Against Forgetting

CODE: ijgd 15002

Description of the partner organizing/hosting the project: Seminar House Nordloh and Apen muncipality - The ijgd has been organising volunteer service programmes since 1949. We are an independent, non-profit association for international youth work, a recognised independent youth welfare organisation, and one of the largest and oldest workcamp organisations in Germany. Each year, we assist around 5,000 young people into volunteer work in Germany and abroad. We give them the opportunity to be creative, act in solidarity, take responsibility for themselves, and discover their own true potential and strengths. Our principles: Ecological learning, voluntary contribution, self-organisation, social development, intercultural learning, gender equality, anti-racism/anti-discrimination and political education. Follow us on Instagram ijgd_workcamps Facebook @ijgd.workcamps

Description of work: In almost all places in Germany, there are gravesites from the Second World War that commemorate the victims of war and tyranny. This is also the case in the municipality of Apen in Ammerland. In various small village cemeteries, 14 graves of soldiers aged 17-21 who died just a few days before the end of the war have been preserved. These graves are to be restored and repaired. Your tasks will include cleaning the weathered stones and rebordering the gravesites. Under the guidance of a historian, you will engage in biographical work and historical research and set up information boards with QR codes to raise awareness of commemoration, remembrance and a culture of peace. The accommodation is approx. 6 to 7 km away from the various work locations. You will be provided with bicycles for the journey to work and for leisure activities. You cycle from Nordloh to Apen in about 20 to 30 minutes, but there are also minibuses available for transfers to the individual work sites.

Description of accommodation and food: Accommodation in multi-bed rooms, seminar room with beamer and cosy seating area, conservatory, billiards, table tennis, table football, swimming pool with slide, football pitch, terrace, quiet enclosed courtyard, barbecue area, shared shower and WC. WLAN. You cook together with your host in the large kitchen of the seminar house. You will be provided with money for shopping. Vegetarian or vegan meals are possible. Please indicate any intolerances when registering.

Description of location and leisure: The seminar house is in a very rural location, but surrounded by beautiful nature. Bicycles are available for excursions in the surrounding area - the house is located directly on the ‘Fehn-Route’, a popular long-distance cycle route. 3 km away is the seafaring village of Barßel with shopping facilities and a harbour worth seeing. It is 16 km to the climatic health resort of Bad Zwischenahn with the lake “Zwischenahner Meer”. There is an outdoor swimming pool in Hengstforde, 6 km away. The towns of Leer, Emden, Oldenburg and Bremen are easy to reach by train. Together with young people from Apen, you will go on a canoe trip.

Short remarks for the project: Please note: There is a special Teenage Fee of 150€ for international volunteers who applied under 18 in this camp.

Description of specific requirements: Cycling, desire for country life and slowing down in beautiful nature, interest in the topics of ‘commemoration and remembrance, peace and democracy’

The nearest airport: HAJ in Hannover,Germany
The nearest terminal (train-, bus-, taxi station): Nearest International airport: Hanover Nearest terminal (train or bus station): Augustfehn We would like to invite you to travel as environmentally friendly as possible. If you have the option to go by train, bus, or carshare that can be a great first step for you to become a climate steward.
Meeting Point and Time: at the railway station in Augustfehn, at 16:00 and 18:00 there is a transfer from the station to the accommodation.