Chuvash Republican youth public organization "Volunteer centre "Sodrujestvo"

Chuvash Republican Youth non-governmental organization “Voluntary Center “Sodrujestvo” was founded in 2003. It is located in Cheboksary. Cheboksary is the capital of Chuvash Republic and it’s 650 km to the east from Moscow. Cheboksary is a provincial city, and although Chuvashia has a long and rich history, not so many foreigners come here. That’s why there are not a lot of possibilities for youngsters to meet other cultures and have personal contact with internationals. Sodrujestvo is trying to fill this gap with its work of short and long-term cultural and social projects that are organized with local and international volunteers. The main goal of all of Sodrujestvos projects is that every participant can get new specific knowledge about some current topics and improve skills which are important in life. Not preaching but living and working together with people of different backgrounds. shall break down prejudices and stereotypes. This way, the participants can experience a world of respect and understanding, in which conflicts are solved without violence. The themes of the projects are: intercultural dialogue, social inclusion, human rights, ecology. The projects are held on the regular basis: short-term activities every month and workcamps in summer. There are currently 20 active members – young volunteers from the community and there are about 100 volunteers from different countries who regularly attend the activities organised by «Sodrujestvo». We make short and long-term cultural and social projects for the local community, for example: intercultural summer and winter camps for kids in Chuvashia; weekly intercultural communication club in the local library and children center; weekly intercultural communication club for secondary school kids; weekly intercultural communication club for students; ecological projects in the Volga region. We also participate in the youth forums where we promote volunteering and its values. We help in the organising of the Language festival and local school for volunteers.