Emmaus offers a summer volunteer programme. Every summer from 15th June – 15th September, a number of European communities host young volunteers aged 18 and over for stays lasting between one week and two months.
Deadline: depends per country and organisation
Open to: Every person above the age of 18
The aim of the summer volunteer programme is to enable young people to discover the values of the Emmaus Movement and the people involved in it.
In addition, it is also the chance for men and women from different backgrounds to get to know one another. Over the course of a summer, the young people have the chance to see the world and society from a different angle.
The organisation
The individualism of our society and the religion of profit are no longer acceptable. Emmaus allows everyone to (re)find the true meaning of the words “sharing” and “solidarity” within communities where we can commit ourselves in the long term. Emmaus Volunteering is an opportunity to discover this alternative of life, work and commitment.
Activities
During the stay, the activity is entirely voluntary and unpaid. Working at the community means:
- recovering goods among private individuals,
- sorting out and re-valuating in a repair shop of recovered objects (clothing, furniture, appliances, toys, etc.)
- resale in our stores of repaired objects.
- recycling of raw materials from non-repairable items.
The fruits of the community’s activity contribute to the development of the shelter but also to finance solidarity actions destined to people in difficulty, to partner associations, both North and South. At Emmaus, solidarity is a value shared by all.
Location
In 2010, there are hosting groups in Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Finland, France, Germany and Italy. Places and dates can be found on their separate websites. A list can be found here.
Eligibility
Emmaüs Volunteering is opened to all people aged over 18 regardless of culture, nationality or religion. The work is voluntary. Volunteers are feed and housed by the community in which they live.
Application
Application forms can be found on the separate Emmaus website of each country. You can find them here.
More information can be found here.