Anybody for voluntary service in Bulgaria? Hard to believe it but there are actually a few enthusiasts around.

Co-operation for Voluntary Service - Bulgaria (CVS-BG) is an association comprised of four organisations, Pro International Bulgaria, Eco Club 2000, Green Balkans - Sofia and Wilderness Fund, joining their efforts and working in co-operation in the field of international voluntary service. The international voluntary service is widespread and plays an important part in the development of a civil society. Young people are given a chance to establish different contacts, as well as offer their help in implementing social and environmental projects by way of participating in international summer camps both in Bulgaria and abroad.

There are no particular requirements for participants except that they need to be motivated and have a good reason why they would like to participate in such an initiative; also, they should be able to speak English.

The CVS-BG* organised 6 camps in different parts of the country for the summer 99 period:

 Byala (on the Black sea coast): 30.07 - 12.08.1999
 Boykovets (Stara Planina Mountain): 16 - 30.07.1999
 Boykovets (Stara Planina Mountain): 13 - 26.08.1999
All of these have been organised by the Pro International Bulgaria and the Assen Zlatarov Children's Centre in Sofia. The project offers a good opportunity to the children of the centre, who live a somewhat secluded life, to find new friends and be an object of special attention on the part of foreign volunteers. The main objective of the project is to help the few staff from the Centre to take better care of the children in the summertime and to make the life of the kids pleasant and enjoyable. The basic requirement for volunteers in these camps is sound motivation and their love for children.

 Lom: 15-28.08.1999. The Lom project has been implemented by Pro International Bulgaria in conjunction with For the Earth Environmental association and the Roma-Lom Foundation; the purpose is to plant trees in the Lom park with the assistance of the local young people and also to reforest part of the park where there used to be a forest which was destroyed last winter. An interesting component of this project is related to support activities targeting public buildings (insulating doors and windows, fitting energy-saving light bulbs, etc.)

 Ropotamo: 01 -15.07.1999. ECOCLUB 2000 in cooperation with the Strandzha natural park and the Ministry of Environment and Water (MoEW) have organised the cleaning up of the bank of the Ropotamo nature reserve.

 Rupite: 01 - 05.09.1999. The project has been implemented by the Green Balkans Sofia Association. In this part of Southwestern Bulgaria there are two preservation areas: the Roupite preservation area and the natural phenomenon called Kozhouh. The objective of the project is to raise local people's awareness of the uniqueness of these areas, as well as to enhance the environmental-awareness of young people in the region. Also sign posting, trailblazing and cleaning of the region are envisaged. Participants will be familiarised with rare and endangered flora and fauna. An excursion is also envisaged aimed at introducing people to the cultural heritage of the region.

If you'd like to take part in the camps we organise or get some more information on the subject please do not hesitate to contact us at tel./fax (02) 46 60 62 or write to us at cvs-bg@bluelink.net

LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR CALLS AND MESSAGES!

* CVS-BG Сo-operation for Voluntary Service ­ Bulgaria