Märjamaa Open Youth Centre

EI ref: 2011-EE-30


Project environment :
Märjamaa Youth Centre is a governmental organisation which works in local level. It was established 2007 to arrange local young people's spare time. It also has a prevention function to avoid violence, alcoholism and drug addiction among youngsters of Märjamaa. The Centre cooperates with teachers, psychologist and police to direct children in to the Centre instead of playing in the streets.
The children can study, communicate and play with the other children in the centre. Youth Centre has different art classes, acting class and dance classes. There are three rooms: a classroom, a computer room, a playroom. There is also a hall room that can be used for different events. The Centre is open Monday to Friday 14.00 - 20.00. Sometimes there are events also on Saturday. All of the activities are free for the children. Centre receives most of materials for its work from the Municipality of Märjamaa and from different projects.
Märjamaa Youth Centre has two workers, a director and one youth worker at the moment. There are around 40 youth daily in the Centre in age 7-26.
Märjamaa is a small town with the total population of around 3500 people, situated 66 km south from Tallinn, capital of Estonia. There is a school, 2 preschools, a post office, a library, many shops, indoor swimming pool with different saunas. Along with the neighbouring villages belonging to the same Community administratively it constitutes the largest Community in Estonia in terms of area and the population. Its position on half way between Tallinn and Pärnu, lively health resort often called Estonian summer capital, makes Märjamaa easily accessible. It has a good connection with Tallinn and Pärnu by numerous daily buses. The closest city is Rapla (27km) with 9270 inhabitants, where there are many opportunities to spend leisure time. There is a nice river about 10 km and seashore about 66 km from Märjamaa.
The structure of population in Märjamaa: 800 young people, about 2000 adults and 640 pensioners.

Proposed activities for EVS volunteers: Hosting international volunteer will bring new experience and fresh atmosphere to the Centre. The volunteer will broaden children's horizon and motivate them to think about their future. He/she also will raise intercultural awareness among the children and the staff and will give new reason for the children to visit the Centre.
This project has educational value for the volunteer. It is a chance for him/her to get the experience of social work and pedagogical work with kids in a different society. The Centre will give to the volunteer a place and children to realise his/her ideas. The children are very open and ready to try new and interesting activities. The volunteer will have good support to find best activities for him/herself. Direct contact with locals the volunteer have an opportunity to get to know Estonian country. It is also a chance for the young volunteer to develop his/her skills and personality through activities and helping children.
Volunteer will be involved in every activity they have in the Centre (different events, outings etc). Volunteer is more than welcome to take initiative and propose his/her own ideas for the leisure time activities. Diversity in the activities will enrich children's life and they learn to appreciate different values.
There are many possibilities to spend leisure time in Märjamaa Youth Centre. There are dance courses for different age groups, art and creativity courses. In the Centre they can also play pool, corona and different board games. There are also computers in the Centre. Outside there are a basketball field, skatepark and many chances to go hiking etc.

The activities for the volunteer in the Märjamaa Youth Centre are seen as follows:
" Preparing and organising different activities for the children (games, sports etc) (30%);
" Helping to prepare and organise different thematic culture events (20%);
" Arranging outings, excursions, exhibitions, etc (15%);
" Presenting his/her own country and culture as a part of the intercultural learning (15%);
" Helping children with foreign language studies (10%);
" Assisting tutors in their activities as required (10%);

The division of the tasks may be changed and adapted for certain volunteer, depending on his/her interests and skills. If the volunteer likes, he/she could lead one activity group his/her own. New ideas and proposals to enrich children's life are very important for the Centre.
The working day will be around 7 hours; working week will not exceed 35 hours. Volunteer will have 2 days a week off, which is not necessarily on weekend.
Activities for work day:
09.30 Meeting with the mentor.
10.30 Language lessons
12.00 Free time
13.30 Meeting at the youth centre. Planning events and courses.
15.00 Instructing courses. Art course.
16.30 Pause (lunchbreak)
17.30 Spending time with the young
20.00 Meeting with the mentor and entertainment.
Saturday/Sunday
Free day.
Possible to meet with the mentor.
19.00 Different entertainment.


Program for EVS:
Märjamaa Youth Centre has no previous experience in EVS program.
The main motivation to host international volunteer in Märjamaa Youth Centre is to open children's horizon and to offer new diverse activities to them, including elements of intercultural learning. Participating in EVS program can be a good experience not just for the youngsters of Märjamaa, but for the whole community. It also gives the volunteer an opportunity to develop his/her skills, talents, independence, self-confidence etc. The volunteer can realise own potential through activities in Märjamaa Youth Centre and have an opportunity to get to know Estonian culture and country.

Description of the organisation :
Märjamaa Youth Centre is a governmental organisation which works in local level. It was established 2007 to arrange local young people's spare time. It also has a prevention function to avoid violence, alcoholism and drug addiction among youngsters of Märjamaa. The Centre cooperates with teachers, psychologist and police to direct children in to the Centre instead of playing on the streets.
The children can study, communicate and play with the other children in the centre. Every week there is a different event like a pancake day, art day etc. Youth Centre has different art classes, acting classes and dance classes. There are three rooms: a classroom, a computer room, a playroom in Märjamaa Youth Centre. There is also a hall room that can be used for different events.
Märjamaa Youth Centre has two workers, a director and one youth worker. There are around 40 youths daily in the Centre in age 7-26. The Centre is open Monday to Friday 14.00 - 20.00. Sometimes there are events also on Saturday. All of the activities are free for the youth. Centre receives most of materials for its work from the Municipality of Märjamaa and from different projects.