DA-Connection (DAC) organises SUMMER SCHOOLS in rural areas of ARMENIA and KARABAGH for children who would otherwise be wandering the streets during the summer period. We also undertake RENOVATION PROJECTS in the village, renovating the local schools which are often delapidated, and run a MEDICAL PROGRAMME instructing children on basic hygiene methods.
DAC projects run for a three week period in August and are OPEN TO ALL!
Our projects can be viewed as a long term investment into Armenia , involving development on a human level which is promoted via cultural ties between Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora.
Both children of Armenia and the volunteers benefit greatly from our activities. Volunteers are enriched through their daily contact with the villagers, whose culture and way of life is often far from that of the West, and the children are stimulated by our activities. Our cause is therefore both social, humanitarian and cultural and one that is solely aimed at helping Armenian children.
Summer is a busy time for parents in rural parts of Armenia and Karabakh.
Resources in the villages are limited and they work long days in the fields, preparing stocks for winter. As a result, parents often do not have time to occupy their children and the kids are left to roam the streets.
The DAC summer schools welcome children aged 5-13, providing them with the opportunity to broaden their horizons by encouraging artistic talent, working with new materials and new cultures. Activities include handicraft workshops, team games, sports, language lessons, singing, dance,
and theatre.
Our summer schools provide the children with an ideal opportunity to break away from their routine, allowing them to broaden their horizons and their preception of the world, which is otherwise constrained by their daily tasks and the low standard of living. Above all, children are given an opportunity to open and to display their artistic talents.
Basic renovation projects are carried out in villages on the local school buildings or educational centres. The work can vary from repainting corridors to building new classrooms. Team leaders work closely with locals to ensure that our work meets their needs. In this way, we guarantee to get the most out of our exchange, and villagers are given an incentive to ensure the continuity of our programme.
The aim of this prevention project is to instruct the children on the notions of hygiene, and to conduct basic medical checks on the children (dental check up, eye/ ear test, blood pressure, weight, height, etc). Check ups are compulsory for all children taking part in the summer school programme, and help to gain an overview of the state of the children's health in each village and to determine their needs.
Details on Campaign 2007 dates, villages and projects will be confirmed and posted soon… keep checking…
• Relevant experience with children is required for summer school programme.
• No experience necessary for renovation.
• Medical Project open to doctors, nurses and medical students only
• For all projects, you must have the necessary social skills to be able to work and live in a group.
• Knowlegde of the Armenian language NOT necessary
• You must be available for the entire three week duration of the project
• DEADLINE for all applications: 15 th May 2005
DAC volunteers must pay their return ticket to Armenia. All other expenses are covered by the association. Prior to departure, volunteers are required to take part in two fundraising activities organised by DAC. Fundraising events are seen as an ideal opportunity to get to know your group and begin working together.
If you would like to volunteer please send us the following:
Your CV, including your date of birth, address, contact details and languages spoken.
A covering letter telling us about yourself and your relevant experience. Please state why you would like to be part of the DAC project and which activity you would like to apply for.
We ask you to pay a ?10 admin fee, payable once you have been accepted on the programme.
Personal experiences by previous volunteers…
I had the time of my life… and this year I'm going back for more! Campaign 2003 (please link to the article which is in Actualites http://dac.actu.com/actualites/news_details.asp?id=36)
A week in the life of a DAC volunteer! Campaign 2004 (this is coming! I will e-mail it to you by Weds)
Unfortunately however, not everything can be donated and we still need a lot more to finance the purchase of basic summer school equipment and renovation materials.
WE NEED FUNDING FOR &/OR DONATIONS OF THE FOLLOWING:
SUMMER SCHOOL
- Games: balls, raquets, hula hoops
- Activities: compasses, books, magazines
- Drawing and crafts: glue,plasticine, books, paper, rubbers, pens, felt tip pens, colouring pencils, beads, paints and paint brushes, selotape, staplers, paper plates, tin foil, plastic cups, straws.
- To decorate the school: pins, straples, staplers, seloptape.
- To clean up: ponges, mops, brooms, disinfectant, dust pan and brush.
- Decorating: paint, brushes, varnish and varnish protector.
- Electrical: electric cables and switches, insulators.
As well as the above materials, we also require classic building tools such as eletric drills, sanders, ladders and scaffolding, along with the safety equipment such as googgles, gloves and face masks.
- Basic First Aid: alcohol, thermometer, plaster, first aid packs.
- Lotions: creams for cuts and burns, mosquito repellent, bite cream, lotions to prevent scarring, muscle bruising, etc.
- Blood pressure gauge,
- Medical reports: froms to write out medical reports for each child
- Overalls
- Gloves
NB: All equipment considered to be lightweight and easily transportable is bought or collected in France or England. The remaining material is brought locally in Yerevan, Armenia.
da-connection uk
Basic renovation projects are carried out in villages on the local school buildings or educational centres. The work can vary from repainting corridors to building new classrooms. Team leaders work closely with locals to ensure that our work meets their needs. In this way, we guarantee to get the most out of our exchange, and villagers are given an incentive to ensure the continuity of our programme. 
The aim of this prevention project is to instruct the children on the notions of hygiene, and to conduct basic medical checks on the children (dental check up, eye/ ear test, blood pressure, weight, height, etc). Check ups are compulsory for all children taking part in the summer school programme, and help to gain an overview of the state of the children's health in each village and to determine their needs. 
