In partnership with

Benediktus is a community of people with and without disabilities and a member of L’Arche, an international movement based on Christian principles that supports people with intellectual disabilities through shared community life. Benediktus provides social services, a day-care centre, therapy workshops, sheltered housing, and sheltered jobs such as gardening, fruit drying, organising public events, and restoring historic buildings. The aim of the project is to learn about the daily life and work of people with intellectual disabilities in a community setting and to support inclusion and equal opportunities, contributing to SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.

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Description of the Work

Volunteers will take part in various finishing, construction, and maintenance tasks, including improving the garden and orchard, painting, raking, cutting, decorating, and helping with cooking. The work is not physically demanding and does not require previous experience. Volunteers will use basic tools such as gloves, safety glasses, shovels, hoes, rakes, wheelbarrows, and drills, with guidance provided on site. In case of rain, indoor activities will take place, including painting or work related to sheltered workshops and their maintenance.

The worksite site is where the accommodation is situated.

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Accommodation & Food

Volunteers will stay in the Benediktus complex in Modletín, in a former spa building. Accommodation is in one large attic room with a shower and two toilets. Volunteers sleep on mattresses or mats with sheets and must bring their own sleeping bag and pillow. Facilities include a washing machine, refrigerator, kitchenette, and Wi-Fi. All meals are provided by Benediktus, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Volunteers are welcome to help prepare Czech or international dishes. The accommodation is located directly at the project site, so no transport is needed.

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Location & Leisure

The Benediktus community is located in the village of Modletín, between Horní Bradlo and Rušinov, in the Iron Mountains. The area includes historically significant buildings that are being restored and used for housing, work, and cultural activities, along with an orchard, vegetable garden, and traditional fruit dryer. The village is small and has no ATM, but a pharmacy is available at the project location. Mobile phone reception is reliable throughout the area.

Modletín is located in the protected landscape area of the Iron Mountains, offering many leisure options such as hiking, swimming in a nearby dam, mushroom picking, and sightseeing, including castles, chateaux, historic villages, natural monuments, and geomorphological formations. Volunteers may also attend local cultural events such as concerts, exhibitions, and openings. Sports activities are possible directly in the Benediktus area, and volunteers can also spend their free time together with people with disabilities and their assistants.

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Requirements

This project is supported by the EU program European Solidarity Corps. Some of the conditions differ from the usual projects; there will be detailed info provided after your acceptance. For more info about ESC visit https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity_en.

Volunteers must bring a towel and proper, sturdy shoes; regular sneakers are not sufficient. A positive attitude, empathy, and a willingness to work and engage with others are essential. Also, a sleeping bag and a pillow.

Before acceptance, you need to provide the following document: motivation letter:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/16UAO7TbgCVLAsbBdfP0meOqJsvulp4lbkTzfP9G6mIo/edit?usp=sharing

After acceptance, you need to provide the following documents:

Sworn Declaration-criminal record:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jSiw3FOP6q1YYTItcm9BR0RZyaEu4fi3/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=109352305258474266866&rtpof=true&sd=true

Media and GDPR Consent:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fdUnhbt3XlVfeg_B-DMmfXeHgHzE2UJdvFJtRkrPO2Y/edit?usp=sharing

You will be asked to upload these documents via a confirmation slip, which we will send you in our specific infosheet no later than 4 weeks before the project starts.

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Appointment

The journey will last approximately 5h and will need from 3 to 4 changes.
We will provide more details in the specific infosheet.

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Host Organization