Date/time
Date(s) - 01/07/2020 - 01/07/2021
00:00
Locality
Ommen
Project type
Selected participants
Zuzana was on one year volunteering project in the Netherlands, organisation Olde Vechte.
Olde Vechte is a training centre and group accommodation that is hosting all kinds of guests: families and groups, as well as its own programs (trainings, exchanges, etc.). Being a volunteer at and for Olde Vechte, you are becoming a part of the team of this organization. This brings a specific attitude as well as specific duties that are there to be fulfilled. The general attitude respects the privacy of the guests and supports the goal of the specific program running. The role of the team is to support the guests in create a healthy environment for them in with their activity can take place. Respect and privacy are also there for your Olde Vechte team members. Conflicts between team members are discussed in a respectful way and not in the presents of our guests. All team members come from a big variation of cultural habits and backgrounds therefore misunderstanding and miscommunication are daily part of our reality at Olde Vechte. Essential and important part of your volunteering placement is to learn how to work, live and learn in this international team and a Dutch foundation and his culture/context; where culture, habits, and values are different than where you come from.
Tasks of the volunteers
The idea is that all volunteers are running Olde Vechte foundation with the help of the rest of the team in a practical aspect, maintenance on the buildings and terrain, running the kitchen. In general, it is around 2 days per week (except if you are working at another accredited workplace). The other days of the week will be programmed with the volunteer depending on the skills and desired development of the volunteer in connection with the character of ESC and the context of the hosting organisation. This personal development plan is created with, and guided by, the Job supervisor of the Olde Vechte
Other work places
The Olde Vechte foundation is a hosting place for 15 volunteers and also a coordinating organisation for 10 volunteers’ places with accredited hosting organisations in the region of Ommen. All work places with the other accredited organisations have their own Job supervisor, the mentoring for these volunteers are done by mentor of the foundation Olde Vechte.
In order to stimulate the integration in the local community we stimulate that all volunteers have also a work place outside the Olde Vechte foundation. This can be a small project or full time. Together with the volunteer, we are looking to the possibilities, the first month is an introduction period which is meant to be the time to see if we can make a match with another organisation around Ommen.
Other possibilities
The volunteering placement is an opportunity for the volunteers to realize their own personal goals or projects if these are well communicated to the staff and are in line with the mission of the foundation. We expect an active attitude from the volunteer, to be proactive and to take initiative.
Specifically, we expect initiative in:
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Creating ideas to improve the context and contents of your ESC program
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Looking for ideas to improve your own learning and living situation in order to get the maximum out of your volunteering placement.
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Creating results during your volunteering placement that is measurable, visible in terms of personal and professional development.
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Creating connection and activity’s with/for people of the local or regional community,
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Provide you with necessary information about the Dutch culture and its standards and values.
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Provide you with information and knowledge about the method of working, the organisation and the target group of the foundation.
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To create follow up activities, work or studies after your volunteering placement
