South India Team Challenge

  India

Bangalore

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks

Description: Working with a group of friends or colleagues these challenges allow you to make a positive impact as well as getting to experience the amazing and life-changing destination that is India. We have two different sorts of challenges to offer - one is the regeneration of buildings in poor schools to provide places for children to study and develop their reading skills, the other is playing a part in a rural re-forestation scheme aiming to help restore the local environment and play a part in the prevention of local climate change. Whichever challenge you choose you'll have the satisfaction of seeing the fruits of your labour, knowing that even in two weeks you and your friends have made a major contribution to the local community or environment and also had an incredible experience!

If you fancy the experience of a lifetime with a group of friends just give us a call and we can set your challenge up - you only need a minimum of 5 people and in return we can promise and incredible trip in a fascinating part of India!

* Challenge 1: Creating study areas in impoverished schools
A large number of schools in India have crumbling infrastructure, no electricity, no library or computer room. The assignment will be to take a dilapidated school classroom and turn it into a room with a sound learning environment by painting the room, adding furniture, electrifying the room (skilled labour will be used here) and providing at least one computer to the school to keep in the room for the computer education of the students. Please note that part of your fee does also fund the materials required to achieve the challenge at the schools.

Day 1: Sunday
Arrival at Bangalore airport where you will be met and then transfer to your accommodation for the challenge.

Day 2: Monday
Orientation - introducing you to what you will be doing, the challenge location and life in India!

Day 3-6: Tuesday to Friday
Work on the challenge - painting, cleaning, decorating and anything else you decide needs to happen!

Day 7 and 8: Saturday and Sunday
Free time to explore local area and Bangalore, one of India's most diverse cities with modern shopping centres sitting side by side with traditional temples and bustling markets.

Day 9-13: Monday to Friday
Back to the challenge in order to complete all by the end of the week (and be allowed to go home!)

Day 14: Saturday
Return transfer to the airport to catch your flight home

During your time on the challenge there will also be several organised events and excursions including: Bollywood night (a trip to the cinema with the local team), a guided tour of Bangalore's nightlife, classical and contemporary Indian dancing and also yoga sessions!

OR

* Challenge 2: Rural reforestation project
There is little knowledge of climate change and its causes in rural India. The local people have traditional knowledge of how to preserve the environment and its importance, but their land has been degraded over the last few years following India's rapid economic development. The assignment is to join a team of young Indians to select a piece of degraded former forest land and turn an area of degraded former forest into a green and verdant area again though a social, sustainable forestry project. Please note that part of your fee does fund the materials / seedlings etc required to complete the challenge.

Day 1: Sunday
Arrival at Bangalore airport where you will be met and then transfer to your accommodation for the challenge.

Day 2: Monday
Orientation - introducing you to what you will be doing, the challenge location and life in India!

Day 3-6: Tuesday to Friday
Work on the challenge - preparing the land and planting the trees and anything else you decide needs to happen!

Day 7 and 8: Saturday and Sunday
Free time to explore local area and Bangalore, one of India's most diverse cities with modern shopping centres sitting side by side with traditional temples and bustling markets.

Day 9-13: Monday to Friday
Back to the challenge in order to complete all by the end of the week (and be allowed to go home!)

Day 14: Saturday
Return transfer to airport to catch your flight home

During your time on the challenge there will also be several organised events and excursions including: Bollywood night (a trip to the cinema with the local team), a guided tour of Bangalore's nightlife, classical and contemporary Indian dancing and also yoga sessions!

Highlights:
* Challenging yourself ,and your team, to complete the challenge in 2 weeks
* Learning about life in India and gaining an insight into her fascinating and varied culture
* Making a tangible difference to the project you work with

Qualifications: Skills required:
General fitness and a willingness to get stuck in.

Cost in US$: USD 1975.00 for 2 weeks

* Accommodation: Shared accommodation in dorm or shared room
* Food: Three meals a day
* 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 24hr emergency support

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 17-80

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to India in Groups

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