Help Children and Adults with Special Needs in Kerala, India

  India

Kerala

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks

Description: As a volunteer at a school for children and young adults with special needs, you will be surrounded by truly unique individuals who would love to teach you all about feeling special. You will be helping the teachers lead a number of activities including dramatics, arts and crafts, movement therapy, physical management and occupational therapy. You will gain great classroom experience and meet some amazing people, all while becoming a part of a friendly and fun South Indian community.

* What the project does and why it needs you?

The Society for the care of children with Special Needs is a charitable society founded in 1985. It is community based organisation, dedicated to serving mentally or physically challenged children and young adults. At present the charity provides three separate services: a clinic for zero to three year olds, a special school for four to 18 year olds and a vocational training centre for 18 year olds and above. Altogether just under 200 individuals currently benefit from these services. The aim of the charity is to help develop the capacity of individuals with special needs and the project needs volunteers to help run the day to day programs and provide love and care for all concerned.

Highlights:
* Giving your all to help the staff and students at this inspirational centre
* Relaxing into the Indian way of life - a fantastic experience
* Exploring this stunning coastal state - beaches, backwaters and phenomenally friendly people

Qualifications: Who is it for?
This project is great for anyone interested in working with people with special needs.

What you'll be doing:
You will help out in any one of the three service areas. Your daily activities will vary depending on the age group. For the younger children, you may be helping with feeding, motor control, reading aloud and singing. For the older children and adults, you may be helping with studying, computing or arts and crafts. You may also get involved in providing occupational and physical therapy. You will be working from 9.30am to 3.30pm Monday to Friday.

Cost in US$: USD 1260.00 for 2 weeks, USD 220.00 for every week thereafter

* Accommodation: Shared room in guesthouse / volunteer house.
* Food: All meals
* Airport Pickup: Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you're arriving early!
* Training: In-country orientation
* Support: Pre-departure helpdesk, local in-country team and 24 hour emergency support

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18-80

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to India Independently

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