A. Project environment: profile of the organisation and local community
Laski is a small town on the edge of Kampinoska Forest not far from Warsaw. Laski Institution is an education complex consisting of nursery, school, boarding school, music school and library. About 300 youngsters, often from families in difficult situation, are cared for by laymen, nuns, blind workers and volunteers. The staff offers the proteges therapeutical and medical help, opportunities to acquire useful skills, prerares them to an independent adult life and helps to develop their creativity. We pay special attention the policies of integratiing the disabled into society. This aim is achieved by encouraging contacts with healthy peers and via participation in various cultural events.
There are also number of Polish and foreign volunteers working in Laski Institution, so the EVS volunteers will have the chance to cooperate with them at various points.
The volunteers choosing to come to work to Blind Institution in Laski should take into account that the place is held by Franciscan Order of Nuns. The nuns are very nice and open, nevertheless, the volunteers should respect the existing rules and solitude in their hosting organization. As the volunteers would be living in a hotel for workers located in the territory of the Institution, they should take into account that from 23.30 (the time of arrival of last buss from Warsaw) until 4.00 the gate is closed.
Volunteers should be also aware about the fact that although Laski institution is located not far from Warsaw (45-60 min to Warsaw centre by buss), it is quite isolated place located between fields and forest.

B. Proposed activities for EVS volunteers
By living and working in Poland foreigners gain new insights into the social problems of Poles, one that they haven't had before. They learn about life in Poland and thus, learn the value of Polish culture and get to understand Polish mentality. Working with a group of tutors, therapists and Polish volunteers, foreign volunteers learn how to work with the youth. By taking part in holiday camps and international meetings, they acquires both pedagogical and managerial abilities. All volunteers participate in Polish language course, as a part of their preparations. Linguistic training during the project is provided by the host organisation and it is possible to undertake it at the University of Warsaw.
Volunteers' commitment provides an invaluable help to our everyday work and activities. Volunteers act as assistants, supporting our few regular staff members in nursery work. Already from the age of three children in Laski learn to be independent. This is one of the basic roles of the nursery that exists within the institute. Children from different social groups go to the nursery. Frequently their families are overprotective, which prevents the children from learning to become independent. Sometimes parents don't know how to take proper care of children with impaired eyesight and hinder their development. The nursery's task is to take the children out of the tight circle of familiar people and things and show them the unknown world, help them adapt to living in a group and teach them basic skills, such as washing and getting dressed, tying their shoes, and so on. The Volunteers are extremely helpful in caring for blind or poor-sighted children and teenagers, giving them their attention, care, friendship, sense of security and self-respect. What more, it broadens our proteges' experience and gives a chance to spend time with people who, at the beginning, are complete strangers coming from a different country, different culture, speaking different language and having different believes. Through volunteers our kids realise that even a stranger may become their friend and give them help and support.
Volunteers' tasks are directly related to those of the Institute.
Volunteers' tasks:
- co-operation in managing musical, artistic and sport activities in children's free time, encouraging them to active participation;
- helping to learn every day activities;
- helping children in doing their homework and during professional trainings by giving German conversations;
- helping to prepare and hold meetings with German youth, specialists, tutors, and representatives of partner organisations in Germany and France, working for establishing new contacts;
- helping with German-French Polish correspondence.

C. Volunteer profiles and recruitment process
The target group is quite demanding, therefore we are looking for a patient and persistent person who enjoys challenges and feel motivated to work exactly for this project. It would be good if the candidates would be creative persons that are willing to come up with their own ideas and implement them during their stay in our organization. The volunteers should have a team spirit but also could be able to work independently. Bearing in mind the target group, to avoid the possible misunderstandings it would be also good if the volunteers would have at least basic understanding and sensitivity about the issues related to work with visually impaired youth.Before applying the volunteers should be also aware about the fact that the institution is held by Franciscan Order of Nuns and existing rules in the hosting organization.
During the recruitment process we are open to all the candidates. We expect the possible candidates to send us their CV and motivation letter.

E. Risk prevention, safety and protection
Because of the specific and difficult profile of the project we cannot host the volunteer aged under 18.
The volunteer will be always able to count on the support of the specialists, the staff and other volunteers. The volunteer will be acquainted with the work safety and hygiene as well as the rules and methods how to work with blind and disabled children. All these means will undoubtedly prevent risks and crises.