Forestry and gardening activities in the Rehabilitation and Health Clinic in Hveragerdi

  Iceland

• Other Cities in Iceland: 
Reykjavik

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: October 12 - October 26

Description: Hveragerdi is a small town of about 1,700 inhabitants that lies some 45 km east of Reykjavik. This friendly little community sits on top of a highly active geothermal field which provides heat for hundreds of greenhouses where fruit, flowers and vegetables are produced throughout the year. Even bananas grow in these greenhouses! The name Hveragerdi means "hot springs garden". Geothermal energy is Hveragerdi's lifeblood, and you probably wont find such a natural wonder in the middle of a populated area anywhere else in the world. A very interesting site is Gufudalur, the lovely "Steam Valley" behind the town. The whole valley explodes with hot springs, geysers, mud pots, fumaroles and steaming vents.

Our host is the Rehabilitation and Health Clinic which is a part of the Nature Health Association of Iceland located in Hveragerdi. The Clinic is a place of choice for all those who are in need of rehabilitation, regaining their strength or simply in need to rest. It has earned a solid reputation, both in Iceland and internationally, since its foundation in 1955 for personal and effective care of patients. It is the oldest sanatorium in Iceland and, one of the two most important rehabilitation clinics in Iceland. Every year approximately 2,000 patients and other guests enjoy the diverse rehabilitation programs.

The Clinic does its best to meet the needs of all guests by enhancing their physical as well as mental well being. The basic philosophy is to build up clients health and improve their quality of life and well being. The approach builds self-confidence and individual awareness of the fact that only he or she is responsible for his/her own health.
Mud baths, herbal baths, therapeutic massage and lymphatic drainage massage are some of the special therapies used in combination with other treatments. The association has a horticultural and environmental department with forestry and greenhouses. The volunteers will mainly work in that field.

The cooperation with this partner has been fantastic and our volunteers have enjoyed their stay there a lot.

The work will mostly be focused on forestry, gardening and greenhouse work. The amount and type of work will depend largely on the weather conditions, therefore we have to be flexible. You should be prepared for unfriendly weather, even though, hopefully, it will be nice most of the time.

Highlights: Three volunteer groups will be joining the project in the following dates:
October 12 - October 26
October 26 - November 9
November 9 - November 23

Leisure time: Free access to the local swimming pool. Excursions will be arranged by our hosts.

There is an extra fee of 120 Euro that goes to support the local host of the project.

Cost in US$: USD 290

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: motivated to work voluntarily within an international team, tolerant, open-minded and cooperative person with adventurous spirit.

Age Range: 18 and over

This Program is open to American and Canadian Participants.

Participants Travel to Iceland Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

CADIP - Canadian Alliance for Development Initiatives and Projects's Mission Statement: CADIP promotes peace, cooperation, tolerance and understanding in international, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural surroundings. The organization also promotes patterns and examples of civil activities focused on serving others, on building social ties and strengthening communities, on supporting civil society development. Aims and general objectives: * To promote volunteering as an expression of civic contribution * To strengthen the international contacts among young people * To build tolerance and understanding in multicultural and multi-ethnic surroundings *To promote multiunderstanding among youth all over the world * To facilitate the individual growth of the volunteers through the acquisition of work, life and learning skills * To work for the recognition and promotion of non-formal learning * To support the community initiatives and assist in community development.