Hands On India - Himalayas

  India

Rural Areas

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

Description: This short term program is to offer an authentic, cultural and meaningful experience to people with limited time. The work deals with community development and social development.

Nestled in the valleys of the Himalayas, the State of Himachal Pradesh is known for its beautiful nature and pleasant climate during the harsh Indian summer. Volunteers can not only enjoy beautiful snow capped mountains outside their windows, but also take up adventure activities like trekking/rafting or cultural trips to places like Dharamsala, home to the Dalai Lama and center for Tibetan culture.

Volunteers' work is dependent on the specific needs of the individual village, but general community development projects include: repairing and beautification of day care centers, village primary schools, and village community facilities, repairing houses of Below Poverty Line families, creating teams of village children to clean village areas, etc. Some of this work is done in conjunction with the villagers.

The two photos on the right are a typical "Before and After" shot. The top photo shows volunteers painting a dull daycare center and doing a little beautification. The bottom photso shows the finished project! Bright colors have been painted and the area has been cleaned up for all those children!

The basic idea of this project is to offer an authentic, cultureal and meaningful experience to people with limited time. The project aims to facilitate an interaction between visitors and villagers through common endeavours of community development work and social awareness campaigns. The work is seen as a vehicle for involving villagers and bringing attention to the village, its facilities and social issues. Work placements will be in deprived villages that receive little attention. The volunteers are accommodated in guesthouses in the vicinity of the working area.

A general list of possible projects include:

- Repairing and beautificaion of daycare centers
- Repairing and beautification of village primary school
- Repairing houses of "below pverty line" families
- Repairing and beautification of village community facilities with active participation of the villagers
- Hygiene and healthcare issues
- Importance of nutrition and balanced diet
- Precautionary measures against HIV infection

Highlights: Weekend excursions include a 2-day, 1 night trip to Amritsar, the holiest town of the Sikh religion. Visit the Golden Temple and border closing ceremony, between India and Pakistan, at Wagah. There will also be a 2-day, 1 night trip to McLeod Ganj, home to the Dalai Lama and base of the exiled Tibetan government.

Cost in US$: 1285 for 2 weeks. Please visit our website for additional information.

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

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