Running a recreation program for mentally retarded youngsters in Istanbul

  Turkey

• Other Cities in Turkey: 
Istanbul

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: until December 31

Description: Are you interested in working with disabled people? If yes, and if you are a sport and outdoor trainer, animator, musician, dancer, artist (painter, sculptor), cook, medical student, psychologist, teacher, or without any skills but highly motivated to work with handicapped people, this project is tailor made for you. The Alternative Life Association is running a living & training home for 30 mentally retarded youngsters (age 16-29) in Istanbul, located by the Istanbul Straight known as Bosphorus.

Volunteer work: Serving and assisting the disabled people in their daily life at the living & training home, organizing and running social & sport activities, manual work concerning reparations, gardening, cleaning, leading groups for trekking and excursions.

One can start any time.

The center is located in the northern part of Istanbul with easy transport access.

Highlights: Basic Turkish lesson will be given to the volunteers.

Qualifications: Volunteers talented in computers, sports, indoor & outdoor activities, music, drama, fine arts, swimming and diving, handicrafts will be preferred.

Cost in US$: USD 470

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 Turkey 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.