Partner
Egyesek Youth Association organizes this volunteer program together with Csörögi Tanoda (an afterschool program in Csörög), managed by the Mahájána Foundation since 2011. They aim to ensure that the children learn according to their abilities, find a job they enjoy and become able to adapt to changing circumstances. To achieve this, they try to make learning desirable again among the Roma community of Csörög, where they are supporting 26 families. Their activities include group work and personal development for children, career orientation and community building.
Work
In this project you will have the opportunity to organize summer camps for marginalized children aged 10 to 18. As a volunteer, you'll be an integral part of the NGO's mission to empower these children by providing them with valuable experiences to make a difference in their lives. Immerse yourself in a week of fun, learning and connection, as you will teach these children about yourself, your culture, and the English language. But that’s not all – if you have a passion for sports or music, we welcome your expertise to enrich the camp experience even further!
After Sunday’s arrival (you may explore Budapest over the weekend), we kick off the week with a preparation day on Monday to review the activities and the logistics of the camp, ensuring everything is set for an amazing experience. Tuesdays will be all about building emotional connections with the children by playing together. From Wednesday to Friday, we will venture out from Csörög for two nights of adventure at summer camps across Hungary, creating lasting memories along the way. On Saturday, volunteers will come together for a day of reflection and closure, celebrating the impact made in the children’s lives. On Sunday, everyone will begin their journey back home. As a volunteer, you'll have the opportunity to teach English, lead engaging games and sports, and share the beauty of music with the children. But your role will go beyond teaching skills; you'll be fostering a sense of joy, trust, empathy, and respect, addressing a wide range of psychosocial needs and building essential life skills. Join us in creating a brighter future for these children, one filled with laughter, learning, and limitless possibilities!
Accommodation and food
While in Csörög, you will live in the afterschool building, in a big shared room with mattresses. Please bring your sleeping bags with you. From Wednesday to Friday, you will accompany the children and staff to a summer camp in Hungary. A shower and toilet are available in the building, together with a superb kitchen.
We will provide 3 meals/day for you (hot meals for lunch and dinner). A vegetarian option is available. All equipment needed to fulfil your tasks will be provided as well.
Location and leisure
Csörög is a tiny village close to Budapest, but we will send only 3-4 days the rest will be together with the children in Esztergom or Balaton in the summer camp. Although Budapest is very close, it is a vibrant and fascinating metropolis where there's always something going on, so your leisure time in Hungary is going to be well spent.
Travel
You need to travel by train from Budapest to Csörög. Trains depart almost every hour from Budapest Nyugati station. We ask you to catch the train at 6.00 pm at Nyugati Station together so the team can arrive around 7.30 pm to the after-school location. It takes around 1 hour from the airport to the train station by bus and metro, plus 1,5 hours to Csörög.
Requirements
No special documentation is required. There are no language requirements, but you will need to communicate with the staff and the children in Hungarian or English. Bring clothes that can get dirty while playing, a sleeping bag, and personal medicine. Please send us a motivational letter focusing on why you chose to work with children, and what kind of related skills or previous experiences you have in the chosen field. You don’t need any special skills to be a volunteer.
