Workcamp Volunteer Programs in India

  India

Darjeeling

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: whole year

Description: SMILE Society [member of CCIVS (UNESCO) & WANGO] one of the registered NGO, welcomes international volunteers in India.

*Targeted Sector: Underprivileged kids

Located: Siliguri, Darjeeling, North 24 Parganas

Details: In each area there are more than 200 kids who are suffering for their life and education. We noticed lots of diseases and health related problems in this area. We already have our social work and health related work camp in this area and wish to build up a medical cum vocational training center for these kids. We receive huge community support.

Number of centers at the moment: One center

Target for 2007: To start the Non formal school, medical camp and a vocational training unit in this area.

All volunteers can visit nearby places during weekends. This is a group programme.

* Community Development Projects               

Targeted Sector: Tea estate workers' kids at the mountain near Darjeeling

Number of Kids/ Work place : 200+

Details: In this area there are more than 200 kids who are suffering. Their families have no or less amount of money to run a normal life for them and their kids as most have them have no job. Young people are getting involved in illegal activities and addicted to alcohol and other drugs. Sometimes many families have to depend just on rat and snake meat to live since there are no other alternative for them to survive. We are really interested in starting 2 non-formal schools and 2 vocational training centers with a self income generating unit with the support of local community people. We already have a social work and education related work camp in this area and wish to build up a medical cum vocational training center and a self income generating unit for these kids and their family members. We receive huge community support in this area. These are the people who are dying and no one gives them the time of day. SMILE wish to save these people.

Number of centers at the moment: Two centers

Target for 2007: To start the Non formal school, medical camp and a vocational training unit with self income generating unit in this area.

This is a group programme and all volunteers will get a chance to trek the hill near work camp place.

Highlights: Work and tour programme

Minimum Education: High School

Cost in US$: US$250

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to World Wide Participants.

Participants Travel to India in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 8+

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Other
• Written Application

SMILE -Society [Situational Management & Inter-Learning Establishment Society]'s Mission Statement: SMILE Society [registered NGO and member of CCIVS (UNESCO) & WANGO] was established on 31st.August 2003 by it's Founder & President 'Mr. Debabrata Chakraborty' [Deba]. SMILE's main purpose is to "Bring a smile to all the Kids" around the world. The children who cannot eat properly, cannot go to school, have to beg money & food every day on the street, have lost their parents or have nobody to support them, children who cannot live their life because of the essential requirements of human beings, We Like To Support Them. "SMILE" is trying to provide Love, Support, minimum Education & minimum requirements to Live and Study to the children in such stage. At the same time "SMILE" gives all the Volunteers the Opportunity to work with the needy children in the developing countries like India. So that they can also realize the actual picture of the children who are in need. "Happy Home Project" We have our own "Happy Home's first ,second & third centres are located in Kolkata(Calcutta) with our SMILE's kids from Slum & Street. We are trying provide them everything like food, clothing, education and planning to give them permanent night shelter very near future. We are looking for the long term volunteers to work with our children directly. All these children that we have at present are up to 13 yrs. old and they need real love and attachment from our volunteers. Our dream is to establish a free school & vocational training center for our "Happy Home" in near future. We like to build a person with more confidence & knowledge. It is our dream to make a man with soft feelings about other children too. Today's children will be tomorrow's Father/Mother. We believe that good children can make the good society and also the better world to live in.

Year Founded: 2003