Volunteering at a Holiday Camp in Belarus

Questions and Answers

Every Summer, 120 Belarusian children with special needs leave their orphanages to enjoy three weeks of fun at a holiday camp in an uncontaminated part of the Belarussian countryside. And volunteers from Britain fly out to join the children and make sure they have a wonderful holiday.

What kind of disabilities do the children have?

The children who live in Zhuravichi orphanage all have learning difficulties. Many have Downs Syndrome or autism, and some also have physical disabilities. The children from Rechitsa School have Cerebral Palsy or similar physical problems and some also have learning difficulties.

Why is the holiday so important to them?

They look forward to it all year! The children at Zhuravichi in particular, live quite limited lives in the orphanage. All through the winter they look back on the happy memories of their last holiday, and then in the Spring they start looking forward to the next one. It gives them the opportunity to try all sorts of activities which they never get the chance to do at home; spend lots of time in the fresh air; and to make friends with all the volunteers.

How long is the holiday and when does it take place?

The children spend just over three weeks at the camp, but volunteers generally go for about 12 days. The provisional dates for the children's holiday in 2008 are: Group A 22nd July - 3rd August; Group B 29th July - 10th August; Group C 3rd August - 15th August. There will also be a holiday fro disabled young adults from 10th July - 22nd July.

Who can volunteer?

Anyone who is energetic, hard working and loves children. Many of those who volunteer are students, but older volunteers are also welcome, particularly anyone who has experience in working with children with disabilities – nurses, teachers, carers, physiotherapists.

How do volunteers and children communicate with each other?

We will give you a tape with some useful Russian words and phrases you can practice before you go to Belarus. There will be two interpreters at the camp to help, and some of the volunteers also speak some Russian. Many of the children do not speak and not all have good understanding of Russian, so you will be able to communicate with them through smiles, gestures and a friendly voice.

What is the role of a volunteer?

You will help the children to enjoy all kinds of activities, such as painting; mask-making; nature walks; collages; football; parachute games; circle games; music making; face-painting; discos; going on the swings… Some children and teenagers need help with toileting and we have a rota to help with this. Most days you will work 9am-9pm, with a couple of hours off after lunch.

Who will organise the activities?

It is very important that everyone works as a team at the camp. Those who have been before will be happy to advise and support new people, but it is up to everyone to come up with activities, share ideas, work really hard and give everything you’ve got to make sure the kids have their best holiday yet. This is why for the last couple of years we have rotated the role of ‘Co-ordinator’, so that everyone gets a chance to take the lead for a day and all the responsibility doesn’t fall on the same people all the time. The meeting which takes place each day after lunch is a chance for you to discuss what went well or what didn’t work, and to plan for the afternoon and the next morning. Everyone should be at these meetings, and whoever is being co-ordinator that day runs it, sorts out the rota and makes sure everything is running smoothly.

How much money will I need to raise?

We ask all volunteers to raise £400 to cover the cost of their flight, other transport costs and their stay at the Holiday Camp. If you can raise any extra, or add gift aid to this, it will sponsor the holiday for a young disabled person living in an institution in Belarus.

Will I get any training before the trip to Belarus?

We will have a get together in May or June where you will be able to learn a lot more about the children, hear about the experiences of those who have been before, ask lots of questions and start to learn a little Russian. It is essential that all volunteers attend one of these briefing days.

Will I need innoculations?

As soon as you have been accepted as a volunteer you should visit your GP to ask what s/he recommends (if they’ve never heard of Belarus, it’s a country between Russia and Poland, and the area where you will be staying contains a river and some woods, although you won’t have to walk in very long grass). It is a good idea to make sure you are up-to-date with your tetanus and polio, and perhaps have hepatitis vaccinations. Your doctor may suggest others.

How do I apply and when will I know if I have been accepted?

You can ask us to post or email you an application form, or you can pick one up off our website by clicking here. We will let all volunteers know if they have been accepted by mid April (subject to clearance by the Criminal Records Bureau). If  you apply after this there may still be spaces for people with relevant experience. We usually take about 25 volunteers, but this year plan to take more children, more carers and more volunteers. 

Many of the volunteers who have taken part in recent years say it was one of the best experiences of their lives. And several have changed career direction as a result. It is hard work, but it’s also a very rewarding experience for the volunteers and a totally magical time for the children.

CHERNOBYL CHILDREN’S PROJECT (UK)

Kinder House, Fitzalan Street, Glossop, Derbyshire, SK13 7DL

Tel: 01457 862112 / 863534       linda@ccprojectuk.fsnet.co.uk

    Registered Charity No. 1059832

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