Teach and Beach in Goa, India (4 weeks)

  India

Goa

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Throughout the Year

Description: Spend two weeks working with underprivileged children and orphans in this beautiful area of Goa followed by two weeks relaxing on stunning beaches and exploring Goa's wonderful sights - beaches, beaches and more beaches! The enthusiasm of the children will keep you busy throughout your project but their ever increasing smiles, and the knowledge that you have made a positive difference to their lives will make it worthwhile. Then chill out on a beach and do some sightseeing after your hard work - what more could you want? We will even throw in a free online TEFL course to help you prepare for teaching abroad.

*Day 1:Arrival in Goa
Welcome to Goa! You will be meet at Dabolim airport and taken to your homestay accommodation at Calangute (one of Goa's most famous beach areas) where you will stay for your first two weeks. Spend the rest of your day relaxing or exploring and soaking up the atmosphere of this great town.

*Day 2: Your first day!
Today you will have an orientation meeting about life in Goa and then be introduced to your project.

*Day 3 to day 6: Teaching at a kindergarten and an orphanage
You will have great fun helping the kindergarten teachers keeping these youngsters entertained by helping to teach songs, reading, writing, telling stories, playing games and generally being active with them. In the afternoons you will be at an orphanage teaching a range of subjects from English to Maths to crafts and playing games with the children.

*Day 7 to 8: Free time
Take some time to explore what Goa has to offer - beaches, temples and old Goan churches - or maybe just spend the weekend relaxing on the beach. The choice is yours!

*Days 9 to 13: Volunteering
Your chance to return to the kindergarten and the orphanage and work with your new found little friends for another 5 days of volunteering.

*Day 14: Free time
Another day to relax after your hard work at the project or maybe use some time for watersports.

*Day 15: Your beach stay starts here!
Today is the day that you will transfer accommodation to your new guesthouse for two weeks of total chilling!

*Day 16 to 28: Your turn to chill and enjoy!
Now you can spend your time as you wish, relaxing on the beach or enjoying what Goa has to offer! After your hard two weeks work you can decide to go no further than topping up your tan on the golden sands while reading your books or you can spend yout time exploring further afield. You could visit the Dudhsagar waterfalls and spice plantation or take an elephant ride. Alternatively make sure you check out all of the great beaches in this beautiful area. Palolem, Candolim and Arambol are all well worth a visit but there are loads more to discover for yourself! Whatever you decide to do Goa has a lot to keep everyone pleased!

*Day 29: Depart
Today is the day that you say goodbye to the glorious Goan sands for your journey back home or carry on your travels to onward destinations.

- What the project does and why it needs you!
In the morning you'll be able to help the kindergarten teachers with a range of daily activities including helping to teach songs, reading, writing, telling stories and playing games. You can also help in less formal areas such as the principles of health and hygiene, first aid, and giving advice on a balanced diet. In the afternoon you'll be teaching a range of subject areas from maths and English to arts and crafts and playing games when the children return to the orphanage.

- What you'll be doing
You will be assisting the teachers at a kindergarten in the morning from 8am to 1pm helping with daily activities, teaching songs, reading, writing and playing games. The class size is approximately 40 with one teacher. From 3pm to 6pm you will be helping with the children at an orphanage teaching English, maths, art and crafts, music, dance and playing games.

- Where you'll be staying
You will be staying in a local homestay in a shared room, very close to the kindergarten and a 15 minute walk from the orphanage. During your stay at the beach you will be staying at a local guesthouse staying in shared rooms.

- What you'll be eating
You will be provided with three traditional Indian-style meals a day - remember Goa is the birthplace of the 'vindaloo' so expect some spice in your meals!!! Vegetarians are easily catered for since over 70% of Indians eat a mostly vegetarian diet.

- Project resources and advice
The kindergarten is well resourced with all the necessary equipment however the orphanage has very few resources and you may like to bring some creative supplies from home, eg craft or drawing items, games or musical instruments or, even better, purchase some resources locally in Goa. As you will be a role model for the children, it is important that you keep your dress neat and modest.

- When you arrive
If you time your arrival to one of the designated arrival dates then airport pick-up is completely free. Please book your flight to arrive into Dabolim Airport, Goa International Airport (airport code GOI). Should you require a different pick-up time or any additional nights at the orientation accommodation, for example if you arrive a day or two early, you can arrange this through the i-to-i office.

Highlights:
* Working to make a difference to children's lives
* Relaxing on the gorgeous beaches
* Getting to know Goa - one of India's friendliest and most relaxed areas
* Soaking in as much sun as humanly possible
* Enjoying the food - Goa is the home of the vindaloo so be warned!

Qualifications: Who is it for?
This is a great trip for anyone who has a genuine love for helping underprivileged children and wants to combine this with a wodnerfully relaxing time on the stunning beaches of Goa. During your two weeks at the projects enthusiasm and energy are a must - but don't worry, you'll have loads of time to recover when chilling out during your second two weeks!

Cost in US$: USD 1,695 for 4 weeks

Experience Required: yes

We will even throw in a free online TEFL course to help you prepare for teaching abroad.

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

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

i-to-i Meaningful Travel's Mission Statement: i-to-i is an award-winning organization providing unique opportunities for you to travel, work and live abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 18 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations and over 50,000 have learned to Teach English as a Foreign Language through our tailor-made TEFL courses. With over 400 projects on 4 continents, you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching, community development, sports coaching, conservation, building or internships in tourism, marketing, journalism, or health.

Year Founded: 1994