ADVIT's Programme

  

The ADVIT programme is made up of 3 main elements:

• The voluntary placement

• Tranings and evaluation

• The travel month

   On- arrival training (3-7 days) – compulsory

   Voluntary Placement (6-12 months) –compulsory

   Mid year evaluation (1 week-end) – compulsory

   Final evaluation (1 week-end) – compulsory

   Travel Month – optional;

        The camps:
   ADVIT is recognized by SALTO EECA as coordinator of volunteer meetings (pre-departure, on-arrival, mid-term, final evaluation trainings) in Moldova.

        On-arrival Camp:
   Upon arrival of volunteers/exchangees in Moldova they will have On-arrival Training together with other exchanges from around the world. This training lasts 3-7 days and aims at making the volunteer acquainted with the realities of contemporary life in Moldova and thus at ensuring their fast and smooth integration. The On-Arrival training will focus on: the history, culture, economy and national (sub-regional) politics of Moldova, intercultural learning, risk prevention and conflict management. In framework of the On-arrival training the volunteers will receive intensive language training of Romanian/ Russian language.

       Mid year camp:
   A two-day mid term evaluation, related to the project’s theme will take place after six months from the beginning of the voluntary service period /in the middle of volunteer stay and is seen as a fundamental activity to assess, inter alia:

 • The initial integration of the volunteer in the local project and community,

 • providing (peer) support to enhance the inter cultural learning process; as well as sharing information and suggestions to inform possible needed changes for the successful continuation of the EVS project.

      Final evaluation:
   It is a weekend evaluation that gives opportunity to the volunteers discuss their year in Moldova.

     The placement:

 Types of the projects
Most of the projects of ADVIT involve some sort of social/care work. Our projects include working in orphanages for children or young people with/without learning difficulties or disabilities, helping refugees, victims of trafficking, domestic violence and etc. All these projects involve working directly with people in need*.

     What type of the work I will be doing?
   As a full-time volunteer the young person is expected to participate as any other member of staff in the everyday life of the project. Each project requires volunteers to do certain tasks.

This may be anything from cooking and housekeeping, helping in IT rooms, to organizing a day out in countryside, or helping people with their personal care*.

     When I will work?
   Volunteers usually work between 30-35 hours each week including language lessons.
   Sometimes there will be a shift or rota system where some work during night or weekend may be required. Volunteers are entitled to two days off each week. You should also be allowed 2,5 days off holiday for every month of work*.

     IMPORTANT
   All ADVIT projects rely on volunteers. You are not “just a visitor”, you are like a member of staff. You have important responsibilities and can only take time off when the project agrees to you doing so. This can sometimes be very difficult as it limits the amount of freedom you have.

     What if I do not like my host project?
  ADVIT will encourage you to stay at the same project for the whole period of your project.
  In certain cases it may be necessary to change the project. Volunteers are entitled to change projects only once during the year.

     Where will I live?
   ADVIT will provide you with accommodation. Different types of accommodation include:

• Your own bedroom in the project, with access to a shared bathroom and kitchen;

• A bedroom in the host family;

• A bedroom in a flat out side of the project where 2-6 volunteers live together.

  The accommodation is normally basic but comfortable, which means that only the necessary things (such as a bed, table and a wardrobe) will be provided.
  If you are living in a flat outside of the project with other volunteers there are certain quotas on consumption of water, gas and electricity. Consumption over the limits is paid by volunteers themselves.

    Where will I eat?
  You will get monthly food allowance to buy and prepare food. You should provide all food receipts for amount allocated for food allowance at the end of every month.

    Pocket money

  You will receive pocket money directly from ADVIT. The amount is 80 Euro/month for EVS volunteers that will be paid in Moldovan Lei according to the exchange rate of the day when you receive it.
  If you come to Moldova for more then 3 months we will open bank account for you. You will receive pocket money and other allowances to your bank card monthly. If you are short term volunteer all the allowances will be paid in cash.

  You will not receive pocket money:

- If you choose to leave your host project before we have found you a new one to work in;

- If you choose to leave your project before your work placement finishes.

    Local transport
  You will receive monthly local transportation allowance in order to buy monthly trolleybus card.

    Health insurance
  As an EVS volunteer you will be fully covered by a comprehensive health insurance. Upon your arrival you will pass some medical tests including HIV/AIDS test – it is obligatory for all foreigners who are going to stay in Moldova for more than 3 months.

    What language will I learn?
  In Moldova, people speak Romanian and Russian. Learning the language is an essential part of your intercultural experience. ADVIT will support your language learning process by providing intensive language course upon your arrival and 30 hours of language course during your project.
  As you will be working with Moldovan people, it is very important that you are willing to make an effort to learn Romanian and/or Russian language(s).

    Visa and registration procedure in Moldova
  The citizens of the following states do not need visas for the entry on the territory of the Republic of Moldova for a period of stay until 90 days:

• The member states of the European Union;
• Canada, Japan, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, USA;
• CIS member states: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
• Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.
  

  If you come from the country not listed below ADVIT will issue an invitation letter for visa application to the nearest Moldovan embassy/consulate.
  After one month of your stay in Moldova we will apply for your temporary residence permit that will allow you to stay more then 90 days.

    Checklist – what you need to bring with you:

o A valid passport;

o Doctor certificate, where will be mentioned your group of blood;

o Police clearance certificate;

o Correctly issued flight ticket and that your flights are confirmed;

o Warm clothes and good, waterproof shoes;

o Bed clothes and towels;

o Some information about your country: pictures, maps, books, coins, recipes, etc;

o Small gifts from your country to give to people in your host project.

    What does ADVIT expects from you?
  Being a volunteer with us does not require diplomas or certificates. It does require the right attitude though. What do we expect from you:

 A positive attitude and outlook. One of our participants described his experience like this “What you get is what you put into it”. This is very true! If you keep looking at things from the positive side and try to see what you can learn from difficult situations, your experience will be a success.
 Problem solving skills. Although your host project and ADVIT are all there to support you, in the end it is you yourself who makes or breaks your voluntary service. If you encounter a problem, do not wait until someone else solves it for you. Try to think what you can do to make things better.
 Initiative. Together with the problem solving skills, you should be able to take initiative when necessary. When you have a question, ask it straight away. When you feel a bit lonely, look for opportunities in your host community to meet other people…
 Intercultural curiosity and flexibility. For ADVIT the intercultural aspect of an EVS service is extremely important. You should be willing to learn about a different way of living and thinking – even if it maybe does not always stroke with your ideas and attitudes. An open mind, flexibility and a lot of curiosity are crucial!!
 Sensitivity towards other people. As you w i l l be working with Moldovan people, a lot of people are involved in your EVS experience. You should realise that just like you, these are people with feelings, who can sometimes make mistakes. You can address problems and criticize a situation in different ways. Whatever the situation, you should be able to remain polite and you should try to see the other person’s point of view.
  The attitude we expect from you, is the attitude that you can expect from the people around you. Your EVS- experience should be a great learning experience, not only in terms of your work, but also in terms of personal growth and interpersonal / intercultural skills. Learning is never a straight line, it goes with ups and downs. We do not expect anyone to be perfect, but we expect you to be willing to look at and learn from your mistakes

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