Description

What does the project do?

Seva Trust of India was founded in 1984 and is a charitable trust, dedicated to working with the underprivileged children of the area. The aim of the project is to help disadvantaged children by giving them free shelter, clothes, food, education and health care. The lives of many underprivileged children have been transformed, offering them a bright and better future due to the efforts of the trust as well as the kind patronage of its sponsors. Volunteering here is a great opportunity to help the orphans and homeless children of Goa.

What's the project like?

The services of the center include the day care center, a shelter for the homeless and desolate children, and a health care unit for the elderly and the sick.

There are approximately 20 children at the day care center, currently aged between 3 and 5 years, but there are plans to increase the capacity of the center to around 50 children in the near future.

Itinerary:

Day 1 (Sunday): Arrive into Goa International Airport (airport code GOI)

Welcome to Goa! Today you will be met at the airport and taken directly to your accommodation which will be your home for the duration of your stay. You will have the rest of the day to rest and recover from your journey.

If you aren't able to arrange a flight to get you into Goa on the specified arrival date we'd recommend you fly in a day early. We can arrange an early airport pick-up for you including one night's accommodation. Please call us for more information.

Day 2 (Monday): Orientation

After a hearty Indian-style breakfast you will have your orientation at your coordinator's house at around 9.30am. You will be taken through what it's going to be like at your project, dos and don'ts and how to stay safe on your trip. This is your prime opportunity to ask any burning questions that you haven't yet had answered and to meet your fellow volunteers!

If you are feeling adventurous you can head out in the afternoon and start exploring your surroundings!

Day 3 (Tuesday): Introductions at your project

Today you'll be up bright and early for your first day with the children! Today is all about settling in and getting to know your way around the center. The i-to-i team will introduce you to the teachers at the centre who will be your day-to-day contacts. You'll spend the rest of your day learning the ropes and starting to get to know the children!
Day 4 (Wednesday) to Day 6 (Friday): Count those little smiles!

Now you know your way around you can really get to work! You will be teaching English to the children through fun activities - singing songs and playing games with them. Arts and crafts activities will also be popular - essentially make sure you bring your creative genes with you, a huge sense of humor and lots of energy! You may also help teach basic hygiene.

Days 7 and 8 (Saturday and Sunday): The weekend is here!

This is your chance to venture out and explore all of the exotic sights and sounds that Goa has to offer! Whether it's a river cruise on the Mandovi river, shopping at Manjim, lazing on the beach at Calangute or venturing further afield to the famous Dudhsagar water falls... Goa is your oyster so get out there and enjoy it!
Following weeks

Your next weeks will follow a similar pattern of spending time with the children Monday to Friday. Your typical day will be working from 9am to 5pm with a break for lunch. As you get to know the children and teachers better you can get more adventurous with the activities you plan for them. Your weekends are free to spend as you wish. Set your clock to local time and stroll along the beach or immerse yourself into the markets at Candolim or Mapusa.

Your Last Day (Sunday)

Having said goodbye to all your new friends, taken your final photos and packed your bag full of souvenirs you'll travel back to the airport. The return transfer from your accommodation to Goa airport is not covered within your project fee, but the in-country team will be able to make recommendations and help you to arrange it, the costs will be around 700 Rupees (USD 15).

Highlights

Would you like to entertain some amazing children and have a second childhood at the same time?

That is what it will feel like as you help entertain the children of this home for abandoned and homeless children in Goa by your singing, dancing and playing games. You will be looking after these children and helping to teach them English through some fun activities so be prepared to get your memories going and take yourself back to your childhood! Coupled with the beautiful beaches of Goa what more could you wish for!

Trip highlights:
- Going back to your second childhood and helping teach English through some fun activities to the children of this home
- Seeing the faces of the children light up when they see you and be amazed at their enthusiasm
- Spend your spare time on the beautiful sands of the Goan beaches
- Sample some of the gorgeous food - watch out for the Vindaloo!

Qualifications

Activities and schedule:

You'll be volunteering out at the center Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm. You will be helping in the day care center to look after children aged between 3 and 5 years and teaching English through fun activities including singing songs (so don`t forget to bring your book of nursery rhymes!) and playing games. You'll be going back to your childhood, having some great fun in the process! You may also help teach the kids basic hygiene. Creativity, a sense of humor and lots of energy are the order of the day.

Project resources and advice:

The project does not have a lot of resources for entertaining the children so any arts and crafts items or musical instruments you can bring from home are greatly appreciated. You may prefer to buy these in country - your money will go further in India, you will save space in your luggage, and contribute to the local economy by buying in-country.

As you will be a role model for the children, it is important that you keep your dress neat and modest. Also, please be prepared to cover your hair when appropriate.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 1,099.00 for 2 weeks, USD 230.00 for every week

Cost Includes:

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

Program Fees Include:

* Accommodation: One of 2 shared apartments based on twin shared rooms, one apartment in an apartment building, one apartment in a girls orphanage 500m away. (females only).
* Food: All meals - breakfast, lunch and evening meal, vegetarians welcome
* 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

Volunteer Types

• Childcare/children
• Community Development
• Homelessness
• Volunteering
• Youth
• Youth Development

Typical Volunteer

i-to-i Volunteer and Adventure Travel is an award-winning organization providing unique opportunities for you to travel, work and volunteer abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 16 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations. 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.

Age Range

18-80

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Apartment/Flat

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