2016 workcamps - Service Volontaire International

2016 WORKCAMPS
No
Code
DWC-NICE01-16
Project Name
Sustainable Farming and
Animal Sanctuary
Location
Dates
Vols
Zhongshan,
1*
Jan 1 – Jun 30
4
Guangdong
Conghua,
GROUP
Sustainable Rural Development
Apr 15 – 22
15
2**
Guangdong
DWC-NICE- Cultural Heritage Preservation
Fuzhou,
3
Jul 5 – 14
15
02-16
and Promotion
Jiangxi
* Volunteers must stay for at least a month; Project dates may be extended to early summer
** Group workcamp with Kyoto International School and NICE Japan
- About DreamWalker China Established winter of 2013, DreamWalker China (DWC) is a social purpose organization that
believes everyone can make positive contribution and change to their own personal
development, as well as to global development, through international voluntary service and
sustainable changemaking actions. We collaborate with and support both local and overseas
communities, social enterprises, and innovative charities to not only foster a world of
changemakers, but also plant the seed for a united and peaceful world.
- Workcamp Basics Language: The main language of all DreamWalker’s workcamps is English. We recommend our
volunteers to learn some basic greetings in Chinese.
Basic Volunteer Requirements: Since English is the language use in all our workcamps, it is
important for volunteers to know enough simple English for basic communication and interaction
with other volunteers. Other than that, a passion in volunteering and respect for cultural
differences are crucial to having a good time at workcamp. Volunteers should be open-minded
and adaptable. They should be friendly and willing to evolve as a team.
Insurance: DWC will purchase basic insurance that covers accidents during the workcamp only,
and so, please also self-prepare health and travel insurance that suits your own needs.
1
Service Volontaire International, asbl
30, Rue des Capucins – 1000 Bruxelles
: +32 (0)2 840 72 00
: + 33 (0)3 66 72 90 20
: + 42 (0)3 25 11 0731
- Project Descriptions Project Name:
Code:
Sustainable Farming and Animal Sanctuary
DWC-NICE-01-16
Project Type: Agriculture; Animal Care
Project Dates: January 1st to June 30th, 2016 (at least 1 month)
Number of Participants: 4 workcampers
Location: Grand Windmill Farm, Southern District, Zhongshan, Guangdong Province
Closest Airport: Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
Participation Fees: 2,100 RMB (~300 EURO) for the 1st month
1,800 RMB (~260 EURO) for the 2nd month
Project Needs:
Growing population and increasing demand for food has led to industrial farming practices, which
are detrimental to both the environment and to our health. Sustainable farming is the way
forward as it takes into consideration of our health, the environment, local communities and
animal welfare. It produces food in a way that allows for ecological balance and maintenance of
biodiversity.
Plants, animals and humans are all part of nature and we rely on each other to survive. Climate
change, loss of biodiversity, soil degradation, depletion of resources and extinction of species are
devastating results of our exploitation of nature. Rethinking our role in nature and our footprint
on this planet is key to the survival of future generations.
Project Aims:
 Provide a unique experiential learning opportunity to enrich knowledge of sustainable
farming and animal care
 Increase awareness of the negative impact of industrial farming on our health and on the
environment
 Encourage volunteers to engage with nature, physically, mentally and spiritually
 Cultivate a sustainable and harmonious co-existence with plants, animals and all others
members of our ‘earth community’
 Spread the principles of environmental sustainability and raise active citizenship
committed with a fairer society
 Inspire future changemakers who are impactful towards sustainable farming and animal
care issues (Changemakers are individuals who gain skills and resources they need to
collaborate on solving complex social problems)
Meals and Accommodation:
Grocery shopping and meals will be prepared by the workcampers. Fresh fruits and vegetables
will be from the farm. A cooking and cleaning schedule will be arranged at the beginning of the
workcamp, and workcampers will take turns with cooking and cleaning chores.
2
Service Volontaire International, asbl
30, Rue des Capucins – 1000 Bruxelles
: +32 (0)2 840 72 00
: + 33 (0)3 66 72 90 20
: + 42 (0)3 25 11 0731
Simple and basic accommodation is provided in the farm. Beddings are also available. Tents are
available for workcampers who wish to camp.
Activities:
 Farming and harvesting herbs, fruits and vegetables
 Picking and packaging herbs, fruits and vegetables
 Caring of farm animals (feeding, grooming, exercise, etc.)
 Helping with daily operation and general maintenance of the farm
 Participating in discussion on changemaking ideas and examples of sustainable farming
and animal care
 Other duties assigned by the farm staff
 Identifying Chinese medicinal plants and their healing properties (optional)
 Guided meditation in nature (optional)
Volunteer’s Requirement:
 Know moderate spoken Chinese to communicate with local staff
 Have no allergic reaction to animals and love working with animals
Local Partner Description:
Grand Windmill Farm is an organic farm and sanctuary for many farm animals such as mules,
ponies, pigs, turkeys, rabbits and dogs. This family-run farm was created with a mission to
‘reconnect urban dwellers to nature’ and ‘to promote a healthy, sustainable lifestyle’ through
their tailored-made activities for people of all ages. Cradled by lush forests of Wen Bi Shan (文筆
山), Grand Windmill Farm is a land of beauty and serenity where nature, animals and people all
come together in harmony.
Photos:
3
Service Volontaire International, asbl
30, Rue des Capucins – 1000 Bruxelles
: +32 (0)2 840 72 00
: + 33 (0)3 66 72 90 20
: + 42 (0)3 25 11 0731
Project Name:
Code:
Sustainable Rural Development
GROUP
Project Type: Social; Agriculture; Culture
Project Dates: April 15th to 22nd, 2016
Number of Participants: 1 leader and 14 workcampers
Location: Xian Niang Xi Natural Village, Chang Liu Administrative Village, Liang Kou Town,
Conghua District, Guangzhou
Closest Airport: Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
Project Needs:
China is developing rapidly in the past decades, but as urbanization kicks in, the income gap
between the rich and the poor increases. In China, adults, especially male from rural villages,
often work in factories in cities to earn more income, leaving many elderly, women, and children
alone in the villages. Surrounded by lakes, waterfalls, and mountains, the villagers living in Xian
Niang Xi Natural Village is an example. They have little and limited access to the convenience of
large city and are having lower incomes.
Meanwhile, with the fast paced and high demands of city life, Chinese living in the city often
forgets or gets disconnected from the simplicity of nature. High demands and quick access for
food can result in non-ecological and sometime unsafe or unhealthy manufacturing of food.
Promoting organic farming and reminding people about the importance of nature itself is crucial.
Project Aims:
 Aid in the sustainable development of the rural Chinese village
 Assist the development of Women Mutual Aid Group so that women can provide support
for each other and benefit the whole village
 Promote and conserve the traditional culture and heritage of the village
 Enrich villagers’ cultural living, provide them learning opportunities and strengthen
community recognition
 Enhance the interaction between city & village and strengthen community vitality
 Encourage people to reunite with nature, physically and spiritually
Service Volontaire International, asbl
30, Rue des Capucins – 1000 Bruxelles
: +32 (0)2 840 72 00
: + 33 (0)3 66 72 90 20
: + 42 (0)3 25 11 0731
4



Increase awareness of safe and ecological farming and their impact on health
Spread the principles of environmental sustainability and raise active citizenship
committed with a fairer society
Inspire future changemakers who are impactful towards sustainable rural developmental
issues (Changemakers are individuals who gain skills and resources they need to
collaborate on solving complex social problems
Source: http://www.changemakers.com/about/changemakers)
Meals and Accommodation:
Grocery shopping and meals are prepared by the workcampers. A cooking and cleaning schedule
will be arranged at the beginning of the workcamp, and workcampers will take turns with cooking
and cleaning chores. Groceries will be shop from the local markets and directly from the villagers.
Accommodation is in the rural village hostel and is basic. Mattresses or beds are provided in the
hostel. There is no need to bring your own sleeping bag.
Activities:
 Harvest grain (summer)/ Harvest sugar mandarin and sweet potatoes (winter)
 Renovate village roads
 Learn cultural craftwork such as bamboo chair
 Learn to make traditional village dessert/food
 Participating in the Cook 4 Climate Action
 Participate in discussion on changemaking stories or ideas on rural development issues
whether they are from your country or from others
 Visit the Ancestral Shrines Culture Exhibition Centre and the Temple of Wu
 Other duties assigned by Social Work Station or Women Mutual Aid Group
Local Partner Description:
Previously called Sun Yat-sen University – Hong Kong Polytechnic University Lu Geng Urban and
Rural Mutual Aid Society, the Guangdong Lv Geng Social Work Development Centre (Lv Geng)
is the only province level professional social work and service organization in Guangdong.
Registered under and approved by the Bureau of Civil Affairs in Guangdong, Lv Geng is the social
work institution and organization that spent the longest time in developing urban & rural
community work, rural village social work, and disaster relief social work in China. Their work
began in 2001, when the trailblazers of the society started social work development in rural ethnic
minority village in Yunnan. Then in 2008 and 2009, the organization expanded their work areas
and started their projects in Sichuan and Guangdong, respectively.
The practicing value of Lv Geng is “Urban & rural cooperation and fair trade to co-create
ecological civilization and sustainable livelihood & culture”. By means of community-based and
integrated social work strategies, Lv Geng engages through community’s economy, constructs
community supporting network, and make use of professional methods of social work, to
promote positive change microscopically at the personal, family, or community level, and
macroscopically in terms of social policy and global ecological politics.
5
Service Volontaire International, asbl
30, Rue des Capucins – 1000 Bruxelles
: +32 (0)2 840 72 00
: + 33 (0)3 66 72 90 20
: + 42 (0)3 25 11 0731
Photos:
Project Name:
Code:
Cultural Heritage Preservation and Promotion
DWC-NICE-02-16
Project Type: Culture; Art
Project Dates: July 5th to 14th, 2016
Number of Participants: 1 leader and 14 workcampers
Location: Fuzhou, Jiangxi
Closest Airport: Nanchang Changbei International Airport (KHN)
Participation Fees: 1,200 RMB (~170 EURO)
Project Needs:
Fuzhou city has a long history of rich cultural heritage and resources that had profound impact on
the Chinese history and modern celebrated culture. It has been named the “Hometown of Scholar
and Talent” and the “City of Culture”. Many folk arts from years of heritage and techniques, such
as bamboo knitting, hand-made mounting pictures (手工裱画), paper cutting art, songs, etc., had
been passed down through many generations can be discovered in this city. However, in today’s
modern society where many products are mass-produced by machines, the art of practicing
traditional craftsmanship faces the brink of extinction. Finding passionate new generation of
young people who are committed to its practice and its teaching to the next generation is a
challenge, and these once loved folk arts are losing in popularity compared to the modern taste.
Educating the public of their value and importance, in addition to teaching of why and how to
appreciate these forms of art are all important in preserving the cultural heritage of the city and
the country.
Service Volontaire International, asbl
30, Rue des Capucins – 1000 Bruxelles
: +32 (0)2 840 72 00
: + 33 (0)3 66 72 90 20
: + 42 (0)3 25 11 0731
6
Project Aims:
 Promote the preservation of traditional Chinese art and craftsmanship
 Enhance international exchange and folk art and culture
 Inspire future changemakers who are impactful towards arts and cultural heritage
preservation (Changemakers are individuals who gain skills and resources they need to
collaborate on solving complex social problems)
Source: http://www.changemakers.com/about/changemakers
Meals and Accommodation:
Workcampers will be staying in a school or a Buddhist temple. Simple meals will be provided
three times a day at the cafeteria within the school or the temple. Temple serves only vegetarian
food.
Activities:
 Observe and learn Chinese art and culture, such as calligraphy, carving, and paper cutting.
 Organize a charity sales of the local and international art & cultural products towards the
end of the workcamp
 Participate in discussion on changemaking stories or ideas on arts and cultural heritage
preservation whether they are from your country or from others
 Assist the daily work of the school or the temple
Local Partner Description:
“Zhao Shu Chong” Micro Public Service Youth Volunteer Association is a registered non-profit
organization formed by University and high school volunteers. The aims of this educational and
cultural organization are to “Serve the Society” and “Promote Culture and Civilization”. With the
value of improving social atmosphere and development, “Zhao Shu Chong” enhances the
integrated capability of youth through cultural preservation, educational support and caring of
left-behind children.
Photos:
7
Service Volontaire International, asbl
30, Rue des Capucins – 1000 Bruxelles
: +32 (0)2 840 72 00
: + 33 (0)3 66 72 90 20
: + 42 (0)3 25 11 0731
Envie d’aller faire du volontariat en Chine? Contactez le
SVI : [email protected] ou visitez notre site :
www.servicevolontaire.org!
8
Service Volontaire International, asbl
30, Rue des Capucins – 1000 Bruxelles
: +32 (0)2 840 72 00
: + 33 (0)3 66 72 90 20
: + 42 (0)3 25 11 0731