Support Children from Minority Groups
Coordinator | Nicole
Coordinator | Nicole
Book with Flex Option!
Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
Help disadvantaged children through free education and life-skill lessons. Provide mentorship and cross-cultural understanding.
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups
50+
The program
This amazing program places volunteers in a Community Centre program in Elbasan, one hour south of the country’s capital city, Tirana. Run by a non-governmental agency, the program provides essential educational and social support to children from minority groups, particularly those from Roma backgrounds who are discriminated against in Albanian society. Children from Roma communities suffer racial segregation and neglect in terms of both economic and social aspects of life in Albania. Discrimination is widespread against this group and these children suffer from inadequate education and health care, resulting in high levels of illiteracy, poor health and little hope for economic betterment. Whilst international initiatives are in place to improve the lives of Roma minorities, there has not been any discernible progress to date. This program is a step in the right direction, and needs willing volunteers to help them achieve meaningful change for these vulnerable children and youth.
Goals of this Project:
- Provide free education and life skills lessons to marginalized children and youth
- Improve the future prospects of some of Albania’s most impoverished youth, and help them to break the poverty cycle
- Expose marginalized youth to a whole new world of education and help them discover a love for learning
- Expose participating children and volunteers to new people and cultures and enable cross-cultural understanding
How you can help
This wonderful program gives vulnerable children access to the support and skills that could help them to achieve a much brighter future. The Community Center program offers them educational tools, support and adult mentors, which would simply be unavailable to them otherwise. Largely forgotten by society, these children and young people are at serious risk of falling through the cracks and becoming disenfranchised. With volunteer assistance however, these young people can learn, be supported and feel a sense of hope towards a better future. There is huge scope for volunteers to bring their own skills and interests to this program in all areas of education, mental, social and physical enrichment. This might include teaching basic English; assisting with computing skills, arranging lessons in art, music or crafts, organizing sporting activities, games and excursions. For volunteers wanting to make a real difference to the future prospects of marginalized children and youth, this program ticks all the boxes.
Volunteers on this project will contribute in a number of ways and can expect to undertake the following tasks:
- Provide education and life-skills lessons
- Organize games, art and other fun educationally based activities
- Supervise sports and playground games
- Provide learning support and assistance
- Provide emotional support and mentorship
- Network with local residents and local project staff
Typical day
A volunteer’s work day on this project will generally last between 4 and 6 hours and while we ask all volunteers to be flexible in this regard, a typical daily schedule is likely to go something like this:
7:00am Breakfast prepared in the Volunteer House or eaten out
7:30am Van ride to project site
8:00am Pre-start meeting with project supervisor
9:00am VOLUNTEERING DUTIES START
A tea break and lunch break will be fitted in during the day, but often the timing of breaks will change based on the needs of the local staff and number of volunteers on hand.
4:00pm VOLUNTEERING DUTIES END
4:15pm Debrief with project supervisor
4:30pm Van ride back to accommodation
Evenings Volunteers are welcome to explore the local area or simply relax.
Free-time activities
Albania's stunning natural beauty has remained largely undiscovered by international visitors - but not for much longer.
Elbasan is a historic and culturally rich city sitting right at the center of Albania. Volunteering allows time to explore the city and surrounding region and enjoy the history and natural beauty on offer. The program site in Cerrik is an easy 30-minute commute from Elbasan.
Swimming
Hiking
Sports
Requirements
In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.
You need to speak English (basic level)
required
at High School, University level
Emergency Contact, Passport and Resume
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
A volunteer’s individual role can often be tailored to suit their particular skills and interests. Ideally, volunteers on this project will have at least a basic understanding of Albanian in order to communicate effectively with the children and local staff members. All applicants must of course display a genuine willingness to help, show drive and initiative, and bring a positive 'can-do' attitude.
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
What's Included
- Airport pick-up on arrival
- Orientation & full safety briefing
- Accommodation
- Weekday lunch included
- 24/7 local support network
- Project placement & onsite supervision
- Registration Fee included
Upon your arrival in Albania, you will collected at the airport and delivered to your accommodation. Here you will receive an orientation to help you settle in, find out about your volunteering placement, the local surroundings and meet your fellow volunteers. A representative from the local team will fill you in on local and regional customs, traveling, rules and recommendations, and of course, what to expect from your volunteering experience. This is a great opportunity to get to know your hosts and ask any last questions you may have.
Volunteers on this program are accommodated in a private house in Elbasan with a large, well-equipped kitchen, communal dining area, modern bathrooms, shared rooms split by gender and linen and Wi-Fi provided. A home away from home!
The program site in Cerrik is an easy 30-minute commute from Elbasan. Transport is arranged each day and costs approximately US$2.
Breakfast and dinner are self-catered with lunch provided during the week at the center (included in the program fee). The kitchen is fully equipped to enable volunteers to prepare meals from the comfort of home and restaurants, cafes and eateries are located within easy distance of the house and offer a wide variety of menu choices.
Make sure to sample the specialties unique to the City such as ‘Bugace’ a delicious breakfast roll and ‘Bollokume’, a large sugar cookie.
Good access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
The nearest airport is Tirana International Airport (TIA) in Tirana. We assist you to find cheap flights to Albania.
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Albania provides security and is a plus to have.
If you are intending to volunteer in Albania you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Albania.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Details on arrival
This project is available year-round and programs start every SUNDAY. Spaces on this project are limited and therefore subject to availability. Early booking is recommended.
This program is paused due to COVID-19
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
4 - 12 weeks
Program fees
4 weeks
(min. stay)
$791
5 weeks
$860
6 weeks
$918
7 weeks
$987
8 weeks
$1,044
9 weeks
$1,113
10 weeks
$1,171
11 weeks
$1,240
12 weeks
(max. stay)
$1,297
Average fees
$153
/week
Please note that the above shown program fees are estimated.
Love Volunteers
will let you know about the final price during your application process.
The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.
Your final payment will be agreed with Love Volunteers during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
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application process
- including all necessary payments. Planning your next meaningful trip with Volunteer World gives you free access to our:
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What are people saying about Volunteer World?
Support Children from Minority Groups
Help disadvantaged children through free education and life-skill lessons. Provide mentorship and cross-cultural understanding.
$153/week
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