Short-term (2 to 4 weeks) "work with disabled" project in Russia

Our town is not adapted for the needs of disabled people. There are no elevator ramps, no lifts in Vorkuta. The volunteers will work as personal assistants for children who can't move without assistance (blind, children in wheelchairs, kids with cerebral palsy). They will help children to take part in cultural, sport and entertaining activities. Volunteers will also help tutors in the events organized to help disabled children in social rehabilitation, as well as making friendship with teenagers with physical disabilities and realization of creative workshops (dancing, singing, drawing.) Working time is about 4 hours per day.

The work camp will be organized in cooperation with Komi Republic's State Institution "Social rehabilitation centre for under-aged children with disabilities. Vorkuta is a coal mining town in the Komi Republic, Russia, situated just north of the Arctic circle. There are about 100 thousand inhabitants in Vorkuta. There's no road to Vorkuta because of climate's conditions. You can get there only by railway: two days from Moscow or one day from Syktyvkar. During the free time camp leaders will organize excursions in the surrounding areas, meetings with active local youth, barbecue in the holiday center "Yuzhnyi", Russian traditional sauna - "banya", meeting with locals - nenets, their traditions, late at night it'll be possible to spend time in town and have fun with locals.

World4U is a non-profit NGO. It began to exist in 1997-1998 as a group of young enthusiastic people - all with a vision that international communication among youth has a tremendous potential in raising intercultural understanding, tolerance and creating peaceful life in the world-wide community. In the summer of 2000, the Russian Youth Voluntary Center World4U started as an official NGO, organising international projects in Russia and sending Russian volunteers abroad.Now we are one of the biggest voluntary centers in Russia which manage international voluntary exchange. World4u represents about 2500 creative and bright individuals who are united by the idea of volunteering and cross cultural understanding. We have regional partners in many regions of Russia.

Motivation letter required. People with experience in animation, musicians, artists etc. are highly welcome to apply.

Volunteers will be hosted in rehabilitation centre. Please, bring your sleeping bag and a sleeping mat. They will prepare the food by themselves.