📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
Our partner, Emmaus Haarzuilens, is situated in the small, beautiful neighbourhood of Haarzuilens. It is very close to Utrecht and to the Castle of Haarzuilens. Emmaus Haarzuilens is a living - work community for former homeless people and others who strongly feel related to Emmaus ideology, which is about bringing back value to second hand objects and self-esteem to people that have faced difficulties. All the people who live at Emmaus work at the second hand store that also includes recycling. The money earned by doing this work is used to finance the community and also for supporting international social projects.
Volunteers will not only work, but also live together with the inhabitants of Emmaus Haarzuilens. We thereby want to emphasize that living together also means preparing and eating the meals together and do some cleaning and light house work. It also means that volunteers are expected to live by the rules of Emmaus; following the Emmaus philosophy and considering the background of some of the Emmaus residents, use of alcohol is prohibited during working days.
💼 What the programme involves
This project will take place in cooperation with Emmaus Haarzuilens where the volunteers will live and work together with the residents of Emmaus. The volunteers will help out at the second hand store, which includes picking up second hand goods and placing them in the shop. Together with the residents, the volunteers will organize a special summer market and anniversary festival on 28th August. Volunteers will help with the set-up and break-down of the festival and the organization of a fashion show to present the second hand clothes that are for sale. The income from this sale is fully used to support a chosen special project. Besides this work, volunteers will also help with maintenance work on the grounds of the community (washing dishes and helping out with the cooking).
🏠 Accommodation on site
Volunteers will stay in comfortable accommodation at the Emmaus grounds. Beds are provided, but participants need to bring their own sleeping bags. They will cook and eat together with the residents of Emmaus.
📍 About the location
Together with the camp leaders the volunteers will discuss the recreational program. For example, they can explore the beautiful historical city centre of Utrecht by bike, climb the Dom Tower, go canoeing on the canals, visit a museum, or visit other places in The Netherlands. The camp leaders will have some ideas, but of course it is possible for the volunteers to put forward their own ideas for this program! Leisure time will also be spent on the theme: “Cross your borders!”. During this activity, the participants will interact with the local communities, learn more about human rights and the current situation, share their cultures with each other and have fun!
⚠️ Requirements
• Motivation letter required, due to the specific rules and motivation of the residents
• At least an intermediate level in English
• Sleeping bag
• Rain is spread throughout the year, so bring warm clothes, a raincoat and a swimming suit!