ESC “See the human behind you” in Skopje, North Macedonia

 

*** This call has already been closed! ***

CULTURE, CREATIVITY, YOUTH and CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS are the keywords of your ESC project. During your volunteering, you will have the opportunity to get involved in various activities depending on your profile and on the period of your stay in North Macedonia.

Dates: As soon as possible for 12 months (we are closely monitoring the Covid-19 situation)

Location: Skopje, North Macedonia

The Project

You will be involved in on-going local activities, meaning help and support with the social group in the Special Primary School «Dr Zlatan Sremec». For instance, as a volunteer, you’ll be encouraged to come up with own ideas leading to the improvement of the on-going activities of the school. Moreover, you’ll have the opportunity to get engaged in school’s other activities: these activities can involve taking part in events organized in cooperation with other organizations e.g. fundraising events, public raising awareness events, events aiming to promote volunteer work, information days, help and support in the process of developing new projects and initiatives. Also, workshops and training will be part of your project, to let you the chance to develop new competencies. And then, especially in the second part of your project, you’ll be able to work on personal project and activities, to work on the development of personal ideas.

In a bit more global concept, SPS «Dr Zlatan Sremec» cooperates with other organizations and institutions. One of the key aims of this cooperation is to raise awareness of the lives of children with minor disabilities in their psychological and physical development, multiple disabilities and autism and break the stereotypes and prejudices that people might have.

Your coordinating and your hosting organisation

VOLUNTEERS CENTRE SKOPJE is an organization which will provide support for your ESC project. We are a non-governmental youth organization created in 2006 by former EVS volunteers. The main goal of the organization is to give nonformal educational possibilities to young people, in different fields, on a local and international level; to promote the idea of volunteerism and to connect young people regardless of their nationality, religion, political, economical or social status.

Primary school «Dr Zlatan Sremec» is a public special elementary school for the education of children with special needs. The school operates according to special programs for work with pupils with intellectual disability, autism and combined disability. The Special Elementary School “D-r Zlatan Sremec”-Skopje for children with intellectual disabilities was opened on 28.08.1972 by the great North Macedonian humanist Dr Ljupcho Ajdinski. The school is one of the four schools for students with intellectual disabilities. The school has 47 employees, most of whom are teachers of special education, physical education teacher, music teacher and teacher in technical education. The school has an expert team composed of a speech therapist, a social worker, a psychologist and a special educator.

Accommodation, logistics, finances

You will be hosted in one of our flats. Both of them are in «Kisela Voda», really close to the office with a view to the mountain Vodno. In the first one, there are 5 rooms, 1 bathroom, 1 kitchen with living room and 1 balcony. In another one, there are 5 rooms, 1 living room, 2 bathrooms and 1 balcony. Flats are located 15 min from the city centre by walk. Each volunteer has a single room. You will be sharing a kitchen and other facilities with other ESC volunteers. In the flat, you can find all the necessary things like kitchen stuff, blankets, bedclothes, towels, etc. The Wi-Fi internet is available in flats as well.

The project is financed by the European Solidarity Corps. In North Macedonia, ESC volunteers receive 90 € / 5500 MKD pocket money, as well as 100 € / 6100 MKD food allowance.

Travel costs will be reimbursed up to 275€.

You will be enrolled on the CIGNA programme for health insurance and may be elligible for children support money of the German state (Kindergeld).

Training and Support

You will be supported by your coordinator throughout your voluntary service, to discuss your weekly schedule and own ideas. You will meet on a regular basis to discuss your development, ideas and tasks. As a volunteer, you are expected to be an active contributor – you will provide a new vision and perspective and be a valuable member of the team.

In addition, you will have a mentor who will help you integrate into life in Kisela Voda, make connections outside of your workplace and immerse yourself in the culture.

You will receive a basic course in Macedonian, so you can improve your language skills throughout your stay in the country.

In addition, you will participate in an on-arrival and a mid-term training, organised for all ESC volunteers in the region in the beginning and towards the end of your voluntary service.

Who are we looking for?

You can apply if the following criteria apply to you:

  • You are between 18 and 30 years old
  • You are a resident of Germany
  • Are strongly interested in the activities
  • Previous working experience with youth with disabilities could be a plus for you
  • Highly motivated, flexible and willing to face the different challenges that each day
    brings
  • Good communication skills in English
  • Interested to work with pupils and young people
  • Should be open to the living and work in a new environment
  • Needs to have a high sense of responsibility
  • Open to cooperation, ready for teamwork

Curious to know more about the project? Here is the Infopack!

At the moment, we are planning for the project to go ahead as planned. Adjustments to working hours and tasks will be made according to the Covid-19 restrictions at the time. You can also keep up to date with the travel restrictions and advice from the German Foreign Ministry here.

This call has already been closed and the volunteer has been selected.