Recreations in institutional care system for disabled children

Descrição

The project takes place in P.A.A.P.A.V. (formerly known as PIKPA), which is an enclosed institution for disabled/neurodivergent children and young people in South Athens. The institution is a home for around 75 residents aged between 2 and 30 years old, with various impairments and/or social difficulties. Most of the residents do not have any contact with their families. The volunteers bring light, love, and care to the everyday lives of the children by engaging them in different activities (swimming, handcrafts, cooking, lessons, excursions..) and are part of a wonderful local and international community. Volunteers are encouraged to take their own initiative and have the support of the coordinator on an everyday basis. Most importantly, we strive to be the bridge to the outside world, promoting values like equality and inclusion, and recognizing the value and potential in each person rather than focusing on their disability.

Comparticipação nas despesas de alojamento, alimentação e transporte

The volunteers live inside the institution premises, within a separate building from the children and young people. The area around is beautiful and very green; especially in the summer, it is delightful to have the sea in front of the house. It takes around 45 minutes by public transport to reach the center of Athens. There will be approximately 4-6 long-term volunteers living together. Two volunteers share a large room and bathroom. Volunteers live, cook, eat, and work together all the time, so be prepared for a very intense experience in community living.

Formação durante a atividade

The volunteers receive arrival training concerning their daily tasks (proper use of wheelchairs, feeding, changing diapers). Additionally, they take part in an exchange for one week with another ESC project. Apart from that, we offer occasional training sessions to learn new techniques supporting the social model of disability. Weekly meetings and stable evaluations support personal development. All ESC volunteers participate in the On-Arrival and Midterm training organized by the National Agency (NA).

Perfil do participante

Motivation, enthusiasm, responsibility, and commitment are absolutely necessary. It's important to remember that most of the residents lack contact with their families and have no other contacts outside the institution. Therefore, they depend on the sensitivity, love, and attention of volunteers. Creativity, patience, initiative, maturity, and a good sense of humor are also important as the work can be challenging. An intermediate level of English is useful as it's the language of communication between volunteers and coordinators. Previous experience with disability is not mandatory.

Datas da atividade

De 01/07/2023 a 30/06/2025

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Local da atividade

Athens, Grécia

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Tipo de atividade

Voluntariado individual

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Procuramos participantes dos seguintes países

Alemanha, Bulgária, Bélgica, Chipre, Chéquia, Croácia, Dinamarca, Eslováquia, Eslovénia, Espanha, Estónia, Finlândia, França, Geórgia, Grécia, Hungria, Irlanda, Islândia, Itália, Kosovo * UN resolution, Letónia, Listenstaine, Lituânia, Luxemburgo, Malta, Moldávia, Montenegro, Noruega, Países Baixos, Polónia, Portugal, Roménia, Suécia, Sérvia, Ucrânia, Áustria

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Temas da atividade

Social challenges

Health and wellbeing

Education and training

Creativity and culture

Working against discrimination (including gender discrimination)

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Data-limite para a apresentação de candidaturas

Prazo de candidatura: 31/12/2024 23:59

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Código do projeto

2023-1-EL02-ESC51-VTJ-000120089