RUSSIE   2008    

PZ - Passage Zebra

Passage Zebra Voluntary Workcamps 
“A volunteer is someone who works for free serves in a community or for the benefit of natural environment primarily because they choose to do so. The word comes from Latin, and can be translated as will; As in doing something for ones own free will. Many serve through a non-profit organization – sometimes referred to as formal volunteering, but a significant number also serve less formally, either individually or as part of a group.
By definition, a volunteer worker does not get paid or receive compensation for services rendered other than reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses”. (Wikipedia)
This is just a formal definition of an International Youth Workcamp. But if we take the words “Youth” and “International” into consideration, we will see that the reward is not only satisfaction of one’s altruistic motivations.
Living in a foreign environment, working together with people of different culture backgrounds is resulted in breaking down prejudices and stereotypes, in forming the community of mutual tolerance, respect and understanding. 
Speaking the same language with people of all nationalities, getting deep into the culture of the host country by contacting local people in the informal atmosphere, discussing the world’s important issues, sharing different points of view will enable you to see new horizons, put up high-minded goals, broaden up your personality.
Working with the young adventurous team, discovering the beauties of new places, making an exciting connection with kindred souls, being showered with the feeling of gratitude by friendly and hospitable locals will bring you the deep understanding of the world’s wisdom and harmony.

ABOUT OUR WORKCAMPS...

Age limit: 18 – 30 years old but exceptions are possible
Camp language: English. 
Extra fee: There are no extra fees except for particular projects e.g. due to costly study parts or leisure activities. 

The work: Usually volunteers will work about 30 hours a week (for example six hours a day five days a week). Exceptions are mentioned in the description.

Accommodation: Can be either in a building or in a tent, which is specified in the project description. In general there are basic conditions, but all facilities like kitchen, toilets and showers are provided. 

Food: It is normally prepared by volunteers themselves. Two participants per day are responsible for buying food out of a set budget and cooking for the group. 

Please, note:
- Volunteers are not allowed spend budget money for cigarettes and alcohol.
- If you need particular products for medical reasons you will have to buy them for your own money.
- If you want vegan / vegetarian food please, let us know in advance. It is not really popular – and public catering objects in Russia sometimes do not provide vegetarian food at all.

Campleaders: Our camps have one or two campleaders who will help to organize free time activities and keep and account the camp budget. Apart from these, there can be a technical co-ordinator of the project, helping to organize the work. Camp leaders are not supposed to manage everything; they are also volunteers, who will help you in the foreign environment and suggest various activities; they are also a link between you and the hosting organization, the project sponsor and the local people. Volunteers are asked to respect group leaders’ experience, as well as local customs and traditions. 

Contact with the local people: The level and intensity of contact depends entirely on the local opportunities and can be very different in different workcamps. In some camps there will be close contact to the local population and volunteers should be open for this. We cannot provide excursions to other big cities – they are quite far from each other while the time of a camp is short. That’s why we concentrate on the local sightseeing such as natural reserves, historical heritage, rivers, forests, architecture monuments. Be ready to spend one weekend in the nature (camping). We advise visiting Moscow or St.-Petersburg before or after the camp which is very common.

Insurance: If necessary, we can provide the health insurance (it doesn’t cover personal liability). Since the insurance is connected with additional costs to PZ we ask for a contribution (0,6 Eurocent/day). 

Official invitation: To issue the invitation we will need a copy of the passport / ID of a volunteer with an expiration date and date of birth. We also need to know to which embassy the volunteer is going to apply to get the visa. Then we send official invitations either by fax or by mail (original). 
According to the Russian law foreigners are to get the registration in Russia during 3 working days after their arrival. PLEASE TAKE A MIGRATION CARD at the airport in Russia. Usually it is done in the hotel but in your case the registration will be done by PZ. Please keep in mind that it takes 1 day, which you will have to spend without your ID. Please keep all train / intercity bus tickets!!! They are necessary for your registration.

Tickets: Usually volunteers arrive to Moscow by plane and then take a night train to Voronezh / Nerekhta / etc. Since it is very troublesome to buy train tickets on the day of departure in summer, it is recommended to buy them well in advance. We strictly recommend you to oblige us to buy a ticket for you in advance. The money (about 25-30 Euro) can be transferred to us by Western Union.

LES CHANTIERS 2008

PZ 01-08    Music Diving            (FEST)               05.06.2008 – 21.06.2008 
PZ 02-08    Tracing the saints    (ENVI/FEST)     17.07.2008 – 30.07.2008 
PZ 03-08    Nomad’s Song         (FEST/CULT)    13.07.2008 – 28.07.2008 
PZ 04-08    Music Apprentice     (FEST/CULT)    02.07.2008 – 13.07.2008 
PZ 05-08    The Ambassador     (EDU / SOCI )    30.08.2008 - 14.09.2008 
PZ 06-08    Photomarathon         (ART / SOCI)     03.08.2008 - 16.08.2008 

PZ 01-08    Music Diving (FEST)   05.06.2008 – 21.06.2008    Age: 18 - 60

The festival “Empty Hills” (Moscow region). Recently there have appeared more and more musicians whose style cannot be described within the frames of standard pop-culture. At the same time various original ways of promoting ideas have developed. These conditions were enough to start an annual non-format music festival “Empty Hills”. The 5-day open-air event in June 2007 gathered 15’000 people and more than 100 bands on 4 stages. The atmosphere of freedom, culture diversity, friendship, esthetical enjoyment and unity gave rise to a huge volunteer movement. The festival background developed into exceptional conditions for creative forms of promoting ideas of peace, human rights, environmental protection. 
Location :. The festival camp is situated in the countryside among the cities of Moscow, Kaluga and Tula. It is far from civilization although the ambulance and the police will be present there.
Work : Volunteers will work about 6 hours a day and help with installing the stages, putting the decorations, registration of the participants, collecting garbage, selling T-shirts, distributing leaflets, taking lots of pictures and making notes. 2 volunteers of the group will help daily in the open-air canteen. After the event you will move to Tula/Kaluga/Moscow and make reports about the festival in English. These reports will be used on the English version of the website . Please note, that the work during the festival can be physically hard (but all open-air!) and the working schedule can vary from a day to a day (sometimes the help is necessary in the early morning when the trash from the night party is to be picked up). Please bring your camera!
Accomodation : The conditions of your stay are very basic, even survival. You will stay in tents for 7 or 8 days – and in host families in Tula/Kaluga/Moscow (to be confirmed). A sleeping bag and a sleeping mat are absolutely necessary. The eco-toilet will be available, but the shower will be naturally heated from the sun. Generally everybody at the festival swims in the river (please take your swimming suite, a cap and sun cream – it’s going to be sunny and hot!). Please note, that no Internet access and no telephone connection (except for emergent calls) will be available during the festival days, but you can easily use both during the city part. 
Food : Volunteers will have meals in the open-air canteen of the festival. Please, inform us in advance if you are vegetarian. During the home stay the meals will be provided with the host family.
E. The festival provides a wide range of entertainments: apart from high-quality music it offers drums and dance workshops, fire shows, etc. During your stay in a host family you will have a chance to try traditional Russian food and to learn more about the Russian culture. Please bring your national games and recepies, CDs (we will burn a DVD with the shared music and pictures), music instruments if you play any (there going to be jam sessions) and funny light clothes to wear during the festival.
NB. Please note that the camp is not recommended to people with the poor health since the physical work is all in the open air (take a raincoat and hard shoes and long trousers & long-sleeved coat in case of a rain, mosquitoes and cross-country strolls), it can be hot during the day and the working schedule can be split into several sessions some of which are to be done even late at night or early in the morning.

PZ 02-08   Tracing the saints (ENVI/FEST)   17.07.2008 – 30.07.2008   18-60

Location : The camp will take place in the countryside in the south of the Voronezh region. It’s a small village which is nevertheless is known allover the south of Russia for its unusual landscape, miraculous chalk formations, Red List species of animals and plants, rich history and archeological heritage which includes a church carved in the chalk rocks. A small part of the territory is a preserve which includes an open-air museum. All the rest represents outstanding leisure opportunities for hiking, swimming (since the place is situated around the infall of two rivers), camping (there are 2 natural springs with the drinking water), photographing. The unique nature conditions of the place, its remote location, the access to the drinking water, the fertile soil were the reasons for the monastery to appear at this place. Nowadays the place is very popular with tourists but their chaotic visits and camping at the non-sanctioned places pose a serious threat to the nature and the monuments. The aim of the program is to develop the leisure opportunities which can be offered by the administration of the preserve on the legal basis.
Work :Volunteers will work about 6 hours a day and help with marking the walking paths, picking up garbage, preparing the camping sites. They will be also involved in preparation of the Night of Museums – an open-air event with a number of performing activities, live music and a bonfire. For the last 3 days of the camp you will move to Voronezh city and make reports about the camp and the place in English. These reports will be used on the English version of the Divnogorie official website . Please note, that the work can be physically hard (but all open-air!) and the working schedule can vary from a day to a day depending on the weather (Since it can be very hot during the day and the work will be split into 2 sessions which are to be done early in the morning and in the evening). Please bring your camera!
Accomodation : The conditions of your stay are very basic. You will stay in tents for the whole duration of the camp – and in host families in Voronezh-city during the last 3 days. A sleeping bag and a sleeping mat are absolutely necessary. The eco-toilet will be available, the water for the shower will be naturally heated in the tank by the sun (depending on the weather ?). Generally it is recommended to swim in the river (please take your swimming suite and a cap – it’s going to be sunny and hot!). Please note, that no Internet access and no telephone connection (except for emergent calls) will be available during the camp, but you can easily use both during the city stay. 
Food : Volunteers will cook for themselves, the kitchen facilities will be provided. During the homestay the meals will be provided by the host family. Vegetarian food is available.
E. The place itself provides a wide range of entertainments: apart from hiking and swimming you will have a chance to visit all the open-air sights, the monastery, etc. A particular event is the Night of Museums which will involve artists, actors, musicians and offer traditional food and drinks at night. During your stay in a host family you will have a chance to try Russian food and to learn more about the Russian culture. Guidance around Voronezh city will be also available – you can visit the places of interest, go to a club or to a concert. Please bring your national games and recipes, CDs (we will burn a DVD with the shared music and pictures) and music instruments if you play any (you will have a chance to perform during the Night of Museums).
NB. Please note that the camp is not recommended to people with the poor health since the physical work is all in the open air (take a raincoat and hard shoes and long trousers & long-sleeved coat in case of a rain, mosquitoes and cross-country strolls). 

PZ 03-08     Nomad’s Song (FEST/CULT)    13.07.2008 – 28.07.2008 

The festival Ustuu-Huree (Rep. Tuva, Siberia). The event takes place in the territory mainly inhabited by the Tuvinian ethnic minorities. The Soviet destructing influence and the invasion of Europe meant a culture shock to the Tuvinian nomadic way of life. The Ustuu-Huree Festival is dedicated to the reconstruction of cultural heritage of the Tuvinian nation and therefore presents all kinds of traditional culture like throat overtone singing, folk music played on traditional instruments, shaman ceremonies, horse racing, wrestling.
Location : The festival takes place in Chadan – a small Tuvinian town in 300km from Kyzyl (the capital of Republic Tuva, Siberia). The festival camp is situated in the outskirts of the town in a small forest near the river. The area is mountainous, it can be very hot during the day and quite cool at night so don’t forget your caps, warm clothes and raincoats.
Work : Volunteers will work about 6 hours a day and help with installing the stages, putting the decorations, registration of the participants, collecting garbage, selling T-shirts, distributing leaflets, taking lots of pictures and making notes. Seminars, presentation and performances organized with the help of volunteers will be also possible. During the festival you will be asked make reports in English. These reports will be used for the English version of the website. Please bring your camera!
Accomodation :  The conditions of your stay are very basic, even survival. It is possible that you will stay in yurts (traditional nomadic woolen tents) together with the organizing committee (to be confirmed). Otherwise you will stay in tents for the whole duration of the camp. A sleeping bag and a sleeping mat are absolutely necessary. The eco-toilet will be available, but the shower will be cold. Generally everybody at the festival swims in the river (please take your swimming suite and a cap – it’s going to be sunny and hot!). Please note, that no Internet access and no permanent telephone connection (except for emergent calls) will be available during the festival days, but you can easily use both during the city part. 
Food : In the festival canteen. Please note that vegetarian food is not easily available in the canteen since it’s not really popular in Tuva. Otherwise volunteers will cook for themselves on the fire. It is not a necessary skill for everyone but you will learn how to do this.
E. The festival provides a wide range of entertainments: apart from music it offers drums and dance jam-sessions, fire shows, bonfires, etc. Local people are very hospitable and will give you many chances to learn something about Tuvinian culture. Please bring your national games and recepies, CDs (we will burn a CD with the shared music and pictures), music instruments if you play any (there going to be jam sessions) and funny light clothes to wear during the festival.
NB. Please note that the camp is not recommended to people with the poor health since the physical work is all in the open air (take a raincoat and hard shoes and long trousers & long-sleeved coat in case of a rain, mosquitoes and cross-country strolls), it can be hot during the day and the working schedule can be split into several sessions some of which are to be done even late at night or early in the morning. 
You should be open to a totally different culture background and ready for basic living conditions. People with photography skills and the experience of writing reports are required! If you can perform you are the most welcome!

PZ 04-08     Music Apprentice (FEST/CULT)    02.07.2008 – 13.07.2008 

“The Sayan Ring Festival”, Khakassy republic. The 5-day-long festival demonstrates performing arts of the South-East Siberia including traditional overtone singing, playing folk instruments, ritual dancing, shamanistic ceremonies – and apart from this - outstanding world-music players from Russia and from abroad (e.g. last year they had guests from France, Scotland, etc.).
Location : The fest takes place in Shushenskoe – a small town situated in 80km from the capital of Khakassy, Abakan. This part of South-East Siberia is covered in taiga forests, while the town itself is very near the world-known Yenisey river.
Work : Volunteers will work 4-6 hours a day, during which they will be involved into the technical support of the festival (installing the stage, picking up garbage), as well as actively participating in the informational area, e.g. preparing seminars and performing, talking to the participants and mass media representatives, taking pictures, writing reports in English. These reports will be used for the English version of the website. Please note, that the work during the festival can be physically hard (but all open-air!) and the working schedule can vary from a day to a day. Please bring your camera!
Accomodation : You will live in bungalows in the holiday center situated near by the festival place. The holyday center has much in common with a camping: shower and toilet are outside. 
Food : The meals will be provided by the Festival Commettee, 3 times/day in the canteen. ). Please note that vegetarian food is not easily available in the canteen since it’s not really popular in Khakassy. 
E. The festival provides a wide range of entertainments: apart from music it offers drums and dance jam-sessions, fire shows, bonfires, etc. Local people are very hospitable and will give you many chances to learn something about Siberian culture. Please bring your national games and recepies, CDs (we will burn a DVD with the shared music and pictures), music instruments if you play any (there going to be jam sessions) and funny light clothes to wear during the festival.
NB. Please note that the camp is not recommended to people with the poor health since the physical work is all in the open air (take a raincoat, hard shoes and long trousers & long-sleeved coat in case of a rain, mosquitoes and cross-country strolls), it can be hot during the day and the working schedule can be split into several sessions some of which are to be done even late at night or early in the morning. 
Another important note is that the crime rate in Hakhassy is quite high. Although the security of the festival is ensured by the great number of police we advise you not to bring expensive things and to keep your camera and ID with you every time you leave the camp.
You should be open to a totally different culture background. People with photography skills and the experience of writing reports are required! If you can perform you are the most welcome!

PZ 05-08    The Ambassador from B-612 (EDU / SOCI / KIDS)   30.08.2008 - 14.09.2008 

The project takes place in the republic of Altai in the South-East Syberia. It is held in cooperation with the Russian Office of Exupery Heritage Association and the Ministry of Education of the Altai republic. One third of the population of the republic are Altaians, the official language is Altaian. Although the Altaian language is widely used in everyday life (mass media, schools) it is pushed out by the Russian language which has a higher social status than the native one. The annual amount of the literature issued in Altaian has seriously decreased. The mission of the camp is to distribute the recently issued Altaian translation of “The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupery among the schools in remote villages and towns.
Location : The republic of Altai is situated in the South-East Siberia, near the Mongolian and Kazakh borders. It is famous for its mountains and natural resources, as well as for its unique culture. The camp itself doesn’t really have a permanent location since you will move from one village from another. You will start from the capital of the republic Gorno-Altaisk and move along the route established.
Work : You will prepare the presentation of the book and a small performance to be shown to the schoolchildren. You will also write a camp diary and make a report about your impressions. You will probably talk to the mass media representatives.
Accomodation : You will stay at the schools and host families. Mats and shower will be provided, but the sleeping bag is necessary. 
Food : Food will be provided by the schools, but there is a chance that sometimes you will have to prepare the food yourself in the shared kitchen. Please note that the vegetarian food is not easily available in Altai since vegetarianism historically is not popular in that area.
E. You will have a couple of free days in Gorno-Altaisk as well as a number of days camping in the Altaian nature which is famous for its exceptional natural beauty. During the camp you will have a chance to learn about the traditional Altaian arts & skills (khoomey, dances, shaman ceremonies, etc.)
NB: Please note, that this is not a typical camp. You should be ready to adapt quickly to a new environment every evening, although it may seem stressful. You should be open to a totally different culture background. People with photography skills and the experience of writing reports as well as performers and animators are the most welcome! You should be initiative in proposing ideas and able to cooperate with the other team members.

PZ 06-08     Photomarathon (ART / SOCI)    03.08.2008 -16.08.2008 

A group of vols is invited to participate in a photomarathon in which many local participants will take part with the aim to attract the attention to the problems of the city (pollution, transport, poverty, unemployment), to its historical heritage and with new eyes to fall in love with its beauty. Please, take your cameras with you! The volunteers will take walks around the city being included into groups of Russians. The goal of the camp is a photo exhibition in one of the most visited places of Nerekhta. The example of similar photomarathon tasks you could download from here http://video.mail.ru/mail/supreme2003/allinone/4.html . The results of the camp will be shown on the open air presentation in one of the most populated district of Nerekhta city.
Location : Nerekhta is a town of the Kostroma region. Population: ca. 30 000 inhabitants. It is easy to reach from Moscow or Nizhni Novgorod. It is one of the most interesting places not only in the region but likewise in Central Russia. Nerekhta is a town-museum with centuries-old history.
Work : Volunteers will have to reflect their impressions of the city with photos. Their task will be also to prepare the photo exhibition. Please, be prepared for long walking, flexible time schedule (early morning photo sessions, night photographing).
Accomodation : You will stay in the youth center with showers, toilets, bed linen and centralized canteen. The youth center provides diversity of workshops like ceramic, painting and other handcrafts, also traditional Russian. Host organization “Peoples Planet” Foundation http://www.nerehta-planeta.ru/index.php?m1=volanters
Food : Meals 3 times a day, no need to cook. Vegetarian food available. 
NB: 40 Euro extra fee, motivation letter! PLEASE BRING YOUR CAMERA We don’t provide with films volunteers who bring not a digital camera. Please bring your smiles, good mood, imagination and of course, warm clothes, mosquito repellent, your favorite tapes, CDs, games, musical instruments and cooking recipes from your home country.