School for Mentally Challenged Children in Goa or Himachal

  India

Goa,  Shimla

Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: Departures are once a month August-December

Description: Each school, whether in the beach towns of Goa or the mountainous region of Himachal, is home to many unique children who are eager to share their special talents with the volunteers. The school in Goa just began accepting volunteer aid in 2006, and it has become a central focus of the school's efforts to provide assistance to the children. Since the school in Himachal began accepting volunteer aid, the number of students enrolled and the regularity of their attendance has greatly increased. However, the school is still understaffed with only two teachers and around twenty students. Volunteer help is needed in both of these schools to maintain the everyday activities of tutoring, arts projects, and recreational activities while giving these children the special attention they deserve.

Volunteers will dedicate time to teaching the students as well as helping them finish their assignments. It is important for the volunteers to visit the homes of these children to spread understanding of how to care for their special needs. Time will also be spent brainstorming ideas for fun activities for the students and helping to implement these ideas.

Highlights: Volunteers will be picked up from the airport in Mumbai and stay the first night in a hotel arranged by Greenheart Travel. Participants will then head to a smaller town nearby to participate in a two day adventure program that includes trekking and overnight in a local Indian village as well as a two day yoga course at a local Ashram. From there, volunteers will head by train to Goa and begin there four day orientation to learn about cultural differences, health and safety, local customs and language, as well as any additional information you will need to know for your project.

Additional Goa Activities

    * Weekend excursions
    * English translator nearby

Orientation for Himachal location

Volunteers will arrive in Delhi and stay the first night in a hotel, which is included in the program. Participants will then be transported to Jaipur for the beginning of their orientation. During your four-day orientation you will dine one night with a local, English speaking family, learn about cultural differences, health and safety, local customs and language, as well as any additional information you will need to know for your project. You will also have a guided tour to the Amber Fort with an elephant ride.

Additional Himachal Activities

    * 2 night trekking trip to Himalayas
    * Excursion to Amritsar, holy city of Sikh religion
    * One week yoga session
    * Indian cooking class
    * English interpreter nearby

Qualifications: No language requirement to participate in this project. Experience teaching and/or working with children is helpful but not necessary.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Greenheart Travel volunteers are all ages and come from diverse backgrounds. All are caring, flexible individuals who are interested in an authentic cultural experience rather than a typical tourist experience.

Age Range: 18 and up

This Program is open to American and Canadian Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to India Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Greenheart Travel's Mission Statement: Greenheart Travel is a division of the Center for Cultural Interchange. Founded in 1985, the Center for Cultural Interchange (CCI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of cultural understanding, academic development and world peace. Greenheart is CCI's way of promoting the health and welfare of the earth and its people through cultural exchange, ethical travel, responsible consumerism, and community service.

Year Founded: 1985