Community Education in Rajasthan and Himachal

  India

Jaipur,  Shimla

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks and 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks

Description: The poor education system in India affects many different groups in society. Children are often the most vulnerable since education is not provided at a most basic level allowing them to develop the building blocks of a more promising future. Women also suffer from lack of opportunity in the workforce and failing sense of self-worth. In both locations, there is a strong need for community education and development initiatives.

Volunteers are needed to help in many different areas. As a teacher in one of the rural communities, you will be instructing the children in Math and English, organizing recreational activities, working with kids who have previously dropped out and want to bridge the gap back in to their studies, assisting teachers in developing low cost academic activities, and helping to create basic hygiene awareness among the children.

Volunteers may also be helping in a local child-care and early education center to give personal care and attention to all children, helping to feed and bathe them, creating and playing colorful games, assist the staff with record upkeep on all child vaccinations and nutritional growth, and work with the children to develop basic motor skills.

In the afternoons, volunteers can have the option of also visiting some different community education and development project nearby. These can include helping to tutor children with learning disabilities, working with local women's groups to help with computer training and English lessons, or helping with basic maintenance of all facilities.

Highlights: Volunteers will be picked up from the airport in Delhi and stay the first night in a hotel arranged by Greenheart Travel. 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 Activities in Rajasthan

All programs include the following activities:

    * Camel Safari
    * One week yoga session
    * Indian cooking class
    * English interpreter nearby

Volunteers staying for 8 weeks or longer will also be able to go on a tiger safari. All transportation to/from the excursions is included.

Additional Himachal Activities

All programs include the following activities:                  

    * 2 night trekking trip to Himalayas                     
    * One week yoga session
    * Indian cooking class
    * English interpreter nearby

Volunteers staying for 8 weeks or longer will also be able to go on an excursion to Amritsar, the holy city of the Sikh religion. All transportation to/from the excursions is included.

Qualifications: There is no language requirement to participate in this project. Skills in childcare or teaching are helpful but not necessary.

In Rajasthan volunteers will stay at a "base camp." All meals are included at the "base-camps" and are prepared by project staff. There will be many vegetarian options available, and meat is generally prepared 2-3 times per week.

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