Volunteer in India 2010

  India

• Other Cities in India: 
Goa

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Throughout the year

Description: Volunteering in another culture offers a unique chance to stimulate personal growth while making significant contribution to the local community. And what better way to motivate yourself and others in a country full of ancient culture and diversity? India offers immense potential for experiences and awareness, with incredibly warm people, colorful landscapes, and zen-filled environment.

Cultural Embrace partners with local NGOs to promote quality volunteer opportunities in Southern India. Our goals are to assist at-need communities and to improve their standards of living. In order to keep the general atmosphere of the program consistent, projects are limited in space per arrival group, with a maximum of 15 volunteers, and divided by age. Adult groups are defined as volunteers aged 30 years or more, and Youth projects will consist of volunteers from 18 to 29 years old.

We offer a range of volunteer programs that differ in duration, location, and work content. We have several short-term two-weeks projects for youths and adults, however, in order to impact the communities, some projects require an one month duration. Additional extensions are available, as well as discounts for an extended period of stay. To top off this unforgettable experience, we will include sight-seeing excursions (i.e.: Taj Mahal, elephant rides at Amber fort, beach visits, etc), home-stay accommodations during orientation, cultural activities (i.e.: cooking, yoga, meditation, etc) and other fun and exciting events for you to enjoy India.

Volunteer Projects & Locations Available:

Teaching
* Assist in government run primary and secondary schools for underprivileged local children. Teaching and related activities can include:
* Teaching English at various levels
* Organizing creative exercises with children like drawing, painting, music and dance.
* Working with local teachers in creating low cost teaching material from locally available resources
* Ensuring regular attendance of children by motivating their families with regular visits etc.
* Promoting basic hygiene awareness to children and their families
* Creating a more child-friendly environment in the schools with decorating/painting projects throughout their schools.

Child-care
*Work with local government run day care centers for children that monitor the health and growth of children. These centers, called Aanganwaris, are intended to act as source of holistic child-care. The volunteer activities in the day care centers include:
* Personal attention and care to children coming to the center everyday
* Developing motor skills through playing games and using body parts
* Ensuring maximum attendance of children and pregnant women to the day-care center through community awareness
* Creating a more attractive environment for the children through renovation of the center and adding facilities.

Special needs/Disabilities
* An increasing variety of work is required and being setup for volunteers at institutions for people with special needs, which includes:
* Schools for mentally challenged children
* Orphanages
* Senior homes
* The activities in such institutions include everyday care, maintenance of facilities, teaching, awareness building, and creative activities.

Social services for women & girls
*Work with adolescent girls and women for education and empowerment. Some of the activities include, but not limited to:
* Teaching conversational English to working women for improved employability
* Conveying sex education to adolescent girls
* Training sports and physical fitness activities
* Imparting knowledge of operating simple mechanical machinery like bicycles, etc for confidence and knowledge (these activities are typically accepted only by males)

Working with Animals
* Work in a state park in Goa to help rescue animals and assist the rangers in the park. You can also choose to work in Goa preserving sea turtles.
* Assist veterinarians with care and treatment for sick and rescued animals.
* In the turtle program you will help protect areas where turtles are laying eggs.
* Develop community awareness projects to teach locals how to protect and preserve animals.
* Learn about the natural habitats in India and the best methods for helping the animals

Highlights: Volunteering in India Offers:

* An unforgettable experience helping and improving Indian communities
* A chance to broaden your perspective and worldview
* A chance to participate in and learn local cultural activities (e.g.: language, crafts, dancing)
* Memorable travel experiences with the chance to see exotic sites you have always dreamed about
* The ability to make lifelong friends from around the globe
* A valuable work experience that strengthens your resume, exhibiting your diligence, independence, and intercultural experiences
* A great way to develop and support your self-confidence and interpersonal skills   

Cultural Embrace Offers:

* Volunteer Placement Prior to Departure
Cultural Embrace pre-arranges your volunteer project before you leave home to ensure an easy and hassle-free transition to your new life abroad.   

* Housing & Board
Basic, clean, and comfortable housing and meals during working and orientation days. (Breakfasts only during excursions, unless otherwise specified)
Homestay with local English speaking families in Jaipur during orientation, and shared accommodations at on-site volunteer facilities.

* Visa Assistance
Cultural Embrace will assist you with information to obtain a visa (if necessary), but we have no control nor the ability to provide government issuance and/or visa availability.

* Arrival Assistance, Hotel Stay & Transfer
An airport pick-up from New Delhi or Bombay airport, transfer to one night hotel stay, and transfers to orientation and your local volunteer site will be arranged.

* Arrival Orientation
Training about the local Indian culture, community, project duties, and lifestyle will be provided by your local representatives. Housing and board with carefully selected host families or volunteer facilities will be provided during orientation.

* Excursions & Activities
Visit local attractions and participate in various cultural activities based on your volunteer location and duration. Sample of included excursions per group and regions consists of:

Short-Term - Adult/Youth: Overnight hotel visit to Taj Mahal. Yoga and meditation classes. Weekend excursions for three-weeks program.

Himalayan/Rajasthan - Adult: Overnight hotel visit to Taj Mahal. Sightseeing of Amber fort in Jaipur with elephant ride. If volunteering at Himalayan region a 2 days/1 night excursion to Amritsar, the holy city of Sikh religion, and 2 days/2 nights trek in the Himalayas with overnight camping inclusive of all meals and necessary gear. If volunteering at Rajasthan region a camel safari with overnight camping in the desert with full-board.

Goa-Youth: 3 days/2 nights sightseeing of local village including trekking and rock-climbing. 3 days yoga & meditation course. Special "Bollywood" feature.

Himalayan/Rajasthan - Youth: Sightseeing of Amber fort in Jaipur with elephant ride. If volunteering at Himalayan region a 2 days/1 night excursion to Amritsar, the holy city of Sikh religion, and 2 days/2 nights trek in the Himalayas with overnight camping inclusive of all meals and necessary gear. If volunteering at Rajasthan region a camel safari with overnight camping in the desert with full-board, and tiger safari at Ranthambore National Tiger Reserve.

* Volunteer Materials
Materials for various activities during the volunteer work like colored pencils, pens, markers, sports equipment, paper, games, etc are provided.
* Dedicated Transportation
Transportation to and from volunteer sites throughout the program

* Travel Insurance: Basic Major Medical Coverage
Our policy provides basic medical coverage at your volunteer location. Cultural Embrace highly recommends additional travel insurance.

* Cultural Embrace Kit
Useful tips, advice, and information to prepare you for the amazing adventure of living and working abroad.

* Full-time Representation
Cultural Embrace provides representation in the United States and your host country prior to, during, and after your placement.

Qualifications:
* You must be between the ages of 18 to 70. Or, if younger than 18, you must have parental or guardian consent.
* Good physical health
* Committed to project duration
* Good team player
* Enjoy working and serving others outdoors
* Open to foreign cultures and living abroad.
* Responsible and dedicated to full-term of commitment   

Cost in US$: From USD 1,692 for 2 weeks. Contact Cultural Embrace for customized pricing.

Experience Required: no

Age Range: Under 30, 30 and above

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to India Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Other
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Resume
• Transcript
• Written Application

Cultural Embrace's Mission Statement: Our mission is to encourage people to recognize and appreciate cultural diversity. We believe that visiting a place firsthand allows one to truly experience the authenticity of a culture and develop his/her own impressions. Our goals are to provide quality service and opportunities for people to explore their world and enlighten their eyes, mind and heart. Traveling is a reciprocated flow of communication and interaction between people...the more you seek, the more you learn. "Discover the Similarities - Share the Differences"