India – Community Aid in Rajasthan – Images

India is incredibly rich in both culture and heritage. From its cuisine to its festivals, many are entranced by the country’s beauty and delicate intricacies. Udaipur received its “Venice of the East” nickname because of its spectacular lakes, the most famous being Lake Pichola. The wealth of ornate palaces, ancient temples, colorful streets and stunning views make Udaipur feel like it comes straight out of a fairy tale. The friendly, open nature of its inhabitants adds to its charm, while the hustle and bustle of local markets and endless restaurants leave much to explore.

You will be assigned to an afternoon project, assisting children of the slums. Many of the children living in the slums cannot afford to go to school, so the education they receive during these informal lessons may be their only learning opportunity. Since classes are held outside, much of the learning is done through games and other fun activities.

Volunteers will also be involved in a specific morning project depending on the needs of the community and then your personal preference. These morning project options include:

• Kindergarten and Primary School Aid: Volunteers will work together with the schools’ qualified teachers in tasks such as leading classes, building a syllabus and daily lesson plans, and assisting in other classroom activities such as games and crafts.
• Construction and Renovation: Help under served communities by constructing and renovating community buildings such as schools! Please note that this particular placement has a $50 USD supplemental fee per week.
• Sports Coaching and Health: Volunteers will work in one of two local schools to introduce news sports to the children and promote physical fitness.

A typical day: Your day will begin around 9:00 AM. You will be picked up from your chosen placement at noon and taken back to the volunteer house for lunch. From about 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, you will volunteer at a community outreach project and then be taken back to the volunteer house where you will have your evening free.

Holidays: Schools will not be in session during the following dates:

• February 12-15, 2020
• April 9-24, 2020
• May 17 – June 24, 2020
• August 24-26, 2020
• October 5-7, 2020
• OCtober 10-December 23, 2020
• Dec 24, 2020 -Jan 3, 2021

Internet: WiFi is available at volunteer house.

Laundry: Volunteers can wash clothes by hand. There are laundry services available for an additional fee.

Accommodations: You will stay in a comfortable, clean, two-story house with single-gender dormitory style bedrooms and adequate bathroom and toilet facilities that include running hot water. On the first floor there is a dining area, kitchen and a living room with a TV, DVD player, Wi-Fi and a computer, which you are able to use.

Food: You will be provided with three meals a day on weekdays and two meals per day on weekends. The meals are a mix of Western and Indian foods, consisting mainly of vegetarian cuisine, including rice and vegetables. You can expect to have a chicken dish about twice a week. You can also use the kitchen facilities to cook for yourself or eat out at any of the local restaurants.

Please take note of this project’s minimum requirements:

• Minimum age of 18
• Police clearance
• Immunizations (please consult your local travel clinic)
• CV / Resume
• Basic level of English

Program Add-Ons (Not Included):
You may consider joining this special program before or after your volunteer placement to add another dimension to your experience in India:

• Culture Week (Highly Recommended):
  Before you begin volunteering, you will enjoy an exciting orientation week designed to introduce you to India. You will have a chance to visit and tour some of the many nearby sites, including the Monsoon Palace, SasBahu Temple, Lake Pichola and a few local markets. Through yoga, language, self defense sessions and cooking classes, you will begin to understand more about Indian culture and traditions. This week is also a great opportunity for you to bond with your fellow volunteers and to enjoy cross-cultural exchanges. The orientation program runs from Monday through Friday, giving you the weekend to relax or explore the area on your own before you start work at your project.
• Body and Mind Week: Learn about yoga, meditation practices and Ayurvedic treatments to improve your health and well-being.

Please note that there is an additional fee for this program.