Connect with nature and experience Greek village life on the island of Syros, Greece

Infos

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  Description

  Due to time wasters we are still seeking a volunteer for August! Be aware travel might be expensive as this is peak holiday season.
  
  Schengen rules apply to travel for non-EU passport holders.
  
  We have 50 plus rescue cats which keep us busy, so need people who are motivated and have initiative to notice what needs doing and engage with the project. We like to have volunteers who are over 25 who can stay for at least a month. There is a lot of cage and litter tray cleaning as well as the nicer aspects of cat care. We need to clean to a high standard as we often have sick cats and must be careful to prevent cross infection. So you need to be tidy, self motivated and have an eye for detail.
  
  Syros is a different Greek island. Things happen here all year, so there's always plenty going on and although it's not so warm here in the winter, there are many mild and sunny days.
  
  We try to have three or four volunteers at any one time, so the work is not too time-consuming or onerous and everyone can take two days off each. Animal care is relentless - the cats want to be fed every day! I'm trying to be more savvy with social media, but we need to raise funds all the time, so if you have these skills it would be good.
  
  We have volunteers from all over the world. Our working language is English. So although we are happy to help improve your language skills, you need to have a good level of English to apply.
  
  I am British, a retiree from a lifetime in education and live in Syros; a small Greek island. I feed and care for a colony of around fifty stray cats. The numbers of strays on the island is ever growing and they are seen as a pest by some locals. Consequently many of the cats have a hard time. To address the problem, I set up, a not for profit organisation in Greece (and now also registered charity in UK #1207145) to neuter, rescue and medicate strays. Many of the cats in the colony were abandoned kittens that we have hand-reared or victims of accidents. I grow lavender and make lavender bags to raise money for food, medication and veterinary fees, the products are given as a thank you for donations. So there's always plenty to do and we need some help!

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Bénévolat

  Projets artistiques

  Jardinage d'entretien

  Projets DIY créatifs

  S’occuper des animaux

  Petits travaux d'entretien

  Garde de maison et d'animaux
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  Objectifs de développement durable de l’ONU que cet hôte essaie d'atteindre

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  Qu'est-ce que c'est ?
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  You will be living in a traditional Greek village that does not have much foreign tourism and experience a rural way of life that is rapidly disappearing. The main town of Hermoupolis has a lot of cultural activities; museums, small art galleries, a cinema, theatre, shops and cafes as well as beautiful neo-classical buildings from a former affluent industrial age. There is nice walking on the island and good swimming locally. If you wish you can learn some Greek - many of the older villagers do not speak English.

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  Aide

  We care for around 50 cats and need help with the daily feeding, care and cleaning regime. There are lots of litter trays! Each morning every area is sanitised, swept and mopped. Some cats stay inside overnight and require medication before going out. Others who are sick might stay indoors so you must pay attention to notice boards to ensure the cats stay where they are supposed to. We maintain the grounds - sweeping and weeding. We buy 10-20kg bags of cat food and litter so you need to be reasonably fit. You might struggle with the physicality of the work if you have knee or back problems. We also feed 70 plus cats in the village each morning. This task is for an experienced driver (manual car) with an eye for detail as we are monitoring the health of the cats, maintaining the cat feeders and looking out for new 'unfixed cats'. We grow lavender and make lavender bags and toys, so if you have art or sewing skills help would be appreciated. Sometimes we collect lavender from friends' gardens, which has to be dried and processed. We also have collecting tins around the island. Help is usually four hours in the morning (stopping midmorning for breakfast) and about an hour in the evening. You can take two full days off each week and will be free between shifts. We are looking for self starters with initiative. Previous experience with cats is essential. It's not a holiday but if you identify with this profile we are sure, like many previous workawayers who have left positive feedback and returned to us, you will enjoy your time here and have a meaningful experience of Greek island life and Animal rescue.

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  Langues parlées

  Anglais: Courant

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  Hébergement

  Volunteers will be living in a traditional Greek village house and sharing a kitchen and bathroom with two or three others. It is in a small village and on s bus route (sparse buses in winter!) to the main town in about twenty minutes. Also access to a sunny walled garden. Sometimes it’s possible to take two friends who prefer separate bedrooms. Bed linen and towels are provided. You need old clothes for working and we have plenty to spare that you can borrow. Wi-Fi is available. Volunteers eat breakfast together which is provided and also serves as a team meeting. You make other meals independently. Often we cook for each other if people want to share. The village has about 300 year round inhabitants. The beach is about ten minutes walk and there is a mini market and a few tavernas and bars. Even in the winter something is usually open. You will be expected to keep your living areas clean and tidy and share household tasks.

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  Autres infos...

  Task would suit volunteers who are animal lovers and would like to make a difference to animal welfare in Greece. Would suit anyone trained or about to train in veterinary science, veterinary nursing or animal husbandry and who are not afraid of handling feral cats - protective clothing provided! Volunteers will be meeting many people so people skills will be important too. Non-smokers required. Probably not suitable for under 25s - but you might be able to persuade us otherwise. It's a simple life on the island and would probably suit someone who likes to paint, draw, read or write in their spare time.

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  Informations complémentaires

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    Accès Internet

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    Accès Internet limité

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    Nous avons des animaux

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    Nous sommes fumeurs

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    Familles bienvenues

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  Possibilité d’accueillir les digital nomads

  We have good Internet. But we do need your help on site between 8.00 and 12 each morning and for an hour before sunset each evening. If your remote work hours clash with our core working hours we cannot host you. Days off vary but can be flexible.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Plus de 2

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  Mes animaux

Sécurité du site

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