Teaching and Community Projects in India

  India

Bihar,  Delhi,  Rural Areas

Duration of Program: 3-6 months
Dates: Jan, Feb, Mar, Aug

Description: India is home to one sixth of the world's population and has a diversity of sight, smell and sound that includes the Taj Mahal, the Himalayas and Bollywood. One quarter of its population lives below the poverty line and Lattitude volunteers have been working within schools, Tibetan monasteries and community centers for many years, providing support, teaching English and empowering people.

By volunteering in India you can offer direct assistance to those in need. Your work may involve teaching English to Tibetan monks or nuns, or helping disabled young people live a more independent life. India is not for the faint hearted and you must be mature, self sufficient, open minded and willing to forgo some of your creature comforts.

Highlights: Language Assistant projects involve teaching Tibetan refugees in Schools, monasteries and Nunneries. Encouraging students to practice conversational English is a major element of the work, volunteers will be expected to help out with a range of subjects. Volunteers will need to be motivated self-starters, as English classes often take second place to prayer and ritual. Kindness is the most important quality in Tibetan Buddhism and both adults and children are delightful to work with and teach.

Schools (Teaching) projects are as teacher's assistants at primary and secondary schools. The schools range from English-Style relatively wealthy schools to very poorly resourced community schools. Volunteers will teach English as well as other subjects. The ages of students vary from the very young (pre- primary) to adult.

Community Care projects also involve an element of teaching. There are projects at orphanages and day centres for children with mental and physical disabilities, as well as centers for adults with disabilities. Volunteers will help out with caring duties, as well as teaching subjects such as art, music, drama, sports, sewing, cooking, and supervising sport.

Qualifications: Tibetans and Indians, like most Asians, hold teachers in very high regard and see them as role models. Dress and appearance should be tidy, decent and conventional.

Working hours vary between 10 and 20 per week. Friendliness, enthusiasm and resourcefulness are essential qualities. Because most projects in India have some religious connection and because the Tibetan community is keen to preserve its distinctive culture and identity, decorous behavior is expected.

Cost in US$: Visit website for more information

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: - Volunteers will certainly find it a challenge and it will take time to adjust to the new culture and environment. - You will need initiative (some schools are better organized than others and guidance may be lacking), - A committed and caring attitude, patience, sensitivity, tenacity and adaptability (a willingness to learn from mistakes), - A keen sense of humor and above average self-sufficiency!

Age Range: 18 and up

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to India Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Other
• Phone Interview
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Alumni Network

Lattitude Global Volunteering Canada (formerly GAP)'s Mission Statement: Lattitude Global Volunteering Canada provides a distinctive, international experience for young volunteers, through a journey of discovery that fosters independence, helps others and promotes global understanding. Lattitude Canada places youth (ages 18 to 29) in volunteer placements overseas (3 to 12 month terms - depending on country).

Year Founded: 1970