Because this project has varied aspects it gives a wide range of people the opportunity to make a real difference. Our in-country will ensure that your skills are used to the community’s best advantage with one of the following activities;
Teaching
Class sizes in India can be extremely large, leading teachers to become little more than traffic police attempting to keep order. During your time on the project you should be involved in one or a number of the following activities:
- Teaching children English and Maths in schools
- Creating a playful environment through painting, playing games, singing etc
- Working with local teachers in creating low cost teaching materials
- Take responsibility for everyday attendance of a few children to the school
- Ensuring regular health check ups of the children in each school through co-operating with the local doctors and hospital staff
- Creating basic hygiene awareness amongst children for healthier living
Between the end of March and mid-April, from mid-July to early August and from mid-December to the end of December, the government schools are closed for holidays. If you are here during this time you will have the opportunity to teach at independently sponsored schools (using community centres).
Childcare
Childcare volunteers assist in local childcare centres, known as Aanganbari. The concept of ‘pre-school' childcare is a new one in India. While in Western countries childcare facilities exist mainly to give the child’s parents the time to be able to work, the main purpose of aanganbari's in India are to provide safe, healthy and hygienic spaces for young children who would not be able to receive proper care at home. During a volunteer’s time on this project it is possible to be involved in the following activities:
- Ensuring maximum attendance by the children of the area to these centres
- Personal attention and care to the children coming to the centre every day
- Assistance to the local worker for record maintenance for each child based on health, vaccination, growth and nutritional condition
- Making and feeding the children a specially prepared nutritious meal every day with the heap of a local worker
- Continuous survey of all pregnant women and newborn babies in the area for regular health check ups and vaccination
- Creating a colourful and enjoyable environment for the children with games, stories and other creative activities (all material, support and training for such activities is provided)
School for mentally challenged children, Thakardwara
The special schools for mentally challenged children that we work with are severely understaffed. This means that the two teachers in the school are often struggling to give adequate attention to each of the approximately 20-odd students enrolled in the school. By volunteering at this project you would be greatly helping not only the staff, but by giving them more time you will be making sure that the children all get the attention they deserve. During a volunteer’s time on this project it is possible to be involved in the following activities:
- Assisting teachers in completing assignments for the students
- Organising education and fun activities for the children
- Visiting students’ homes for sensitisation of the family towards their children with special needs
What’s Included in the project
- Airport Arrival in Amristar city
- Accommodation
- Local transport at project locations
- Orientation on arrival
- All Meals - 3 meals a day
- On site assistance
- Extensive pre-departure information
- Assistance in setting up local support for volunteers' activities in coordination with local NGOs
What’s Not Included
- Flights
- Tourist Visa
- Personal insurance cover
- Any Excursions
Prices and Durations
India Himalaya Community Volunteers - 4 weeks
$1,279
India Himalaya Community Volunteers - 5 weeks
$1,519
India Himalaya Community Volunteers - 6 weeks
$1,759
India Himalaya Community Volunteers - 7 weeks
$1,999
India Himalaya Community Volunteers - 8 weeks
$2,239
