Description

What does the project do?

Mumbai is known as the capital of Maharashtra and lies on the western coast of India among a group of 7 islands. It has grown rapidly both in terms of population and wealth and is now a major cosmopolitan city. Below its exterior of glamor and famous Bollywood films there lies another side to this city of tinsel and dreams. The population has grown so much that Mumbai is now bursting at the seams with over half of its population living in slum areas or on the streets. Without access to clean water or proper sewerage there is an entire population living below the poverty line without any hope of change.

When the Ursuline Sisters (a group of Catholic missionaries) first visited the city in 1978 they were shocked by the presence of vast slums co-existing side by side with the wealth of Mumbai. They immediately wanted to help and set up a clinic in the slums of the Bandra East district. This project grew and (as a measure of its success) was recognized as a Community Health Department in 1985 and served as a model for the urban health care sector. From 1996 the project was established as an independent entity and developed a broad agenda to revitalize slum communities with Health, Education and Developmental facilities.

The main aim of the project is to help the disadvantaged and poor people from the slum communities recognize their own potential and enhance their quality of life through Education, Health and Community Development facilities. Their vision is to build a community that is based on the real values of life (such as justice and community) and to ensure that the disadvantaged will be empowered with equal opportunities for a better life in the mainstream of society.

Empowerment means 'self determined change' and the project provides opportunities for this to children, women, youth and senior citizens through various educational programs, leadership training, community organization and economic empowerment activities.

Highlights

Trip Highlights:
- Helping people from poor communities have belief in themselves
- Watching a Bollywood film and stroll the beaches
- Experience the glitz and glamor of Mumbai!
- Interact with the rich and poor of Mumbai

Qualifications

What's the project like?

This project operates from the Community Health Center based in Bandra which includes a clinic, library, a cafe and a training center for vocational courses. It is also able to send out teachers and community health workers to visit various slums. The project caters to approximately 1,500 children in various areas of the city from the ages of 3 to 16 and also reaches out to another 1,500 children in villages further afield.

Why does the project need volunteers?

Over time this project has expanded and caters to around 3,000 children both in the city of Mumbai and the surrounding areas your help is definitely needed! Fresh ideas are always appreciated and cultural exchange can help people to see new paths in their lives. Don't forget that many of these people do not know what it is like outside of their own city let alone in other countries and have not had chance to meet anyone form the Western world!

Ideally you will have a love of children and a passion for teaching! You'll get stuck in helping with whatever is needed and share your skills to others. These children and adults will look to you as a role model and for inspiration, it may seem simple but giving encouragement and confidence to work towards a better life can make all the difference.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 1,799.00 for 4 weeks, USD 275.00 for every week

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Pre-departure orientation/Training

Program Fees Include:

* Accommodation: Shared room in an apartment with a local family
* Food: Breakfast and dinner
* Airport Pickup: Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you're arriving early!
* Training: In-country orientation
* Support: Pre-departure help desk, local in-country team and 24 hour emergency support

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

18-80

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Guest House

Participants Travel

in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently

i-to-i Volunteering's Mission Statement

i-to-i Volunteering provides unique opportunities for you to travel, work and volunteer abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 16 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations. With over 130 projects on 4 continents, across 22 countries you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching English, community development, conservation, home building, and working with animals.

Year Founded

1994