Kaya Health Care Volunteering 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: Whether you are a student, on a career break or retired there is a placement to suit your level. Those entering the medical profession will find volunteering in a developing country invaluable and inspiring. You will see what it is like not to have top level facilities and equipment available to you. Placements available range from hospitals, rural field clinics, house visits, nutrition, health education and public health research.

Public Health and Nutrition in India

This project puts volunteers at the forefront of critical public health initiatives for under-served rural populations. The emphasis here is on both the execution of these public health projects, and on evaluating/researching their impact to under-served populations. Such projects include rural health camps, HIV outreach, and the construction of soak and compost pits, sanitary bathrooms, clean-burning stoves and kitchen gardens.

Along with these initiatives, volunteers help to monitor the health of the residents; for example, measuring lung capacity of those with new clean-burning stoves, to gauge the projects' impact. There is also a need for nutritional education in schools and with mothers' groups. This is a great program as you get your hands dirty by making these projects happen, and then you also put your knowledge into practice through data collection, evaluation and impact assessment.

Work in Hospitals and Rural Clinics in India

This Kaya project supports a public HIV clinic located in Mysore City. The project is named Asha Kirana, which means 'ray of hope,' an appropriate name for this hospital that stands as a beacon of light for the stigmatized and challenged HIV-affected community here. This includes not only the patients themselves, but abandoned women and AIDS orphans and widows. The project is a multi-pronged effort aimed at preventing the disease, providing efficient HIV testing at minimal costs, educating the public and health care workers alike, practical training of health providers, treatment and support for patients, as well as research on clinical, epidemiological and social aspects of the disease.

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