Camp 25 in Bolshoe Goloustnoe 5th - 18th August 2005
by Jörn und Julika Fuhlendorf
The meeting of the single camp participants in Irkutsk and the drive together to Bolshoe Goloustnoe (there were 9 of us, mainly young people) were well organised.
Although the participants stayed with different host families (little groups of two to three people each) we all met at Faina's every day. Faina is a very open-hearted and hospitable person.
It was said we would help with harvesting. In the end, we mostly cut the grass with a scythe. For doing this better planning was required. For example, the organisers had to make sure that there would be equipment at the host families. Furthermore, the work was very weather-dependent. In this respect, there was a lack of organisation, also regarding other works.
We were a harmonious group. Everyone was happy with his host family and accommodation. Besides work we made different things together. For example, we collected fungi and herbs, we made cans from birch wood and we collected litter at the beach of Lake Baikal. We had the chance to experience the life in Bolshoe Goloustnoe first-hand. This has enriched our lives.
Of course, it's therefore very important that you are familiar with the Russian language.
If there are any future work projects planned in Bolshoe Goloustnoe, I would recommend to inform the participants in advance about the things that are needed such as wellingtons and/or high leg boots. The participants should also be told if sleeping bags are needed, or not, and so on. Furthermore, it's necessary to plan alternative work projects. The work results would thus be satisfying. The organisers could think about the idea of working not only for the host families but also for the whole village community (technical work).
