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European Solidarity Corps

The power of together

Child care & Artistic education

YOUTH UNION OF PEOPLE WITH INITIATIVE ASSOCIACAO PARA O DESENVOLVIMENTO SOCIAL E COMUNITARIO

Caldas de Vizela, Portugal

Description

The project will be promoted by YUPI and developed in a partner organisation, a learning community, MAWU, which consists of a community of families and educators who seek a living and free education by transforming the way of looking at learning, relationships, and communication. It is an innovative project that approaches education for freedom and creativity, proposing artistic education as a tool for self development and expression, under Pikler, Montessori and Project methodology principles with more than 35 children from 1 to 10 years old (mawu.arteducacao). Tasks are: observing and supporting children in different ages, with focus of from 3 to 6 years old (activities, meals, love), to prepare and lead different workshops and activities in the field of ecology, art, culture, music, language or other skills that can support the project to grow. To get more info, check our infopack: https://shre.ink/GJUz

Accommodation, food and transport arrangements

The volunteer will be accommodated in a house of with other students, with single room, and shared bathroom and kitchen, in Guimarães, a city that is 15min distance by train of Vizela, where Mawu is based. The towels, sheets and blankets are provided. Wi-fi available in the house and in MAWU. During lunch, vegetarian food will be provided at MAWU, and the dinner will be prepared by the volunteer (or taking extra lunch from school). Pocket money will be provided by the Hosting Organization as well as costs of travel, accommodation, food, local transportation and activities.

Training during the activity

During the project the volunteer will receive on arrival training, provided by Portuguese National Agency in order to improve quality implementation. Also, the language course of Portuguese language will be offered via OLS platform, before arrival, as well as during stay in Portugal in a way to be easier to get involved in daily activities with the target groups, as well as with the local community. We support each volunteer with individual Portuguese lessons and also encourage the communication with children at school as it is a very engaging way of learning Portuguese.

Participant profile

We are looking to host 1 volunteer, experienced in working with kids, openminded, motivated, proactive, responsible, communicative, creative and able to work in an alternative educational system. Who is not afraid of physical work, insects, getting dirty or wet (or willing to expand own limitations). Digital/artistic skills are also welcomed. Mawu is a living, free, ever-changing community, and authentic communication is a core principle. This project is for you if you are interested in: innovative education, child care, creative expression (DIY, arts and crafts), sustainability, vegetarianism. Communicative English is required, but not obligatory as the team is multicultural.


Activity dates

From 01/10/2026 to 30/06/2027


Activity location

Rua Cruz de Vilar, Caldas de Vizela, Caldas de Vizela, Portugal


Activity type

Individual volunteering


Looking for participants from

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine


Activity topics

Education and training

Creativity and culture


Deadline for applications

Application deadline: 06/09/2026 23:59


Project code

2026-1-PT02-ESC51-VTJ-000401132