As of the 15th May the doors at La Giraudiere will be opening uup and inviting volunteers and interns to come and help with the project once again.
Travel Advice foreign Nationals coming to France
Throughout the world, countries are opening up their borders very progressively and the situation may change rapidly. The authorities of some countries require passengers to fill in travel forms, quarantine on arrival, a recent negative COVID-19 test or medical certificates .The travel conditions are constantly changing depending on where you are coming from. So keep checking with your travel agent, airline or local airport. To help further her is a link to the French Governmlent Advice for Travellers
Covid whats needed at La Giraudiere
With regards to what is required here at La Giraudiere. Volunteers and interns over the age of 50 must have received at least their first Covid vaccination also they must have taken the COVID-19 detection test within the last 72 hours and received a negative result.
For volunteers and interns under 50 years old then you must have taken the COVID-19 detection test within the last 72 hours and received a negative result. Depending upon the circumstances when you are in France you may be required to take further tests during your stay.
Presently Travel to and from foreign countries is strongly discouraged in France, and in some cases prohibited. Travel restrictions are also in place within France regions and departments. If you are arriving from a country within the European space, you can enter France. You must comply with health regulations to enter France (PCR test and sworn declaration). You are not required to self-isolate. The countries which comprise the European space are all the European Union Member States, as well as Andorra, the Holy See, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland.
Arrivals from Australia, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea or the United Kingdom. If you are arriving from one of those seven countries, you can enter France. You must comply with health regulations to enter France (PCR test and sworn declaration). You must self-isolate for seven days after your arrival.
With vaccination now progressing quickly across most of the world these travel restrictions will be changing and best to keep checking for updates. It is hoped that by mid May most Travel restrictions will be relaxed at La Giraudiere we are working to open doors mid May but keep checking back.
La Giruadière is re-opening but requires proof from volunteers and interns.
Following the present vaccine program and the controls which have been put in place for international travel Paul as made the decision to open doors again starting from May 2021. You can read full information upon the respective websites; for volunteering visit Volunteering In France and to apply for an internship visit Internship In France
As regards International travel – Read the Press release from the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (30 January 2021) visit website You should also see updates at this location and I will try to update this blog on a regular basis as regards corona-virus news and travel.
Vaccinated against Corona Virus Covid and it’s different variants
No matter what travel requirements are required by the French ministry as part of your acceptance to take part in any programs, or projects, at La Giraudiere then you will be required to present proof that you have been vaccinated against Corona Virus Covid-19 and it’s different variants and that your were tested 72 hours prior to arriving at La Giraudiere
2020 looks like it is a lost cause as the virus continues to attack the human race on all continents. The scenario this end is imagine if La Giraudiere, via it’s volunteers or its interns programs, was responsible for introducing the virus into our village, yes the Brossac community, with just over 500 habitats. This cannot happen and this is why we are not hosting any volunteers or interns for 2020. ~~ We are confident that a vaccination will be found as all ready different medications exist which help or relieve the symptoms so, with this in mind, we now concentrate our efforts in preparing for hosting a bumper 2021 season.
La Giraudière fights the Virus
Not all is lost for 2020 as we are in the process of preparing a virtual La Giraudiere project yes an online volunteers program which will be open to all. Those that have either been to La Giraudiere or have applied before will receive an invitation via email. ~~ The invites will be sent once the funding is in place and the broadcasting materials purchased. Hopefully you will be able to take part but failing this the virtual broadcast will be recorded and available to you to view later.
No virus video
Virtual Culture Versus CoronaVirus
Let’s look at a typical schedule for the podcast/video from which we then see what has to be prepared. Introductions will be at the start of the podcast/video – Introductions of members, new partners and new participants would be introduced. A brief intro from each of them – 5 min slot ~~ Introductions would be followed by The news from Brossac will be at the start of each podcast/video This will be a 5 min slot presenting the general news of life in Brossac including what is in the local papers plus the news relating to the virus/epidemic and our village. ~~ Following the brossac news we would then introduce a Brossac Villager this section would be titled Meet a Brossacaise a person who is either a dignitary, commercant or a figure this interview could be live which would give participants the chance to ask questions or it could be a pre-recorded interview. – 10 min slot ~~ Following the meeting the person from Brossac the next slot is “Facts about” This slot will be dedicated to giving facts about the department of the Charente and or the region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine it would include something unusual, or unknown, relating to history, life, music, culture, patrimoine, people, general facts etc – 10 Min slot
Virtual French Lessons On-Line
Facts about would be followed by a French lesson for beginners and intermediates. The subject of the lesson would be different each week and the teachers would work and plan around the subject used in the previous slots. So the theme of the lesson could be something which was mentioned in the News from Brossac or maybe the person interviewed or even from the facts about or simply something which is requested by you, the participants. -30 mins slot ~~ Following the French lesson for beginners and intermediates is The Excursion Which would be exactly what is says an excursion to a tourist site or place of interest situated in the southwest of France. This may also include a visit to see an artisan making cheese, wine or cognac, This section would be a pre-recorded video and the slot would last least 20 mins max 30 mins. ~~ The Excursion would be followed by a further French lesson for intermediates and advanced. The subject of the lesson again, would be different each week. -30 mins slot ~~ The French lesson for intermediates and advanced would be followed by a round-up and goodbye in this last slot we would mention what is planned for the next podcast/video plus reinforce the corona virus guidelines.
We are taking reservations for 2021 you can read more information upon our website at Volunteer In France take time to like us at our Facebook page at Volunteers Page So you can keep up with the news at La Giraudiere take time to add our blog to your favorites here is the link Volunteers Blog
Each year La Giraudiere hosts #volunteers and #interns of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities. The accommodation fees we collect pay to finance the running of our culture exchange center which is totally staffed by volunteers.
This year we have lost April, May, June and maybe some more. Yesterday the primeminister in France annouced the start of the finish of the present lock down so maybe we will be osting volunteers and interns from July to October but we now it will be difficult for those to arrange transport and other logistics.
So although, for the moment, we have no wages to find this year we still have to pay loans, taxes, rates, insurance and maintain the center in readiness for when we can reopen. As a non profit association based in France we have always put back into the project any surplus achieved and therefore have never provided or produced funds for such a situation which we find ourselves in due to the #coronavirus or #Covid19.
Volunteers helping and Interns learning
We now look to friends and those who have either benefited from their time at La Giraudiere and feel they can help us get through thus difficult time. Maybe you were due to arrive this year as a first timer or maybe La Giraudiere was to be something for you later.
Please also share and like our various posts and comments on our social media concerning the fund raiser. Any help you can offer would be appreciated for those of you who have never been to La Giraudiere then you can read more about us at our website http://www.lagiraudiere.com/about_us.html
