Kaya Community Development Projects in India

  India

Mysore

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: The first Saturday of every month

Description: A community project will enable you to fully immerse yourself within the community, and by the end you will feel like one of the locals. There are a diverse number of projects you can be involved in from ecotourism in Peru to women empowerment projects in Ecuador for abused women. Projects like these help you contribute in preserving some unique and special ways of life and helping people achieve a common goal.

Women Empowerment Project in India

This project succeeds in helping local disadvantaged women lead better, healthier and more sustainable lifestyles. Some of the women have been battered or have worked in the sex industry and are now looking to gain new skills and gain an income. Volunteers can help with teaching English, organizing workshops and discussion groups, and helping the women develop new skills.

Rural Outreach and Field Clinics in India

Volunteers play a critical role in helping Kaya to serve disadvantaged and vulnerable rural populations through education, health care, cultural reforms, human rights activism and women's empowerment. For the past 15 years this project has been actively involved in such programs in more than 55 villages around Mysore. Their efforts are diverse, ranging from rural literacy and children's education programs, installation of sanitary toilets, compost pits and smokeless stoves, health camps and surveys, vocational programs to offset early marriage, nutritional gardening projects and women's sanghas (get-togethers).

Highlights: With its mind-bending cultural and environmental diversity, India is known as the planet's most multi-dimensional country. With mountains, jungles, deserts and beaches, India has it all! Bounded by the Great Himalayas in the north, it stretches southwards and at the Tropic of Cancer tapers off into the Indian Ocean between the Bay of Bengal on the east and the
Arabian Sea on the west.

Gir National Park:
Gir is the only place left on the planet where the Asiatic Lion can be found. It is on the critically endangered list as there are only around 300 left. It is a fantastic opportunity to see these lions in their natural habitat.

Himalayan Trekking:
The most famous mountain range in the world contains the two tallest mountains on Earth, Everest and K2. Trek the Himalayas and see dramatic ice-capped summits and breathtaking scenery. Other activities include mountaineering, skiing and rafting.

Desert Camel Safaris:
Camel Safaris take place in Rajasthan. It's a fantastic way to travel across the open desert sands, whilst visiting remote traditional villages, seeing wildlife and experiencing the harsh conditions of a desert. This truly is exciting adventure travel!

The programs involve imparting an understanding of the importance of a healthy environment, and teaching local residents about the benefits they will receive and working with the community and trying to get them to understand the need to preserve and protect this endangered ecosystem. Volunteers can share their skills and knowledge to improve the lives of the men, women and children on the projects.

Qualifications: Experience and passion for working in the community and interacting with the people are needed. Participants must also possess enthusiasm and a willingness to learn about the environment and the place's culture.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: A Kaya volunteer shows enthusiasm, spirit and life to stimulate and bring something new to the residents; love, patience and a listening ear for the people; and a good motivator with a positive and optimistic attitude.

Age Range: Must be more than 18 years old

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

Participants Travel to India Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Kaya Responsible Travel's Mission Statement: Kaya's mission is to promote sustainable social, environmental and economic development, empower communities and cultivate educated, compassionate global citizens through responsible travel.

Year Founded: 2008