Background
For these projects we are constantly scouting for vulnerable schools, centers,medical clinics in Armenia which need renovation and beautification. We organise our creative volunteers to “save” the building with their beautification or renovation skills. The project is available full year round and upon renovation, we seek for another building that needs our help, thus projects never repeat. For bigger groups and teams we also have construction project opportunities where you can help us build toilets for girls, classrooms, shelters, playgrounds, libraries and more.
Challenge
People don’t want to go or send their children to run-down looking schools, clinics or community centres. In fact, it has been proven by research that poor infrastructure impacts on the direct environment and overall well-being of the beneficiaries.
SBB Intervention
STEP Beyond Borders believes that the constructions are the key to the overall social welfare of the society. The buildings where all these services are provided: schools, hospitals, nurseries, gardens, parks, toilets, temples and many other infrastructures are part of our target of the project. With this project we are sure to bring happiness and hope to the young generation in Armenian communities as each volunteer can contribute with their bright thoughts and ideas to be implemented. If you want to see a tangible change of your work and test your creative spark then this project is for you.
THE SKY’S THE LIMIT.
Main tasks of the volunteers:
- Identify the community needs (what they need? construction, renovation, what they expect as a result?)
- Identify if the needed materials are good enough and get advice from the local coordinator about the work
- In case of groups do task division (for solo volunteers beautification is available)
- Split into groups and perform with hard work and dedication to renovate, reconstruct specific building
- Don’t forget to take “before” and “after” photos to see the tremendous changes brought to the community
- Even with your smallest creativity you can make the local community smile when they see the new look of the building that was old and unattractive for many years.
- You are encouraged to connect with the local community and engage with the students or parents into the work done, hereby the cultural exchange is more rewarding
We would be happy to hear and find ways to implement your ideas!
Program Base: Armenia
Project duration: 1 week-month
Joining dates: Throughout the year
Arrival date: Saturday or Sunday are preferable, if not weekdays will be managed
Arrival airport : Zvartnots International Airport
Drop to Hostel in Yerevan for two night to take rest and then be shifted to the project location
Working days: Monday to Friday, Weekends are off
Weekends: Free to do sightseeing or travel
Requirements: Basic English
- Pre-arrival assistance
- Detailed pre-arrival orientation and cultural awareness info
- Pick-up from Zvartnots International Airport
- A detailed orientation about Armenia, project, cultural responsibility and things to remember in India, SIM card assistance
- Accommodation with host family (single or dual occupancy) or volunteer house
- All meals (Authentic Armenian meals) Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Resource materials to use on project
- Weekly market visit to shop for your necessities
- Cultural workshops
- Airport drop at Zvartnots International Airport
- Logistics & program assistance if required
- Emergency support
Host family: Armenian local family which is ready to receive you like a family member, share food and space with you is considered host family. Chances of having single or dual occupancy are there as we don’t keep more than 3 people in one room in host families. Host family accommodation is best to discover the local culture and to enjoy home-made Armenian food. Food includes breakfast, lunch and dinner made by the host and includes vegetarian authentic dishes and from time to time non-veg food. Each family is carefully chosen to ensure the family has the basic standards of living required for our participants. All participants need to know that in rural Armenia living standards are lower and chances of now having a shower but a bucket of hot water are there. Similarly in rural Armenia toilets are not always within the house but outside and it’s more a squat rather than a toilet with seat. As each village is different and we send volunteers based on the demand of the specific time, we inform our participants in advance which village they will visit and if there is western bathroom standard available or no. It’s important to mention your readiness to cooperate with the rural conditions as based on that we can select the village you will work with. We work in more than 50 villages of Armenia and we usually don’t send more than 2 volunteers at a time to the same village as we want more villages to benefit of the volunteering program.
Facilities include:
- Shared bedroom (max 3 people-chances of single room available)
- Western or rural toilet (if you are not ready for a squat which is most common toilet type in the villages out of the house, then this may not fit you as a volunteer option)
- Drinking water
- Hot & cold water (possibly heated on gas)
- Common Fridge
- Common washing machine
- Kitchen access to cook food if wished so
- Family environment
- Comfortable & safe stay option
- Celebration of festivals together
MEALS:
During the program we provide breakfast, lunch and dinner in the village (in Yerevan you are free to choose your food as there are so many restaurants and cafes). All the volunteers in the villages will have Armenian meals as we believe food is a part of cultural immersion. Armenian food is not spicy but it will definitely be different from what you may be used to. Breakfast is usually tea or coffee, bread, cheese, jam, egg, etc. Lunch and Dinner are similar as it may include one vegetable fried or cooked, some lentils or rice, some Armenian soup or salad. We realize that from time to time participants would like to eat non-Armenian food so it is possible to cook your preferred food in host family upon availability of the ingredients. You may need to know that rural Armenian dishes are simple so you can’t expect mushroom, avocado or any similar ingredient to be available. Besides, many vegetables are seasonal so you may discuss the food details with our coordinator staff prior or during your stay. We will do our best to accommodate vegetarian diet (Armenians are mostly non-vegetarian and it’s sometimes even culturally difficult for rural Armenians to understand how it’s possible to survive without meat).
- Air fare
- Visa
- Insurance
- Local transportation (mostly on walking distance or support from coordinators)
- Personal expenses
For costs and further details please contact us on info@stepbeyondborders.org