Workcamp Details

Description: The social cooperative "Villaggio Carovana" hosts people with physical or mental disabilities. Believing that human relations are at the basis of a more just, inclusive and peaceful world, 'Villaggio Carovana' offers its guests the possibility to spend a holiday in a beautiful place both at geographical and social level. They are accommodated in rooms, well-equipped and adapted in order to allow everyone to feel comfortable, while the common areas of the house offer place for social activities such as eating or relaxing together with the rest of the community. The Cooperative offers also support service for the guests to go to the beach. The house is located in the countryside in Castiadas, South-East of Sardinia, about 6 km from the sea and 4 km from the nearest residential area.

Type of Work: Volunteers will support the workers of the Cooperative in their daily activities such as welcoming the guests and assisting the ones who are not self-sufficient (accompanying the guests to the beach, offering them night-time care and assisting them with their personal hygiene, organizing entertaining activities). The volunteers are expected to work about 6 hours per day in addition to other daily tasks such as maintenance activities, cleaning the common areas and the kitchen, cooking, ect.

Study Theme: The study part will be dedicated to good practices of social inclusion, promoted by the Cooperative. A special focus will be given to workcamp sustainability (food choice, waste collection, recycling, critical consumption, etc.). Moreover, the study part will be organized and realized through non-formal education methods.

Accommodation: Volunteers will be accomodated in a tent or caravan in "Villagio Carovana" (Castiadas). Bathrooms and showers are shared, both indoors and outdoors. 'Villaggio Carovana' is located in the countryside, isolated from the center (Castiadas is 5 km away). In order to move around, it is necessary to take a bus, which passes several times per day just in front of the house.

Language: Some kowledge of Italian language can facilitate the communication with the guests. However, it is not compulsory.

Requirements: A strong sense of responsibility and disposition towards human relations and empathy are essential. Additional requirements are manual skills, high motivation and flexibility to work with non self-sufficient persons. The volunteers should be open to communitarian life. A motivation letter is required. Minimal knowledge of Italian would be appreciated.

Approximate Location: The nearest airports are Cagliari Airport of Elmas and Alghero Airport.

Notes: During their free time the volunteers can go to the beach (6 km from Villaggio Carovana), do trekking or cycling, visit the historical museum or visit the city of Cagliari. Volunteers must take sleeping bag, sleeping mat, towel, hat, sunscreen, a flashlight, bug spray, and of course a swimsuit and towel for the beach. For more information on Villaggio Carovana (in Italian): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmmQwUX22dw