minna, Author at Maailmanvaihto ry

Aitoo Vocational College is looking for a European Solidarity Corps volunteer – apply as soon as possible!

Interested in European Solidarity Corps volunteering in Finland? Would you like to begin your experience already soon? Good news: due to a cancellation, Aitoo Vocational College is now looking for a volunteer for a period that begins already 2nd October 2023!

UPDATE: The position has been filled, we warmly thank all the applicants!

Volunteering period: 2.10.2023–30.6.2024 (9 kk)

Number of volunteers: 1 (Please note that due to the tight schedule, this position is only for candidates who don’t need a residence permit to Finland – citizens of EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.)

Application deadline: Apply as soon as possible! The position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is found.

Aitoo Vocational College (Aitoon koulutuskeskus) is a vocational institution that offers education for students with special needs. The students need special support in learning and studying regularly due to learning difficulties, disabilities, illness, or other reasons. We offer education and training for students with the most severe disabilities or chronic illnesses.

The fields of study are household and cleaning services, janitorial services, catering services, and crafts and design. We also offer pre-vocational programmes, such as preparatory instruction and guidance for those who do not yet have a clear idea of their career choice.

We aim at ensuring education, training for and empowerment of young people with special needs. We want to provide together with different actors, such as social and health care services, for young people with the best possible tools to work and manage their lives after their studies.

Our main campus is located in Aitoo, Pälkäne, and we have a smaller teaching unit in Tampere. The total amount of students is 120. The students’ age varies from 16 to 20+ years. The students live on the school premises during the study week. We employ over 70 people.

Activity topics

Inclusion of marginalized young people, disabilities, European identity, citizenship and values

Location

Our main campus is located in the countryside in Aitoo, Pälkäne. It’s situated approximately 40 kilometers southeast from the city of Tampere. Pälkäne is a small country place with 6 800 inhabitants and it consists of smaller villages. It is important that the volunteer is motivated to live in the countryside and enjoys having peaceful nature around.

Volunteer’s role and tasks

The volunteer will assist the students and the staff at the vocational college and at the student dormitory in Aitoo. The tasks will include assisting in guiding the students and spending time, discussing, and having cultural exchange with them. The volunteer will also facilitate activities, such as hobbies and games, and assist the students in moving around. The tasks will be planned more in detail based on the interests and skills of the volunteer.

At Aitoo Vocational College, the volunteer will get a chance to take part in meaningful volunteering among students who need additional support and build international contacts at the grass root level. For the students, the interaction with the volunteer will offer a good way to gain international know-how. These tasks will support participation, diversity, and normalisation – both from the point of view of the volunteer and the host organisation.

Volunteer’s profile

We hope that the volunteer is interested in working with young people (with special needs). The volunteer needs to have an open-minded attitude towards differences and be flexible, towards changes in the planned daily routines, for example. When selecting the volunteer, priority will be given to candidates with fewer opportunities. The currently open position is only for candidates who don’t need a residence permit to Finland – citizens of EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

Accommodation, food, and transportation

The volunteer will live in their own room in the main building of the main campus. The volunteer will be offered the daily meals in the student restaurant of the campus. From the campus, there are bus connections to the nearby cities.

Accessibility

The working spaces and sanitary facilities of the campus are accessible for people with physical disabilities, but we cannot necessarily organise accommodation that is suitable for people with physical disabilities. You are welcome to ask for further information through Maailmanaihto – ICYE Finland: esc@maailmanvaihto.fi.

Furthe information and application instructions

> General program information of the European Solidarity Corps
> Application instructions and the application form

On the page of the application instructions, you can also download the application form. Send us your application as soon as possible – we will fill in the position as soon as a suitable candidate is found!

Apply now! Open position for European Solidarity Corps volunteering at Dagtek 1.9.2023–31.82024

Looking for volunteering possibilities in Finland? Are you aged 18–30 years and living in an EU country or Ukraine? Apply for European Solidarity Corps volunteering at Dagtek!

European Solidarity Corps volunteering offers a great way to participate in creating grass-root level contacts and understanding among people with different kinds of backgrounds. It is carried out and financed by the European Union. >> Learn about European Solidarity Corps volunteering in general. We at Maailmanvaihto – ICYE Finland are now looking for a volunteer for a European Solidarity Corps volunteering project at Dagtek.

Dagtek arts&crafts workshop & life skills activities

DAGTEK offers services for people with intellectual disabilities or autistic spectrum disorders as a part of Western Uusimaa wellbeing services county (Västra Nylands välfärdsområde in Swedish). The activities Dagtek offers are divided into several sections in different areas. The volunteer will assist either in our arts&crafts workshop or life skills activities – or in both if the volunteer wishes so.

In Dagtek’s arts&crafts workshop (Konst och hantverk in Swedish) there are four workshops with different textile crafts, visual arts, and ceramics. Each workshop has a coach who coordinates and leads the activities. At the moment Dagtek’s arts&crafts workshop community consists of 25 participants, who are mostly women with different types of intellectual disabilities or minor learning challenges, and four workshop coaches/mentors.

The participants of Dagtek’s life skills activities (Livsorienterad verksamhet in Swedish) need guidance and support in their daily activities. The life skills activities take place in small groups consisting of 2–4 people and are always planned according to the condition, interests, and needs of the participants. About twenty people take part in the life skills activities daily. The daily activities consist of music, arts and crafts, painting, games, and walks outside, for example. The goal is to encourage every participant to be active, get involved, make their own decisions, and affect the content of their daily lives, taking into consideration every participant’s individual starting point.

Number of volunteers

1 (The position is only for candidates from the EU countries and Ukraine.)

Volunteering period

1.9.2023–31.82024 (12 months) UPDATE: The open position has been filled!

Applying deadline

Apply as soon as possible! We will fill in the position as soon as a suitable candidate is found. The position is only for candidates from the EU countries and Ukraine.

Themes

Creativity and culture, disabilities – special needs, inclusion – equality, health, and wellbeing

Location

Dagtek is located in Ekenäs (Tammisaari in Finnish), which is a small town with about 15 000 inhabitants situated by the sea in Southern Finland. Dagtek is located in the centre of the town. The majority language spoken in Ekenäs is Swedish (81%) and about 17% of the population speaks Finnish. Ekenäs is a part of the Raseborg commune (28 000 inhabitants).

Volunteer’s role and tasks

Through European Solidarity Corps volunteer cooperation, we wish to offer our community members the possibility to build networks and get a wider perspective on the world around us. At the same time, we hope to have one more person to be present for the clients and assist them in the daily workshop activities, as well as in social and practical situations during the day.

In the arts&crafts workshop, the role of the volunteer is to support the clients with special needs in their textile crafts work, art activities, and all kinds of daily activities. According to their skills and interests, the volunteer can also organize activities and teach the clients new skills especially related to arts&crafts. Despite their learning disabilities or other special needs, many of the clients of Dagtek workshop are quite independent in their daily activities. The role of the staff and volunteer is to coach and guide them in the arts&crafts activities and to support their independence in different everyday situations.

The volunteer’s role in the life skills activities is to support the clients and give guidance for them. The volunteer also helps in the clients’ daily activities related to mealtimes, going to the toilet and to walks outside, as well as walking the clients to and from their car transportation when they arrive and leave Dagtek. According to their skills and interests, the volunteer can also organize activities for small groups or individuals. Dagtek values creative activities such as music, arts&crafts, and physical and outdoor activities. The clients appreciate possibilities for individual encounters, for example, talks or reading for them. The volunteer can also contribute to the production of pedagogic and visual support materials and the documentation of Dagtek’s activities through photography, for example.

Volunteer’s profile

We are looking for a volunteer interested in working with adults (18–60-year-olds) with different types of intellectual disabilities, autistic disorders, or minor learning challenges. It is important that the volunteer is socially active, flexible, and motivated to participate in community life, meaning being there for the clients and communicating actively with them. It is also important that the volunteer has open communication with the staff team and shares their ideas and observations with them. The working language of Dagtek is Swedish, so it is important to be motivated to learn Swedish.

Dagtek’s arts&crafts workshop can be a great match for you, if you have skills or interest in visual arts, handicrafts, or art in a wider perspective – ceramics, photography, or dancing, for example. Having a volunteer with an interest in arts would enrich the community and give you a genuine possibility to share your skills and experience.

If you feel like you have the ability to motivate and encourage people and awaken their interest in participating and being active, you can suite well into the life skills activities team! In the team, it is good to have good social skills and to be open to meeting new people. We appreciate flexibility and a positive outlook on life and other people. It is also important to be able to tolerate fast-changing situations. Experiences or skills in alternative communication methods are an advantage, but not a requirement.

If you are interested in volunteering in both the arts&crafts workshop and the life skills activities, you will be welcome to have tasks in both. NB! The currently open position is only for candidates from the EU countries and Ukraine.

Accommodation, food, and transportation

The volunteer will be accommodated in a local host family if a host family is found. Otherwise, the volunteer will live in a shared flat together with another volunteer of Dagtek.
Lunch will be offered at Dagtek. Other meals will be provided by the host family or cooked by the volunteer (in which case the volunteer will get a food allowance).
The possible daily commuting costs will be covered for the volunteer.

Accessibility

The physical environment of Dagtek is also suitable for people with physical or (minor) sensory disabilities, depending on the special needs of the person. Wheelchair access is possible and there is an accessible toilet in the building. Since Dagtek works with people with different disabilities, our staff has experience in providing extra support and can sometimes support the volunteer, if needed. However, there are no resources to provide continuous intensive support for the volunteer. If you have a disability, please, feel welcome to contact us for consultation via the coordinating organization Maailmanvaihto: esc@maailmanvaihto.fi.

How to apply?

UPDATE: he position has been filled!

Privacy policy: Data forms of Buddies

Basis: Personal data act 523/1999 *)
Data protection setting of EU
Date: 15th June, 2023

1. Registration holder / Business ID

Name: Maailmanvaihto / Business ID: 0281262-7
Address: Oikokatu3, 00170 Helsinki, Finland
Telephone: +358 (0)44 318 0888
E-mail: hosting@maailmanvaihto.fi

2. Contact person on regarding the register

Name: Programme Coordinator Mari Takalo
Address: The address of Maailmanvaihto (see above)
Other contact information: Telephone: +358 44 318 0888
E-mail: hosting@maailmanvaihto.fi

3. The name of the register: Data forms of Buddies

4. The purpose of processing the data of the register

To organize the Buddy activities of Maailmanvaihto.

5. The information content of the register

The contact forms for Buddy activities, that include the name, contact information (email address, phone number, and place of residence), year of birth, and the information concerning the Buddy activities, given by the person who filled out the form.
The participation forms for Buddy activities, that include the name, contact information (email address, phone number, and home address), year of birth, and the information concerning the Buddy activities, given by the person who filled out the form.
Feedback forms for the Buddy activities, that include the name, e-mail address, and place of residence, and and the information concerning the Buddy activities, given by the person who filled out the form.
The Buddy database, which tells whose Buddy the registered person was and when.

6. Regular sources of information

The information is received mainly from the registered persons themselves.
The registered persons fill out the contact form on the website of Maailmanvaihto.
The registered persons fill out the participation form on Google Forms or on a separate pdf form.
The registered persons fill out the feedback form in Google Forms.
The office staff of Maailmanvaihto updates the Buddy database on whose buddy the registered person has been, and when.

7. Processing data at Maailmanvaihto

The information of the register is handled carefully at Maailmanvaihto.
Access rights to the information of the register are restricted inside Maailmanvaihto so that only the office staff of Maailmanvaihto and the board member responsible for the Buddy activities can handle the data of the register. The information will be accessible for and used only by those staff members who need it in their work tasks.

8. Regular disposal of information

Maailmanvaihto communicates the name and email address of the registered person to the volunteer who the registered person will become a Buddy for.

9. Transferring information outside EU or ETA

Maailmanvaihto communicates the name and email address of the registered person to the volunteer outside of EU or ETA who the registered person will become a Buddy for.
Maailmanvaihto stores the information in Google cloud, in which the information may be situated outside the EU/ETA district.

10. Protection principles and time of preservation of the register

Information processed with IT

Electronic documents are kept in the Google G Suite accounts of Maailmanvaihto office staff. The accounts and computers of the office staff are secured with passwords and the computers with security software.
The time of preservation of the application forms is not restricted.

11. Checking rights

A registered person has the right to check the information recorded about them in the person register. The request must be appointed to the Programme Coordinator of Maailmanvaihto either personally or through the office address. Personal data act §24, the data protection setting of the EU.

12. Right to demand a correction of information

If there is an error in the person register, the registered person has the right to demand a correction. The request to correct false information must be appointed to the Programme Coordinator of Maailmanvaihto.

13. Other rights concerning the processing of personal data

The registered person has the right to ask that their information will be removed. The controller of the register will correct, remove or complete incorrect, unnecessary, insufficient personal data by their own initiative or by the demand of the registered person. The registered person is responsible for the correctness of the information they give. It is the responsibility of the person whose information is in the register to notify if there are changes to the information they have given.

14. Changes to the privacy policy practices

This privacy policy may be updated, for example, if the legislation changes.

Beyound Borders: Young People with Disabilities Volunteering Abroad

Interested in international volunteering? Are you a young person with a disability? Join us to learn about European Solidarity Corps volunteering possibilities & the support for and the experiences of volunteers with disabilities.

The European Solidarity Corps is a funding programme of the EU that creates volunteering opportunities around Europe for young people.

The volunteering projects address a wide range of issues from inclusion to environmental protection. Food, pocket money, accommodation, and travel expenses are covered by the European Union. If you are a young person with a disability, support can be tailored for you with the EU funding.

You can join the European Solidarity Corps for 6–12 months through Maailmanvaihto. Read more about European Solidarity Corps volunteering with Maailmanvaihto:

get to know volunteering in Finland (in English) or
get to know volunteering outside Finland (in Finnish).

If you have any questions, please, don’t hesitate to contact us!

1) Beyond Borders: Susanna Halme – Volunteering as a Person with a Visual Impairment at a Youth Exchange organisation in Austria

In the video, you can meet European Solidarity Corps volunteer Susanna Halme. Susanna shares experiences of volunteering as a young person with a visual impairment at a youth exchange organisation Grenzenlos in Vienna.

00:00 – Introduction video
00:51 – Share us shortly where have you volunteered and what have been your tasks?
01:33 – What was your motivation for doing a volunteer project abroad?
02:03 – What did the volunteering experience abroad give you?
02:36 – What can an organisation benefit from co-operating with a young volunteer with disabilities?
03:19 – What obstacles did you face during your volunteering experience?
05:30 – What kind of support did you get for overcoming these obstacles?
06:09 – Based on your experiences, what kind of tips and recommendations do you have for future young volunteers with disabilities?
07:57 – How could the European Solidarity Corps better reach young people with disabilities to tell them about volunteering opportunities?
08:58 – What other advice, recommendations do you have for decision-makers and organisers of the European Solidarity Corps for making the program more accessible?
09:21 – What greetings do you have for young people with disabilities who might be interested in international volunteering?
10:24 – Credits

Music: AlexiAction – Good Vibes https://pixabay.com/fi/music/yritys-good-vibes-127577

2) Beyond Borders: Young people with Disabilities Volunteering Abroad I Jutta Kivimäki

In the video, you can meet Jutta Kivimäki, Senior Program Advisor at the Finnish National Agency for Education. Jutta talks about how the European Solidarity Corps supports young volunteers with disabilities.

00:00 – Introduction video
00:50 – In general, what does Finnish National Agency for Education do in regard to the European Solidarity Corps?
01:26 – What kind of support does the European Solidarity Corps offer for the young volunteers with disabilities?
02:20 – How common is it that young people with disabilities participate in the European Solidarity Corps volunteering?
03:16 – How can young people with disabilities find information about European Solidarity Corps volunteer opportunities?
04:24 – How can young people with disabilities learn more about financial and human support and insurance that the European Solidarity Corps offers for them?
05:27 – If a person with a disability participates in the European Solidarity Corps, this person will be asked to tell before starting the volunteering project, how much expenses will be involved in their support. What advice do you have for young people for calculating the expenses?
06:27 – What advice would you give to receiving and sending organisations for preparing to work with young people with disabilities?
07:57 – What would you like to improve in the future in the European Solidarity Corps, in order to make it more accessible to young people with disabilities? Whose support do you need in this regard?
09:06 – What greetings do you have for young people with disabilities who might be interested in applying for the European Solidarity Corps volunteering?
10:15 – Credits

Music: AlexiAction – Good Vibes https://pixabay.com/fi/music/yritys-good-vibes-127577

The videos are a part of the project “Beyond Borders: Young People with Disabilities Volunteering Abroad” of the European Solidarity Corps volunteer Mariam Darbaidze at Maailmanvaihto – ICYE Finland.

Every year, many young people take part in European Solidarity Corps volunteering. For people with disabilities, the process of joining international volunteering is often more difficult due to the challenges and obstacles they face in their lives.

The goal of the project is to create more knowledge about European Solidarity Corps volunteering as a young person with disabilities – for young people with disabilities interested in international volunteering, organisations hosting volunteers, and organisations coordinating and funding volunteering. In general, the project intends to promote equality of possibilities.

The European Commission is not responsible for the content of the videos.

Apply as soon as possible! Open position for European Solidarity Corps volunteering at Lehtimäki Special Folk High School

Looking for volunteering possibilities in Finland? Are you aged 18–30 years and living in an EU country or Ukraine? Apply for European Solidarity Corps volunteering at Lehtimäki Special Folk High School!

Lehtimäki Special Folk High School (Lehtimäen opisto) is a boarding school for youth and adults with special needs.

We offer 70–80 places for students, and there are about 40 different short-term courses for youth, adults, and elderly with disabilities and their families. We offer rehabilitation courses, such as riding therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. Some training is aimed at increasing the occupational capacities of the students, through computer literacy training, for example.

Our school builds its activities around values of respecting individuality and uniqueness of people, equality among people, participation, safety, community, and lifelong learning.

Number of volunteers

Volunteering period

18.8.2023–18.6.2024 (10 months)

Applying deadline

Apply as soon as possible! We will fill in the position as soon as a suitable candidate is found. Update: THE POSITION HAS BEEN FILLED!

Activity topics

education and training, disabilities, inclusion

Location

Lehtimäki Special Folk High School is situated in Western Finland in the small village of Lehtimäki located about 60 km away from the city of Seinäjoki.

Volunteer’s role and tasks

The volunteers will interact with students with special needs during their lessons and leisure time and support them in their daily activities. Helping the kitchen staff also belongs to the tasks of the volunteers. The volunteers may work at the stables, too.

Volunteer’s profile

It is important that the volunteers are motivated to work with people with special needs and have good social skills and an open attitude. We are especially looking for volunteers with knowledge of horseback riding and stable work, as well as volunteers with a musical background. It is important that the volunteers are prepared to carry out different kinds of tasks and to live in a small village in the countryside. NB! The currently open position is only for candidates from the EU countries and Ukraine.

Accommodation, food, and transportation

The volunteers will live either in an apartment in the campus area or in a separate house about two kilometers away from the school. In case the volunteers live in the latter, they can use the bicycles of Lehtimäki Special Folk High School for their daily way to work.
Meals are provided by the school restaurant. When the restaurant is closed during weekends and holidays, the volunteers will receive a food package.
Lehtimäki is situated in the countryside. The only public transportation nearby is one bus during the weekends to the nearest city Seinäjoki. The volunteers will get reimbursement for one weekly return trip between Seinäjoki and Lehtimäki, and the staff might also assist with moving around in the area.

Accessibility

The voluntary workplace unfortunately cannot host volunteers with physical or sensory disabilities.

Organisation in the European Youth Portal

Website and social media channels

How to apply?

>> See the application instructions

Privacy Policy: Maailmanvaihto’s Knowhow Map

Basis: Personal Data 523/1999 *)
EU Data Protection Regulation
Date: 23.05.2023

1) The keeper of the register

Name: Maailmanvaihto ry
Business ID: 0281262-7
Address: Oikokatu 3, 00170 Helsinki
Other contact information:
Phone number: 050 452 5660
E-mail: maailmanvaihto@maailmanvaihto.fi

2) Contact person for matters concerning the register

Name: Communications Officer Minna Räisänen
Address: Address of Maailmanvaihto ry (above)
Phone number: 050 452 5660
E-mail address: tiedottaja@maailmanvaihto.fi

3) Name of the register

Maailmanvaihto’s Knowhow Map

4) The purpose of processing personal data

Making it possible for the volunteers to use Maailmanvaihto’s Knowhow Map, exploring the impact of volunteering programs at Maailmanvaihto.

5) The content of the register

If the user of the Knowhow Map shares their answers with Maailmanvaihto, the personal information that the user has entered into the Knowhow Map themself (no personal information is requested in the Knowhow Map).
If the user of the Knowhow Map creates into the Knowhow Map a user account and saves their answers, the e-mail address of the user and the password of the user account as well as the personal information that the user has entered into the Knowhow Map themself.

6) Normal sources of information

The information is received from the user of the Knowhow Map.

7) The processing of data within Maailmanvaihto

The information that the user decides to share with Maailmanvaihto (see section 10) will be processed by those staff members of Maailmanvaihto for whom it’s necessary to handle them. Only the staff members of Maailmanvaihto have access to the information.

8) Normal disclosures of data

The data will not be disclosed to parties outside Maailmanvaihto.

9) The transfer of data outside the EU or EEA

The Knowhow Map is situated in the service of DigitalOcean. The information that the user shares with Maailmanvaihto is situated in Maailmanvaihto’s account in Google G Suite service. The services of DigitalOcean and Google may be located outside the EU/EEA. DigitalOcean ja Google are committed to complying with the requirements of the EU Data Protection Regulation.

10) The principles and retention periods for the protection of the register

IT processed data
If the user creates an account and saves their information in the service of DigitalOcean, the information will be saved in the service in question. The information will be saved in the service in question as long as the Knowhow Map exists in the service of DigitalOcean. Maaimanvaihto does not have access to explore individual information that is saved in the service of DigitalOcean.

If the user shares with Maailmanvaihto the information they filled in into the Knowhow Map, Maailmanvaihto will receive the information filled in the Knowhow Map (but not the e-mail address or password of the user into the Knowhow Map). This information will be stored in Maailmanvaihto’s account in the Google G Suite could service. The retention period of the information shared with Maailmanvaihto has not been limited.

11. Inspection rights

Data subjects have the right to inspect their data recorded in the register. Maailmanvaihto has access to the information that the user has shared with Maailmanvaihto. The request should be made to the Secretary General of Maailmanvaihto in person or at the office address. Personal Data Act §24, EU Data Protection Regulation.

12. Right to request the correction of data

Everyone has the right to request the correction of inaccurate information contained in the register. Maailmanvaihto has access to the information that the user has shared with Maailmanvaihto. The request for the correction of inaccurate information should be addressed to the Communications Officer of Maailmanvaihto.

14. Other rights related to the processing of personal data

The registrant has the right to ask for the deletion of their information. The keeper of the register will correct, delete or complement inaccurate or unnecessary information on their own initiative or on the request of the registrant. The registrant is responsible for the correctness of the information they give. It is the responsibility of the registrant to inform about changes in the information they have given.

15. Changes to the privacy policy

The privacy policy may be updated, along with changes in the legislation, for example.

Maailmanvaihto’s office closed on 18th May

Maailmanvaihto’s office will remain closed on 18th May 2023.

Join the online workshop on brave space Fri 26th May 2023

Welcome to the online workshop on brave spaces! The trainer Sauli Kahkonen invites to the trainig all those participants of Maailmanvaihto’s activities who are interested in the topic.

On Friday 26.5.2023 at 17.30-19.30
In Zoom (we will send a link to the meeting to those who sign up)

Are you interested in having difficult conversations on challenging topics and learning more tools to make these conversations more productive? Do you sometimes feel stuck when facing conflict? Are you working with groups and individuals and sometimes feel the need for new approaches?

Look no further because I invite you to join a Brave Space Workshop! In this 2-hour session, we will:

Explore a basic concept of creating and maintaining brave spaces
Discuss and practice how to create a brave space
Learn some practical tools to manage difficult emotions while holding the space

The workshop includes short meditations and bodywork, so make sure to find a comfortable and calm space to participate. Grab a pen and notebook, and perhaps a cup of tea, as we embark on a journey towards creating spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.

In case you haven’t heard about brave spaces before, let me briefly introduce you to the concept:

Brave spaces are intentional environments where all people can show up as their authentic selves, share their experiences and perspectives, and engage in honest and respectful dialogue. They prioritize inclusivity, equity, and openness, allowing even difficult thoughts to be expressed with respect, dignity, and curiosity. Brave spaces are similar to safe spaces, a concept increasingly known in society, but go a step further by acknowledging and addressing uncomfortable or challenging conversations that are necessary for growth and learning. In a brave space, individuals are encouraged to challenge their own biases and assumptions, actively listen to others, and engage in respectful dialogue, even when faced with disagreements or difficult topics. Brave spaces recognize that discomfort and vulnerability are often integral to personal and collective growth and strive to create a culture of trust and respect where all voices are heard and valued.

The workshop is conducted in a trauma-sensitive way and using the brave spaces framework. Welcome aboard! The workshop is free of charge.

The creator and trainer of the workshop Sauli Kahkonen is a dedicated practitioner of yoga and meditation with over 15 years of experience in the field. Sauli holds an MSc in International Studies and is a certified Somatic yoga instructor with 200 hours of training. He has also volunteered extensively in Lebanon, Bolivia, and Iceland, gaining valuable cross-cultural experience and contributing to various causes. Currently, he is pursuing his studies to become a psychotherapist with a focus on somatic movement and community engagement. Through his passion for somatic movement, Sauli hopes to effect positive change in society by promoting holistic well-being and empowering individuals to take control of their bodies and minds.

On Friday 26th May, Sauli will hold the workshop on brave spaces for the first time. Try it out and give your valuable feedback afterward!

How to join?

Please, sign up for the workshop on Wed 24th May at the latest to Maailmanavaihto: e-mail maailmanvaihto@maailmanvaihto.fi, WhatsApp +358 44 235 1196.

Accessibility and further information

Accessibility information of Zoom is available at https://explore.zoom.us/en/accessibility.

If you have any questions, please, contact Maailmanvaihto at maailmanvaihto@maailmanvaihto.fi. Your questions to the trainer will be forwarded to him from Maailmanvaihto.

Greetings from abroad: from Georgia to Finland and from Finland to Philippines

What’s up with the volunteers of Maailmanvaihto? Two of them share their greetings. Mariam Darbaidze traveled to Finland for volunteering from Georgia and Asta Lehtola from Finland to Philippines.

Mariam: from Tbilisi to Helsinki

I wanted to join international volunteering…

to get a new experience. I had volunteered many times in local activities back in Georgia, but I had never done it abroad. In general, international volunteering impressed me for several reasons: after my bachelor’s degree, I took a gap year to think more about my career path and I decided to take part in the European Solidarity Corps. My professional background is sociology, so studying different cultures has always been one of my passions. This volunteering project was a great way to get out of my comfort zone and experience an independent life, even more challenging with my hearing loss. The European Solidarity Corps helped me to fulfill all of these and it still continues surprising me.

I ended up at my voluntary workplace because…

I found out about the open volunteer position at Maailmanvaihto online, and I was immediately interested. Finland is quite expensive and difficult to travel to from Georgia, which is why volunteering seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime possibility for me to travel here. I read Maailmanvaihto’s website very carefully, and Maailmanvaihto seemed to me a trustworthy organisation with important values and mission, and interesting volunteering opportunities. Maailmanvaihto works to establish intercultural learning experiences through long-term international volunteering, besides which it advances equality and peace among young people. Before my interview for the volunteering position I contacted another Georgian volunteer who had been in Finland as a volunteer through the European Solidarity Corps and she gave me a big recommendation to come here. As you can guess, I had plenty of reasons to move to Finland.

My volunteering days are filled with…

office related tasks but sometimes I have outdoor activities as well. My tasks include emailing with volunteers and partner organisations, promoting available placements and assisting in the volunteer selection process, arranging travels, writing newsletters for our volunteers, updating guidebooks, participating in magazine making, and updating the English version of the website. During volunteering camps, I help in the kitchen, facilitate activities, take videos and photos, and participate in social media management. Sometimes I visit schools and exhibitions to promote our international possibilities among young people. Right now, I am working on my personal project which is making interview videos related to the topic of international volunteering as a person with disabilities. When I was planning to participate in a European Solidarity Corps volunteering project, I had an unclear image about the support the program can offer for volunteers with disabilities. With my project, I wish to make participating in the European Solidarity Corps volunteering easier for other young people with disabilities. Young people with disabilities usually do not volunteer abroad as much as other young people. I hope this project will be beneficial for our organisation and for the European Solidarity Corps general. I hope people who watch these videos will see that young people with disabilities are not only receivers but also givers of knowledge and effort.

The languages I use to communicate with the people here…

rely on respect. My volunteering environment is respectful and safe. We regularly have an office meeting to discuss our tasks, which helps me not to miss anything. The people here really are interested in my actions, thoughts, and feelings. We communicate in English, Finnish and Georgian. I have conducted a Georgian cultural evening, and other volunteers and I organise together monthly a language café. The European Solidarity Corps has improved my linguistic competences. As a hard of hearing person, I feel more motivated to know languages very well because sometimes when I cannot hear, people think that I am not fully aware of the language. Volunteering abroad has assisted me to feel more confident with foreign languages.

I think that inspirational co-operation in volunteering builds on…

communication, when people, coworkers, partner organisations share the same values and principles, when they have a similar understanding. At my volunteering project, it inspires me to be approachable and initiative. For instance, when I go to schools and promote international volunteering, I consider it as an important task because when I was a pupil I had no idea about this kind of international experience. At that time, I was very vulnerable and would have been happy to know also about other options besides colleges and universities. Maailmanvaihto supports me to create new co-operations. I am so happy that during my volunteering period, we have connected with Kuuloliitto (an association for people with hearing disabilities) through which have had the opportunity to make connections, learn, experience, and get more aware of hearing loss. It has been planned that Maailmanvaihto and Kuuloliitto will continue co-operating after I leave, which makes me delighted.

For those interested in volunteering abroad, I wish to say…

that go for it, just check the volunteering project, placement, and the duties of volunteers very attentively to be sure that it is the right place for you. The volunteering project also must suit your values and interests. I really recommend the European Solidarity Corps volunteering to everyone but at the same time: it will not be exciting all the time, it can be challenging, sad, and exhausting sometimes and it is okay as well. I especially recommend this for young people with disabilities. Our opportunities are already limited for many reasons and we do not have the luxury to waste many chances. The European Solidarity Corps will cover your individual needs, so do not hesitate to try it. It is also possible to visit the host country and organisation before starting the project. The sending and hosting organisations, disability organisations, and the national agencies will support you, just apply. Long-term volunteering abroad can be a mind-blowing experience for you and your expertise as a young person with disabilities will be beneficial for the hosting organisation.

Interview: Minna Räisänen
Photo: Hanna Sainio

In the photo: ”A well-deserved rest together Ansku (right), one of Maailmanvaihto’s support people, after cleaning up at the beach”, describes volunteer Mariam Darbaidze the photo.

Asta Lehtola shares greetings from volunteering at San Remigio Rural Health Unit in Philippines on our Finnish website >> Read the interview of Asta

The article has been published in the magazine MaailmanVaihtoa – Volunteers’ Voices 1/2023.

Finding your way to communicate

Traveling to another country after or during school or between bachelor’s and master’s degrees as a traineeship, as an au pair or a backpacker is something a lot of young adults are keen to do.

Many imagine such a trip as a pure adventure, during which you meet many people from all over the world, grow beyond yourself, and have fun. Many travel magazines, blogs and forums encourage people to start traveling even if they are not proficient in many different languages, as it is possible to survive in many countries by knowing at least English. In big cities, it will usually be the case that English is a good way to go, but if someone decides to volunteer, they should inevitably get to grips with the local language at least a little, since volunteer projects are often in environments where English might not be broadly understood.

In addition, the geographical location of the site is crucial and can pose various challenges. For example, in Finland there are two official languages: Finnish and Swedish, both of which also have varying dialects.

In Finland, you can generally communicate well in English with young adults, but often less well with children and older people. Since the volunteers often work with children and older people, it is good if you as a volunteer learn the basics of the respective national language (in my case: Finnish).

Gender-neutral pronouns and other quirks of Finnish language

I tried to memorize a few words and short sentences before starting my voluntary service and I read several books about Finland to learn a bit about the culture, history, and language. I wrote down a few words so that I might understand the context better and listened to the Finnish language with Google Translate so I know how to pronounce the words. I quickly realized that in the Finnish language, many words end with an ”I” that sound and are spelled very similarly in German, which is my native language. This was also confirmed for many things when I arrived. For example, the post office is simply called “posti”, the kiosk simply “kioski”, the sugar “sokeri”, the tomato “tomaatti” and what I find really funny is that the joke (in German “Witz”) is called “vitsi”. However, in a conversation I have already appended an “I” to a German word and hoped that this also existed in Finnish. This has already led to one or two laughs.

Furthermore, I find it interesting that Finnish is a gender-neutral language. There is only one third person pronoun, ”hän”, there is no ”she” or ”he”. This was very unusual for me, but in the end, this is almost the only rule in Finnish that is easy.

”Snow is not just snow in Finnish. For example, there is the wet snow, the muddy snow, the snow to build a snowman with and the snow one cannot build a snowman with.”

However, Finnish has umpteen different words for an event or an object. When I wanted to say it was snowing, I only knew one word for snow in Finnish, but snow is not just snow in Finnish. For example, there is the wet snow, the muddy snow, the snow to build a snowman with and the snow one cannot build a snowman with. So the Finnish language is very versatile in other respects.

I was also very surprised that the word ”please” does not exist in Finnish and that the word ”thank you” is rarely used. Even when Finns speak English, they often omit these words. It doesn’t sound that friendly. At first, I was not sure if anything had happened or if they were struggling with each other or with me, until I realized that many filler words are simply left out in Finland. Also, there are sentences in English and German that have multiple meanings, but apparently not in Finnish. In the meantime, I’ve gotten used to it.

Multilingual environments offer many ways of communicating

Since many Finns also speak German, I can contribute here in both English and German. I was amazed that some of the children in my project can introduce themselves to me in German. I didn’t expect that at all. I also find it amusing when I ask people on the street where there is something and they don’t speak English but German and then we speak German. As soon as I registered, the employee could and wanted to speak German with me because she had learned it at school for ten years.

In addition, since Swedish, the second official language in Finland, is a mixture of German and English, you can see a lot of familiar sounding words on the signs around the city. but you can also find terms in conversations that help us to keep the conversation going.

However, I was very surprised that Finns don’t speak English as fluently as I expected. Since most films, series and books are not translated into Finnish, I assumed that they would speak English like a second mother tongue. This made me think that I could further refine my already good knowledge of English here.

Unlike most other volunteers, I initially lived with an English host mother, which allowed me to improve my English after all.

In summary, it becomes clear that you can learn something and develop something with every language. That’s why I think it’s great that we, as volunteers, are given the opportunity to take part in language courses. In doing so, we not only learn how to express ourselves or conduct conversations, but also get to know the culture and history of the country better.

I try to bring every word I learn into a conversation right away in my project and I’m totally happy when the children understand me. However, I often do not understand what they answer. We have had many funny situations here and communicate with gestures and a mixture of English, Finnish, German and a little Swedish.

Text: Franziska Müller
Photos: Johanna Gehlen

The article has been published in the magazine MaailmanVaihtoa – Volunteers’ Voices 1/2023.

Activity topics

Location

Volunteer’s role and tasks

Volunteer’s profile

Accommodation, food, and transportation

Accessibility

Furthe information and application instructions

Read also

Apply now! Open position for European Solidarity Corps volunteering at Dagtek 1.9.2023–31.82024

Apply as soon as possible! Open position for European Solidarity Corps volunteering at Lehtimäki Special Folk High School

Answer a survey on equality (DL 31st May)

Number of volunteers

Volunteering period

Applying deadline

Themes

Location

Volunteer’s role and tasks

Volunteer’s profile

Accommodation, food, and transportation

Accessibility

How to apply?

Read also

Aitoo Vocational College is looking for a European Solidarity Corps volunteer – apply as soon as possible!

Apply as soon as possible! Open position for European Solidarity Corps volunteering at Lehtimäki Special Folk High School

Answer a survey on equality (DL 31st May)

1. Registration holder / Business ID

2. Contact person on regarding the register

3. The name of the register: Data forms of Buddies

4. The purpose of processing the data of the register

5. The information content of the register

6. Regular sources of information

7. Processing data at Maailmanvaihto

8. Regular disposal of information

9. Transferring information outside EU or ETA

10. Protection principles and time of preservation of the register

Information processed with IT

11. Checking rights

12. Right to demand a correction of information

13. Other rights concerning the processing of personal data

14. Changes to the privacy policy practices

Read also

Practice languages in Maailmanvaihto’s Language Café Thu 25th may

Aitoo Vocational College is looking for a European Solidarity Corps volunteer – apply as soon as possible!

Apply now! Open position for European Solidarity Corps volunteering at Dagtek 1.9.2023–31.82024

Beyound Borders: Young People with Disabilities Volunteering Abroad

1) Beyond Borders: Susanna Halme – Volunteering as a Person with a Visual Impairment at a Youth Exchange organisation in Austria

2) Beyond Borders: Young people with Disabilities Volunteering Abroad I Jutta Kivimäki

Read also

Practice languages in Maailmanvaihto’s Language Café Thu 25th may

Aitoo Vocational College is looking for a European Solidarity Corps volunteer – apply as soon as possible!

Apply now! Open position for European Solidarity Corps volunteering at Dagtek 1.9.2023–31.82024

Privacy policy: Data forms of Buddies

Number of volunteers

Volunteering period

Applying deadline

Activity topics

Location

Volunteer’s role and tasks

Volunteer’s profile

Accommodation, food, and transportation

Accessibility

Website and social media channels

How to apply?

Read also

Aitoo Vocational College is looking for a European Solidarity Corps volunteer – apply as soon as possible!

Apply now! Open position for European Solidarity Corps volunteering at Dagtek 1.9.2023–31.82024

Answer a survey on equality (DL 31st May)

1) The keeper of the register

2) Contact person for matters concerning the register

3) Name of the register

4) The purpose of processing personal data

5) The content of the register

6) Normal sources of information

7) The processing of data within Maailmanvaihto

8) Normal disclosures of data

9) The transfer of data outside the EU or EEA

10) The principles and retention periods for the protection of the register

11. Inspection rights

12. Right to request the correction of data

14. Other rights related to the processing of personal data