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Volunteer Programs in Dharamsala, India

Nestled in the northern Indian foothills of the Himalayas lies Dharamsala, a tiny city of only 20,000 inhabitants known widely as the center of the Tibetan exile community and home of the Dalai Lama. A beautiful town with Hindu and Buddhist influences, a friendly expatriate existence, and magnificent natural surroundings, Dharamsala is an ideal destination for volunteering abroad in India. Not only will you positively impact an underserved community, but you will undergo tremendous personal development amongst a deeply grounded and highly spiritual culture while volunteering in Dharamsala.
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A Guide to Volunteering Abroad in Dharamsala

Projects & Placements

Volunteering in Dharamsala provides you with a quainter alternative to placements in urban areas of India, where everyday life can be intense and very chaotic. Volunteer placements in Dharamsala are often centered on the areas of healthcare, education, and community development. While Dharamsala has a higher literacy rate than most rural areas, it still hovers below 80 percent which means there are plenty of opportunities to facilitate economic advancement through education volunteer placements. Individual who volunteer in Dharamsala will also find placements in fields such as women’s empowerment and social justice.

Many volunteer programs target specific interaction with the Tibetan exile community of Dharamsala, which constitutes about half of the city’s population. The suburb of McLeodganj is home to the Tibetan government in exile, and many volunteer programs in Dharamsala are aimed at easing the transition into Indian life for Tibetans living in this area. Teaching English, computer skills, and other practical skillsets to refugees can be a great way for volunteers to help this often overlooked community in adapting to their new home and finding gainful employment.

Individuals can volunteer in Dharamsala year round, and programs typically last anywhere from two weeks to six months. Volunteers typically have a good amount of flexibility in determining their own departure dates and length of stay. Summers are hot and humid, followed by the rainy monsoon season. But, in some of the upper reaches of Dharamsala it can snow in the winter as well, so plan accordingly.

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Giving back to the most in need with love

April 14, 2023by: Gerardo SanchezProgram: Volunteer in Slum Teaching in Delhi, India
10

All guidance was above and beyond through Scotia at IVHQ. It's a teamwork. We did our share in order to become a successful volunteer. Thank you Scotia. The local team are also great! The best feeling is giving back to the ones who don't have the resources or means and these emotions will make you a better person along life! Give back to the most in need with your time, your money, your love, your compassion, your kindness and knowledge. Give back and be humble. My favorite moment was going to school everyday and see the kids faces eager to learn something new and happy to see us. Also making them lunch that was not provided by the school. Be humble and just do it! You have nothing to lose and so much in return! Kids are the future of the world and we have to guide them for a better life. Innocent souls with their happy faces is so rewarding that no money in life can buy to you.

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