Background

The idea behind the foundation of Workcamp Switzerland had Sophie Kaiser. She volunteered in different projects in Europe and Latin America. Her experiences got it on to organise Workcamps in Switzerland and to place volunteers abroad. On 10th January 2004 the association Workcamp Switzerland was founded by enthusiastic young people.

The motivation - Sophie tells:
"There are many possibilities to organise voluntary work. Personally valuable was the participation in such a Workcamp. Otherwise I would have never had the chance to get involved with people from different nations and to go on this journey of discovery. Inevitable I needed some time to think about myself. Is my behaviour determined by culture or by character? And what does that mean? From each camp I learned new lessons about myself and other cultures. The greatest benefit: friendships. It is difficult to explain how it is possible to establish common identity within a short time to strangers. Maybe working together for the same aim, was the reason. I maintained some friendships for years and over the frontiers. Those Workcamps had to me an intensive, informatory and formative influence. To work united as volunteers for a good cause, raise hope."

Beside her own belief and sound idealism, there were many other convincing reasons to found Workcamp Switzerland:

Great demand
A survey of 2003 by the university of Bern department social work, showed that the great demand for voluntary work abroad exceeds the supply. Apparently not for everybody a voluntary service abroad is possible. Workcamp Switzerland wants to contribute by providing more possibilities in this field to young people.

Close the gap
Workcamp Switzerland got assistance by the "Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organisations". To this international network belong several national workcamp organisations; 43 members of 27 countries, which cooperate with many other partner organisations worldwide. Up until now without a Swiss organisation, Workcamp Switzerland closed this gap.