SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Important Information about Switzerland

Geography:Switzerland is a landlocked country with the alpine massive in the middle of Europe. Switzerland has boarders to Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, Italy and France. The capitol is Berne. The scenery in Switzerland is very diverse and beautiful.

Language and Culture:Switzerland is multicultural. In regions around cities the amount of foreigners is pretty high. The average of foreign people in Switzerland is about 25% of the entire population. The four official languages are Swiss German, French, Italian and a language called “Rätoromanisch”. Traditional dishes are cheese fondue, raclette and potatoes. Switzerland is more then bancs, chocolate, clocks and high living expenses. The young population is open against different cultures and in the cities there is a wide range of cultural events going on. Even though Switzerland has a high living standard there are poor people living here.

Climate: The climate in different regions of Switzerland varies. The south part of Switzerland (Tessin) and also the western part of Switzerland (French part) is mild and Mediterranean while in the mountains it can be freezing cold. In the mountains there is even snow in summer.

Federal System:Switzerland is a democracy which consists of 26 independent cantons with their own languages/ dialects and laws. The representation of the people is the Federal Assembly with the council of States and the National Council. The head of state is the President of the Federal Council. The government consists of seven Swiss Federal Councils who are responsible for one department. Every four years they get elected again.

Economy:Switzerland is a highly developed industry nation. Nearly half of the employed persons are working in industrial firms or trading enterprises. They also work in the fields of agriculture and forestry. Like in other European countries economical problems have grown since the 90ies. The jobless figures increased and the gross domestic product got smaller. Besides microtechnology and pharmaceutical companies, bancs and insurances have their head quarters in Zurich, Geneva or Basel.

Currency: The currency in Switzerland is Swiss francs sfR/ CHF. Credit cards and EC Maestrocards are accepted in many places, such as the airport, railway stations, in shops, restaurants or hotels. EURO are not accepted everywhere and exchange rate is maybe not too good. It’s always helpful to have some cash with you for emergencies.

Security:Switzerland is one of the most save countries in Europe. In crowds of people and in railway stations you have to watch out for grifters and thieves. Switzerland is ideal for travelling as a woman, because most places are not dangerous. Late at night you shouldn’t’ walk around in empty, dark streets.

WS14FP 16/06/14 – 28/06/14 GRISONS CAMP ENVI/A4A

PROJECT

The house Fontana Passugg on the ground „Riedliswiese“ in Passugg-Araschgen is a hotel for ordinary tourists and at the same time a centre for cultural and educative belongings and a meeting place for people with impaired hearing. The house was built at the end of the 19th century. For several years the place was a well-known health resort. In 1983 Dorothea Brüesch, the last inheritor, decided that the house should be used for deaf people and people with impaired hearing.

WORK

The aim of this Workcamp is to clean the surrounding after the long snowy winter. Volunteers will prepare the house and the surrounding for the main season and will help out in the hotel (kitchen, rooms). The main tasks of the volunteers are: garden- and forest work, house and kitchen work. During the workcamp there will be a sightseeing trip to Chur with a translator in sign language.

ACCOMMODATION

The volunteers will sleep in dormitories in the house Fontana or the guest house „Alpenblick“. The rooms are cosy. A cook from the pension will prepare the meals for the Volunteers. Everyone has to help to set the table, cleaning and doing the dishes. There is a common-room to meet each other, a library and internet access.

LOCATION

Passugg-Araschgen is a small village about ten minutes by bus from Chur. The place is surrounded by grasslands, forests and mountains and is situated very idyllic. The close by town Chur is a typical, small Swiss town and the oldest town in Switzerland.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

The workcamp in Passugg-Araschgen is an„Access 4 All“-project and is therefore open for people with any kind of handicap or without handicapand with no age restriction (18+). We expect a certain kind of independence. The area is not suitable for people in wheel chairs.

It’s helpful to be interested in people with impaired hearing, because the group will be in contact with deaf people. We want to make steps towards the integration of people with any kind of handicaps into the society and to strengthen the social competences.

Volunteers will mostly work outside that’s why they should bring along warm water proofed clothes and good shoes to work.

AIRPORT

The next airports are Zurich or Basel.

LANGUAUGES

English / German / sign language

Date: 2015-12-18; view: 913