Summer activities with children at the Don Bosco Youth Center in Brussel

CODE: BE-SCI 11.1

Description: "Les Amis du Village", located in Beauvechain, is above all a place where you can discover and exchange ideas on the principles of permaculture, well-being, and creativity. This citizen initiative, led by a couple and their relatives, offers internships, trainings, and workshops to anyone interested in learning about gardening techniques, food preservation, or mushroom cultivation, within an environment of individual and group creativity. Locally rooted and set in a green landscape, "Les Amis du Village" aims to strengthen ties with its close residents while also welcoming volunteers from all places to join their experience.

Volunteers are invited to participate in a variety of activities: yoga, meditation, music, and crafts.

Type of Work: Throughout the entire duration of the project, volunteers will work in the vegetable garden, carrying out various tasks (harvesting, cleaning, composting, sowing, planting, cooking, preserving...) and work on the renovation of a building using various natural materials (such as clay and straw). On Sunday, 27th of July, an "Open Day" is taking place. Volunteers will help set up the event and assist in some of its related tasks (animations, bar, etc.) and can also take a look at the partners' projects.

Study Theme: Permaculture, earth-straw mix, plant-based cooking.

Accommodation: Volunteers will sleep in tents (mattresses and sleeping bags are needed). The living conditions will be rudimentary (solar shower and dry toilets). Volunteers prepare their own meals with the partner's help and they have access to vegetables from the garden. Only local, vegetarian, organic, and seasonal food is available. A few bikes are available (volunteers who already possess a bike are kindly asked to bring it to the project’s location, if possible).

Language: English. Knowledge of French is welcome to interact with locals and the children during the summer camp.

Requirements: This project addresses volunteers willing to discover permaculture's philosophy/spirit, practical applications, and techniques, as well as a lifestyle based on food self-sufficiency. Volunteers are requested to be fully involved in all the proposed activities.

Approximate Location: Village of Beauvechain, Brabant Wallon, Belgium.

Notes: Additional fee: Many SCI camps will have an additional fee of €50.00. This will cover: local hosting costs; International Insurance costs for the volunteer; a small travel fund to enable disadvantaged volunteers to join projects; SCI International administration costs.