Wait, WHAT?

I guess I am moving to Belgrade, Serbia. Wait, what? Who moves to Serbia?!

I guess I do. I'll be teaching kindergarten and working in a center for education and counseling for victims of trauma starting in August. Here is my new job description:

The last 15 years have been difficult and traumatic for all citizens of the former Yugoslavia, due to the long and devastating war. These events also struck Serbia. In the beginning there was a great fear of possible mobilization, causing many people to hide and live in fear. As well, the number of refugees that came upset people and brought fear.

Sanctions for Serbia lasted for years and caused serious economic crises. It was very difficult for people to provide even the basics for their families. The future seemed unpredictable, causing feelings of uncertainty and insecurity. In addition, the spread of the war to Kosovo ended with the bombardment of Serbia, a traumatic experience for all Serbians.

Apart from traumas caused by wars, many of the traumas Serbians are dealing with occurred within the family. Family violence multiplied during these years. General disappointment and insecurity as well as economic and political uncertainty caused anxiety that was felt within families, where the victims are usually children and women. Men are usually victims of crime, and the reason they engage in illegal activities is in order to provide for their families.

Noah’s Ark Kindergarten: SALTer will help the kindergarten teachers in their everyday work with children. This placement represents an opportunity to build bridges and to strengthen one of the few church-sponsored kindergartens in Serbia.

Psihoorijentir: SALTer will assist the Center in organize files and the library, developing materials, consulting and fundraising. SALTer's observations and analysis will be sought as to help the Center develop better.


Assignment Description:

Kindergarten - The kindergarten Noah’s Ark is situated in the central part of the city of Belgrade. It was founded in 1996. The founder is the Baptist Church. At the moment there are 35 children attending the kindergarten, including 2 children that are handicapped. There are 4 teachers working in the kindergarten and usually one trainee. The kindergarten is financed by the donations and contributions of the parents.

Psihoorijentir - is a center for education and psychological assistance. There is a team in the Center trained for education on trauma. Educational trainings are held in the center, designated for teachers, kindergarten teachers, pedagogues and psychologists employed in education and social institutions (orphanages, social work, reformatory schools…). Beside education the Center offers support to adults and children that experienced traumatic events. This is conducted through individual therapy and support groups. The Center also educates volunteers for work in support groups.

Duties:
Throughout the assignment and especially at the beginning the service worker will focus on learning Serbian to fulfill the duties listed below.

Noah’s Ark Kindergarten: SALTer will work 3 days a week (Monday to Wednesday) from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. He/she will assist one teacher: will observe what the teacher is doing and will follow her instructions. Working in the kindergarten involves playing with children, helping them with dressing, helping them in drawing and all sort of creative work, setting the tables for lunch and removing the dishes after lunch together with kids, setting the mats for their afternoon naps, helping them dress and most of all be able to answer to their questions, instruct them in their work and observing their behavior and interactions with other children.
It also involves some extracurricular activities. Together with the teacher, depending on activity, he/she is to help in doing it, for instance: an excursion outside the kindergarten area, sport activities, going to theater for children, kitchen activities and so on.
SALTer is expected to be present at all activities that are organized for children and parents by Saturdays and after the working hours. She/he is also expected to be present at the meetings where we plan and analyze our work.

Psihoorijentir: The working hours of the SALTer would be 2 days a week (Thursday and Friday) from 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. Our project is a specific one because of the seminars and consequently we are forced to work on Saturdays. Therefore the volunteer will be expected to participate in working on Saturdays, with the option that whenever the volunteer works on Saturdays he/she could take a day off during the week.
Filling and organizing the library – SALTer will help in organizing files and library which will help the Center in learning what other resources are needed and how to obtain these (via web, buying books and so forth).
Development of materials – Since the SALTer will have access to materials from the US or Canada which are designed for people in helping professions, we expect that volunteer would help us in the choice of material as well as in advising us how to use them.
Observation – A SALTer would attend seminars as an observer. He/she will be the observer of our teamwork as well. If SALTer shows interest and would like to be part of the team that leads the seminar we would be open for this (the Center’s staff). However, we understand that this might take some time after volunteer would feel comfortable with the language.
Analysis – A SALTer would help us to analyze the work that has been done and also to evaluate it. The participating of the SALTer in analysis will be the result of the observations that he/she has observed.
Fundraising – To research the web and learn about grant possibilities from organizations and individuals that would interested in supporting the work of the Center.

As far as working on Saturdays SALTer will in conversation with the director of Psihoorijentir and the Kindergarten make decision when to be working at the Kindergarten and when at the Center. Just to make a note that not all Saturday will be work days.

SALT participants are expected to demonstrate an active interest and commitment to learning Serbian language and to engage within the local community where they serve.

Location Description
Belgrade, the capital of Serbia and Montenegro as well as the biggest city with a population of more than 2 million, is strategically situated at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers. Because of this it is a city that has been destroyed many times due to wars, and is now a mixture from charming old architecture to plain somewhat neglected concrete apartment buildings from the communist era. Because of the recent conflict in the region hundreds of thousands of displaced people have migrated to Belgrade, straining public services and causing a very tight housing situation.

Despite the recent history Belgrade remains a safe place to live, generally without fear for personal safety. It is a bustling city with constant activity 24 hours a day. There are many theatres, cinemas, cultural events, good restaurants with reasonable prices, and coffee shops which spill out onto sidewalks and side streets for 6 months of the year. Public transportation is readily available, with buses and tramlines providing good connections to all parts of the city.

The climate in Belgrade is temperately continental. Winter temperatures are usually around -5 to -10 degrees Celsius, but it can get as cold as -17. It is normal to have some snow in the months of December to February. Summers are fairly hot, with temperatures climbing to 40 degrees Celsius for brief periods of time. Fall and spring are fairly long and pleasant seasons.

I still feel like they are lying to me about the winter, but I think that is because I am mixing up Serbia and Siberia (they're different, I looked on a map).

Happy ash Wednesday!