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Program

Our volunteering programmes offer the unique chance of living and working in India to students already in possession of an intermediate level of English

Seize the opportunity to live an entirely different cultural experience, all while improving your English in a professional context. Thanks to this volunteering programme, you'll be able to contribute to Indian society and explore their extraordinary culture.

• Work experience abroad: an advantage for your CV

Having experience working abroad in an entirely different cultural context would be greatly appreciated by future employers. Moreover, you will improve your English skills in a professional context, which is a valuable asset.

• Living and working in India: a challenge?

Our local partner organisation offers very professional support and will be the key to success during your time working in India. You will have access to constant support which will guarantee a successful involvement in our programmes.

Beyond the fact that we have the experience of finding volunteer work and internships, we can also help you in terms of your English lessons, your accommodation, cultural activities and excursions, all of which would allow you to relax and make the most of your time in India.

Destination

India: the country of infinite contrasts where ancient monuments and modern technologies mingle. Throughout its long and rich history, India has been blessed with many architectural wonders, such as the famous Taj Mahal, but also the numerous temples and royal palaces.

Explore such mythical, fantastic locations as the Himalayan range, luxurious tropical plantlife, the Gange - the sacred river where faithful Hindus purify themselves - or the paradise beaches. This vast territory, where the Bengal tiger hides out in secret, is also a welcoming land for thousands of human beings who are, today, in need of reforming their social structures and modernising. Its cinematographic industry is evidence of an incredible dynamism and a great capacity for innovation.

Whether you're on a spiritual quest, or looking to expand your knowledge, India will offer you everything you need.

Volunteer

Our volunteer programmes last 2 to 4 weeks, at Jaipur or Goa, depending on the chosen formula.

We can provide you with more detailed information on a particular project if you wish - please don't hesitate to contact us.

Volunteers work every day Monday to Friday, in the sectors mentioned below.
On arrival, you will enjoy two days of orientation. This will allow you to meet othervolunteers and local workers, and redefine your mission to learn about the different areas.

Warning: it is sometimes difficult to guarantee a particular volunteer project. We therefore ask you to choose three projects in order of preference at registration and do our best to fulfill your requests.

Jaipur

• Teaching: Improve education conditions for the poorer people; renovate classrooms
• Inform young people and families about education: Prepare campaigns in favour of education but also on issues of sanitation and health; meet families; organise activities for children
• Special needs in education: Bring happiness, affection, and education to children with mental or physical disabilities in specialised centres
• Feminine integration: Improve the self-esteem and self-image of Indian women; help them to feel more independent teaching themselves English or how to use a computer, for example
• Helping at an orphanage: entertain the children and give English lessons at an orphanage
  
  

Goa

• Environmental preservation: work in a national park or in a nature reserve in order to preserve the flora and fauna.
• Assistance in a youth center (0-7 years): Organize interactive games, prepare meals for children, taking care of children in general
  
• Save the turtles: guide the turtles to the sea; go on night patrols; prepare conservation campaigns
  
• Education: Educating disadvantaged people (children and parents), you will reach them English, math, or you are preparing activities for the development of creativity. Your role will be to make school more attractive to young people and to raise awareness for hygiene.
  
• Computer awareness: Provide computer training to young people (in the orphanage, local women's groups, youth ...)
  
• Working in the AIDS prevention center: Supporting and advising people with the virus, prepare prevention campaigns, answering questions from people
  
• Work in special schools for young people with mental disabilities: Helping young people to do their duty, organize fun activities and games, make families aware of young people that have specific needs.
  

Programme organisation

You can choose between two different options:

Regular program:
This program focuses on the volunteer program as described:

Day 1: Arrival in the intended region, plus transfers
Day 2: Orientation day & project presentation (3 meals incl.)
Day 3: Visit to your place of work (3 meals incl.)
Day 4 - 27: Volunteering begins, lasting until the last day of your project (3 meals incl.)
Day 28: Transfer to the airport (breakfast incl.)

Weekends are free. Our partner organises cultural workshops so that our volunteers can benefit from the most complete immersion possible: yoga, Indian cuisine, henna painting, Bollywood dancing...

Deluxe program:

n addition to "regular program", the deluxe program offers cultural workshops that allow our volunteers to benefit from the fullest possible immersion: yoga, Indian food, Henna paint, Bollywood dancing.
Sample program for a deluxe stay program in Goa :

Day 1: Arrival at Mumbai airport - Transfer to the hotel (no meals included)

Day 2: Drive to Lonavla - Overnight (3 meals included)

Day 3- 4: Day hiking, overnight in an Indian village and transfer to Goa (3 meals included)

Day 5: Arrive Goa in the morning - Welcome drink (3 meals included)

Day 6 - 7: Yoga and Meditation - free time (3 meals included)

Day 8: Orientation Day and presentation of the project (3 meals included)

Day 9: Visit the workplace and presentation of other volunteers (three meals included)

Day 10 - 26: Beginning of the period of voluntary until the last day of the project (3meals included)

The weekend trips - relaxation will be provided during all the duration of volunteering.

Day 27: Departure in the afternoon for Mumbai (3 meals included)

Day 28: Arrive Mumbai - Transfer to the airport at your expense (breakfast included)

Transport from your accommodation to the internship is included in the program. Please note that the transfer to go from the airport is included if you arrive at the nearest airport. A supplement will be asked if you are arriving from another airport. Return transfer is not included.

Accommodation

Participants stay in houses belonging to our partner organisation. Participants will share the house with other volunteers in a safe and pleasant location, a common site of cultural exchanges. Usually there are 4 volunteers per room.

Full board is included for all programmes except on the days of arrival and departure.

Before leaving

Before setting off, you will receive all the necessary information concerning your stay, so you will then be able to ask any question that comes to mind and share any and all of your worries.

Pre-requisites

In order to participate in this programme, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have a minimum level of English. Volunteers must be able to communicate with the local population.
• Indicate your first, second and third choices of project
• Be flexible and able to take initiative.
• Be capable of committing to your selected programme's minimum duration.

Indian Experience

The "Indian Experience" programme has been specially devised to allow you to travel to India while participating in a volunteering scheme, all for a period of 4 weeks.

In brief, this programme gives you the opportunity to:

• Visit historical monuments such as the Taj-Mahal
• Participate in cultural workshops and learn yoga, Indian cuisine, henna painting or Bollywood dancing
• Go camel-trekking with a night spent camping in the desert
• Participate in different volunteering missions
  
  

Accommodation & board

This programme is destined for committed backpackers. Nights will not necessarily be spent in total comfort (hotels, trains, desert camps, or volunteer camps) and travel will be mainly by train, bus, or local transport. Not for the faint-hearted!

Breakfast is included every day and dinner can sometimes be offered on rare occasions. But in any case it is necessary to account for a food budget.

Itinerary

Day 1 (Friday): Arrival in Delhi
Day 2: Visit Delhi and the different cultural symbols of India
Day 3: 6 hour drive to Agra and a visit to the Taj Mahal (optional)
Day 4: 6 hour drive to Jaipur. Free time.
Day 5: A day in Jaipur: Elephant walk (optional), bicycle tour, and shopping at the town's Bazaars
Day 6: This day can be planned in respect to Indian cultural workshops (Bollywood dancing, henna painting)
Day 7: 4 hour drive to Pushkar. Camel trek in the dessert and local villages. Night camping in the desert.
Day 8: Return to Pushkar and visit the main points of interest (coloured markets, temples). Night train to Himachal
Day 9: Transfer from Himachal to the volunteer camp. Staff introductions
Day 10: Free day in Hamachal
Day 11: Morning: Yoga class / Afternoon: presentation of project and the different volunteering options / Evening: Indian cuisine classes
Days 12 - 16: Yoga classes in the morning followed by volunteer work / Evening: Indian cuisine classes
Day 17: Free day in Himachal / Night train to Delhi
Day 18: Free day in Delhi / Night train to Goa
Day 19: Travel to Goa
Day 20: Arrival in Goa and a transfer to Volva/Majorda
Days 21 - 25: Volunteer work in the morning / Afternoons free to make the most of Goa's famous beaches
Days 26 & 27: Free days
Day 28 (Thursday): Transfer to Goa airport - Return flight

Participants interested in this programme for a shorter period can leave for just 9 days (without volunteer programme) or for 19 days. Please contact us for more information.

Pre-requisites

In order to participate in this programme, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have an intermediate level of English.
• Be flexible, open-minded and able to take initiative.
• Be capable of committing to your selected programme's minimum duration.

Prices & Dates

Dates 2012

Volunteer programmes must begin on specific dates. These can vary according to the region and the volunteer mission. We encourage you to contact us to discuss your individual plans, that we can see together what kind of dates would suit you best.

It is recommended to start the first Monday of the month and to arrive the Sunday before the program starts.

The "Indian Experience" programme can begin on the following dates:

20/01 - 17 /02 - 16/03 - 13/04 - 11/05 - 8/06 - 6/07 - 3/08 - 31/08 - 28/09 - 26/10 - 23/11 - 21/12

Volunteer program:

The prices include:

• Accommodation as described
  
• Placement in the selected programme
• Enrolment and administration fees
• Airport transfer on arrival, from Goa or Jaipur
• Full board
• Assistance service 24 hours a day

Prices do not include:

• Insurance
• Flights
• Return transfer

Indian Experience:The prices include:

• Return transfers
• Accommodation in a hotel or campsite
• Breakfasts and 4 evening meals
• Cultural Indian workshops
• An English-speaking guide
• All materials for activities or work experience
• Quality transport: night sleeper trains
• Different excursions mentioned
• Administration and enrolment fees

They do not include:

• Optional insurance
• Any optional activities
• Transport to & within the particular towns/cities
• Midday meals and most evening meals
  
  

Practical Info

Transport

• Volunteer programme: Jaipur or Goa airport depending on project
• Indian Experience programme: Arrival: Delhi Airport / Departure: Goa Airport

If you prefer, we can book your flights for you. Please make this clear when you enrol.

Visa Information

You will need to apply for a tourist visa from your local Indian Embassy in order to volunteer in India. In general, your Indian Embassy will provide you with a visa valid for 6 months.

Please note that a tourist visa is neither exchangeable nor renewable in India. Moreover, each subsequent visit to India with a tourist visa must be separated by 2 months. Exemptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

However, you must wait 1 month after the date of your final departure from Indian territory before you can apply for a new tourist visa.