The Live it Lisbon! Summer Volunteer Programme is about volunteering, culture, Portuguese culture and food. But this year we decide to add something else to the programme!
We will have 2 editions: one about community work and art (A), and other about community work and culture (B).
Both programmes have similar frameworks, but with different schedules. Just take a look at the draft schedules below:
The Lil A, from the 2nd until the 10th of June, will have some activities related with art and drawing but also different kinds of community work that will include the creation of a mural in the neighbourhood based on the work, experiences and learning outcomes developed during the volunteering week..
The Lil B, from the 21st until the 29th of July, will have community type of activities, but also the participants will have the opportunity to take part in Portuguese culture workshops and cooking workshops.
Note: the schedule might face some changes, but only the time of the activities. Those are the core of the programme and remain unchangeable.
In the neighbouhood:
The community work is going to tackle some area and specific activities in the neighbourhood: participants will work with the association staff and local people for the maintenance of the neighbourhood by cleaning and painting the walls, cleaning the streets and promoting attitudes towards recycling. Furthermore activities with local kids may be organized – for example you may organize and participate in sport tournaments, inclusive workshops on various topics, according to your interests, and language tandem in which you can practise your Portuguese and they can practise their English skills.
Artivism in the Community:
Bairro Padre Cruz has been the recipient of several Urban Art Festivals that have brought to life massive murals all around. The interventions have along the years been a strategy to promote public art/urban art, inclusion, empowerment of the community and as a consequence, open the social housing to the outside world enabling people to see and experience a lively neighbourhood. For that matter and once more, we would like to have the time to explore our experiences within the neighbourhood during LiL and be able to materialise it in mural art.
The programme aims to explore different artistic approaches during workshops and community work that will culminate in a brand new mural in the neighbourhood.
Workshops:
Participants will have the opportunity to take part in Portuguese culture workshops. These workshops might include language workshop, cinema sessions, dances, music etc. We also accept suggestions :)
The cooking workshops will be held by Spin’s long-term international volunteers from all over Europe and you will have the chance to make some traditional dishes from their countries. Participants’ tastes and requests will be taken into consideration and it would create a positive exchange if participants shared their national recipes, too. If you would like to lead one of the workshops yourself, contact us in advance and we will do our best to make it happen! :) At the end of the stay, all participants will receive an e-book containing the recipes used during the program. This activity is meant to be participative, so don’t be afraid to make your hands dirty!
Most nights will be free and the city centre can be reached by bus, metro, night bus or by Uber/taxi (which costs about 10€). Nevertheless some night activities can be organized according to participants’ request, for example there is the opportunity to organize a movie night, a party, an intercultural night in which everyone will share some food, drinks and music from his or her country. If so desired by the participants, a farewell party may take place at the hostel during the last night.
There some tips some ideas to visit Lisbon:
Castelo de São Jorge:
The first option is Lisbon sightseeing and entrance to the São Jorge Castle, which is offered by Spin. On this day Spin also provides you with a day transportation pass in order for you to explore the city centre easily.
Cabo da Roca:
To visit the town of Sintra with its numerous magnificent palaces and it’s beautiful nature that together have made it a UNESCO World Heritage site. From Sintra it is easy to reach Cabo da Roca, where the ocean meets the westernmost extent of continental Europe. If you want to visit these spots, you will have to pay for your own tickets: a two-ways train ticket Lisbon-Sintra costs about 4,30€; the entrance to the castle and the park costs 13€; a two-way ticket Sintra-Cabo da Roca costs around 8€.
Costa da Caparica day:
Summer will be coming, and we want to give everyone the opportunity to see the ocean. So we plan on going to Costa da Caparica. We will stay there the whole day and visit the small village. The ticket to go to the beach costs 5 euros one way. It is also possible to participate in surfing classes, just let us know if you are interested! (prices are around 30-50 euros for one class).
All these trips are one day long and on those days we will have packed lunch.
Santos Populares in Lisbon (for the program in Lil A June):
June is the best time to visit Lisbon: all the city is awake and ready to celebrate summer, and especially Saint Anthony. On the night of the 12th all the city is ready to celebrate and dance until sunrise. There are many things happening these days: the parade (marchas populares) in the city centre, or the big weddings in the Cathedral of Lisbon (Sé). This will be an unforgettable experience for everyone.
