Goa Youth Program

  India

Goa

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks and 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: 2007: Sep 24; Oct 22; Nov 18; Dec 17

Description: Imagine volunteering by the sun kissed beaches of India's Goa. At the same time you can make a contribution to socially deprived areas. As beautiful as it is, Goa remains a stark reminder of many social issues like poor education and HIV/AIDS.   This volunteer experience ensures a variety of volunteer work, travel and recreation possibilities.

Possible activities for participants staying less than 8 weeks are day care center work with children, special education camps and bridge courses to children of immigrants and slum dwelling families, computer education to children for a variety of population segments which may include orphanages, groups of local women and adolescent girls.

Possible activities for participants staying 8 weeks or longer include the above and also teaching in schools, working in the ASRO HIV home, or working in the school for mentally challenged.

Goa is the most well known beach destination of India and has its own share of famous personalities visiting to enjoy its sun-kissed beaches with a temperate climate. A Portuguese colony until the 1970's, Goa offers a totally different cultural dimension of India. It's been magnet to sun-seekers from all over and boasts it's own type of music, sea food and of course, lots of sun.

While working with schools, you will be working with local teachers, creating low cost teaching materials as well as regularly teaching English and Math in the schools.

In addition to the schools, early childhood care and education is an area of critical need in rural areas. Volunteers are needed to ensure maximum attendance by the children of the area through awareness building in the community. Feeding the children a specially prepared nutritious meals everyday is very important.

You will have an opportunity to provide assistance at ASRO, a Community Care and Support Center (CCSC) for people living with HIV/AIDS. ASRO acts as a bridge between health care institutions and patients' families to create awareness in the community.

Lastly, a new activity has been added to the Goa project, which involves work in a special school for mentally challenged children. Volunteers may be asked to provide general help, care and special attention to each of he approximately 40 students enrolled in the school.

This volunteer project is primarily for 18-30 year olds. The minimum program length is 4 weeks, extendable in 1 week increments. The program includes a 3-day adventure program including trekking through an unexplored area, climbing hills and rocks. This adventure would also include one or more night's stay in an Indian village.

Highlights: Volunteers will go on a trekking excursion, stay at an Ashram to practice yoga, meditation and Ayurveda. The program includes a 3-day adventure program including trekking through an unexplored area, climbing hills and rocks. This adventure would also include one or more night's stay in an Indian village.

Here is a list of volunteer activities where we need the most help:

    * Teaching English and Math in local schools.
    * Helping local teachers to create low cost teaching material/lessons.
    * Create basic hygiene awareness amongst the children.
    * Care and personal attention for poverty-stricken children.
    * Ensuring maximum attendance of the children.
    * Help assist nurses with everyday care at a HIV/AIDS.
    * Help with small-scale awareness building about HIV/AIDS through community visits.
    * Help conduct special education camps and bridge courses to children of immigrant and poverty-stricken families.
    * Computer education to children in orphanages and groups of local women and adolescent girl.

Qualifications: All volunteers must be 18 years old or older. Volunteers need to have a desire to learn about another culture and teach about theirs. All interested participants must complete a GeoVisions application.

Cost in US$: 1885 for 4 weeks. Please visit our website for additional information.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: There is not a typical volunteer at GeoVisions. Volunteers are college students, retired people, professionals who want to give back in volunteering for a short period of time. Volunteers are interested in conservation, children, poverty, teaching, computers, sports and so much more.

Age Range: 18-30

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to India Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

GeoVisions's Mission Statement: GeoVisions is committed to help individuals develop global skills to succeed in the twenty-first century. These skills will ultimately lead to greater cooperation and understanding among nations and peoples of the world. We are committed to treating every person on a GeoVisions program with respect, and devoting our energies to helping participants meet their individual and collective goals.

Year Founded: 2001