youth exchange
03. – 09.07.2023.
BRUKNAS MANOR, LATVIA
The main information about Youth Exchange
The summary of Youth Exchange
Life for young people was never easy. Nowadays it is more complicated of the huge amount of opportunuties, mediated, information loaded and rapidly changing world.
Young people are full of life, experiencing many transitions, but have so many and incredible gifts to offer to parish, community, school, friends, local area all over the world.
This Youth Exchange will gather 45 youngsters from age 16 to 23 who are willing to learn and share what it means to be on a mission — to be a light in everyday life, in the place where we are.
In these seven days we are going to be inspired and encoureged — we will learn about mission in our life, in our community, listen stories how God is working trough others and share our own.
A special part of the exchange will be a mission in one village — event in one youth centre organised by the participants themselves, where they can creatively shed light, share joy, bring life and love to local people.
And of course, this youth exchange is an amazing opportunity to experience cultural exchange by getting to know new friends from other countries and participating in cultural evening.
come and experience a week full of practical actions that will make you understand what mission really is and how to live it.
You will learn:
that it only takes a little to bring good among the people in your community;
to be sensitive to others around you, to their needs and their situation, and to learn how to respond them;
to lead small group discussions;
to create a mission event together with others;
to find opportunities in everyday life how to live mission-orientated lifestyle.
What we will experience together:
sharing our missions what we are already doing (on our own, in our organisations, parishes, etc.);
inspire from other people the ways how to live mission-orientated lifestyle;
visit some places to help people, do some practical work in local area;
create mission event to creatively share the light, inspire others;
live trough moments of fun, games to getting to know each other and our cultures;
everyday spiritual programme (Holy Mass, testimonies, worship night, teaching etc.).
be prepared for surprises too!
We're working on the programme to Live Each Day to the Fullest!
Meet the facilitators
Elizabete Mežule and Viktorija Rače
Two girls from Latvia who were involved in a mission-oriented organisation serving students. But now, through European Solidarity Corps (ESC) volunteering, they have found their way to Slovakia in organisation V.I.A.C., where mission is a daily reality. They share a love for God, nature and fun.
Viktorija (on right) lives in a Catholic community that lives from the Gospel. Every day is spent in prayer and ministry to the youth, whether helping with homework, making videos, working with the youth of the village. What her heart seeks is joy.
Elizabete (on left) is a very active volunteer. If before she worked in journalism, now in Slovakia she invests in young people, going to schools where she works with students, bringing them together, encouraging them in their faith. Elizabeth also helps in home for elderly. She is the one who, when she enters, enters the light itself.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
Young people:
at the age from 16 to 23 from participating countries;
who are interested in the topic;
who are involved in local parish or community or organisation or are willing to be involved;
who want to bring change;
who seeks for new inspiration;
who can speak English at a conversational level.
Every group needs to have a one or two group leaders, who are at the age of 18+ and will be responsible for the group.
From the group leader we expect:
active support of young people in the preparation part and within all the duration of the youth exchange;
aking responsibility in solving the problems that may occur in the group;
taking part in the common meetings according to the schedule.
By applying to this youth exchange, participants commit themselves to actively participate in the whole process, including:
reading all the information carefully;
communicating timely with the organisers;
preparing adequately for the youth exchange according to the instructions;
taking actively part in the full duration of the activities;
to participate in the evaluation process after the youth exchange;
to participate in sharing the results and outcomes of the youth exchange after the youth exchange is over.
Partners of the project
Country / Organization
The Netherlands / IFES Nederland
Slovakia / V.I.A.C. - Institut pre podporu a rozvoj mladeze
Slovenia / Katoliška mladina
Latvia / Latvijas Kristīgā studentu brālība
Accomodation
The Youth Exchange will take place in really special place in Latvia — in Brukna Manor. It is located in historical region of Zemgale, close to Lithuania and looks like a vision from the Bible visitors can see the Brukna Manor in a forested area at the base of a foothill.
It’s a place. It’s both learning and labour. It’s people. Brukna is a community with sacred values.
The complex of Bruknas manor dates back to the 19th century and consists of a house built in the middle, two barns and a cowshed. It was owned by Korff German-Baltic aristocrat family till year 1920. After year 2001 the Catholic priest Andrejs Mediņš started to take care of the manor with an NGO called the Mountain Blessing Community. Nowdays there is a community which purpose is to help people to find their own way in this world and to God, using prayer and work therapy.
Important information:
- alcohol is strictly prohibited in the area;
- there are no shops in Brukna. The nearest grocery shops are 6–8 km away;
- a river runs by the manor house, where you can swim;
- be respectful to the place where the youth exchange will be. Honour Christian values;
- take into account that there also the community lives.
TravelLing options
First of all you need to arrive on 3rd (Monday) of July before dinner (18.30), but depart on 9th (Sunday) of July.
The program starts on Monday at 18.00 and finishes on Sunday morning.
A van organised by group leaders
FUN ROADTRIP
We recommend to go organise a van from your country.
! In this case it will be much easier to arrive where the project takes and move around local area where is almost no public tansport !
ON your own
And then finding out the local bus connections. Check connections to these places:
Brukna; Bauska; Gaisma; Ozolaine
! There are not many busses going so please be careful choosing the flights !
*There is bus from Rīga SAO (bus station) at 16.30; 18.10 to Gaisma 18.05; 19.35. Check here:
https://www.1188.lv/satiksme/starppilsetu-autobusi/
From Riga Airport runs bus No. 22., tickets price 2 euro. Go till Autoosta (Main bus staion).
Flight to Vilnius (LT)
And then find out Flixbus to Bauska.
*you can also ask if busdriver can stop nearer to Brukna.
But if you are using different way to come, to receive reimbursement of travel expenses (plane/bus/train) we need you to deliver us following documents:
Invoice of your flight tickets, originals of bus or train tickets (invoice received from the airline/bus company if you buy the tickets online or from the travelling agency if you buy the tickets via an agency);
Boarding pass (from both ways).
*Please note that that travel costs will be reimbursed only for those who:
stay for the whole period of the youth exchange (arrival on 3rd of July and departure on 9th of July);
actively participate in sharing the results and outcomes of the exchange after the exchange is over.
Amount of money for traveling
Country / Organization / Max amount of money for travelling
The Netherlands / IFES Nederland / 275 €
Slovakia / V.I.A.C. - Institut pre podporu a rozvoj mladeze / 275 €
Slovenia / Katoliška mladina / 275 €
Latvia / Latvijas Kristīgā studentu brālība / 20 – 180 € (depends on the distance).
ORGANISATIONAL DETAILS
Food:
Beakfast, lunch, dinner and coffee breaks are all included. Also individual eating habits of participants will be taken into account, but don't be afraid to try Latvian traditionals!
Insurance:
It is the participant's responsibility to obtain full insurance for themselves. This includes travel insurance, medical insurance or European Health Insurance Card.
What to prepare before youth exchange?
presentation of your country, culture
As one part of programme will be cultural night. Each country is going to have time for presenting their culture. It can include traditional dances, games, presentation of country, culuture, habits.
Presentatons:
must interactive (other participants must be involved);
must NOT be boring — be creative as much as possible.
Creative workshop as your part of the programme
In the programme of the exchange we will all together create an event for the local youngsters. There each group will be free to lead any kind of activity (game, music art workshop, concert).
Please choose together with your group what do you want to do for the local youngsters.
You will also have time during the project to prepare more, but please think about any materials, music instruments, toys or anything else you would need.
BRING NATIONAL FOOD
Please bring some national food, treats (not alcohol) or some souvenirs for all participants (all costs are on your side)!
DON'T FORGET Outdoor clothes
The youth exchange will include outdoor activities. Please take clothes:
that can get dirty (for outside work);
for outside activities (if weather is good we are going to little hike, so take comfortable shoes);
that you can go swimming with or to sauna.
Be prepared that it can be colder here in Latvia, or it may rain.
online meeting
On 22nd of June at 17.00 (Slovak time, GTM+1)
There is going to be an online meeting with all participants and group leaders before the activity takes part here in Latvia. There we will meet each other and also clarify what is needed to be prepared, discuss program details.
Deadline application:
The deadline for submitting project applications is June 20th 2023.
EXTENDED till JUNE 23th 2023.
