VOLUNTEERING IN ARMENIA – Discover Armenia trough volunteering
THE THE PROJECTS:
- Botanical Garden
- Rehabilitation Centre
- National Gallery of Armenia
- History Museum of Armenia
- “Zatik” Child support center“
- HUJ- office
- Muratsan Hospital complex
- 14 School for children with visual impairments
- Diaconia
- Arabkir Medical Center
- World Wide Fund for Nature Armenia
More information about the projects: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Od4w1okyeKiKv0XTSKm8i-qI_M7_pf3j
ABOUT ARMENIA
First of all we are very happy that you are interested in our volunteering projects in Armenia. In this booklet we will provide you with the information you might need to know before you’re coming to Armenia. This page will give you some brief facts about Armenia. In the next pages you will find information about the geography, culture, health and safety, and transport in Armenia.
Also we will give you some tips what you can do in your leisure time and we will tell you about the HUJ organization and what it’s like to have your volunteering time in Armenia.
Climate and weather
In Armenia there is a continental climate. The winters are cold and the summers are hot. Due to the many mountains in the country, only a small portion of its territory is located below 1.000 meters above sea level. The climate in higher parts is colder and wetter (and snowy in the winter as well), while at lower parts the rains are scarce and the summer is very hot.
GENERAL SAFETY
Armenia is a save country to visit. However, you are advised to observe the same precautions with your personal safety and possessions as you would in any other country or at home.
Leisure time
“You are never bored and for every person there are nice things to do. Wether you like going out, visiting museums, watching opera or ballet in the theater or enjoying the nature” – ELIAVA
“During your time here you will discover the interesting ancient culture, history and beautiful country, also you will learn a lot of new things about yourself ” – FANNY
“Most places are not very touristy so you get to see the countries real beauty with its beautiful nature and ancient monasteries ” – NJOMZA
“There is a surprisingly diverce and wide selection of different bars, clubs and restaurants” – FANNY
ABOUT HUJ
OUR AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The essential aims and objectives of HUJ are as follows:
- Organize the activities of Armenian and foreign volunteers in international workcamps in Armenia.
- Send Armenian volunteers to international workcamps, seminars, trainings, workshops, educational and other programs abroad.
- Organize seminars, trainings, and conferences in Armenia.
- Organize the participation of foreign volunteers in long/ medium term and European Solidarity Corps (ESC) projects in Armenia, as well as that of Armenian volunteers in countries of Europe.
- Take care of orphans, children with special needs and socially indigent people
OUR ACTIVITIES
- Every year many Armenian volunteers participate in ecological, construction, rehabilitation, cultural, aesthetic, social projects, seminars and educational workcamps abroad.
- Every summer HUJ organizes international and joint workcamps in Armenia, where Armenian volunteers hand in hand with foreign volunteers do ecological and renovation work, take care of sick and disabled children, contribute to the aesthetic education of orphans and lonely children.
- Every year Armenian volunteers leave for European countries to do their ESC with HUJ as their Sending Organisation.
- European long-term ESC and Weltwärts (voluntary service supported by Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany), and IYFD (voluntary service supported by Federal Ministry for Family, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth) volunteers are hosted in projects in 15 Host Organisations supported by HUJ.
ABOUT VOLUNTEERING – BECOME A VOLUNTEER
INTRODUCTION
Before you volunteering adventure in Armenia will start, we will give you some information about what it is like to live in Armenia as a volunteer and what to expect in your first week. And which things you should arrange before coming here.
YOUR WEEKSCHEDULE
You will work 5 days per week with most of week-ends off. Twice a week you will learn Armenian language in the Special Language Centre. During the week-ends you will have an opportunity to visit different historical places; there will be excursions to different ancient places of Armenia and invitation to Armenian families, to get to know the culture and traditions of Armenia
TRAINING AND LANGUAGE LESSONS
Training related to the volunteer’s activities will be given during the first weeks of the project upon the volunteers’ arrival at hosting organization. Additional support and education is given to the volunteer when needed throughout the project by the EVS coordinator and staff.
During your service, you got offered to have an On-Arrival Training and a Mid-Term Evaluation (if the Service duration exceeds 6 months), both organized by SALTO Eastern Europe and Caucasus.
You get the change to learn Armenian language by attending Armenian language courses. The lessons will be provided by an English speaking teacher 2 times per week.
MENTOR
To make you feel home as soon as possible in Armenia, you will have a mentor. Your mentor shows you around, tell you all the information you need to know, for example about public transport, grocerie shopping and some Armenian norms and values. Also your mentor can be your first friend in Armenia and you can do activities together.
ACCOMODATION
You will be living in a hostel or dormitory of the Linguistic University with other volunteers (2 people per room). The both places are very close to the city centre with the various ways of getting around the city. Each volunteer is provided with the “kitchen stuff” (plates, pans, glasses, tableware, etcetera).
FOOD
You will receive a certain amount of money for food on monthly basis. You will be able to decide yourself what, when and where to eat. There are a lot of shops, food stands, cafes and restaurants available all over the city.
MONTHLY ALLOWANCE
At the beginning of every month the volunteers will receive monthly allowance consisting of:
- Pocket money (a.k.a. Volunteer’s allowance);
- Money for food;
- Money to pay local transport.
HOLIDAYS
Holiday period will to be agreed in advance with the hosting organization and HUJ. There is a set of public, religious holidays and days of memory to be respected and considered as nonworking days. Additionally, the volunteer gets 2 holiday days for each month of their Service.
RECEIVE VISIT
Of course your friends and relatives can come to visit you. Please make sure that you inform us in advance, so that we could help you to find accommodation for them as well as for you to be able to have holidays, if you want.
VISA
The citizens of European Union benefit from visa-free entrance to Republic of Armenia. For a long-term stay (exceeding 180 days) the foreign citizens are entitled to get Residence Permit. The procedure of obtaining the Residence Permit is fully done by HUJ in Armenia.
