Description

India, in Southern Asia, India is a country of rich natural resources and ancient traditions, and a great place to volunteer with children in orphanages and day care centers. Massive overpopulation, extensive poverty and religious disputes have left many children abandoned or worse still, sold into slavery. While we cannot pretend to have the remedy for these social problems, the work that volunteers do on Care projects here touches many lives and makes a real difference to some of the most vulnerable people in the Indian Subcontinent.

As a volunteer on a Care project in India you will have an important role to play, whether you are a trained professional offering us the benefit of your experience or a person on a college summer vacation, gap year or career break looking for some experience of development work. Everybody is welcome, provided they are willing to work hard and be committed to the role, their work-colleagues and the children they are there to help.

The orphanages and care centers in India that we work in are available in Tamil Nadu in and around the city of Madurai. The centers cater to orphans and children with disabilities aged from 2 - 18. In many cases your day will begin early when you will be required to help the children get ready for school. You might have the middle of the day free, or you might like to stay on to help out with other social care activities.

Some care centers are more inclusive in their approach, teaching both life skills and handcrafts to the older children. As a volunteer, if you are good at art, crafts, sports or even gardening there's a lot you can do to help on a social level. Interaction, friendship and support are the most important things you will need to be able to offer the children we work with.

In whichever volunteer care project you find yourself, you need to be ready for a challenge. Many of the children are desperate for attention and there will be many present who have health problems or who require special attention due to disabilities.

Highlights

India is a truly amazing place - spectacular scenery, quaint villages, fascinating and magnificent temples, sandy beaches and lots of sun. It has all this and an ancient culture. For the vast majority of visitors, it is a place they long to return to again and again.

All accommodation is organized, paid for, and monitored by Projects Abroad. All project placements are regularly visited and checked. We require high standards of supervision and accommodation, which are verified before you arrive in India.

In addition, become fully immersed in the culture in a manner which even the most hardened of backpackers could never hope to do.

Qualifications

No experience or qualifications are necessary.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Please go to our website for prices.

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Medical insurance
• Medical services
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Open-minded with a desire to travel.

Age Range

16-70

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Apartment/Flat
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

10 days

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement

As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded

1992