Spain: ESC: Volunteering with La Copa Activa

About the local hosting organization

At CEIP Antonio Machado, our mission is to foster the holistic development of our students in a nurturing, respectful environment. We prioritize autonomy, self- determination, responsibility, and active learning, ensuring that every child thrives both academically and personally. Our educational approach is rooted in active and experiential pedagogy, emphasizing cross-disciplinary learning that integrates cognitive, emotional, social, and physical dimensions. Our vision is to create a creative, inspiring, and inclusive educational center that engages not only students but also families, faculty, and the wider community. By embracing the natural environment and leveraging cultural diversity, we aim to establish strong connections with the local community, fostering a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and personal growth. Our Core Values are respect, creativity, action, empowerment, cooperation, autonomy, and sustainability form the foundation of our educational philosophy. We strive to offer meaningful, experiential learning opportunities that address all aspects of human development, with particular emphasis on the psycho-emotional dimension.

Presentation of the programme

The participant will engage in a variety of tasks, with a weekly schedule of 30 to 38 hours, Monday to Friday, generally from 8:30 to 15:00. Occasionally, volunteers may be asked to attend afternoon sessions for community events or assist with school maintenance. Some Saturday mornings will also be required for special activities. Volunteers are encouraged to actively participate in all school activities and propose their own initiatives or personal projects that inspire them and foster growth. All involvement will be guided and supported by teachers and members of the school community to ensure meaningful learning experiences. We are looking for volunteers who are responsible, autonomous, creative, and enthusiastic about contributing to the daily life of our community. As the school operates as a screen-free environment, mobile phones or other devices must not be used in the presence of children. Main tasks include: 1. Multidisciplinary Workshops · Organizing and preparing hands-on activities in art, science, and sustainability. · Supporting small groups in practical projects, such as planting in the school garden or creating murals. · Assisting in interactive storytelling sessions and maintaining workshop spaces. 2. Well-being Activities · Leading mindfulness, reflection, and outdoor activities. · Organizing games and exercises that foster teamwork and emotional intelligence. · Supervising playgrounds and facilitating discussions about emotions. 3. Experiential Learning Projects · Supporting project-based learning and outdoor expeditions. · Preparing materials to ensure smooth activity implementation. 4. Inclusive Education · Assisting children with special needs and facilitating differentiated learning tasks. · Organizing activities celebrating cultural diversity and creating visual learning aids. · Supporting peer mentorship programs and maintaining accessible learning spaces. 5. English Language Support · Hosting conversational English sessions and interactive language activities. · Providing one-on-one support and ensuring learning materials are prepared and organized. Additional responsibilities: · Promoting European and mobility programs to young people in Murcia and within the organization. · Participating in workshops and presentations about the European Solidarity Corps program in schools, youth organizations, and the University of Murcia. · Creating monthly content about the organization’s activities to help disseminate and promote project results. Our volunteering project seeks to promote the values promoted by the EU and the ESC Programme, such as solidarity, equality, justice, respect, fight against exclusion and xenophobia, etc.

About the accomodation

Practical arrangements: The schedule of the volunteer activities will be between 30 and 38 hours per week. The volunteer will work max. 38 hours on 5 days per week. Holidays: According to the rules of ESC, volunteers must have 2 working days off per month. Accommodation:Volunteers will be provided with a private room in a shared apartment located in Bullas, within a family home. The apartment will be fully furnished, and utilities such as electricity, water, gas, and internet will be covered by the lead organization (up to €30 per volunteer). Pocket money: Each volunteer will receive a monthly allowance of 186€, as determined by the Spanish National Agency. Food allowance: A monthly food allowance of 184€ will be provided to the volunteer. Local transport: Volunteers will have the option to choose between a bicycle or travelling with families from the town of Bullas to the village where the center is located. Language support: Volunteers will have access to language learning resources through an online platform, as outlined in the ESC program guidelines. Medical insurance: The ESC program provides private insurance that covers any health, accident, or civil liability expenses not included in the public health system.

About the location

CEIP Antonio Machado is a public school located in the rural hamlet of La Copa, a charming village in the Bullas municipality, nestled in the natural beauty of the Murcia region. This area is characterized by its rich cultural heritage, close-knit community, and commitment to preserving the traditions and values of rural life. The village, with its welcoming atmosphere and vibrant community, provides an ideal setting for innovative and experiential education.

Requirements

This project is aimed at young people between 18 and 30 years old who have not participated in any European volunteering project (EVS or ESC) before. We will give priority to the selection of young people with fewer opportunities. The selection will be made based on the attitude, the willingness to participate, the motivation and the commitment to the values of the project rather than knowledge and skills of the candidates . We value the responsibility, the spirit of initiative, the patience and the ability to step back from interpersonal conflicts in order to deal with them more effectively, and the enthusiasm and willingness to participate in the different activities offered. No young person willing to participate in our project will be excluded for any reason (economic difficulties; social or geographical obstacles; cultural or ideological differences; sexual orientation, age, ethnicity, gender and gender identity, etc.).