Teach and Care for Orphaned Children in India!

  India

Chennai (Madras)

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks and 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: year round

Description: If you want to make a significant, lifetime difference in the life of a child in one of the poorest regions of the world, our India Service Program is a "hands-on" project for you!

You will help improve and expand the capacity of a private non-profit orphanage outside Chennai, constructed with Global Volunteers' help. In this area alone, thousands -- perhaps hundreds of thousands -- of children don't have enough food or water for basic survival. Many are abandoned, homeless or even disabled, living on the fringe of society, without sufficient food, shelter or basic medicines. The children who are spared are taken in by this children's home and clothed, housed and educated. The orphanage staff needs you to play games with the kids, help them with their studies, teach them songs, music and dance and work with them on handicrafts and artwork. In addition, you will teach conversational English or other subjects in the community elementary school or help with painting, cleaning, repair or gardening in the orphanage. Carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and others can be very helpful.

Highlights: This is a breakthrough service program! Combining the wherewithall of Global Volunteers with your contribution of time and talent, the children are promised a healthy future. Once homeless or living in unimaginable poverty, the youth we serve are now thriving with the help of our volunteers. As they mature in the safety and loving care of our hosts in Porur village, they make way for other needy children seeking a refuge in this impoverished community.

Qualifications: If you have energy to work with kids, an open mind, and are willing to serve as part of a team and take direction from local leaders, you will make a positive contribution to this exciting volunteer program!

Cost in US$: $1,695 - $2,395

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Our volunteers are culturally curious and open-minded people looking to contribute to a community development project and to improve their understanding of different ways of life. They are all ages, from various ethnic backgrounds, and of all different professions, such as educators, students, laborers, medical professionals, full-time parents, computer professionals, artists, lawyers and the like.

Age Range: adults of all ages; minor ages 15-17 with parent

This Program is open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to India Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Global Volunteers's Mission Statement: "Adventures in Service". Founded to help advance peace, racial reconciliation, and mutual international understanding between peoples of diverse cultures through short-term volunteer service on long-term community development programs. We maintain partnerships with local leaders and indigenous host organizations worldwide and mobilize up to 300 teams of volunteers annually to work alongside local people on work projects central to their advancement. We also raise funds to support our international and domestic partners and to provide child sponsorships for educational, social and medical assistance. Global Volunteers is in special consultative status with the United Nations.

Year Founded: 1984