Join our ESC Volunteering Teams project to finish Alpakaland, what will be an animal-assisted healing space where Ukrainian refugee children. The main activity will be manual work to complete the park.
About us
Egyesek Youth Association organizes this volunteer program together with Migration Aid (MigAid). Migration Aid on top of running a refugee transit hostel and Ukrainian school in Budapest, Hungary aim to create a space where children can be psychologically rehabilitated. In this regard, they devote a special role to animal-assisted healing spaces. As the first test Migration Aid bought in Esztergályhorváti (countryside of Hungary) an empty, but utility-filled plot, on which there are currently only many trees. In an area of about 3 thousand square meters on the outskirts of the village, they plan to build 4-5 Green Shelter homes (suitable for 16-20 people), so the animal-assisted therapy space can help 300-500 affected children and their parents annually, counting on 2-week cycles.
Work
Alpakaland will be an animal-assisted healing space where Ukrainian refugee children can be psychologically rehabilitated in a smaller community. It will officially open its doors on 11th May 2024, with the first children’s camp starting in early June. Our task is to complete all the work needed to get the environment ready for camping by the time it opens. These are:
- simple construction of slats and metal fences and their painting,
- interior works: assistance with plastering and tiling, wall painting,
- erection of large tents according to assembly instructions,
- landscaping (spade, shovel, wheelbarrow),
- gardening (flower planting, plant care, mowing),
- simple assembly of animal runs,
- assembling wooden playgrounds and painting wood,
- decorating for the opening.
Participants
We are looking for motivated volunteers, who have a sense of empathy, patience, and experience to teach small kids and teenagers. Who are good at (nonverbal) communication and get along well with children from different age groups. This workcamp is especially suitable for volunteers who have an experience or are interested in working with children and refugees.
Practicals, accommodation, food, and leisure time
The camp will take place right next to the „small Balaton” with an amazing landscape. Balaton is close to enjoying the lake, and Hévíz and Zalaegerszeg are the nearest cities with options for gastronomy and cultural programs. Although be prepared Esztergályoshorváti is a very tiny village with 414 residents.
The project is co-funded by the European Union through the European Solidarity Corps program. There is no participation fee. Volunteers will live in the community centre of the village. There will be space inside the centre for half of the group (around 6 volunteers) and the other half (6 volunteers) will sleep in tents. MigAid will provide tents and sleeping bags. Camp leaders and volunteers will self-organise the breakfast and dinner, food will be provided. We will order lunch from the next village for each day. Each volunteer will receive 6 EUR/day pocket money as well. The evenings and the weekend will be free to explore the the countryside or Hungary. Travel expenses from your home country to the project venue will be reimbursed after participation in the project according to the distance.
Training during the activity
On the first Sunday, a one-day orientation training will be provided. This will be followed by mentoring sessions to support the learning and professional development of you.
No specific experience is required for this work. The volunteer work will be both lighter and heavier physical work, so feasible for girls and boys equally. There will be an initial discussion to decide which activities will be carried out by the different groups.
Additional comments
We ask the candidate volunteers to apply here: https://form.jotform.com/egyesek/alpakaland
We will do our best to keep you updated about your application, but please be patient. We may organize online group interviews as a next step too.
