Isosisko and Tyttöjen Tupa activity

"Be yourself, otherwise there will be no one like you"

Isosisko and Tyttöjen Tupa activities are a part of youth work of Ahjola. It started as "Isosisko" (big sister) project in 1998. The maingoal of our work is to improve the daily lives of the target group which incluedes in all girls aged 6 to 16 in the area of Tampere. The method for this supportwork is the providing voluntaries for working as "Big Sisters"  with "little sister". To be friends and listeners in everyday life - and to support little sisters' healthy growth by the "big sisters" are the mainpoints of the work.

Littlesisters and  Big Sisters needed a place to meet each others... so Tyttöjen Tupa (Cabin for the Girls) got started.

Nowadays both support methods (Big sister-Littlesister and cabin for the girls) are together the basic form of the work with the girls.

Pikkusisko (Little Sister) is:

  • a girl aged 6 to 16 and lives in Tampere

Isosisko (Big Sister) is:

  • a woman over 18 years old
  • who likes to work as a voluntary
  • positive attitude for the life (the example for the Little Sister)
  • has completed the Isosisko - course
  • We arrange courses 2 to 4 times in a year (these are in finnish)
  • For the Big Sisters, we will arrange further education for nights, recreational activities and work counseling when it's needed.

About the activities

  • Big Sister meets Little Sisters 1 to 4 times a month - according to the contract.
  • Big Sister and Little sister, with her parents, plan together the content of activities.

All together:

  • We arrange common activities for all Big Sisters and Little Sisters around the year, for example trips, events, camps, etc..
  • Tyttöjen Tupa is the place for every Big Sister and Little Sister
  • You can come to Tyttöjen Tupa alone or with your Big Sister or Little Sister.
  • After you have made friends with other Big Sisters and Little Sisters you can  meet each other at Tyttöjen Tupa.
Tyttöjen Tupa is open on Tuesday and Thursday from 3 p.m to 8 p.m.

At Tyttöjen Tupa you can doing crafts by tre hands, playing, reading, discussing or get to know from the other Big Sisters and Little Sisters or even doing your schoolworks. At Tyttöjen Tupa there are at least three workers on duty in when the place is open.

In the Tyttöjen Tupa there is- a large lounge, theatre room, a room for doing make-ups, library/television room, greenery corner and a heaven of barbie dolls. You can also bring your own snack to Tyttöjen Tupa. The fridge and the microwave owen can be used free.

If you haven't visited Tyttöjen Tupa earlier - you are welcomed now!

Tyttöjen Tupa is located in opposite of Ahjola building - on the other side of the Pispalan valtatie. Be safe and use the underpass when crossing the street.

Little Sisters' parents and siblings can visit Tyttöjen Tupa when open or we can also arrange suitable time for the visit. If your friend wants to visit and she's not a Little Sister, you can bring her ONCE to opening hours, to get to know what kind of  place the Cabin for the girls is and activities are.

Our work for the girls is protected by Docent Leena Kurki from Tampere University.

Big Sister activity is a part of youth work in Ahjola and it is sponsored by Raha-automaattiyhdistys RAY.

Telephone numbers:

Kati Malmi, activity organiser, +358445538435
Piia Seppälä, youth leader, +358445538436

E-mail: firstname.lastname@ahjola.fi or isosiskot@ahjola.fi

Visiting address:
Pispalan valtatie 45
33250 Tampere

Postal address:
Isosiskotoiminta
Ahjolankatu 3
33250 Tampere
Finland