Apokries on Crete!

Are you interested in volunteering in Greece? Well pack your bags for several weeks of service work AND good times if you opt to serve in February or March. The three weeks before lent, Greeks celebrate Apokries or Carnival. It is a celebration that offers:

"a chance to escape everyday monotony and enter into a world of party, fantasy, jinks and 'kefi' (high spirits) ... a feast of dance, wine and meat before the sacrifices and fasting of Lent."

The purpose and tradition of this celebration are as follows:

In Greece the Carnival started in Ancient times, believed to be as a worship to Dionysos, the God of Wine and Feast. In the Orthodox tradition Apokries is the preparation period before Lent. Apokries means literally saying goodbye to meat - Apoxh apo kreas - apo-kreas. In Latin the roots of the word Carnival has the same meaning - 'carne' is meat and 'vale' goodbye." ~ Quotes courtesy of www.livingincrete.net

If you would like to learn more about this festival, please visit the following link: http://www.livingincrete.net/apokries.html

If you would like more details about when you can volunteer on Crete with Global Volunteers in 2011/2011, please visit the following link: http://globalvolunteers.org/greece/greece_dates.aspx

We hope to hear from you soon, and our host communities and children are eager to welcome you to their home!!

Considering Volunteering on Crete? Here's A Sneak Peek!

Does the idea of volunteering abroad overwhelm you? Think it might be a bit stressful?? Have no fear! Global Volunteers' does everything possible to address the normal stress of travels and getting settled into a new community. Please read on to learn about the Orientation that all Global Volunteers take part in (yes, it is a part of every single service program!) and see an example from a 2010 team in Greece!!

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Global Volunteer's proprietary onsite orientation and team-building process focuses each team member's ability to give of themselves fully, and has been cited as one of the most valuable, if unexpected, benefits of participating on a team. Following this orientation day -- conducted by Global Volunteers local staff and host organization representatives, project leaders and consultants -- you begin work.

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Examples of Orientation outcomes, courtesy of Sam, Greece Country Manager!


Team goals were identified under the following five areas:
1) FUN
2) NEW ACQUAINTANCES
3) CHILDREN
4) TRAVEL
5) TO MAKE PERSONAL CHANGES

More speifically, volunteers identified these goals & interests:

To play
To make friends
To help others
To experience Greece
To relax
To bond with people
To teach children
To see the world
Interact with local people
To provide service
To see a different country
Meet new people (and possibly) friends
To experience working with different kids
To experience culture

Team characteristics were then identified:
• Flexibility
• Punctuality
• Cooperation
• Enthusiasm
• Helpful
• Prepared
• Respect

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If you think volunteering on Crete is right for you, please don't hesitiate to give us a call!! You can reach us at (800) 487 - 1074. You can also visit our website to request info and 'Like' us on Facebook!! Talk to you soon!

University of Minnesota Student Group to Volunteer on Crete!

The University of Minnesota will be joining us for an alternative spring break this year on Crete!! We're very much looking forward to their week of service, and we encourage other univeristy groups to consider this exciting volunteer opportunity as well. Read on to learn more...

Today, students are joining our teams in greater numbers than any time in the past!

We're collaborating with universities, colleges and high schools across the country to integrate service-learning components into broad-based curricula such as:

•field experience in development and foreign aid
•direct assistance in public health and health care
•"real-world" experience in foreign language studies
•cross-cultural communication and international relations

Additionally, service programs offer the student opportunities to enhance interpersonal skills, problem-solve professional situations in an intercultural context, and enhance critical thinking skills.

Organize a group of six or more, obtain special discounts, and magnify your assistance abroad. Intact groups of six or more can join any scheduled team with spaces available. Exclusive groups of at least 12 volunteers may select non-published dates or join a formed, public team!

Contact a Volunteer Coordinator at (800) 487-1074 for more information on your 2011 student group volunteer opportunities!!

"Spring into Service" in Greece!!

“Spring into Service” with Global Volunteers to receive a special limited discount offer for our March and April teams!

Four or more volunteers who apply by January 31 for any of these 28 teams in 16 countries will receive a discount of $200 off our standard service program fee, per volunteer, for one-, two- or three-week international programs or $100 off our standard service program fee, per volunteer, for USA programs. No other discounts apply.

Please encourage others to volunteer in our five fundamental project areas: education (especially promotion of girls education), labor and community infrastructure, health care, child care, and food and nutrition.

Call us at 800-487-1074 for details and we'll assist you every step of the way. Our worldwide host communities can’t wait to welcome you!!

Check out this link for more details & service program dates: http://globalvolunteer.org/special/springspecial.asp

Greece Service Program Dates, March & April Teams:
26-Mar-11 to 9-Apr-11
30-Apr-11 to 14-May-11

Reflecting on A Summer of Service: Five Superb Volunteer Teams!

Friday, August 20, 2010
Created by: Kathi Berkley

Quote for the day:
Author: Thoreau

'Things do not change; we change.'
(Christen Bernard)

Today was our last day teaching and what a finale!!!!!!!!!! Christen’s class made bracelets and water play – fun was had by all. Working with small groups allows her to get closer to the students. She did not have Millie today and it becomes more apparent how much the students know when they can’t rely on someone to translate.

Marcy, Kathi and Mary asked the students to sign their Global Volunteer shirts and are they ever colorful as a result. The class practiced their song for the two students who had not heard it yet. Another scavenger hunt took place. This time for letters of adjectives – using the words that are in the Silly Sentences game. After dress rehearsal for the play – hot potato was played with water balloons. This activity was welcomed by all. Anything to cool off.

The last hour was the finale. The older students sang “Puff the Magic Dragon” and then they put on a play to tell the story. All of the students performed fantastically. It should be noted that they had also made the scenery, objects and characters of the play on Wednesday. Much to the consternation of me (Kathi), the book we used had a picture of a girl on the last page and so the class was convinced Puff had a new friend. So, the script for the play included his making a new friend – a girl – and becoming happy again. Why not? Everyone loves a happy ending, right? The younger students performed their dance and were joined by the older students. Much dancing was done – more than was planned.

Everyone was given a send off and thanks were received. I, for one, and I suspect all of us, will never forget these children and will wonder what life paths they will follow. We had frustrations over the past 2 weeks, but we had more gratifying moments. Many surprises – Drakos wanting to sing the song from memory being one. Who knows what could have been accomplished had we more time.

Thursday, August 19

Quote for the day:
Author: Unknown

I will make this day a happy one, for I alone can determine what kind of day it will be.
(Mary Rizzolo)

Today was another easy day with just eight students in mine and Millie’s class. We danced, sang songs, played BINGO, read “The Lion and the Deer” and colored lions. Kathy kindly let us use some of her brightly colored cardstock to make decorative fans for what seemed to be the most logical Art project for us to create. We are not quite as creative as when Lindsey was here, but we are managing.

The older class practiced for their play of Puff the Magic Dragon, had a scavenger hunt and played “what’s different”. I’m excited to see the play tomorrow as Kathy said it was coming together quite nicely and felt it was going to be really cute. Mary’s group went over colors, shapes and ABC’s. As I approached Kathy in the afternoon I saw her sincerity as she expressed how her kids did great and she was really proud of them.

Millie helped the older class for the last hour and I played BINGO and cards with my students. Towards the end of the last period I let them have free time. Perhaps towards the end of our time here, this was a good time for me to be on my own with the students. Looking back, perhaps playtime is where I found out the most about my students. Not being an expert at lesson planning and since my Greek is very limited, this is when the students and I had to find a way to communicate and perhaps benefited the most. They had to find some way to ask me to play foursquare, volleyball or ask me for whatever they wanted.

I will take this into my future classroom, because on the playground and during recess is where I have been able to work one-on-one with the children. They offered to help me clean up the classrooms and signaled to ask me questions. This is where I found it the easiest to assess their English skills where to most successfully assess and practice what they know. On the playground children asked me to sit down and look at a book with them where they pointed out animals or colors… or offered a polite “sorry” or “thank you” while playing on the playground.

Mary and Kathy ventured into Iraklion to pick up a vase that Kathy had especially made with an olive design on it, but was disappointed when a distraught employee accidentally broke the vase. The employee expressed how sorry she was and paid her back. This was not the outcome that anyone wanted, but… well, if that is the worst thing to happen this week…

We all probably have blisters on our feet from all the walking and are well nourished from the healthy food we have been eating, but it is sad to know that we are approaching on our last and final day of teaching tomorrow. Time has flown by so quickly and it is sad to know that tomorrow will be our last time working with these truly awesome kids.