Juminkeko Foundation
(January-December 2006)

This project, which is a continuation and expansion of the 2005 project, supported a series of vocational training workshops for both boys and girls in the rural village of Vuokkiniemi. It was part of a larger effort to link the village to the outside world and develop education and training programs in an effort to prevent young people from leaving the village.

During 2006 workshops convened three or four times in a week. Boys learned woodwork and handcrafts by making willow baskets, kitchenware and chairs; they have also renovated old furniture. In girls’ workshops participants learned, for example, patchwork, sewing, cooking and baking. Training program, designed in cooperation with Humak University of Applied Sciences in Haapaniemi, developed workshop methods suitable for activities in Vuokkiniemi.

In 2006 the village women pulled their strength together and formed village committee, which aimed at supporting work with children and tourism in the region. A planned Kalevala national park was established in November 30, 2006. It is planned that the park will employ over 60 people in the near future strengthening the tourism and economy.

Additionally the workshop idea was expanded to the nearest villages, for example, to Jyskyjärvi. Regarding to Vuokkiniemi, cooperation with Humak will continue and future plan for the summer 2007 are already under preparation.