From a minimum of one month to a maximum of one year.

Ak-Suu orphanage is located in a village called Teploklyuchenko, 15 minutes driving from Karakol. Ak-suu orphanage is a governmental property. The orphanage cares for 109 children from ages 3 to 19. Children attend secondary school with other local children in order to be involved in social arenas. Children speak only Kyrgyz language. They have different kinds of activities like sawing club for girls, and sport club for boys. They have good conditions to go in for singing, dancing and playing instruments. 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.

The mid-term volunteer can take part in the following activities...

- Participate in everyday life at the orphanage with the children.
- Conduct language, sports, handicraft, drawing, and dancing clubs (based on the kids’ needs and requests).
- Assist in conducting charity events organised by Leadership.

A volunteer will live in the Orphanage with kids in a one-bed separated room with a minimum standard of all necessary conveniences.

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.

Although 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 included 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.

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.

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.

The costs of the program are as follows...

1 month: 250 EUR
3 months: 700 EUR
6 months: 1400 EUR
1 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.