EVS

BHAGAVAT EDUCATIONAL TRUST is an accredited EVS (European Voluntary Service) hosting, coordinating and sending organisation.

For more information about EVS and its ethos - please click here.

Different projects are available for EVS volunteers, both short and long term; in any of the social institutions BHAGAVAT works with. Usually the projects would involve non-formal education and intercultural learning:

1. The orphanages and social homes in Bulgaria usually have staff sufficient only for the essential life needs of the children like feeding, health care, washing (usually, one person is responsible for 8-10 children at the same time). The big problem in such homes is the lack of physical or mental development of the children, often due only to an insufficient human contact with adults and the lack of affection.
2. The task of the volunteers will be trying to fulfill this lack of communication and affection for the children. This can be done by its non-formal education and attention of the volunteers to the children. Example tasks:
3. The volunteers will be actively involved in intercultural games with the children – including games, songs, dances, painting, language animation and communication skills learning
4. Non-formal education: it is a continuous activity during all the presence of the volunteers - children learn through out the day – i.e. during clothing, feeding, playing but also it can be held explicitly - an example for it is reading/telling a story (for instance language should not be an enormous barrier for both the younger children and the volunteers; as the children would follow voice intonation, non-verbal language, etc.)
5. The social homes have game places and physical education and rehabilitation apparatus. The volunteers will accompany the children to use these facilities.

 

1. The biggest part of the volunteers’ time will be spent together with children of different ages. If the volunteers wish, more time could be spent with younger children.
2. Some of the bigger kids in the social homes go to a normal kinder garden or school during daytime, the volunteers can accompany them.
3. Bulgarian linguistic animation: elementary notions of Bulgarian will be needed in the work with the staff and the children. So, an opportunity to learn Bulgarian with a qualified teacher will be provided for the volunteers.

Volunteers will have the opportunity to participate in international events - exchanges, seminars and training organised by BHAGAVAT EDUCATIONAL TRUST. It will give them the opportunity to develop essential skills such as working in a team, participate in multicultural games, project workshops on different themes, etc.

We are constantly developing new  projects for EVS volunteers.

At the moment Bhagavat hosts long term volunteers on this project. Should you be interested in participating - please apply CV and cover letter to Bulgaria@bhagavat.org.uk