Short-term (2 to 4 weeks) "work with children/teenagers" projects in Belgium

For the past few years, JAVVA has been organising workcamps in Red Cross Centres for Asylum Seekers. Indeed, the whole issue of refugees, asylum seekers and migration in general is one of the main issues Western European countries deal with nowadays. The aim of these workcamps is not only to allow volunteers to have an “up close and personal” experience of the issue, and therefore have a different view on it than what can be seen in the media, but also to bring some “fresh air” to the residents in the Centre.

This workcamp will take place in the Red Cross Centre for Asylum Seekers in Rendeux, that can host up to 165 residents. The volunteers will help in the renovation of an area to be used for leisure activities by the teenagers living in the Centre. Moreover, animation activities with the teenagers and the children living in the Centre will be organised. The concrete management of the workcamp will be decided by the volunteers themselves, after a meeting at the beginning of the workcamp.

Volunteers will be accommodated in the Centre, in two separate bedrooms (4 persons max per room).

Rendeux is a small town of about 2000 inhabitants, in the Luxembourg province, in the east of Belgium. Various festivals (music and theatre) take place in the area during the workcamp.

This workcamp takes place in a Red Cross Centre for asylum seekers, which is somewhat isolated. Volunteers should have an interest for the issue, and a will to interact with the asylum seekers.

The Arthur Regniers Centre hosts persons suffering of cerebral and motor disabilities. The volunteers will mostly attend to the basic needs of the children of the Centre (helping with meals, cleaning, going to the toilet…) but will also participate in the setting up of artistic and cultural activities, together with the Centre’s staff. They will also be able to suggest their own activities.

in the Centre.

Bienne-lez-Happart is a very small town near Binche, Mons and Charleroi. The Centre itself is quite isolated in the countryside but bicycles and a car are at the volunteers’ disposal (please bring your crash helmet and your driver’s license, if possible). They can be used in the evenings or in the weekends, to visit the region and visit other places in Belgium.

This workcamp is for motivated volunteers. The Centre is quite isolated, and the work can be challenging.
An average knowledge of French is required, as activities will be conducted with children…who do not speak any English.

For those willing to stay a bit longer, possibility is given to stay an additional week by participating in half of JAVVA 09 workcamp (17-21 August). Stay during the weekend can be arranged.

Volunteers will help to organise a summer camp for 50 children from 6 to 15 years old who come from underprivileged backgrounds. They will cook meals for the group and propose some recreational activities, with the educators and social workers of the association. They will work with three local volunteers aged from 15 to 18 years old. More information at www.cemome.be

Under tents, sleeping bag and mattress required.

Volunteers will spend a couple of days in Brussels in order to prepare some games and fun activities for the kids. The summer camp itself will be located in the Ardennes (Sippenaek, a little village near Liège), in the South East of Belgium. It’s a wonderful green area in Belgium, in the middle of nature!

An average knowledge of French is required, as activities will be conducted with children…who do not speak any English.

The Arthur Regniers Centre hosts persons suffering of cerebral and motor disabilities. The volunteers will mostly attend to the basic needs of the children of the Centre (helping with meals, cleaning, going to the toilet…) but will also participate in the setting up of artistic and cultural activities, together with the Centre’s staff. They will also be able to suggest their own activities.

in the Centre.

Bienne-lez-Happart is a very small town near Binche, Mons and Charleroi. The Centre itself is quite isolated in the countryside but bicycles and a car are at the volunteers’ disposal (please bring your crash helmet and your driver’s license, if possible). They can be used in the evenings or in the weekends, to visit the region and visit other places in Belgium.

This workcamp is for motivated volunteers. The Centre is quite isolated, and the work can be challenging.
An average knowledge of French is required, as activities will be conducted with children…who do not speak any English.

For those willing to stay a bit longer, possibility is given to stay an additional week by participating in half of JAVVA 09 workcamp (17-21 August). Stay during the weekend can be arranged.