We want to invite you to participate in our long-term project in After-School Club ‘Living Differently’ in Wroclaw. We look for 2 motivated young people, who want to work in the project for 10 months, from September 2009 till the end of June 2010.

What are the main tasks?

During the project the volunteer will have the opportunity to prepare materials and take part in many kinds of workshops (f.e. computer, art, journalism, theatre, ecology, safety etc.) and - after some time - to create and run his/her own workshops implementing some elements of occupational therapy. What is more, volunteers are welcome to help children with their homework and assist in indoor and outdoor activities which staff have prepared. This activities may be f.e. music and sport events, playing games, painting, writing articles to the Centre’s newspaper, taking photographs and making exhibitions, sculpture, gardening and many others.

Concerning the Senior’s Club, the volunteers can assist and organize many activities such as computer classes, dances, singing, art workshops. The tasks of the volunteer will be to help in organizing seniors’ events and regular meetings. The volunteer is very welcome to integrate his/her own ideas and projects into the program and widen the range of initiatives run in the Centre. Beside the volunteers will be helpful in daily running of the Centre, what may include activities like f.e. preparing food, cleaning, administrative work, documentation of main events.

Who are we looking for?

We're looking for a volunteer who has an open and caring nature towards children and is eager to develop in the area of working with children and youth at the age 7 to 17. Such features like creativity, passion and enthusiasm are important for the volunteer to have. What is more he/she has to be patient, friendly and empathic, but in the same time able to create the relation of leadership, authority and discipline in a group. Concerning the fact that children under the Centre’s care are in quite difficult social situation, we think that emotional stability and distance are really important and may prevent excessive personal involvement in children’s every-day problems. It is recommended to all candidates that previous work with children is important, but qualifications are not vital. Some part of the project concerns working with seniors, so we count on volunteers’ openness, understanding and persistence in implementing new ideas while working in this group. The most important thing is the willingness and courage to try something new and overcome stereotypes, not the previous experience in working with seniors. We request our volunteers to be non-smokers, because we try teach and show our children, that it is possible to live without any addiction.

Where?

Wroclaw is a 750.000-inhabitant city, a capital of Lower Silesia region situated in south-west Poland. Wroclaw itself is a beautiful city (called Polish Venice) with many historic sites and very friendly atmosphere. Beside the city has 14 Universities and Academies, so cultural live is developed very well. (If you want to learn more about the city go to www.wroclaw.pl).