Service Volontaire International

About the local hosting organizationInformaGiovani is renovating the once house of a mafia businesman, a big villa that is being transformed into a youth and social centre and a hostel. The project is implemented in co-operation with a network of local association dealing with social issues, education to legality, social solidarity.The Centre will be officially opened during the camp with a big public event.A presentation of the project can be seen at www.ignet.eu/villa

Presentation of the programmeVolunteers will work at the villa, a property confiscated from the Mafia, in morning and afternoon sessions, for a maximum of 7 hours per day, 5 days per each week.Over the 14 days, volunteers will help maintain the green areas (cleaning, cutting, watering, etc.), help painting rooms and windows, assembling furniture (beds, wardrobes, etc.) and put the finishing touches to the villa.The villa is still being renovated, so professional construction workers will be on site to complete some of the work and guide the volunteers when needed.The renovation of two of the three floors of the villa are expected to be completed during the project and volunteers will help prepare for the Grand Opening of the International Youth Center with public authorities.Before the opening, they will support logistics and get the rooms ready for guests. On the opening day itself, they will welcome guests, take photos and help create social media content.Volunteers will follow shifts for other daily tasks.The work is manual and can be sometimes physically demanding, so volunteers must be in good physical condition.

Local accommodationAll the volunteers will be accommodated in the villa in rooms equipped with camp beds. Each room will be shared by 3 or 4 volunteers. There will be different toilet and shower rooms available. Running water and electricity are available. Heating system in the villa is underconstruction but should be available during the camp time.IMPORTANT Volunteers should be aware of a very basic condition and willing to live as such Volunteers will be responsible for cleaning their room and common spaces.Food will be provided by external catering. Vegetarian option can be available.

About the project locationPalermo is a big Italian town on the northwestern coast of Sicily. The villa is located a bit far from the city center of Palermo, but it s connected by bus/tram. Palermo is a beautiful city where there are many sights and places to spend free time.There is a cafe and supermarket very close to the villa where volunteers can go on foot.

RequirementsGood physical condition and high motivation are requested due to the manual work. Volunteers must be aware that some of the areas where working is required can be dusty and dirty. Safety clothes (gloves and helmet) will be provided when needed. Volunteers are required to bring their own working clothes and strong shoes.IMPORTANT Volunteers should be aware and willing to adapt to extremely basic living conditions.

Extra info about the projectGood phisical condition required, manual work can be demanding

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