From a minimum of one month to a maximum of one year.
About Ak-Suu Orphanage:
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.
Volunteer’s Role:
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.
Accommodation:
A volunteer will live in the Orphanage with kids in a one-bed separated room with a minimum standard of all necessary conveniences.
NB:
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.
Language:
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.
Other skills:
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.
Duration of the Program and Your Schedule:
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 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.
About Public Association "Baldar Omur Bulagy":Public Association (PA) "Baldar Omur Bulagy" was established on May 2006 on the initiative of the mothers of children with disabilities. The creation of a stable base to support children with disabilities and their families in all areas of life. In the organization are conducted classes in elementary school program individually with each child, as well as educational classes and clubs by interests (origami, sewing, painting, etc.). The organization has five employees and one volunteer from "JICA". Twenty one children attend the center of the organization. Tup (Kirgh. Tүp), the administrative center of the district of Tup. Located in the eastern part of the Issyk-Kul, 27 km from the regional center, the city of Karakol.
Mission:
Protecting the rights of children with disabilities and their mothers by providing material, moral social support, adaptation, integration of children into society. Assist in improving the lives of children with disabilities and their families.
Volunteer’s qualifications:
We need a volunteer in the direction of institutional development respecting the following criteria...
1. Knowledge of Russian or Kyrgyz language. 2. Have the appropriate education or experience in this area. 3Have the intention to serve and work as a volunteer at least 2 years 4. Age not younger than 20 years.
Accommodation:
The volunteer will live with a local family, which will provide the volunteer with their own room and all the necessary conveniences. You will join your host-family for breakfast and dinner; lunch will be provided at the office together with other members of PA “Baldar Omur Bulagy”.
Note:
A volunteer is requested to have basic skills working with disabled people, as well as basic Russian or Kyrgyz language skills. New methods/approaches are always welcomed.
Language:
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.
Other skills:
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.
Duration of the Program and Your Schedule:
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 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.
« I can say that the best things about the workcamp and this whole experience were the chance of making a real difference to the lives of very needy children. This is an extremely valuable project where volunteers can have a massive impact. Also the possibility of learning a huge amount about a country so different from our own. I learnt ten times as much by carrying out a workcamp than I would ever do backpacking. »
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