared the psychological unloading room for re-equipping and suggested on its design; repaired phyto-bar where the children can drink medical grass tea and sewed bags for herb's mixes.
Except the field trips we had the excursions. On August the 24th our country celebrated its Independence Day and we went to the downtown, attended Ukrainian national fair and then went to the discotheque. This was perceived very positively by international volunteers in terms of intercultural enrichment.
Volunteers
were so touched by the project, that at the end of the term they made a present
to the school - 2 aquariums with the fish for the psychological unloading room
for the sum 180 Ukrainian Hrivna. Many volunteers brought with them gifts for
the school - toys for the swimming-pool and developing games. Besides, Don Collin
from
The teaching staff, the school administration and local population helped us in every possible way. Everybody was very hospitable to us. On the Knowledge Day each volunteer had a little speech. At the end of the camp project radio and TV visited us in the office. Our interview was broadcasted at local radio and TV as well as at National (But…we looked awful - tired, dirty but smiling. Well, no doubt we were in camp!). Now the article about the camp and volunteers is being prepared for the local newspaper.
By the end of the term all camp participants had become real friends. We were one large family. Many volunteers asked to send them the information about the next year camp. They want to visit our city one more time. It was the best compliment for us.
This activity is finished now. We can assess it as successful for it fully completed a scope of practical works, as well as contributed to the development of organisation, establishment of international contacts. Besides, we had very motivated volunteers. It helped to create friendly and nice atmosphere in the camp. An evaluation of the camp was made by volunteers. Results of the evaluation could be found in the Annex A bellow.
Evaluation: An evaluation of the volunteer camp was made by participating volunteers in September. Results of the evaluation could be found in the Annex A bellow.
Besides, members of Cultural and Creative Centre "AYA" held an internal evaluation of the project. The following people took part: Natalia Bondar, Olha Krienko, Maxim Agadjanov, Semyon Vorsulyak, Igor Malakhov, Artem Bobko, Olga Malakhova, Ira Bogdanova, Alexey Blinov. Everybody felt happy with results of the camp. Application process and practical preparations were started in time. Contacts with media happen in time and information was presented in a attractive way. However, it was recommended to apply selection criteria not only to foreign participants and UA participants from other organisation but also to members of our own organisation. This shall ensure sufficient level motivation for future.
Brief Summary Of Project Outputs: August - September 2003 successful volunteer camp is hold. The camp improved quality of life of 180 students of boarding school for mentally retarded children. Good contacts are established with administration of the boarding school and local community.
September 2003 - interviews for local radio, national TV on camp results. Article in local newspaper prepared.
September 2003: internal evaluation meeting held. Recommendations for next camp are elaborated.
October 2003: follow up development of joint volunteer project with international partners.
Last but not least. We were able to carry all our activities thanks to financial support of two Dutch Foundations - Milieukontakt Oost-Europa and Stichting Overal.