Turkey Volunteer Quests
Volunteer in Turkey: 4-12 weeks

The purpose of this Quest is to promote a deeper level of cultural exchange and understanding through meaningful volunteer work at local organization, living with a host family, and excursions and cultural activities. United Planet is working currently with different volunteer opportunities in partnership with local organizations in Turkey.

1) Social Work Quest (minimum stay 4 weeks)
Volunteers work in a neighborhood 5-10 minutes from Taksim Square, one of the busiest squares in Central Istanbul. Volunteers spend your time helping the children and women at a social work center in a poor and ethnically diverse area. The center reaches out to about 150 children and women per week. Volunteers should be ready to plan activities and lessons for the children. This is a challenging yet very rewarding work placement and volunteers need to be prepared to take the initiative and use their creative side!

 The duties are:

• Working with children-You will be playing with the children, teaching music, drama, painting and English. Extra skills like making crafts or playing musical instruments are useful for this project.
• Working with women- you would be working with women, educating them about reproduction health and other female health issues. In addition to this there is also the opportunity to work on craft projects with them, such as woodwork. Knowledge or experience with women’s health and other skills such as craft making are welcomed for this project. 

2)Youth Work Quest (minimum stay 3 weeks)

Volunteers work in a community center on the Asian side of Istanbul, a mixture of old residential areas and lively markets. Volunteers spend their time at the community center helping children (ages 6-14) strengthen their educational skills as well as social and psychological well being. Volunteers are expected to to prepare workshops and lesson plans in advance. Subjects available to teach are varied, and include English, math, drama, music, arts and crafts and more. No language requirement.

3) Summer 2009: Youth Quest

Work with Turkish and international volunteers at a community center on the Asian side of Istanbul. Volunteers will help at the community center teaching English, art and crafts, music, sports and more! This Quest is only open for four weeks in July 2009 to 18-25 yr old volunteers.

Language Requirement:
While no knowledge of Turkish is required, it is always useful to know the basics before you come. The social workers whom you will be collaborating with will always make a real effort to understand, and there is generally always someone around that will be able to translate for you if there is a need.  United Planet will also provide some basic Turkish lessons during your Quest.

• Turkey Quests run year round and start on the first and third Saturday of each month
• Volunteers must be 18 years of age unless accompanied by an adult