Gaziantep
We are looking for enthusiastic, open-minded, and responsible volunteers who are motivated to work in a multicultural environment and with disadvantaged children and youth. Previous experience in non-formal education, youth work, or volunteering is an advantage but not a requirement. Volunteers should have a proactive attitude, be willing to learn and share, and demonstrate flexibility in dynamic situations. Basic English communication skills are necessary.
Volunteers with creative talents such as music, dance, visual arts, photography, videography, sports, or digital storytelling are especially encouraged to apply, as we provide space for them to develop their own initiatives and workshops. We welcome all applicants regardless of their background and support inclusive participation.
GEGED places a strong emphasis on personal growth, intercultural learning, and active civic engagement. Volunteers will receive full support throughout their journey, including pre-departure orientation, ongoing mentoring, and final reflection and recognition (Youthpass, certificates).
We strongly encourage volunteers to bring their own ideas, develop their personal projects, and be part of a team where collaboration, empathy, and initiative are highly valued. In GEGED, volunteering is more than service it is a shared experience of growth, creativity, and solidarity.
Volunteers participating in the project will be part of a dynamic and meaningful mission focused on empowering children and youth from both refugee and local communities in Gaziantep. Activities are designed to provide educational support as well as promote inclusivity, intercultural understanding and solidarity.
Volunteers will be actively involved in organizing creative and educational workshops, such as weekly conversation clubs, art and craft sessions to support mental health, music and dance events, and awareness activities on topics such as environmental protection and awareness, increasing motor skills, social cohesion and inclusion. They will also help provide informal language support (mostly English) to children and youth who face barriers to accessing mainstream education.
In addition to facilitating learning, volunteers will help build bridges between cultures by supporting intercultural activities, games, film and cultural nights. Volunteers with digital skills, or those who want to improve themselves in this area, will be encouraged to create content (photos, videos) to promote the project.
Volunteers are encouraged to co-design the activities with the support of local mentors, fostering a sense of ownership and creativity throughout the process
Volunteers will work during the week and will be able to take two days off on the weekends. Activities will start with activity selection on Mondays and end with an evaluation meeting on Fridays. Since this is a volunteer-based project, each volunteer will choose their own activity and will be supported by local volunteers and mentors during the preparation, implementation and post-production stages of that activity. A small note: each volunteer will be responsible for preparing and implementing the activities they choose weekly.
The accommodation consists of a building with a basement, 2 gardens, 2 kitchens (one small, one large), bedrooms and living rooms, space for volunteers and space for the winter period with a heating system in each room. The rooms are for volunteers with 3 to 6 beds depending on the square meter.
In addition to accommodation for volunteers, there is the GEGED NGO Office for all administrative work. The rooms for volunteers are fully equipped with pillows, blankets, sheets, but volunteers should bring their own hygiene items and personal towels for their own use. Since the accommodation is located in the city center, you can walk to the most important points on foot on a daily basis. Public transportation is very easy to access around the accommodation area, bus and tram lines are very close. All volunteers are responsible for the cleaning of their accommodation and all facilities, there is no cleaner in the accommodation area, volunteers are asked to stay in a clean and comfortable place with full awareness and respect for the local environment. A weekly cleaning program is prepared and everyone has a cleaning responsibility accordingly. In short, it is your choice what kind of area you want to live in.
For meals, there are two kitchens, three refrigerators, an oven, two stoves, various food supplies, water purification filters, spices and cabinets for basic food needs in the association building. In addition to local cuisine and dishes, volunteers will have the opportunity to cook according to their own wishes and diets in this area. They will also be able to use the kitchen freely in group meals and cultural night events. Each volunteer will have their own drawer and a place in the fridge. The meal money to be given to meet the meal needs of the volunteers will be given to the volunteers by the organisations, multiplied by the number of days duration which they will stay.
All necessary kitchen equipment is available, and volunteers are welcome to cook meals together or individually based on their preferences and dietary needs.
Volunteers organize occasional activities outside of work with the local volunteer team and the office team. These activities are organized to be carried out in their free time. These activities consist of archery activities, climbing, camping, hiking, planting,sport, visiting nearby cities, cultural exchange activities and many similar activities. These activities are carried out optionally and the planned activities should be carried out on the weekend, that is, outside of work. The planned activities should be reported to the office under the relevant heading (What are your plans for weekend?) in the evaluation form collected at the evaluation meeting held on Fridays. Free time activities are carried out under the responsibility of the volunteers and with their own financing.
