Workcamps in Belgien
Vermittlungsgebühren: 120 EUR
Compagnons Batisseurs Belgique (CBB) ist im französischsprachigen Teil Belgiens angesiedelt und wurde 1953 gegründet, um Flüchtlingen beim Hausbau zu helfen. Heute ist CBB hauptsächlich im sozialen Bereich und der Jugendarbeit tätig - im Rahmen dessen werden zahlreiche internationale Aktivitäten organisiert. | |
| CBB bietet für einige Camps Vorbereitungstage an. Die Teilnahme ist bei den entsprechenden Workcamps verpflichtend und kostenlos und findet am ersten Campwochenende statt. | |
Belgien CBB01 -FEDASIL Centre de réfugiés, Rixensart 01.04.-14.04.2012 KIDS/MANU 7vols (no more female)
For volunteers older than 20 years.
PROJECT: The Rixensart Refugees Centre accommodates people or families who have asked for asylum in Belgium. Refugees come from Kosovo, Chetchnia, Iran, Congo etc. Many of them fled from war or from countries that were under a dictatorship or devastated by an ecological disaster. Thus they came to Belgium with dreams of stability, richness and comfort life. It is not, however, that easy to be allowed to settle in Europe, especially for somebody from the South or the East. Before these people may start their new lives, their refugees status has to be proven and accepted. While waiting for the documents that will enable them to remain legally in our country, the immigrants are accommodated in this centre in the Brussels vicinity. People living there await the solution concerning their administrative status. They never know what tomorrow may bring to them. There is a possibility that they will not obtain the authorisation to remain in Belgium and will have to leave the country. But on the other hand, they might see their dreams come true and get the chance to take a new start in life. Therefore, residents often found themselves owerhelmed by feelings of relief and anguish, hope and disappointment. The life of Rixensart Refugees Centre reflects these individual dramas and big international tensions. Refugees often come with their children, who attend the school in the village in order to help their integration in Belgium.
Website (available in English): http://www.fedasil.be
WORK: The volunteers will give a hand and a fresh air to the Centre’s animation team – sportive or social games, billiard, movie clubs, fitness for women, football tournir, craft etc. They will also help with manual work like cleaning up a garden or in case of rain – painting interier. They will be required to get actively involved in the daily life of the Centre. Half of the time will be devoted to proposals of activities for children and adults (according to the population currently present in the Centre). The management team of the centre is very well used to work with volunteers as they have been hosting this workcamp for several years.
ACCOMMODATION: Volunteers will be lodged in a common room (dormitory) in a building next to the central one. Showers are accessible in a central building. Meals will be provided by the Centre. Please, be aware that meals are simple. Vegetarian or any other diet should be announced in advance.
LOCATION: Rixensart is located in the Brabant Walloon province, 25 km from Brussels and 7 km from Wavre. The zone is highly urbanised and has all the usual conveniences. Although, in the past, it used to be a rural and agricultural area. Thus, Rixensart still keeps its countryside charm but one can feel the proximity of Brussels (40 minutes by train, 20 by car). Refugees Centre is located outside the town centre, but in a walking distance from the famous local lake Genval, cinema, shops, supermarkets, train station. Website (in French): http://www.rixensart.be
SPECIFIC INFORMATION: The volunteers are required to be at least 20 year old and to have basic knowledge of French. They will also be obliged to send us a motivation letter in French as well as to answer a questionnaire for the Centre.
Besides, it is necessary to have knowledge of animation (songs, music, dance, plays…) and to be able to assume responsibility for a small group. In addition, it is recommended that they have an idea about the policy concerning refugees in their own country, what the public image of the refugees is there, the place that is assigned for them. Some of these issues might be put on the table during the evenings. Being able to listen to others is very important there. This kind of workcamp is a very rich personal and human experience. It makes people aware of the complexity of certain social conditions related to the great inequalities on our planet.
Alcohol is formally prohibited in the Centre.
Meeting point: Rixensart train station.
Camp language: French. As a rule, kids are quite fluent in French thank to school, adults take longer time to learn foreign language. The languages are used between residents are very different – French, Russian, English, German… more then 15 in general and depend on current presence of residents.
Belgien CBB02 Hore Kinon ASBL Couleur Café-Malmedy 01.04.-14.04.2012 MANU 10vols
« Couleur Café » is a non-profit organization, they work principally against the social exclusion. The aim of this project is to permit to some people (foreigner people, disabled people, local population…) to share time together. For that, they organize different workshops: painting, cooking, gardening, informatics, help children for homework…They will have a nice place to welcome all these people. This big house is calling “La Hore Kinon”, an older barn.
WORK: The volunteers with the help of technical leaders will work in this house: paint the inside wall, put planks on the floor… The outside of this house is already done.
ACCOMMODATION: The volunteer will sleep in a common dormitory near the place where they’ll work. Shower and toilets are available. Diner will be prepared by “Couleur Café”, but don’t hesitate to bring your favourite recipes from your country.
LOCATION: Malmedy is a small town (10 000 inhabitants) in the french speacking part of Belgium. The town is very touristic & you could find anythings what you need in the numerous shops & pubs. The biggest cities near Malmedy are Verviers & Liège. Malmedy is very famous for its carnival & the lovely nature around the Warche Valley. It’s the perfect place to practice hiking or downhill. http://www.malmedy.be (website in English)
The volunteers have to bring a sleeping bag, a mat, a pair of work shoes & some clothes they might get dirty.
Meeting point: The Sunday 1st of April in between 2.00pm & 3.00pm at the Verviers Central train station. You’ll have an appointment with your camp leader & a member of the local host.
Camp language is English and French.