EVS project “Open world”
Duration:9 month
Local community
The EVS project “Open world” will take place in Yerevan in Medical Psychological Pedagogical Center for children with different kinds of disabilities. The Center is situated not far from the center of Yerevan. It was established in 2007 and there are 35 children getting education and treatment in the center now. The motto of the Center is “The world is open to everyone”.
Objectives and motivation
The main aim of the Center is to open children’s physical, mental and psychological peculiarities, to develop and open new talents in children who have mental and physical problems. The main aim of the EVS project is to work with children who have got different physical disabilities, to educate and train them and to make them feel equal members of society. The volunteer will be involved in all programs and will be encouraged to propose his/her own ideas and suggestions. The volunteer will live and work with the local community. Apart from working with the children, he/she will have the possibility to spend his/her free time with them and to learn a lot about Armenia. The volunteer will be involved in discussions and seminars about the future of the children and will be able to share his/her opinion on the situation. With the help of the volunteer they will be able to organize more workshops, in which the children according to their health can draw, sculpture, sing and dance.
Main tasks of the volunteer will be: The volunteer will participate in most activities with the children and have a variety of different tasks:
- The volunteer will have the opportunity to participate in all arts workshops and to support the staff in organizing these activities (painting, sculpturing, handicrafts, etc.)
- He/she will establish social contact with individual children and their parents by chats and games.
- He/she will present his/her country and culture to the children
- Creation of “Happy room” in the Center, organization of recreational activities for the children
- playing with the children
- social activities, group games etc.
- excursions and outdoor activities
- the volunteer will have the task to help organizing a big exhibition of the art works of the children on different topics
- organizing sport activities in the territory of the center
Support and training will be provided by the staff of the organization and by the community. The volunteer will be invited to social events and will be supported in learning and practicing basic Armenian language, according to his/her wish. The volunteer will work 5 days per week (approx. 30 hours) and will have weekends off.
Recruitment
There are no gender, age and other requirements for the selection/recruitment of volunteers. The volunteer should be interested or have some experience in working with children; he/she should be kind, communicative and reliable.
Practical arrangements for the volunteer
Accommodation and food:
During his/her voluntary service the volunteer will live in a house together with other EVS volunteers. All facilities will be provided. He/she will be provided with beds, sheets and linen.
Language training:
The language training will be provided by a language teacher 2 times per week during 4 months.
Training and support:
There will be specialists and psychologists who’ll provide training and support to the volunteers in working with children with different disabilities.