Break the Cycle of Poverty: Teach Dalit Children in India (Program is USD 0)

  India

Bangalore

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: June-December; January-April

Description: The Shanti Bhavan Children's Project was founded in 1997 with the mission of breaking the destructive cycle of poverty through high quality education. Shanti Bhavan is a modern, hygienic, co-ed residential school that focuses on early intervention and in-depth, progressive schooling from age 4-18.

Research and studies have shown that basic literacy and rudimentary education are insufficient in helping elevate children out of poverty; if the poorest of the poor are to succeed, they require a competitive and vigorous academic experience. There should be no glass ceiling for the poor when it comes to education: they are entitled to the same opportunities as the rest of society and Shanti Bhavan seeks to provide that through our program and with the assistance of our top-notch volunteers.

We serve the children of the poorest of the poor--the so called "untouchables" or dalits--those forgotten or ignored by the rest of society, who are destined to become rag-pickers, quarry laborers, or sex-workers, if not for the program's intervention. All of our children come from families that make less than $1 a day, and often they come from one-parent households.

Shanti Bhavan welcomes volunteers with relevant qualifications and/or experience to assist in carrying out the mission of the institution. Our academic year runs from June 2009 to April 2010 and we have a specific need for volunteers who can teach English/English Literature, Math and the Sciences for the older grades, as well as volunteers able to commit to a longer stay at Shanti Bhavan. Minimum duration for volunteer service is three weeks and maximum is one year, although that may be extended in certain cases.

Each grade level has a set curriculum to follow, but volunteers are encouraged to use creative approaches and student engagement in their teaching. Ideas and approaches must, however, meet the approval of the principal. Global standards of education should be upheld while preserving the best of Indian education and culture. At the end of it all, the beneficiaries will be not only the students but also the volunteers who will gain from their interaction with children and staff and learn about Indian culture.

Duties include teaching academic and/or non-academic subjects to children ages 4 -17 and taking part in other school activities. Experts are also needed to offer teachers and staff professional development workshops. Volunteers have typically taught or assisted teachers in all of the usual academic subjects, as well as the arts, music, theater, and sports. They have also held remedial and study preparation classes and conducted tests, when required. Volunteers with special backgrounds in language and pronunciation, public speaking, SAT preparation, library research, etc. are also generally needed. Teacher training and professional development expertise are of value.

Highlights: Volunteers enjoy meals (mostly vegetarian) and good living arrangements at the school (in very hygienic modern facilities) provided free of charge. Volunteers who choose to spend week-ends off-campus will have to make their own arrangements for accommodation, travel, and food while off-campus. Occasional trips to Bangalore will be provided free of cost. Shanti Bhavan is located at a beautiful campus upheld by a vibrant community. Former volunteers and visitors include NASA astronauts, business leaders, Broadway stars, research scientists, college students, and New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman, to name a few.

Our volunteer community is a tight-knit one and once you have joined the Shanti Bhavan community, you will be part of a vibrant, exciting and accomplished extended family for life.

Qualifications: Degree and/or certificate of eligibility to teach elementary, middle or high school or experience in teaching and administering school programs are given preference. Students studying for teaching professions and those currently enrolled in an accredited college or university are welcome. Those with college degrees and/or life experience in non-teaching areas are also important to the school. We are not looking to volunteers to formulate policy or practice but rather help in executing our mission, as teachers, mentors and role-models to our children.

Cost in US$: Free.

Salary / Pay: Meals (mostly vegetarian) and good living arrangements at the school (in very hygienic modern facilities) will be provided free of charge. Volunteers must provide for their own travel to India, but travel to and from Bangalore will be provided free of cost.

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18-80

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

Participants Travel to India Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 8-10

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone Interview

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Shanti Bhavan's Mission Statement: Shanti Bhavans' mission is to fully develop the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children of India's lowest caste - the untouchables or the dalits- to enable them to aspire to develop careers and professions of their choice in engineering, business, law, medicine, education, the arts, etc. - through world class education and globally shared values.

Year Founded: 1997