What is International Workcamp?

What is International Workcamp?

International Workcamp International voluntary projects in which participants from different countries can meet, live, work, learn and exchange with local people concerning issues about environmental conservation, cultural heritage, social justice, rural and human development, etc. The first international workcamp was organized in 1920 after the end of World War I in Verdun, France, next to the German border. Teenage volunteers from France and Germany, who were former enemies during the war, cooperated to reconstruct the destroyed farms to promote world peace.

International Workcamp Overseas Volunteers Volunteers who wish to offer help Voluntary Work Cultural Exchange Voluntary organizations who need help Local Volunteers and Communities

International Workcamp Age: 18 or above Duration: 2 weeks to several months Participant: 10 20 (overseas & local) Restriction: Only 2 4 participants from the same countries Countries: More than 100 all over the world Projects: More than 3000 each year

International Workcamp Environmental Construction Agriculture Education International Workcamp Culture Others Social Work

The name, VolTra, already speaks for itself. It combines the power of volunteerism and the cultural exchange during travel. 因遊得義, 因義而遊 VolTrateer, shape the world!

Founded on 16 April 2009, VolTra is a nongovernmental and non-profit voluntary organization, which is dedicated to promote international voluntary services in Hong Kong through a well-established worldwide network of international workcamp organizations.

VolTra together with other international workcamp organizations all over the world provide over 3,000 international workcamps and voluntary service projects every year in more than 100 countries. VolTra also organizes international workcamps in Hong Kong for both local and overseas volunteers to participate in the voluntary services and cultural exchange activities in Hong Kong.

International Network VolTra is the Member of the Network for Voluntary Development in Asia (NVDA) and Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service (CCIVS). NVDA is an international networking organization founded in 1997 to promote international workcamps in Asia and Pacific regions. CCIVS is an international networking organization founded in 1948 under the aegis of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Our Vision To enhance global citizenship and friendship as well as to strengthen solidarity of the local communities through international voluntary services

Our Mission To become a leading and reliable platform connecting passionate Hong Kong people and international voluntary services. To promote voluntary services, charitable work and international cultural exchange and understanding. To support both local and overseas community development. To educate Hong Kong youngsters with a sense of belonging and self-recognition as well as advocate their personal growth and development.

Voluntarism Responsible travel Sustainable development Our Values Mutual respect Equality

As at 1 February 2011, VolTra has: registered over 6,000 official members registered over 3,500 members in online discussion Forum registered over 7,000 members in Facebook Page and Group processed over 350 workcamp applications placed over 280 Hong Kong volunteers who have participated in the workcamps more than 40 countries organized 3 international workcamps in Hong Kong, 1 overseas group workcamp and 2 weekend workcamps in Hong Kong

International Workcamp in Hong Kong (1) Fresh Fish Traders School International Workcamp Theme: Social, Teaching, Renovation Date: 19 Dec 2009 3 Jan 2010 Participants: 13 (Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, Korea and Russia) Co-organizer: Nice Japan, VYA Taiwan, Fresh Fish Traders School & Chan Hing Elderly Community Centre Leading disadvantaged kids to visit the elderly, teaching them languages and manners, and renovating school s facilities

Interview published on 25 Dec 2009 in Ming Pao, a Hong Kong newspaper

International Workcamp in Hong Kong (2) Peng Chau International Workcamp Theme: Festival, Art, Cultural Date: 27 Aug 2010 4 Sep 2010 Participants: 8 (Hong Kong, Macau, Japan and Korea) Co-organizer: Nice Japan, VYA Taiwan, Peng Chau Rural Committee & Peng Chau Wah Mei Jewellery Dragon Boat Association Promoting the tradition of celebrating Tin Hau Parade in Peng Chau, and beautifying the living environment of local community by public art

Interview published on 4 Sep 2010 in Ming Pao, a Hong Kong newspaper

International Workcamp in Hong Kong (3) Warehouse International Workcamp Theme: Festival, Cultural, Youth, Environmental, Renovation Date: 24 Jan 2011 6 Feb 2011 Participants: 21 (Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, India, Vietnam, Russia and France) Co-organizers: Warehouse Teenage Club Promoting and appreciating the culture and tradition of the Lunar New Year by setting up and running flea market booth, and beautifying the living environment of the teenage club through renovation work, planting and farm site formation

Interview published on 2 Feb 2011 in Ming Pao, a Hong Kong newspaper

Weekend Workcamp in Hong Kong (1) Peng Chau Training Workcamp Theme: Training, Art Date: 10 11 Jul 2010 Participants: 19 (Hong Kong) Co-organizer: Peng Chau Rural Committee & Peng Chau Wah Mei Jewellery Dragon Boat Association Enhancing participants understanding and attitude towards international voluntary service, and training their interpersonal skill and team spirit

Weekend Workcamp in Hong Kong (2) Warehouse Training Workcamp Theme: Training, Renovation, Environmental Date: 20 21 Nov 2010 Participants: 22 (Hong Kong) Co-organizers: Warehouse Teenage Club Enhancing participants understanding and attitude towards international voluntary service, training their interpersonal skill and team spirit, and beautifying the living environment of Warehouse through renovation and environmental work

Overseas Group Workcamp Vietnam Group Workcamp Theme: Social, Teaching Date:19 25 May 2010 Participants: 23 (Hong Kong) & 7 (Vietnam) Co-organizer: SJ Vietnam & Rotaract Club of United College, the Chinese University of Hong Kong Encouraging disabled children to communicate with and integrate into the community, and helping them to be more self-confident through working with volunteers

VolTra s 1 st Anniversary Theme: Tanabata action (reduction of carbon emission) Date: 17 Apr 2010 Over 100 members celebrated our first anniversary

International Travel Expo 2009 & 2010 one of the largest travel-related exhibition in Asia

International Events NVDA General Assembly On behalf of VolTra, Mr. Bird Tang attended the NVDA General Assembly in Jan 2010.

International Events CCIVS General Assembly On behalf of VolTra, Mr. Bird Tang and Mr. Wai Siu Man attended the CCIVS General Assembly in Dec 2010.

International Events NVDA Visit On behalf of NVDA, Ms. Pujiarti Alim of IIWC Indonesia & Mr. Kaizawa Shinichiro of NICE Japan visited and met with VolTra in Jul 2009.

International Events NVDA Visit On behalf of NVDA, Mr. Klaus Ding of VYA Taiwan & Ms. Hang Quang Thi Thu of SJV Vietnam acted as the honourable guest speakers in VolTra s seminar in Jun 2010.

Talks & Briefings Organized and attended as guest speakers in more than 10 talks

Talks & Briefings Organized more than 10 pre-workcamp briefing and sharing sessions

VolTrazine Bi-monthly online magazines published by VolTra

Media Coverage : TV & Radio

Media Coverage : Newspaper

Media Coverage : Magazine

Media Coverage : School Publication

Web Site : http://www.voltra.org Forum : http://www.voltra.org/forum Facebook : http://www.facebook.com/voltrahk Email : info@voltra.org