Before Volunteering in India, Know These 7 Things

There is generally A LOT to think about before volunteering abroad anywhere in the world, and when it comes to volunteering in India, there are many different programs to sift through. Supply has risen to meet demand, because who doesn’t get excited when thinking about the ways to volunteer in India? Land of ancient cities, landscapes that range from jungle to desert, monkeys for days, and absolutely delectable curries in dozens of flavors awaiting you at every meal.

You’re going to want to do quite a bit of research to find the best volunteer program in India for you, and also do some personal soul searching. Time to sit down and ask yourself some questions. You can do this the easy way, or the hard way. Actually, the easy way is now even easier, because we've gone ahead and written out some things to think about before planning your volunteer trip to India below! 

Your walk to the volunteer project site will be full of interesting sights.

Individuals should consider these seven things before volunteering in India.

1. The cultural differences.

India is huge. There are 22 official languages, but the total number of mother tongues spoken adds up to a whopping 1,652. 80 percent of Indians are Hindu, but there are at least six other religions with significant populations. It goes without saying that there are stark cultural differences, not just between your home country and India, but within India itself. An experience in Dharamsala, rural northern India, would be different than someone volunteering in an urban city center and/or southern India.

[Use MyGoAbroad to find & compare volunteer programs in India]

Before you volunteer in India, you must consider the vastness of the country you’ll be spending time in and not assume that all Indians are alike. This holds true for much smaller countries, but even more so a country of India’s size; it’s home to more than 1.2 billion people (and is the second-most populous country in the world).

Do your best to research and understand cultural differences beforehand, talk to your volunteer program leaders on the ground once you land, and do your best to implement lessons in real-time.

2. Your program options.

As you begin the decision-making process to volunteer in India, many questions will likely come to mind. Anyone who has done a bit of research online has read critiques of voluntourism and aggressive questioning of who actually actually benefits. These are all important, deep questions that individuals should chew on before ultimately deciding to volunteer. India has plenty of volunteer opportunities, but should only be pursued if you ask the hard hitting questions first.

Ideally, these questions will inspire and empower you to take an even more active role in deciding which organization or company to volunteer abroad with. Organizations like International Volunteer HQ, iSpiice, and GoEco, the list goes on. How does one choose a program for volunteering in India?

If you thought your hands were only gonna get dirty while volunteering in India, think again

First, identify the cause that gets you most excited. Do you want to work with children? Help with environmental projects? From there, begin to suss out the different organizational options and what each provides. Can you do a homestay? Do you want your meals provided (calories don’t count while volunteering, FYI). Have you read reviews of the different programs, talked to alumni, and done due diligence?

Are you interested in a long term program or something more like volunteer vacations in India? Do you want to be remote to connected? It’s up to each volunteer to consider thoughtfully the program, cause, and project they will devote their time and energy to before volunteering in India. 

3. The poverty is real.

There’s an unfortunate image of India that everyone suffers from relentless poverty. Of course “everyone” is an extreme exaggeration. India is full of innovators and young professionals with many similarities to other populaces across the globe. 

[RECOMMENDED PROGRAM: Volunteering India]

That said, poverty is real and readily apparent to anyone who is a volunteer. India and the government put the number of those living in extreme poverty at 21.9 percent in 2012. That’s approximately 276 million who live on about $1.25 per day. It’s inescapable and heartbreaking to see. You need to be mentally prepared for it, especially if you come from a more homogeneous, relatively affluent upbringing.

You’re human, so you will be emotionally impacted no matter what. The important thing to consider before volunteering in India is to learn how to manage those emotions. You’ll be useless to your program if you’re constantly drenched in a puddle of your own tears. Remember that you’re witnessing of poverty is nothing like experiencing it. Suck it up, and make yourself useful.

Life ain't bad as a volunteer in Hyderabad

4. You need shots. And they cost money.

As Lil John once said, “Shots, shots, shots-shots-shots, shots!”

Before volunteering in India, you’re going to need some shots. Currently, the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all travelers be up to date on their routine vaccinations.That means your measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your annual flu shot.

But wait, there’s more!

[Our online advisors can give you 5+ specific program recs]

The CDC also recommends that most travelers get the vaccinations for both Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Both can be contracted through contaminated food or water. Typhoid is especially recommended for those "visiting smaller cities, rural areas, or if you are an adventurous eater." Above all, it's recommended you consult with your doctor before volunteering in India on what other vaccines might be appropriate for you. Travelers from countries other than the United States may have other vaccination requirements, such as Hepatitis B, Malaria, Rabies and Yellow Fever. The latter is not a risk in India, but the government of India requires proof of a yellow fever vaccination if you're traveling from a country at risk of yellow fever.

Keep in mind that vaccinations can cost you a pretty penny; there costs will need to be factored in as you budget to volunteer. India will be cheap once you get there, though!

5. You won't be able to drink the water.

Speaking of the water, you cannot drink the water. Not only do you need to be aware of what water you’re drinking (only recognized bottled mineral water), but also keep in mind how much water you are drinking. Many villages across the country have poor access to water, as water scarcity is an unfortunately growing issue in south Asia. You might even be volunteering in a village where they fill plastic jugs out of wells. That water is almost certainly contaminated.

This all means a couple things. First, be grateful that being cut off from fresh water is only temporary for you. Most people you’ll be working with have dealt with it their entire lives. Second, as it pertains to your personal health, you must do everything you can to keep the water out of your system. Brush your teeth using bottled water and keep your mouth shut while taking showers.

Considering the punishing heat in many regions of the country, staying hydrated is essential, so be sure to manage your resources wisely when volunteering in India.

Your new friends will come in all shapes and sizes.

6. Toilets will be rare and certainly not Western…

Before traveling to India, many of the women are warned to go in with strong thighs (and not just because Indians appreciate toned ladies). It’s because most of India uses squatting toilets, just as they do across the rest of Asia. Even then, a toilet is not always a guarantee. It is estimated that over 600 million Indians still practice open defecation, and some estimates range as high as 660 million. That’s a huge chunk of the world’s 2.5 billion people who defecate openly. Naturally, these practices lead to numerous health issues, including malnutrition among children.

That's why India is aiming to provide sanitary toilets for up to 60 million homes over the next few years, even though some people are perfectly content defecating openly. The issue is more complex than simply providing toilets. If you spent your whole life dropping trough in public, you might be suspicious, too, of bringing something into your home meant to take human waste. This is not a western country, there are few western toilets, so consider whether or not you’re prepared for the change before volunteering in India.

[RECOMMENDED PROGRAM: Global Volunteers]

7. You need an open mind.

All of this can be condensed to summarily say; be prepared for incredible change before volunteering in India. It’s not just the culture, the poverty, the immunizations or the water issue. India is all of the above and more.

None of this is meant to scare you away from volunteering in India. Annoyingly, some people wonder aloud why anyone would ever bother traveling or volunteering in India after listing out these things to consider. But that's fine, leave them with their familiar flushing devices and air conditioning. You won’t find meaningful experiences locked up at home. The experiences you’ll have in India, both good, bad, and everything in between, will stay with you for life. You’ll return home and to your career a more independent person with special experiences and become a catalyst for change in your field.

All those who stay home? They're missing out on the good stuff that India has to offer, which helps keep it special for those willing to visit it. Volunteering was never meant to be easy, after all. It's meant to be effective and helpful, which sometimes means going beyond your comfort zone for the greater good. Likewise, sometimes this means dining on the best damn homemade curries you'll ever eat in your whole life.

One popular project is to volunteer with Tibetan refugees near Dharamsala, home of the Dali Lama

That’s not an attempt to romanticize the plight of millions of Indians for the sake of a personal, feel-good moment. It’s good to push the boundaries of your mind in all directions—good, bad, or otherwise. Not all travel is meant to fit within the confines of our western definitions of “comfortable,” and there is plenty worth exploring in India outside your comfort zone.

Also, this doesn’t mean all of India fits into some impoverished stereotype. Remember when we talked about the enormity of this country at the beginning? It’s too huge to fit neatly into any generality, or any article with good intentions. Yes, some young people in India live in poverty. But other young people glued to social media. There are young women making a name for themselves in fashion. There are chefs expanding upon what is already some of the most delectable food in the world. 

[8 ways to volunteer in India]

Next steps to volunteering in India

Don't pack your sunscreen juuuust yet. There are a few items on your volunteer abroad to do list you should check off first.

How to volunteer abroad in India in 5 easy steps:

• Decide where to go. Figuring out where to volunteer abroad in India isn't easy. Along the beach? Somewhere near the capital? With Tibetan refugees in the Himalayas? Don't let the fear of monkeys hold you back—choose a place that's right for you.
• What type of project? You don't have to only choose a project because your friend is doing it or because you think it will be easier/harder. You should choose a project that demonstrates great need, and that aligns with your personal skills. Look at project options, assess what you bring to the table, and go from there. Popular volunteer projects in India include community development, conservation, refugee relief, and more!
• Choose from the best volunteer programs in India. Pay attention to past participants’ reviews, program/location reputation, the location itself, and your ease of having the experience you want. Don't worry, a little stretching of the comfort zone (or a lot!) will be good for you. Here are more considerations to make as you figure out how to choose the right volunteer program for you. Pro tip: You can use MyGoAbroad to compare programs side-by-side.
• Plan your finances. Sort out funding before you go to afford daily essentials and splurge in travel (in addition to program costs and airfare). Do your research to have an idea of how much your volunteer program will cost, and jumpstart the process of figuring out how to pay for it.
• Pack you bags, dot the i's, and hit the runway. If you're a little nervous about getting through all of the paper work and prep, fear not. We have an article with you in mind: How to Prepare for Volunteering Abroad.

Volunteering in India will change your life

And perhaps others' lives too.

What we’ve discussed above is a better portrait of what you’re likely to encounter while volunteering in India. So, before scheduling your trip, do consider adding some time at the end of your volunteering to see another side of India. Find out where your Indian equivalent might be and go meet with them. Talk to them about their country, get their opinions, and share your experience volunteering in India. Go have an adventure! You’ll get a fuller picture of what India is than by sticking exclusively to where you’re volunteering.

Only by the time you finally head home, after volunteering in India AND enjoying some free time, will you truly understand the enormity and complexity that is India. Above all, you won’t regret it for a moment.

Find volunteer programs in India today