Description

Your mission as an iSPiiCE education volunteer is to help communities and children who have fewer opportunities, using your skills and talents to help them to learn and grow.

iSPiiCE focus on education initiatives for community development believing education to be at the root of social reform. Poor education standards, illiteracy and high student dropout rates are some of the more glaring issues for educational reform in India.

Government schools suffer severe shortfalls in resources and iSPiiCE volunteers help by assisting local staff and giving lessons in various educational institutions.

Education volunteers play an important role in raising awareness about the need for regular schooling and offer much needed support to local teachers. iSPiiCE work in partnership with local primary and secondary schools and volunteers can work alongside the local teacher or deliver their own lessons daily. The most commonly requested subject of teaching is English and we encourage volunteers to create their own lesson plans with teaching materials available for this purpose.

For teaching English it is not necessary for volunteers to have past experience and in-depth knowledge of grammar and vocabulary and for the children to have the chance working with fluent English speakers is invaluable on its own. For those with a professional interest in teaching this is a fantastic opportunity to broaden your skills in a new and very different environment. Working with the children daily you will bring about a sense of professionalism and dedication and this is extremely valuable for children's confidence and also for your learning of the local culture.

Highlights

iSPiiCE (Integrated Social Program in Indian Child Education) is a voluntary social organisation that builds partnerships between International volunteers and rural Indian communities. With 80% of India's population living in rural areas an iSPiiCE volunteer program takes you to the very heart of India, giving you the opportunity to put your hands and heart to use and help those less fortunate.

Indian Immersion:
Choosing an iSPiiCE program is an excellent way to share in a combined volunteering and adventure travel experience. Volunteers work at a grass roots level on exciting and worthwhile projects and are given the opportunity to immerse themselves in Indian culture and lifestyle.
Volunteers work in teams and meet like-minded people while doing something you really believe in, developing new found skills in the most beautiful of surrounds in rural northern India.

iSPiiCE aim to address inequalities in the provision of education and healthcare for rural Indian communities, and to tackle gender discrimination through education and empowerment. The disadvantaged communities we assist require fundamental development assistance to help with many aspects of daily life, meeting both immediate needs and creating future potential. Both volunteers and iSPiiCE partner organisations benefit from iSPiiCE involvement to look after the interests of both sides.

Program Location:
iSPiiCE projects are in the stunning Dharamsla region of Himachal Pradesh. Full of life yet also peaceful Dharamsala is surrounded by the Himalayan mountain range with its snow-capped peaks and lush green valleys and it is not surprising that His Holiness the Dali Lama holds residency in the area. Volunteers can make trips to the Dali Lama Monastery and the Tibetan Hill town of McLeod Ganj.

Travel in India:
Volunteers enjoy adventure travel on an iSPiiCE program through three weekend excursions.
(1) A trip to the Taj Mahal, a
(2)A trek in the Himalayan Mountains
(3) A weekend trip to Amritsar visiting the Golden Temple.

Whether joining as an individual or as part of a group iSPiiCE can help you realize your volunteer goals in India.

Qualifications

There are no specific educational requirements for our programs (except those in health care) and anyone with a heart to help is welcome! Proficiency in English is required and volunteers should be patient, committed and willing to learn.

Programs require people who are outgoing and friendly with a good sense of fun and who will be able to fully immerse themselves into daily life in the various work areas and the community. It is important that you are committed and able to work off your own initiative when required. An enthusiastic and positive attitude is a must.

There is no maximum age restriction for their volunteer placements, but the minimum age requirement is 16 years unless accompanied by an adult.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 490

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country staff support
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

iSPiiCE aim to take the worry out of your volunteer trip to India and pride ourselves on our all-inclusive programs offered at very competitive rates. All the main arrangements are made for you and our programs provide the following services and inclusions:
* Pick up at Delhi Airport, transfer to and one night stay at the Hotel in Delhi.
* Travel in India to include a Himalayan trek, a visit to the Taj Mahal and a visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar. (All excursions include a one night stay, transfer and accommodation).
* Volunteer work with communities in rural areas.
* All meals at camp (breakfast, lunch & dinner).
* All accommodation for the duration of your placement.
* Material required for volunteer work, such as color, pens, paper, books etc.
* Use of Computer/Internet.
* All amenities for comfort and recreation at base camp.
* Cultural activities to include Indian cooking, and decorative Henna painting.
* Assistance with arranging independent activities during free time and onward travel assistance.
* Hotel accommodation in Delhi on the final Saturday night if required.
* Delhi Airport drop at the end of your project.
* Certificate of service and references
* And last but not least, friendship and support from the wonderful iSPiiCE team, fellow volunteers and the local community.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

There is no such thing as a typical iSPiiCE volunteer and people are welcomed from all corners of the world and from all walks of life, a reflection of the varied needs of our programs. People from different backgrounds offer different skills and experiences, forming a diverse team and pool of knowledge and contributing to the holistic development of the community.

Age Range

16-75

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Resume

iSPiiCE (Integrated Social Programs In Indian Child Education)'s Mission Statement

iSPiiCE endeavor to directly contribute to the sustainable development of rural Indian Communities and to provide our volunteers with meaningful and socially responsible opportunities for travel, service and cultural exchange. We are always ready to assist the local community in practical ways and we aim to be flexible in the support we offer to meet specific need within the community. Our aims are to assist in providing a good education and adequate attention for all children, to promote a personal awareness on hygiene and nutritious food matters and to bring increased awareness to the community, of the importance of providing a good education for both boy and girl students while resolving the problems which guardians face in their daily lives which can allow for this.