📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
Aims of the project:
The project promotes protection of unique plants of the natural preserve Dibvnogorye.
'Divnogorye' is a name of the village and natural preserve and it means 'Wonder Mountains'. It is located at a very picturesque place, a true touristic attraction of the region thanks to its historical and cultural heritage and unique flora. A lot of artistic events take place in the village, such as modern arts performances, concerts and seminars.
On the spot, visitors discover a natural preserve, an ancient monastery with the churches built right inside the chalk hills, and a beautiful river.
This project involves maintenance of a residential area for volunteers located close to the territory of the natural preserve Divnogorye.
💼 What the programme involves
Study part:
Volunteers can learn Russian language together with a certified teacher.
Learning herbs and weeds of the natural preserve - together with the tutor from the natural preserve a professor of biology and botanic. If a volunteer would like to collect data for his/her thesis or diploma it can be discussed with the staff of the natural preserve and the volunteer can have a tutor.
Obligatory tasks can be combined with optional activities, which are based on your talents and skills.
Project tasks: creation of herbal garden, study and research of combination of plants in the wild nature, making photos, gardening (planting trees and bushes), collecting herbs.
Optional tasks: cleaning tourist path from rubbish, helping in the organization of events, renovation of the terrace of the volunteer's house, teaching English, renovation of old-fashioned furniture, painting and hand made.
Attention! Working tasks are mostly outside, volunteers have to be ready for physically demanding tasks. In summer it is quite hot (+30 C).
Working with us on the project gives you an opportunity to explore and enjoy rural Russia.
🏠 Accommodation on site
Volunteers will be accommodated in a village house, 2-3 participants per room, male and female separated. There is no hot water supply there, so water will be sun-heated, or heated on the gas oven. The toilets will be of a basic design (latrine type). The river is located within just a 15-min walk from the host house. Banya (Russian type of sauna) is available.
Cooking facilities are in the house. Drinking water is from a well. The project coordinator will support volunteers in their daily routines. Sightseeing will be organized at days-off.
📍 About the location
The place is a genuine point of attraction for archeologists, soil scientists, zoologists, ecologists, and nature lovers. Hiking, swimming in the river, climbing and caving is possible. Participation in artistic and educational events, organized by the museum staff is welcome. Volunteers can visit banya (Russian type of sauna) any time (available next to the house of volunteers).
There will be 2 days off Monday and Tuesday. It is possible to visit neighbor towns and cities, such as Voronezh 1 million inhabitants, cultural and business capital of the region.
Location: Divnogorye is a village of appx.100 people. In summer it is full of students, tourists, scientists and artists. It is connected with the neighbour towns via bus, trains and cars. The nearest international airport is in Voronezh the city with 1 million inhabitants, located 140 km away from Divnogorye.
ℹ️ Additional information
Course of Russian provided! No need to know English - volunteers with French, Spanish or German can be accepted as well!