Learn and fun in Bulgaria
Become a volunteer in “Youth in Action”/EVS Program
And take a Part in a Project called
“Going back to the village, moving up to the future”
Main Activities list:
- Attending to few folklore festivals mostly in rural regions where everything is so authentic.
- Attending to film and theateral festivals in Sofia we can enjoy even join.
- It's going to have lots of hiking. A camp is planned to be to one of the mountains picks and even more.
- Craft working with environmental friendly materials.
- Participating in local festivals and promoting the EVS program
- Promoting the project “Going back to the village, moving up to the future” goals (craft made items, initiatives, recreating achievements etc.)
- A Bulgarian learning course via Suggestopedia method. Takes place in Sofia, 4 weeks term (3 hours per day).
- Courses in non-formal approaches in working with kids.
- Self-motivation and leadership orientation practices.
- Active-learning workshops
- Activities are related to the nature – landscaping, adding a forest path signalization, mountain climbing etc.
- There would be a demonstration of the Bulgarian customs
- Food degustation
- Traditional Cook and dances lessons.
- Any suggestions and preferences for a funnier inspiration will be discussed.
- One of the global tasks for the participants of the project is running a play in the end of their residence in the village (involving the residents of the village (especially youngsters)). The plot of the play highlights the good moments of the volunteer service. The stage performances will be supervised by a specialist in the field.
* Those are the main activities during the project. The selected volunteers will be accommodated in Sofia for the first two months and then all the activities taking place in a mountain village near to Sofia. Visits to the cities where “4th April” Organization is represented are included (Plovdiv, Veliko Tarnovo, Blagoevgrad). Some visits of another charismatic places captured the Bulgarian spirit are a due. Having Fun all the time is not permitted, but recommended.
** All the accommodation, travelling, visa cost are covered by the “Youth in Action” Program. Volunteers have “pocket money” of 65E per month. There’re no taxes on any of the training, workshops or the courses.
This little black spot, on the picture behind, is me waiting for the adventurers from Latvia and France.
The Association of Young Psychologists in Bulgaria “4th April ” has realised four distinct projects so far. For any of them you can find information on this page:
1. ”International Volunteers for Development” - England, 2011
2. Inclusive - R - 2011
3. Create Your Universe - 2008
4. Cross-cultural Bridges - 2008
1. Successfully realized project supported by Youth in Action Programme – Sub-Action 1.1 - Youth Exchanges
The Association of Young Psychologists in Bulgaria “4th April” was a partner in a youth exchange. Hosts of the venue was “College for International Development and cooperation”, Winstead,Hull, UK. The topic of the project, sponsored by „Youth in Action”Programme – Sub-Action 1.1” was”International Volunteers for Development”. Participants in the exchange were young people from 4 countries – Bulgaria, Hungary, Denmark, England.
The main goal of the project was to meet young people from different European countries with the principles and the specificity of being a volunteer. The purpose of the event was also to encourage and enable individuals to make a difference in their communities or internationally, and help solving social issues by volunteering. In addition, the project promoted anti-discrimination by encouraging the intercultural dialog and the inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities AYPB “4th April” approved and sent 10 of its members for participation in the exchange. These young people actively took part in all activities of the project; they made new friends and exchange knowledge and experience concerning the volunteering.
Forty enthusiastic young people saw what is the process of preparation for future volunteers - development instructors and they met other people who have decided to give part of their lives for volunteering in Africa, India, Latin America and other places where people need the help of volunteers. By presentations, discussions, trainings, practical tasks the participants explored the responsibility and the opportunity to be a volunteer. The programme of the project included also intercultural evenings with traditional food, dances and songs, presented by each partner-county. There were some teambuilding and sports games, workshops, ice-breakers, excursions, parties and entertaining evening programs.
During the exchange the participants learned more about the challenge to be a volunteer, about the personal and public benefits from voluntary work. People, who dedicated their lives for volunteering, shared their experience, presented interesting real stories, taught the participants in special skills and abilities, important for voluntary work.
At the end of the project a small booklet was published with the pictures, contacts and the views of the participants connected with the topic of volunteering. The booklet itself was a great product to remind the participants about the good time they’ve spent and the things they’ve learned.
As a result of the youth exchange some good ideas for future projects and initiatives was born and new friendships, and partners for collaboration ware established.
Recharged with a lot of enthusiasm and motivation for voluntary support, the participants said goodbye to each other and promised to follow the path of this great cause – volunteering.
By Evi Lazarova
International Secretary of AYPB