Organizing Summer Festival for Mentally Handicapped People and Studying German

  Germany

• Berlin: 
Berlin

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: June 27 - July 19, 2009

Description: You will be working in a home for people with mental handicaps, run by the Social Foundation of Köpenick. Your central task is to organize and put on a summer festival, working with the residents of the home. In creating the festival your creativity reigns and you can even put an international theme to the fest, including decorations, games, music, theater, and food. You will also have the opportunity to take small excursions with the residents. Since they are occupied in various workshops until the early afternoon, you will work 3 to 4 hours with them during the late afternoon.

Köpenick lies on the edge of Berlin, near two rivers, countless lakes and pristine forests. For the people of Berlin, this district serves as a recreational area. Berlin's city center is easy to reach with public transport; you will be provided with tickets.

Highlights: In addition to working with the residents, you will also receive intensive German language lessons in the morning, with a focus on interacting in everyday situations.
The instructors have experience in teaching German as a second language and are also members of the team.

A special contribution of 300 Euros is payable to the hosting organization for the language tuition.

Qualifications: Basic knowledge of German is required for the language course as well as for communicating with the residents.

Cost in US$: $290 US

Experience Required: no

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

Age Range: 18 - 26 years old

This Program is open to American and Canadian Participants.

Participants Travel to Germany 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.