Description

Kaya provides many English teaching placements but we also provide alternative education programs such as working with blind, deaf and children with Down syndrome. Education for these minority groups is poor and they are in great need of outside help. Be ready for minimal teaching aids and know now that you will be the main teaching resource. It is a great opportunity for the children to learn from a native speaker and hear the correct pronunciation, and all you need is a good level of English to participate in many of the placements.

*Learn to Cook Authentic Indian Food in Jaipur

Kaya are giving you the opportunity to become immersed in Indian culture by embracing a unique cooking experience, within the heart of India. We will help to unearth some of the mysteries surrounding Indian cooking as well as helping you to understand the cultural aspects related to Indian food. The project aims to bring to light, todays real India experiencing modern and traditional dishes and making visits to the countryside and urban areas to distinguish Indias varied and rich cuisine. Be prepared to turn learning on its head and open your mouth for a true Indian sensory experience.

*Learn Hindi in Jaipur

Our Learn Hindi in Jaipur project is designed to offer volunteers a unique opportunity to experience India in is most elemental form, going back to basics to learn and understand the fundamental essentials about Indian culture. Volunteers will have the chance to participate in professional Hindi lessons as well as engaging with cultural excursions to deepen their knowledge and understanding.

Volunteers who are keen to get to grips with the basic Hindi language before their volunteer placement are encouraged to participate on this fantastic language course specialising in interactive and interdisciplinary learning. Volunteers will gain an insight into the language, culture and state of affairs of local social issues relevant to volunteering in India today.

*Child Care and Community Teaching in Rajasthan with 1 Week Cultural Tour

By volunteering in India, you have the chance to give back to a number of young communities in need of educational care, support and development from volunteers. Volunteer assistance is needed within rural schools, helping to teach English and Maths, as well as in rural child care centres providing essential support for early development and working within the local snake charming community helping to develop interpersonal and language skills. With our cultural introduction week included, you will become culturally immersed in the ethos of what is means to be an Indian today, helping to put your later volunteering work into full context within this incredibly diverse and colourful country.

*Community Development and Social Empowerment in Jaipur

Volunteer in India and start to understand how a surge in the countrys population numbers are leaving families stretched to the limit with increasing numbers of malnourished, underprivileged and orphaned children as a result. India is struggling as a nation to deliver adequate education and care to thousands of needy children leaving them vulnerable to malnutrition, neglect and in some cases abuse. The key to Indias development is to look at educational and care practices and raise levels of literacy throughout the country. With a negative standpoint on having female children, there is also a raising need for women empowerment initiatives to help equalize the power in Indian society. Although the number of literate children and adults has been on the steady increase over the past few years, too many are still suffering from the inability to fund schooling so Kaya are helping to inspire better education and a better care system for the children of Jaipur.

*Cultural Immersion and Volunteer Combo in Goa

Attracting a young crowd, this cultural volunteering experience in Goa will begin with a week-long cultural and sightseeing orientation travelling down to Goa from Mumbai by the great Indian railway. Activities in the first week include a 2 day yoga and meditation workshop, a Bollywood film show, and a 2 day adventure trek staying in a rural Indian village.

*Child Care and Youth Development in Himachal with 1 Week Cultural Tour

India continues to struggle to provide care and education to the increasing number of children born into poverty. This lack of resources leaves children vulnerable to malnutrition, illiteracy and a bleak future. By joining Kaya and becoming a volunteer in the beautiful mountains of India you can make a difference to these children's lives. Kaya works with children and women empowerment projects which are all desperately in need of volunteer assistance. By choosing to work with children and young adults in the spectacular state of Himachal Pradesh you will join children's projects desperately in need of volunteer assistance and provide welfare and education for the new generations.

*Work as a Teaching Assistant in Udaipur

By volunteering in India, you can provide much needed help and support to underfunded and understaffed primary schools, day nurseries, orphanages and disabled childrens schools, in an effort to improve educational levels for the children of Udaipur. This project is working promote the benefits of education to communities who, until recently, had no access to formal education. Alongside our childrens teaching initiative, this project also works to educate parents in order for them to gain additional, yet basic skills. This work all takes place in an environment which is constantly battling against gender bias, female infanticide, child labour and child marriage. As a volunteer your time will be spent working to promote alternative ideals as well as teaching students basic skills.

Highlights

With its mind-bending cultural and environmental diversity, India is known as the planet's most multi-dimensional country. With mountains, jungles, deserts and beaches, India has it all! Bounded by the Great Himalayas in the north, it stretches southwards and at the Tropic of Cancer tapers off into the Indian Ocean between the Bay of Bengal on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west.

*Gir National Park:
Gir is the only place left on the planet where the Asiatic Lion can be found. It is on the critically endangered list as there are only around 300 left. It is a fantastic opportunity to see these lions in their natural habitat.

*Himalayan Trekking:
The most famous mountain range in the world contains the two tallest mountains on Earth, Everest and K2. Trek the Himalayas and see dramatic ice-capped summits and breathtaking scenery. Other activities include mountaineering, skiing and rafting.

*Desert Camel Safaris:
Camel Safaris take place in Rajasthan. It's a fantastic way to travel across the open desert sands, whilst visiting remote traditional villages, seeing wildlife and experiencing the harsh conditions of a desert. This truly is exciting an adventure travel!

The programs involve imparting an understanding of the importance of a healthy environment, and teaching local residents about the benefits they will receive and working with the community and trying to get them to understand the need to preserve and protect this endangered ecosystem. Volunteers can share their skills and knowledge to improve the lives of the men, women and children on the projects.

Qualifications

Experience and passion for working in the community and interacting with the people are needed. Participants must also possess enthusiasm and a willingness to learn about the environment and the place's culture.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Please visit the website for more information.

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees

Program Fees Include:

* Accommodation: Shared clean basic rooms in dedicated volunteer house
* Food: 3 home cooked Indian meals a day.
* Airport pick up and drop off from Udaipur airport (this can be reached from Delhi or Mumbai on a 1 hour flight)
* Training: Pre-departure information pack and onsite orientation provided
* Support: 24 hour support
* Excursion Planning: staff will help organise activities and excursions
* Daily transportation to and from project

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

A Kaya volunteer shows enthusiasm, spirit and life to stimulate and bring something new to the residents; love, patience and a listening ear for the people; and a good motivator with a positive and optimistic attitude.

Age Range

Must be more than 18 years old

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network

Kaya Responsible Travel's Mission Statement

Kaya's mission is to promote sustainable social, environmental and economic development, empower communities and cultivate educated, compassionate global citizens through responsible travel.

Year Founded

2008