!!!  PICTURES  !!!

In July 1999 I participated for the first time in an international work camp: it was a great experience and the start of whole series of similar experiences. This first camp was in Czech Republic and that's one of the reasons why I decided to go back to this country where I have some great friends, where I have seen great landscapes and world class cities and where IBO organizes several interesting work camps. In stead of a monastery in Moravia, I chose this year for a project on deprived people (drug addicts, youngsters and gypsies) in Bohemia, not far from the thermal city, Mariánské Lázně (Marienbad). I certainly will remember how passionate our project leader Jaromír was. I also have some good memories to the beautiful landscapes but unfortunately I will also remember some less positive aspects: the work was not very interesting, even a bit boring and we did not really have first class moments to relax after work.

The community center of Dolní Žandov, Spoleèenství (Jan 10), is active on several terrains: especially youngsters and kids but recently they also developed initiatives for Roma gypsies and drug and alcohol addicts. Jan 10 asked IBO to send international volunteers to assist with the renovation of an old army base. This army base would be transformed into a kind of Kibbutzim with homes for 25 deprived families and a school. Unfortunately, the license to start the works was not processed on time and we were forced to assist with smaller tasks in other buildings of the organization.