Volunteer in India

  India

• Other Cities in India: 
Puducherry (Pondicherry),  Bangalore,  Indore,  Udaipur

Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 3-6 months
Dates: July- September 2010

Description: Interested in volunteering in India? Want to get involved in the work of locally-based NGOs? Want the chance to actually make a difference?

Development in Action offers a volunteer scheme with a difference: rather than just coming back having had a great experience, you get to have an input into development in the UK, really putting your experience in India to use.

We are recruiting candidates to join our two-month summer scheme and our five-month Year Out scheme volunteering with development NGOs in India. Volunteers get the chance to experience everyday life in India, as well as making a real contribution to good causes through volunteer projects.

Just some examples of what you could do:

* Help build solar cookers for isolated villages in Indore
* Teach English or work with Arts & Crafts in Pondicherry
* Be involved with vital research work in Udaipur
* Work on fundraising activities in Bangalore

as well as many other possibilities! In every case you will get hands-on experience of grassroots development.

You will be encouraged to engage in the wider issues of global citizenship and sustainable development. Each volunteer is supported in the planning and production of a 'DiA Project'. DiA Projects build on the volunteer's experience to produce awareness-raising or development education resources (e.g. contribution to DiA's travelling exhibition).

Qualifications: Volunteers do not need specific qualifications, although we do look for an interest in development issues.

Cost in US$: $1400 for summer, $2200 for 5 month (approx)

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Volunteers must have an interest in development and/or global issues. They must approach their placement with a degree of humility and recognise that they will learn more than they will be able to give on these relatively short-term placements. We don't ask that volunteers have specific skills but they must be able to work independently with an Indian organization, live with other volunteers and show enthusiasm for our Development in Action Project. We are a voluntary organisation and encourage returned volunteers to help run DiA in the UK - everything from recruitment, to accounting and development education work.

Age Range: 18+

Participants Travel to India Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of minimum 2

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview Required
• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Development in Action's Mission Statement: Development in Action is a development education, not-for-profit organisation. We aim to encourage young people, in the UK and in India, to engage in global issues, in particular through the promotion of cultural exchange. During the ten years that we have been running, through the work of our volunteers, we have grown and continue to develop as an organisation. We believe that development, whether in Europe or India, is about empowerment, capacity building and has to originate from the people themselves. We are constantly learning and re-evaluating what we do in light of our partners and volunteers.

Year Founded: 1994