Providing Support and Organizing Activities for Elderly People

  France

• Paris: 
Paris

Duration of Program: 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 3-6 months
Dates: June- August 30

Description: Les petits frères des Pauvres (Little Brothers of the Poor) was founded in France in 1946. The goal is to promote and support any action for the lonely, elderly and/or handicapped people needing some help but wishing to stay at home.

Highlights: There are two types of missions possible for the volunteers in different projects:
* Support at home (helping elderly people with preparation of meals, house cleaning, walks, transports, visits, activities, and shopping)

* Administrative and coordination work at the headquarters (good level of French required): the main task consists in organizing activities for elderly people and recruiting volunteers to participate in the activities with them (especially during summer holidays). The main task of the volunteer will be to supervise and accompany these people in their activities when needed. Besides, the volunteer is expected to have the ability to listen and be understanding toward their situation. Moreover, the volunteer is expected to come up with ideas for organizing activities that will give the chance to the community to learn about his/her country and culture.

Les Petits frères des pauvres is located in the south of Paris (15th district) close to the Montparnasse train station, in a very nice and commercial area. The Montparnasse Tower is one of the attractions of Paris.

Qualifications: The volunteer should have a driving license. Resume and motivation letter in French are required with application. The volunteer has to speak fluent French and be able to write it well as there is a lot of administrative work to be done. The volunteer should be adaptable, dynamic, autonomous, responsible, having a good human ability and psychological balance. Being sociable and having a good sense of initiative are also essential. He/She should also do his/her best to find his/her place among the staff members and to ensure good integration in the team.

Cost in US$: USD 470

Experience Required: no

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

Age Range: 21 - 27 years old

This Program is open to American and Canadian Participants.

Participants Travel to France 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.