Dear JORDANIAN Volunteers,

We are searching for a volunteer for a EUROMED Action 2 project. The project is organised in cooperation with the Medical Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims, an NGO based in Athens and providing medical, psychological, social and legal services to refugees who are also torture survivors. The project has already been running for 2 years (1 year as Euromed). The duration of the project will be 12 months; it will start on Feb 1st 2007.

The volunteer will assist the staff in the communication with the refugees, as most of them come from Middle East countries, and may organise activities for the children.

The qualifications required are very good knowledge of English (or Greek!!) and one of the following languages: Arabic, Farsi, Kurdish or Turkish (in order of preference). French would be a great advantage. The volunteer should be prepared to face people affected psychologically, so the sense of responsibility is necessary.

We send you in attachment a draft expression of interest, based on the EVS application form.

Waiting for your extra motivated volunteers.
If you are interested in being a Volunteer to this project please reply to exchange@earthinternational.org . By 28th of September 2006.

Emad alFugaha
JORDAN YouthExchange Group – President

“Care for Torture Survivors”

“Care for Torture Survivors” is a project that facilitates Medical Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims (in short MRCT)’s activities in providing medical, psychological, social and legal services to torture survivors. Moreover, the involvement of international volunteer in our activities is a way of incorporating new insights and ideas from the volunteer’s background, social dynamics, and culture he/she lives in.

MRCT believes that the presence of a volunteer from a Mediterranean country creates a climate of trust and comfort to refugees who need the services offered by the Centre because it demonstrates to them a much needed international dimension to their issue. It also provides additional help to refugees to integrate into the Greek society and encourage them to be involved in social activities.

MRCT has already close cooperation with other organisations from other countries, and this experience indicates that such an involvement is useful to improve the work done with refugees.

SCI Hellas is the Greek Branch of Service Civil International, the international volunteer peace movement that runs volunteer activities since 1920. The activities include (a) international work camps (b) long term volunteering services (c) trainings / seminars on volunteering and related issues (d) international awareness campaigns

The Medical Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims (MRCT) is a Non-Governmental, Non-Profit organisation. It was established in 1989, with the aim of providing medical, psychological, social and legal services to torture survivors. Also, to disclose torture practices and events, perform activities, which lead to abolishment and prevention of torture, organize seminars, conferences, etc. in order to educate and make the public aware of the issue. MRCT is closely cooperating with other organizations (national and international) on the above issues. MRCT is financed from European Commissions’ special fund for rehabilitation of torture victims - budget line B5-813 & B7-70. MRCT is a member of International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) and founding member of the Balkan Network (BA.N.).
MRCT is placed in the centre of Athens, and it is very easy to be reached by public transport.


Volunteer tasks
The “Care for Torture Survivors” volunteer will help the specialized staff to communicate and share discourses with the beneficiaries. The volunteer’s work will take place in the headquarters of MRCT mainly. The working schedule will be six days per week (i.e. Monday to Friday), with flexible working time (61/2 hours per day), depending on the needs and the circumstances. It should be noted that the majority of the beneficiaries are from Arabic countries and so the presence of an Arab volunteer is expected to be very supportive for the refugees and their families.
The volunteer will assist in the following activities.
1. Interviews with refugees and their families. This step is the preparatory phase for evaluating the needs and estimating the actions MRCT should undertake for supplying rehabilitation services. At the same time, the volunteer will assist in the maintenance of the old cases. It is estimated that it will involve 75% of the work in aggregate however it may vary on a day-by-day basis.
2. Coordinate and organise activities for children and families. A very important feature of the volunteer’s work will be to organise activities with the children and families of the refugees. Such activities may involve organisation of games for the children, accompanying them to the theatre, cinema etc. It is estimated that it will involve 25% of the work in aggregate however it may vary on a day-by-day basis.

Recruitment
The Volunteer should speak fluently English (or Greek) and Arabic/ or Farsi/ or Kurdish/ or Turkish (in order of preference).

Practical arrangements for the volunteer
• Food: Please describe the arrangements for the volunteer.
• The coordinating organisation will arrange for the volunteer to give them money to buy their own food and ensure they have access to facilities to prepare it.
• Accommodation: Please describe the arrangements for the volunteer.
• The coordinating organisation will find adequate accommodation for the volunteer.
• Language training: Please describe the language training available to the volunteer during the project.
• Volunteers will receive language training (formal or non-formal) throughout their stay, arranged by the coordinating organisation.
• Training and support: Please describe the on-going training and personal support of the volunteer.
The mentor will meet regularly with the volunteer to check on his/her progress and help solve any problems. They will also ensure ongoing support for the volunteer.
Volunteers will be given any training necessary for them to carry out their tasks.
Efforts will be made to help the volunteer integrate into the local community. The volunteer will have the chance to socialise with european volunteers who participate in other projects coordinated and/or hosted by Kinisi Ethelonton SCI Hellas. It will be an enriching experience both for the Med volunteer and the Europeans.
Volunteers will attend the on-arrival training organised by the National Agency or host organisation as well as nationally organised mid-term meetings.
European Voluntary Service – Technical Information

Eligible: non-profit organizations, local governments, individuals

Age of Volunteer: 18 – 25 years

Duration of Project: 6 - 12 months (shorter periods considered)
No job substitution, No routine tasks, Minimum administrative work

Financial Support:

Travel: 100%

Volunteer’s Allowance: 140 - 220 euro / month depending on country.

Hosting Organization: 480 euro + 300 euro / month (organization responsible for food and shelter)

Exceptional costs (e.g. visas, permits, arrangements for volunteers with special needs): 100%