Natural Living and Aging With Wisdom
Description: Äijälä is situated near Jyväskylä in Central Finland. The community’s aim is to support its clients in their everyday life and life management. The community works with organic gardening and it has a charming old farmhouse that has been renovated to host disabled people for daily visits and during the holidays. Äijälä also offers supportive work activities for long-term unemployed people and preserves traditional culture and working methods. Äijälä has been hosting KVT workcamps since 1980.
Type of Work: This is a new kind of nature and heritage camp for older people. The first week volunteers are going to be involved in Äijälä’s own activities. During the second week they will work together with an association for elderly people. Volunteers will assist the elderly participants both on a physical and mental level. The work will involve accompanying them in exploring the surrounding nature, in enjoying the garden and working in it. By participating in the daily activities of the Äijälä, volunteers can help the elderly reminisce about a time when almost everything was done at home and share similar experiences from their home countries.
Study Theme: Aging with wisdom; ecological & natural living.
Accommodation: In shared rooms in a 200-year-old wooden farmhouse, the main building of the farm. Volunteers with disabilities are welcome too but should be aware that moving around the house or garden can require some assistance (there are e.g. doorsteps and sand & grass in the garden).
Approximate Location: Jyskä, near Jyväskylä
Notes: Please bring with you clothes that are suitable for outdoor work and moving in nature.
We trust that the impact of our travels is a shared concern and if you can, please prefer more eco-friendly options than taking a plane.
Some SCI workcamps will have an additional fee of €50.00. This will cover e.g. international insurance costs of the volunteer and a small travel fund to enable disadvantaged volunteers to join projects. If you apply through a partner organization you will pay the fee directly to the hosting branch according to their instructions. Check here whether you're applying through the SCI branch or partner: https://sci.ngo/about-us/our-movement/where-we-are
Camp Photographs
