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Volunteer opportunities in INDIA


Rural development, environmental protection and work with children on the west coast of Karnataka
       Kundapur          June 9 - June 22, 2008
       Kundapur          July 14 - July 27, 2008
       Kundapur          August 11 - August 24, 2008
       Kundapur          September 8 - September 21, 2008
       Kundapur          February 2 - February 15, 2009
       Kundapur          March 9 - March 21, 2009

Volunteer project: Kundapur is a town situated on the west coast of Karnataka near the beach, and very close to the Western Ghats (a mountain ridge). The Western Ghats is India's prime zone for bio-diversity, known for the number of animal and plant species in this region. International volunteer projects have been running for many years in this region and there is now a very strong network of local partners and local volunteers. Volunteers have cooperated with a large number of schools, orphanages, institutions for special education and the local authorities to develop projects that are meaningful for the development of this rural town.

The international workcamp will focus on rural development, environmental protection and children. The volunteers will spread awareness about environmental protection and solid waste management to schoolchildren. They will also be involved in activities such as creative education and basic English teaching through games and songs with the children from the local schools, including disabled kids (physically and/or mentally). The work might include some physical work for the renovation and betterment of the schools (painting, building playground, etc.).

Language: English

Accommodation: At the project home base, in shared rooms.

Location: Kundapur is situated 100 km north of the city of Mangalore, 300 km from Panjim (Goa), and 450 km from Bangalore. Kundapur is accessible by bus/train from Mangalore, Bangalore, Panjim (Goa), and Mumbai. There are international and domestic airports in Bangalore, Goa, and Mumbai.

Age range: 18 and over

Extra fee: 7,500 Indian Rupees (about $175 US)
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 


 

Support for children and elderly people in isolated mountainous villages in Tamil Nadu state
       Yercaud          September 1 - September 14, 2008
       Yercaud          January 5 - January 18, 2009
       Yercaud          March 2 - March 15, 2009

Volunteer project: Yercaud is a beautiful hill station in the state of Tamil Nadu with a fantastic landscape - surrounded by coffee and tea plantations.

The volunteer project is organized in cooperation with local NGOs to support local children, old aged people, and the local community. Volunteers will be working together on building a more peaceful and working environment. The work will be in villages in the beautiful mountains, isolated from the rest of the world.

Language: English

Accommodation: In a guesthouse, in shared rooms.

Location: Yercaud, Tamil Nadu, 30 km from Salem town, South of Bangalore. Accessible only by bus from Chennai (Madras), Bangalore and other small towns in Tamil Nadu.

Age range: 18 and over

Extra fee: 7,500 Indian Rupees (about $175 US)
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 

 

Help open a shelter for children and old people in a poor rural area
       Pondicherry          July 7 - July 20, 2008
       Pondicherry          September 1 - September 14, 2008

Volunteer project: Pondicherry, one of the former French Colonies, is located on the East Coast of India. It is one of the most tourist places in the region and has a lot to offer to the visitor. Its laidback atmosphere and amazing beaches give it a very distinctive touch. It is also a prime location for learning yoga and meditation in one of its many ashrams. It is also the home of Auroville, a famous international community created by the Guru Sri Auro Bindo.

The volunteer project is organized in cooperation with an active local NGO in the field of rural development, education, women and minorities empowerment. In the past years many schools and villages have benefited from the work done by international volunteers, including in the Tsunami-hit regions. A home base will be opened in a village 10 km from the city, which will become a shelter for children and old aged people in an effort to support the poorer sections of the population in the district. The volunteers will be involved in various activities ranging from manual work at the center, creative and entertainment activities in schools and kindergartens and spreading awareness on issues related to education, environment protection, health and hygiene. The idea is to tackle the burning issues that the rural populations are facing in many ways.

Language: English

Accommodation: At the center, in shared rooms.

Location: Pondicherry is located approx. 200 km south from Chennai (Madras), Tamil Nadu State (East Coast). Pondicherry is accessible from Chennai and Bangalore by direct bus from both cities. There are domestic and international airports in Bangalore and Chennai.

Age range: 18 and over

Extra fee: 7,500 Indian Rupees (about $175 US)
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 

Protection of a cultural heritage site of Hindu kingdom of the Vijayanagar Empire
       Hampi         June 2 - June 15, 2008
       Hampi         October 20 - November 2, 2008

Volunteer project: Located in the central part of the state of Karnataka, in the southern part of India, Hampi is definitely one of the most interesting travel destinations on the map of India. It is famous for its ruins belonging to the erstwhile medieval Hindu kingdom of Vijayanagar, now declared a World Heritage site. The temples of Hampi, its monolithic sculptures and monuments are breathtaking. The Hindu style of architecture found at Hampi speaks of the splendor of the Vijayanagar Empire.

The volunteer projects in Hampi will concentrate on the protection of the cultural heritage site and on creating awareness among the locals and the tourists. Trees and plants will be planted and grown, thereby converting dry areas into beautiful spots. This will include physical work and will require a lot of creativity and motivation from the volunteers to convey the message.

Language: English

Accommodation: At a guesthouse, in shared rooms.

Location: Hampi, North Karnataka, 350 km from Bangalore, and 13 km from Hospet.
Hampi Bazaar (full name of the village) is accessible by bus from Bangalore and Goa. The nearest train station is in Hospet (13 km). The nearest international airports are Goa, Bangalore and Mumbai.

Age range: 18 and over

Extra fee: 10,000 Indian Rupees (about $260 US)
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 


 

Various community service projects in rural and urban Bangalore
       Bangalore          May 12 - May 25, 2008
       Bangalore          August 4 - August 17, 2008
       Bangalore          November 3 - November 16, 2008

Volunteer project: In this project, volunteers will work along with different organizations involved in the development of the underprivileged. The slum reality is a big issue in the entire country; the aim is to spread awareness among the people and to give them more instruments to feel confident and free to decide for their future, and for the future of a new generation. The mission of this project is to:
1. Organize a multi-purpose project to involve the community and sensitize local people about the Health & Hygiene problems.
2. Educate the children to build a better and more conscious society.
3. Spread awareness on Women rights issues and social welfare.
4. Environmental issues.
5. First Aid/ CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) Training.
6. Working with other NGOs in community service projects.

The schedule and the focus of the project will be adapted to the season, the possibilities and the needs at the moment, with the aim to improve the achievements in a long-term view.

Language: English

Accommodation: At the project home base, in shared rooms.

Location: Bangalore rural & urban, South India. Bangalore is accessible by air, domestic and some international airlines fly directly to Bangalore International Airport. Trains and buses operate on an everyday basis from almost all major towns/cities in South India.

Age range: 18 and over

Extra fee: 7,500 Indian Rupees (about $175 US)
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 

 


 

Social and health awareness activities with kids from the slums of Chennai
       Chennai          June 2 - June 15, 2008
       Chennai          August 11 - August 24, 2008
       Chennai          October 6 - October 19, 2008

Volunteer project: Chennai is a large commercial and industrial centre, and is known for its cultural heritage and temple architecture. Chennai is the automobile capital of India, with around forty percent of the automobile industry having a base there and with a major portion of the nation's vehicles being produced there. Chennai is also referred to as the Detroit of South Asia. It is a major manufacturing centre. Chennai has also become a major center for outsourced IT and financial services from the Western world.

The volunteers will be teaching the slum kids in the non-formal school, will do house visits and meet slum people, giving information and raising awareness about health, education and hygiene. The volunteers can also take the children out in the city e.g. for picnics, providing exposure visits and city walks.

Language: English

Accommodation: In the project campus / public lodges.

Location: Chennai is reachable by air from all over the world and by train from main cities of India like Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi and Calcutta.

Age range: 18 and over

Extra fee: 7,500 Indian Rupees (about $175 US)
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 

 

"Have fun while you learn" - unique educational project for orphaned and street children in Bangalore City
       Bangalore          June 2 - June 15, 2008
       Bangalore          January 5 - January 18, 2009

Volunteer project: Starting with the belief that our future society will be developed by the children of today, our dream is to give enough opportunities and confidence to the slum & street children to see them one day as responsible citizens of the future. With the ideas and creativity of hundreds of past volunteers in India, the "Sunrise Model of Education" was developed. It is a method of effective teaching which is practical and fun to use.
The Sunrise model was designed as a helping structure to teaching anyone who has never been to school or attended any kind of formal education. To teach a person who has never been educated in his/her life is going to be difficult, and the Sunrise Model also summarizes 12 years of conventional education with one basic structure.

The volunteers will be teaching English & Creative Education in a self-chosen fashion to the local children at a primary school, as well as at center premises during & after school activities. Developing lesson plans and ideas in the group and passing this information through for future volunteers is part of the plan to create follow-up and long-term improvements in an educational model created with the help of hundreds of volunteers.

"Have fun while you learn" is the concept of this unique project developed exclusively for orphaned and street children. Entertainment with Education is the method of the project. The volunteers will be taking the children out on a one-day picnic in an effort to bring some entertainment into their lives. Apart from just play and fun, the children will be also visiting places of various vocational centers like bio-farms, parks, nature clubs, museums, etc., so that they can form ideas in their young minds which would later evolve as they grow up to what careers they can take up in their lives. This will also bring consciousness about the environment and the planet they are living on.

Special requirements: You have to love children, as you will be surrounded with loads of them every day. No prior experience in teaching is required, but appreciated.

Language: English

Accommodation: At the project home base, in shared rooms.

Location: Bangalore City, South India. Bangalore is accessible by air, domestic and some international airlines fly directly to Bangalore International Airport. Trains and buses operate on an everyday basis from almost all major towns/cities in South India.

Age range: 18 and over

Extra fee: 7,500 Indian Rupees (about $175 US)
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 

 

Raising awareness on HIV/AIDS and STD through education and arts
       Goa          June 9 - June 22, 2008
       Goa          September 15 - September 28, 2008
       Goa          November 10 - November 23, 2008

Volunteer project: Situated on the west coast (Arabian Sea), lies this small touristic state of India. Goa was the former Portuguese colony in India, one of India's most cherished and prominent places for travelers since many years for its remarkable palm-fringed beaches; a travelers paradise. But Goa is also known to be a high-risk zone for HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases due to a high rate of sexual tourism. To tackle the problem of the rapid spread of these diseases, awareness program has been conducted all throughout the state for several years with a local group of specialists. This year again several volunteer workcamps will be conducted.

In the first week of the project, the volunteers will be given a training on the topics HIV/AIDS, STDs, and counseling. Using the information that was given in the training, they will visit local schools and conduct lectures. Furthermore to reach out to the general public, the group of volunteers will create a Street Theatre Play that will be performed in public places. In 2005 the international volunteers, with their own creativity, efforts and motivation created a play that won the first prize in the state theatre competition.

Language: English

Accommodation: Shared rooms at a guesthouse in Panjim.

Location: Panjim city, in Goa State. Panjim is the capital of the state of Goa. Panjim is accessible by air, domestic and some international airlines fly directly to Panjim Airport. The nearest international airports are Mumbai and Bangalore. Trains and buses operate on a daily basis from Bombay and Bangalore.

Age range: 18 and over

Extra fee: 10,000 Indian Rupees (about $260 US)
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 

 

Rainwater harvesting and awareness projects in a rural area in South India
       Moodabidri          June 16 - June 29, 2008
       Moodabidri          July 14 - July 27, 2008
       Moodabidri          October 6 - October 19, 2008
       Moodabidri          November 10 - November 23, 2008
       Moodabidri          February 9 - February 22, 2009

Volunteer project: Moodabidri is a small town situated 40 km from Mangalore coast in south India. It has a wonderful history of the jain community and has one of the most interesting jain temples in the region, one of them being the famous 1000 pillar temple. The area is an agricultural settlement and the region grows paddy, coconuts, arecanuts, black pepper, vanilla, exotic varieties of mangoes, exotic varieties of bananas and the famous tasty cashew nuts. Over a period of time the region has been facing a lot of water shortage and the region now is facing a receding agriculture practice as a result of the shortage of water.

Year 2003 was the beginning of an initiative to implement rainwater harvesting awareness programmes in the form of trying to set up a rainwater harvesting model in the region. Several volunteer projects were organized with the rainwater harvesting theme, and almost successfully completed such model in one of the villages of Moodabidri. Volunteers who participated in the workcamp dug hundreds of trenches to
stand the water so that it percolates into the soil and increases the water table of the surrounding area/region.

International volunteer groups this year will continue the same project, along with the idea of having awareness programmes in schools in the region. The volunteers will be mostly involved in physical work at the rainwater harvesting projects and will also participate in creative activities in the neighbouring schools to revive the dying wisdom of rainwater harvesting.

Language: English

Location: Moodabidri, west coast of Karnataka, South India. Accessible by bus from Bangalore, Mangalore, Goa, Mumbai. Bangalore, Mumbai and Panjim (Goa) are international airports.

Accommodation: In host families, hostels, hotels or dormitories.

Age range: 18 and over

Extra fee: 7,500 Indian Rupees (about $175 US)
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.

 

Organizing entertainment activities for street and orphaned kids in Calcutta
       Calcutta          June 16 - June 29, 2008
       Calcutta          November 3 - November 16, 2008
       Calcutta          December 8 - December 21, 2008
       Calcutta          February 2 - February 15, 2009
       Calcutta          April 6 - April 19, 2009

Volunteer project: A city of Joy and Love, Grandeur and Glory... Kolkata alias Calcutta is full of life and bustle, verging on the chaotic as traditional occupations rub shoulders with ultra modern industries. Kolkata is India's second largest city, the capital of West Bengal and formerly, the capital of British India (1772-1912); it is a city with a great deal of charm - its imperial monuments, strong cultural and religious flavour.

However it is also suffering from a terrible lack of hygiene, illiteracy and unemployment are rampant, and the first to suffer from these poor living conditions are the children. In an effort to bring a bit of joy back to the faces of the street and orphan children of Calcutta, international group of volunteers together with local NGOs in Mumbai will conduct a Happy Hearts Workcamp: it will consist of a series of “Happy Hearts” Sessions in which the group of volunteers will organise activities to entertain and open the minds of the children to the outside world. It might also consist in taking them out on a one day picnic or visit of local attractions.

Language: English

Accommodation: In a guesthouse, in shared rooms.

Location: Calcutta, West Bengal. Accessible by air; Kolkata has a domestic and an international airport. Trains and buses operate on a daily basis from many major towns/cities in India.

Age range: 18 and over

Extra fee: 7,500 Indian Rupees (about $175 US)
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 

 

Learn about Tibetan culture, support a local school and hike in the Great Himalayan National Park
       Dharamsala/Sairopa         July 7 - July 27, 2008
       Dharamsala/Sairopa         October 20 - November 9, 2008

Volunteer project: Valleys of the Himalayas - where the heaven meets the earth. This small paradise is home to the Dalai Lama and to a significant Tibetan settlement in India. Dharamsala is set in the backdrop of the snow-clad peaks of Dhauladhar Mountains. It is the capital of the Tibetan Government in exile and the residence of the Dalai Lama.

In the first two weeks of the project, the volunteers will get the opportunity to learn about the Tibetan culture and the different issues related to the exile of its people and the re-settlement in India. There will be cultural activities and exchange with the Tibetan Youth with the support of the Tibetan Welfare Office. The project will also include an awareness campaign for the protection of the environment and solid waste management in cooperation with the Forest Department of Himachal Pradesh. Furthermore, the volunteers will support a local school in need with simple renovation work and interaction with the children (Indian children).
Finally, the last and third week of the project will include an environmental trek in Sai Ropa, Kullu Valley, and the Great Himalayan National Park for 5 to 6 days, with professional guides.

Language: English

Accommodation: At a guesthouse, in shared rooms.

Location: Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, North India, 300 km north of Delhi.
Dharamsala is accessible by bus on a daily basis from New Delhi and other smaller cities of North India. The nearest train stations are Pathankot and Kangra Mandir. Delhi is the nearest international airport.

Age range: 18 and over

Extra fee: 15,000 Indian Rupees (about $350 US)
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 

 

Renovation of schools and children's playgrounds in Pune
       Pune          July 7 - July 20, 2008
       Pune          September 8 - September 21, 2008
       Pune          October 13 - October 26, 2008

Volunteer project: Pune may not be a cosmopolitan city as Mumbai is, but it is a pleasant getaway for all those who want to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Pune has a calm atmosphere, non-confronting people, and is certainly much more relaxed and peaceful than Mumbai. If you consider Maharashtra as a Marathi speaking state of India, then Pune can undoubtedly be called its capital, with its glorious past and high concentration of Marathi speaking people. Pune is also an internationally renowned educational center, being home to many institutions of repute like Film and Television Institute of India, Armed Forces Medical College, National Defence Academy and Symbiosis Educational Society.

Several schools in Pune need to be upgraded in terms of renovation. Blackboards, the main medium for communication between a teacher and the pupils need to be put in place in several schools. Imparting education to eager children is an extremely rewarding and fruitful challenge. Schools, which for the past fifty years haven't seen a fresh coat of paint, are being helped along the way. Volunteers will actively involve in sharing knowledge with hungry children. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy goes the saying. Several children haven't seen playground furniture such as slides, jungle gyms, etc. Volunteers will help install these at various playgrounds so that children get to release their bubbling cauldron of pent-up energies.

Language: English

Accommodation: In a guesthouse, in shared rooms.

Location: Pune is accessible by air with domestic airlines and all international airlines fly directly to Mumbai International Airport. Trains and buses operate on an daily basis from almost all major towns/cities in India.

Age range: 18 and over

Extra fee: 7,500 Indian Rupees (about $175 US)
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 

 

Ayurveda and Yoga experience
       Kerala          July 14 - July 27, 2008
       Kerala          November 17 - December 7, 2008
       Kerala          January 12 - January 31, 2009

Volunteer project: Ayurveda is the 5000 years old Indian health care system, widely practiced with the times. "Ayur" in Sanskrit means "life", "Veda" means "science". It is a perfect Science of health and longevity. This holistic science is the knowledge of complete balance of the body, mind and spirit, including the emotions and psychology, on all levels. It includes in its consideration, longevity, rejuvenation and self-realization therapies through herbs, diet, exercise, yoga, massage, aromas, tantras, mantras, and meditation. According to Ayurvedic tradition, health is the balance of elements air, earth, fire, and water, and illness is an excess or deficiency of any particular element. Ayurveda treats illness at its source, rather than at the level of symptoms, and helps an individual to take responsibility for their own health and well being. Ayurveda is also known as 'Ashtanga Veda' (the word literally means 'Eight branches of knowledge') as it is divided into eight specialized branches.

Yoga is a complete science of life that originated in India several thousands of years ago. It is the oldest system of personal development in the world, encompassing the entire body, mind and spirit. It is the union between a person's own consciousness and the universal consciousness. The classical techniques of Yoga date back more than 5,000 years. The word Yoga means "to join or yoke together," and it brings the body and mind together into one harmonious experience.

The volunteers will be learning the Basics of Yoga and Ayurveda in these two weeks of the project. Every day, there will be topics covered by the professional master (the person in charge of yoga and ayurveda classes), which will be practiced by the volunteers. Yoga will be practiced every day. Apart from that, volunteers will also help at the herbal garden and the nearby school.

Language: English

Accommodation: At the project home base, in shared rooms.

Location: Kerala, South India. Trains and buses operate on an everyday basis from almost all major towns/cities in South India.

Age range: 18 and over

Extra fee: 15,000 Indian Rupees (about $350 US)
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 

 

Providing support for rural schools and villages in Karnataka
      
Bantwal Cross Road          August 4 - August 17, 2008

Volunteer project: B.C. Road (Bantwal Cross Road) is situated 22 km from the Mangalore coast in south India. It has been recently identified through the support of the long term volunteering division that there is a huge need of volunteers to provide support in the rural schools and in the village.

The volunteers will be involved in various activities ranging from manual work in the village, creative and entertainment activities in schools and kindergartens and spreading awareness on issues related to education, environment protection, health and hygiene.

Language: English

Accommodation: In host families, hostels, hotels or dormitories.

Location: B.C. Road (Bantwal Cross Road), Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka, South India

Age range: 18 and over

Extra fee: 7,500 Indian Rupees (about $175 US)
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 

 

Rural development projects in the scenic region of Coorg
       Coorg          August 4 - August 17, 2008
       Coorg          April 6 - April 19, 2009

Volunteer project: Coorg or Kodagu (originally called Kodaimalenadu) means “dense forest on a steep hill”. It is a rural district located near the city of Mysore (Karnataka State) amongst a scenery of misty hills, lush forest, acres and acres of tea and coffee plantation, orange groves, undulating streets and breathtaking views.

The international volunteer projects in Coorg will focus on environmental protection, re-forestation, greening Asia projects, working along with different NGOs to spread health and hygiene awareness among the tribal villages, and working together for the local schools in teaching English, building playgrounds, and assisting various underprivileged schools. The activities will vary and will always involve some manual work.
This is one of the most beautiful places in India, completely surrounded by nature!

Language: English

Accommodation: At the project home base, in shared rooms.

Location: In several villages (Guntikopa, Ponnampet, Madikeri), District of Kodagu (Coorg), Karnataka State. Coorg is accessible from Mysore, Bangalore or Mangalore by bus. Bangalore has an international airport.

Age range: 18 and over

Extra fee: 7,500 Indian Rupees (about $175 US)
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 

 

Creative educational and awareness activities in rural communities around Chickmangalore
      
Chickmangalore          August 11 - August 24, 2008
       Chickmangalore          November 10 - November 23, 2008
       Chickmangalore          April 6 - April 19, 2009

Volunteer project: Chickmangalore is situated in the beautiful Kodagu region of Karnataka. It is one of the largest coffee producing regions of the state and boasts of the most extraordinary and hypnotizing landscapes in the region. Chickmangalore is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Karnataka and has one of the very interesting communities with their very own historical background.

The international volunteer project will be focused on rural development projects in small villages around Chickmangalore which have a need of creative educational support and general awareness in the areas of rainwater harvesting, organic farming and health and hygiene in the low farmland holding families of the region. During the project volunteers can visit the coffee plantations and also take a walk/trek in the reserve forests. The volunteers will be involved in various activities ranging from physical work at the center, creative and entertainment activities in schools and kindergartens, and raising awareness on issues related to education, environment protection, health and hygiene.

Language: English

Accommodation: In host families, hostels, hotels or dormitories.

Location: Chickmangalore, Karnataka, South India

Age range: 18 and over

Extra fee: 7,500 Indian Rupees (about $175 US)
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 

 

Various community development projects in Ahmedabad
       Ahmedabad          August 18 - August 31, 2008
       Ahmedabad          September 15 - September 28, 2008
       Ahmedabad          December 8 - December 21, 2008

Volunteer project: Ahmedabad or Ahmadabad is the largest city in Gujarat and the sixth largest city in India with a population of almost 5 million. The city is also sometimes called Karnavati, an older name and also Amdavad in colloquial Gujarati. Ahmedabad is the administrative center of Ahmedabad District, and was the former capital of Gujarat State from 1960 to 1970, when Gandhinagar replaced it.
In addition to its role as a commercial center, Ahmedabad is also an important industrial center, with chemical and textile industries. Ahmedabad is often described as the Manchester of the East, because of its once-booming textile industry. Ahmedabad is a very beautiful city. It is located on the banks of the River Sabarmati at an elevation of 55 meters (180 ft).

The project activities will be in rural development and teaching to the rural kids and their families health and social awareness, water harvesting, and learning about local festivals in that region.

Language: English

Accommodation: In a youth hostel in shared rooms.

Location: Ahmedabad, state of Gujarat. Domestic and International Airport: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Ahmedabad is well connected with rails and roads. The Ahmedabad railway station holds as a junction with railway lines emerging towards Mumbai, Delhi, Saurashtra and Kutch.

Age range: 18 and over

Extra fee: 7,500 Indian Rupees (about $175 US)
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 

 

Support an orphanage in a tribal dominated area in Orissa
       Orissa          September 1 - September 14, 2008
       Orissa          October 13 - October 26, 2008
       Orissa          November 3 - November 16, 2008
       Orissa          December 1 - December 14, 2008
       Orissa          March 2 - March 15, 2009

Volunteer project: Although the state of Orissa is famous for its beautiful beaches, immense natural beauty and historic attractions, it is still one of the most underdeveloped states in India. More than half of its population lives under the poverty line and the illiteracy rate is alarming.

The volunteer project is intended to support a local orphanage in the district of Kalahandi, a tribal dominated area and is aiming at providing more facilities and a better accommodation and shelter to the local children. In this project, volunteers will help with the painting and building of toilets and bathrooms, playground items and other facilities. The group should also be ready to take care of the children and organise creative and entertainment activities with the children of the orphanage.

Language: English

Accommodation: At the orphanage, dormitory style.

Location: Muniguda is a small village, 40 km from Rayagada, the capital of Rayagada district, in Orissa State.
Muniguda is accessible by train and bus from Bhubaneshwar, Vishakapatnam, Kolkata (Calcutta), Delhi, Chennai (Madras) and Bangalore. The nearest international and domestic airport is Kolkata (Calcutta).

Age range: 18 and over

Extra fee: 7,500 Indian Rupees (about $175 US)
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 


 

Marine turtle protection project on the west coast of Karnataka
       Kundapur          October 13 - October 26, 2008
       Kundapur          November 17 - November 30, 2008
       Kundapur          December 8 - December 21, 2008

Volunteer project: Kundapur is a town situated on the west coast of Karnataka near the beach, and very close to the Western Ghats (a mountain ridge). The Western Ghats is India's prime zone for bio-diversity, known for its number of animal and plant species in this region. A Marine Turtle protection project has been started here in co-operation with the Forest Department of the State of Karnataka. Over a 60-kilometer stretch of beach, surveys have been conducted and protection of the turtle nests has taken place until the hatching of the eggs. In 2005, more than 500 baby turtles reached the ocean safely thanks to the efforts of international volunteers. The workcamps will also focus on spreading awareness to the general public and to the schools about the importance of turtles in the bio-diversity.

Language: English

Accommodation: Will be at the project home base, in shared rooms.

Location: Kundapur is situated 100 km north of the city of Mangalore, 300 km from Panjim (Goa), and 450 km from Bangalore.
Kundapur is accessible by bus/train from Mangalore, Bangalore, Panjim (Goa), and Mumbai. There are international and domestic airports in Bangalore, Goa, and Mumbai.

Age range: 18 and over

Extra fee: 10,000 Indian Rupees (about $260 US)
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 


 


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