Finland: Fallkulla Domestic Animal Farm and Youth Center

About the local hosting organization

Fallkulla is located in the northern part of the capital city, Helsinki. There are some 690 000 inhabitants in Helsinki. The farm is situated near the residential areas of Malmi and Tapanila. There is a good public transportation network in the area. Fallkulla Domestic Animal Farm (Fallkullan kotieläintila in Finnish) is the only municipally-owned youth centre in Finland where young people can take part in practical work with livestock. Fallkulla was established in 1989. Check their website.

Presentation of the programme

Fallkulla does animal assisted youth work. It gives young people aged 9–17 the opportunity to tend sheep, pigs, goats, cows, hens, ducks, rabbits, and horses as well as the chance to participate in various activities with the youth. Fallkulla is run by the Helsinki city youth department. There are various tasks for the volunteers, such as feeding the animals, cleaning the barn and stable, milking the goats, brushing the animals, horseback riding, and taking care of the common cleanliness of the cattle shed. Other work tasks include youth work, gardening, and other outdoor work as well as office work. The voluntary work period will provide the youth, the staff of the farm, and the volunteer with an international experience as well as possibilities to improve language skills.

About the accomodation

Volunteers live in a host family in the Helsinki area, so it is important to be motivated to adapt to family living.

Requirements

The volunteer should be interested in animals and their welfare and enjoy working in the cow stable and yard. The volunteers should also be motivated to support youngsters in working similar tasks. The participant must be in good health and cannot have any allergies (animal, hay, or dust).