Let`s spread together the seeds of volunteering!
Volunteers wanted for 12 month stages in Cluj-Napoca Volunteer Center starting from 01.09.2018
Project description
Since its founding in 2004, Cluj-Napoca Volunteer Center (CNVC) followed its mission that is to develop volunteerism as a means of involving citizens in solving out the problems of the Cluj-Napoca community. Also, we focused on hosting international volunteers and sending Romanian volunteers to do volunteering stages in organizations throughout Europe. Find out more about us here https://centruldevoluntariat.ro/?lang=en and here https://www.facebook.com/centruldevoluntariat/
Having this experience we initiated the project `EVS Seeds` in order to support and encourage other public institutions and NGO`s in Cluj-Napoca to develop through working with international volunteers. In the first year of this project we plan to host 8 volunteers who will have activities in 8 different organizations, providing them with the experience of working together with international volunteers and inspiring them to implement their own international volunteering projects. On the other hand, for the volunteers, we prepared an enriching context, by selecting 8 very different and active organizations in Cluj-Napoca`s community, where they can develop both personally and professionally on very varied levels.
Main activities of the volunteers
The first month of the stage (September) is the induction period, which consists of trainings and activities that will help volunteers accommodate to the new working and cultural environment. Starting with the second month, the 8 volunteers, grouped in teams of two, will work in 2 of the selected organizations and public institutions, in each, for 2 days a week. One day a week will be spent at the hosting organization, CVCN, where the volunteers will plan their activities, develop new ideas and evaluate their progress in the learning journey. The total number of volunteering hours/week will be between 30 and 35.
Here you find the description of the 4 types of volunteering stages that we offer:
A. Seeds of Empathy
Main activities will take place in `World Vision` (https://worldvision.ro) and `The Romanian Foundation for Children, Community and Family` (FRCCF) (https://frccf.org.ro/). Summary of activities:
In World Vision:
– The volunteers will take part in after-school activities with groups of high-schoolers (age 14-18) in Cluj-Napoca and Gherla. They will prepare and implement English classes using non-formal methods. The beneficiaries are youngsters from rural areas that study in the before mentioned cities, therefore they also need moral support to continue their studies.
– Towards the end of the school year, the volunteers will organize outdoor activities for the beneficiaries and will also take part in organizing events, such as summer camps.
In FRCCF:
– The volunteers will prepare and facilitate socio-educational animation for children and young people in the two day-centers of the organization, Everychild (7-14 years old) and Clujul are Suflet (14-20 years old).
– Also the volunteers will take part in organizing and implementing fundraising strategies and events, together with the FRCCF staff – fundraising department.
Volunteer`s profile:
– willingness to work with underprivileged children and young people
– good communication skills
– advanced English speaking and writing skills
– motivation to learn Romanian language, in order to improve the relationship with the beneficiaries
– responsibility
– open-mindedness
B. Seeds of Boldness
Main activities will take place in `Prison Fellowship Romania` (http://www.pfr.ro/ro/ ) and `Cluj-Napoca City Hall` (http://www.primariaclujnapoca.ro/) Summary of activities:
In Prison Fellowship Romania:
– The volunteers will take part in after-school activities with groups of children and young people in PFR day center. Here they will have both educational and leisure activities with the beneficiaries, who are around 30 children with ages between 8 and 16, from socially vulnerable families.
In Cluj-Napoca City Hall:
– The volunteers will have activities in the City Hall`s tourism office in Cluj-Napoca giving guided tours in their native language and translating touristic guides in their native language, contributing to the enhancement of the city`s touristic value.
– Also the volunteers will work in the communication department, in web-site related issues, helping with translations from English to their native languages. They will help with the preparations for the City Hall`s events, doing activities related to logistics and organizing. On the side, they will help in the registry office of the department.
Volunteer`s profile:
– willingness to work with underprivileged children and young people
– good communication skills
– motivation to learn Romanian, in order to improve the relationship with the beneficiaries
– tolerance to bureaucracy and hierarchy
– responsibility
C. Seeds of Vitality
Main activities will take place in Transylvania College (http://www.transylvania-college.ro/ ) and Raluca Educational Center (CER) (http://www.centruleducationalraluca.ro/). Summary of activities:
In Transylvania College:
– The volunteers will produce content and design for promotional materials and offer support to the students in the school library.
– They will also contribute to organizing events, help organizing during lunch time and, if suitable, assist teachers in their classes.
In Raluca Educational Center (CER):
– The volunteers will facilitate activities in the day center for young people with Down syndrome, in order to help them socialize, learn new things and become more independent. The activities are: hand-made workshop, team-building exercises, English classes, personal autonomy trainings and dance/zumba/fitness classes.
– They will also participate in the CER summer vacation, which will take place for 2 weeks in August at the Romanian seaside. There they will facilitate educational and leisure activities for the beneficiaries.
Volunteer`s profile:
– willingness to work with people with disabilities
– good communication skills
– dance or fitness class facilitating abilities or interest
– crafts and handmade skills
– above average English speaking skills
– responsibility
– open-mindedness
D. Seeds of Kindness
Main activities will take place in Department of Social and Medical Assistance (DASM) (http://dasmclujnapoca.ro/ ) and Something New (http://something-new.ro/)Summary of activities:
In Department of Social and Medical Assistance (DASM):
– The volunteers will facilitate after-school activities in Tara Minunilor day center. The beneficiaries of this center are children aged between 6 and 12 years old who live in underprivileged areas near Cluj-Napoca. Here the volunteers will do leisure and educational activities such as: English classes, support with homework, outdoor, sports or cultural-artistic activities and events, development of personal autonomy trainings, civic education exercises etc.
– Also the volunteers will have activities in the Socio-Medical Services Center, where the beneficiaries are children with physical or neurologic health issues. Here they will perform socio-educational animation and organize theater, art or music workshops for the beneficiaries.
– They will contribute in organizing events and information sessions on different subjects (education, health, parenting, etc.) for the beneficiaries` parents.
In Something New:
– The volunteers will facilitate activities for the beneficiaries, children aged between 6 and 15 years old, in the Something New day center. Here they will facilitate educational activities, such as helping with homework or teaching their native language or English. Also they will facilitate leisure activities such as handmade workshops, cooking classes, sports, etc.
– They will also contribute at planning, organizing and implementing public events for different occasions, such as the Charity Marathon, the Christmas Market, etc.
Profile of the volunteer:
– willingness to work with underprivileged children and young people
– willingness to work with children with disabilities
– good communication skills
– any type of artistic abilities
– responsibility
– open-mindedness
Accommodation, food and transport arrangements
The accommodation will be arranged by CNVC, the hosting organization. Two volunteers will share a room in a rented flat, in Cluj-Napoca. All the expenses related to the accommodation will be covered through the project. Each volunteer will receive money for food and pocket money, every month according to the Erasmus+ standards. Also the local transport costs related to the volunteering activities will be covered.
Participants with fewer opportunities
Our organization has additional mentoring or other support suitable for young people with social obstacles, educational difficulties, cultural differences or similar, therefore we encourage also participants with fewer opportunities to apply.
How to apply
Send us your CV and motivation letter at evscluj@voluntariat.ro until the 15th of May, with the subject “Application for EVS Seeds”. In the email please mention for which of the 4 stages do you apply and also which would be your second choice if there is one. For additional information please write to us on the same address. After the 10th of May we`ll organize Skype interviews with the candidates in order to get to know each other better before the final decision regarding the selection.