Municipality of Velo-

EUROPEAN VOLUNTARY SERVICE (EVS)

Municipality of Velo-Vocha (host organization)

LET’S PLAY TOGETHER IN THE KINDERGARTENS OF VELO-VOCHA

The Kindergarten program in the municipality Velo-Vocha includes three different kindergartens, the kindergarten of Velo, the kindergarten of Zevgolatio and the one in Vrahati. Velo, Zevgolatio and Vrahati are three small towns situated approximately one hour and a half from Athens. The EVS duration is six months (depending on the agreement). The kindergartens of the Municipality of Velo-Vocha host children in between 2- 5 years old. The volunteers are expected to help in the everyday work of the kindergarten. The aims of the project are the introduction of new activities taken by the volunteers for the daily life of the children, the promotion and contact of new cultures and the development of the artistic abilities of the children by helping the teachers in the kindergarten in their activities.

Volunteer’s activities: The activities will include helping the children in the fine-art workshop, in painting lessons, in theatrical workshop; playing games with the children; participating in outdoor activities like sport events. The volunteers will participate in the work of the youth information office of Xylokastro for example helping in the preparation of the eMagazine. The volunteers, who will work in the kindergarten of Velo will also help in the Youth Centre of Velo and organise his/her own small project depending on his/her skills and ideas (e.g. music, handicraft, theatre, games etc).

ACCOMMODATION Lodging: The volunteers will live in an apartment (orfeasEVShome) in Xylokastro together with a group of long-term volunteers. The flat is fully furnished with all the necessary cooking facilities. The volunteers will share the rooms with 1-2 other volunteers. More information at www.orfeas.org

Project environment: The volunteers will live in Xylokastro and work in Velo, Zevgolatio or Vrahati. They will take the bus every day to the kindergarten and back. A trip to work takes about 30 or 40 minutes, depending to which place they work.

1 Municipality of Velo-Vocha

Support and training

The volunteers will receive lessons and traditional Greek dance lessons and free access to gym. Let’s try to learn a few words:

Hello/ Goodbye: γεια σου (Yasou) Thank-you: ευχαριστώ(Efharisto) Please: παρακαλώ (parakalo)

The volunteers will have first hand insight in how the teachers in work and see cultural differences and how to support and work with the kindergarten and workshops about traditions in Greece, Greek custom/ habits and everyday life as well as the learning outcomes of the project from the youth workers of the organization.

For this project:

 It is important to respect the way of life of the people in the community.

 Be happy to work in a small community.

 Be flexible to try different activities and to help where you are most needed.

 Have an interest and love playing games with kids

About the place The wealth and diversity of the Greek cultural heritage, history, the mild climate, the high percentage sunshine and its interesting and varying landscape: A real feeling of discovery.

The municipality of Velo-Vocha consists of towns Velo, , Zevgolatio and the surrounding villages situated in the agricultural area; there are a lot of lemon fields, as well as orange, apricot and olive fields. Xylokastro, where the volunteers live is on the coast of the Corinthian Gulf in the peninsula of Peloponesse. Xylokastro is a small, but lively town, especially in summer, when many tourists visit the area. In Xylokastro volunteers can find cafés, bars, night clubs, library, tennis and basketball courts, many shops, supermarkets and a beautiful beach.

2