The House of Silence in Heiligenkreuz near Graz was founded in 1979 and has been supported by various construction camps since its inception. Today it is a spiritual center for seminars and retreats and provides accommodation for those looking for a break in a peaceful environment. Summer camps for young people are also organized. IBO has been supporting the project for some time. For example, the dining room was renovated, the forecourt, the “Peace Place” and the greenhouse were redesigned. The renovation will continue in 2024; All kinds of DIY, renovation and repair work will then be required.
Volunteer work
There are all kinds of jobs that volunteers can help with, including: helping with ground and garden work, demolition work and woodwork, metal work, room renovation. A suitable activity will be found in the house and/or garden for every volunteer. This project is also very suitable for 50+ volunteers.
Accommodation
Volunteers stay in guest rooms in the house itself. Meals (3x a day) are provided directly in the house. Volunteers are requested to bring their own work clothes and gloves, as well as safety shoes. In addition, participants must also bring a sleeping bag and bed linen and towel. Good to know: The “House of Silence” is literally a place of tranquility. The people value their silence and their faith. During the project periods, “renovation weeks” of the house take place. So there will be many helping hands (not only from IBO), working together and there will be little silence this time!
Leisure
In their spare time, volunteers can take a trip to Graz, walk in the surrounding nature or meditate and rest (when there is no reconstruction work going on).
Travel
Volunteers are requested to travel to Graz themselves. There are 2 options to get here. Option 1: Travel to Vienna by train and take the Flixbus (cheap) to Graz train station. This takes approximately 2.5 hours. Option 2: Book a flight to the airport in Graz. All volunteers are picked up in Graz.
You arrange the travel to your project yourself. IBO asks all volunteers to travel in the most sustainable way possible, so preferably by train or bus. What you at least can do, is compensate your CO2 emissions. You can find more information about this on the website of Milieu Centraal. You can also compensate your emissions via IBO, by donating to our partner’s tree planting project in Uganda. You can read more about that here.
Preparation
IBO offers a good preparation for your volunteering work abroad.You will receive a digital information package and an invitation to a preparation meeting. Read more about the proces from departure until return.
Costs
For this project you pay €35 registration fee and €79 participation fee. If you become an IBO-supporter, you don't have to pay the registration fee.
This includes accommodation and meals, local transport, an information pack and (online) preparation meeting. Excluding travel, insurance and any outings.
Register
Go to register to enroll in this project.