Assisting with a camp: Friendships across social borders

CODE: FI-KVT 9.1

Description: Äijälä is situated near Jyväskylä in Central Finland. The community’s aim is to support its clients in their everyday life and life management. The community works with organic gardening and it has a charming old farmhouse that has been renovated to host disabled people for daily visits and during the holidays. Äijälä also offers supportive work activities for long-term unemployed people and preserves traditional culture and working methods. Äijälä has been hosting KVT workcamps since 1980.

Type of Work: During the two-week camp the volunteers are going to help and assist with two separate camps aimed for 6 - 8 disabled people; one camp taking place on the first week and the other camp on the second camp week.Together with campers volunteers will learn about nature, traditions, and the English language through arts and crafts, play, and games. There will also be some gardening work. The aim is to provide unforgettable memories for disabled people by working and spending time together across social borders. Work will be done together with the other workers of the community. Please bring with you clothes that are suitable for outdoor work and moving in nature.

Study Theme: Disabled people in Finland, diversity of people, ecological living, Finnish folk culture

Accommodation: In shared rooms with women and men sleeping separately in a 200-year-old wooden farmhouse, the main building of the farm. Beds, bed linen and pillows will be provided to the volunteers. Volunteers with physical disabilities are warmly welcome too but should be aware that moving around the house or garden can require some assistance (there are e.g. doorsteps, sand & grass in the garden). The nearest biggest city Jyväskylä can be reached by public transport and can be visited for sightseeing during the freetime of the volunteers.

Approximate Location: Jyskä, near Jyväskylä city in Central Finland

Notes: The Äijälä community aims to offer a tranquil environment for their visitors which is also aligned with the work of the camp. This means that some of the camp days might be a bit more slow in pace.

We trust that the impact of our travels is a shared concern and if you can, please prefer more eco-friendly options than taking a plane.