Short-term (2 to 4 weeks) "study/educational" projects in Switzerland

Work: The volunteer-task consists of maintenance work on the pilgrim-path around the lake of Thun. One of the main tasks will be to repair dry stone walls. The volunteers will also build new dry stone walls. An expert of dry stone walls will show you how it's done. Be aware that the work is physically demanding and you have to stay outdoors all the day. Volunteers need to be physically strong, patient and have a certain skill for manual work. The working time is 6 hours. During the week there will be a workshop on one day. Volunteers will only work 5 days. Location: The pre-alp region along the right riverside of the lake of Thun offers different possibilities for trekking. Close from here is the "Niederhorn" with a nice panoramic view. You can discover the caves "Beatus" or visit the close by alp town Thun with its magnificent old castle and historical town centre. Walk along the old streets and enjoy a cup of coffee in one of the pretty street cafés. From Thun you can reach Berne in 20 minutes by train. Berne is the capitol of Switzerland and UNESCO world heritage. Partner: What happens if you mix young and old volunteers in an intergenerational Workcamp? This pilot project should offer a platform to make friendships and experiences with another age group and try to build up friendship and better understanding. Because it is our first experience we want to put the focus on the mix of generation. That's why this Workcamp is only open for Swiss volunteers. Old and young people will live together, plan the daily schedule and work together very close. In this week there will be a special day with workshops. Normally they will work along the pilgrim- path. Members of the union called Region Thunersee are municipalities around the lake of Thun. The aim of the union is to take care of the cultural landscape in the region. One big and ongoing project is to maintain the old pilgrim-path. It is part of the famous trails leading to Santiago de Compostela. Requirements: OPEN FOR SWISS VOLUNTEERS OR GERMAN SPEAKING VOLUNTEERS between 16 and 30/ 55 and 99 years old. In the alpine region there can be objective natural hazards (for example steep paths, falling rocks). That's why volunteers need to be confident and fit and they have to bring good, weather proved clothes. This includes robust, water proofed hiking shoes and rain clothes. As you can get dirty during your work, you also have to bring old working clothes. You will have to carry around many heavy stones. The work can be physically demanding that's why you shouldn't have any health problems. Accomodation and food: Volunteers will live in a guest house with kitchen, showers and toilets. It's called the "Naturfreundehaus" (to be confirmed). The volunteers need to bring sleeping bags. In the mornings and at night you will do the cooking yourselves. For lunch Volunteers have to prepare sandwiches.

17-99

-

BEATENBERG

German

Work: The volunteer tasks consist of maintenance work on the grassland, on fields in the hills and forestation work. The main work will be fencing. The sheep will stay in the farmland and the volunteers will help to fix new fences. Location: Teuffenthal (close to Thun) lies in the mountains. Teuffenthal consists of (farm) houses spread across the hills. There are only 180 people living there. Thun is a bit more than 10 km away. Thun is a charming little town with stunning view on lake & alps. From Thun it's only 20 minutes by train to reach Bern, the capital of Switzerland.In their leisure time volunteers can go for a hike in the nearby mountains. This region is famous for hiking tourists. There are many hiking trails close by. It's also possible to visit Thun on the weekend. Partner: We want to invite Volunteers from Eastern European Countries to spend their time with Swiss Volunteers. There will be one day of workshops, where the participants can share their similarities and talk about cultural differences and how to prevent prejudices. Edith von Allmen and Raphael Zuberbuehler are the owners of the farm called Buehlmatt in Teuffenthal. They live there with their children, but not only with them. Buehlmatt is also the home for 2-3 adults with mental health problems. Buehlmatt offers those people professional care, work on the farm and a home. All together there are about 8 people living at Buehlmatt. There are cows and some smaller animals on the farm too. People on the farm Buehlmatt are happy that the workcamp will turn their home into a place for intercultural exchange. Requirements: Open for Volunteers from Eastern Europe (Russia, Ukraine, Slovakia, Czech, Poland, Hungary, Rumania, Estonia, Belarus, Georgia ec.)No alcohol and no drugs are allowed inside and around the farm Buehlmatt. If anyone breaks this rule, (s)he will have to leave the camp immediately. The motivation of the volunteers has to be very high to work outdoors and it can be physically demanding. That's why a MOTIVATION LETTER for this workcamp is required. Accomodation and food: The volunteers will stay in a very simple accommodation in a small hut close by the farm Bühlmatt. There is no bathroom just a simple toilet. The volunteers have to wash themselves with cold water from the nearby fountain or boil their own hot water on the stove. This workcamp is for nature lovers who want to live away from a big city.

16-30

Teuffenthal

TEUFFENTHAL

English