Women Volunteering in Jaipur, India

The accommodation was perfect, I have my own room, bathroom, the food served is delicious and I have my privacy which is always good. I found it very easy to settle in, everyone at the house is very open and welcoming. The house, room, food, area is perfect, the girls so welcoming, the children were wonderful, and I made friends with the other volunteer. The most educational was being at the hospital and getting lessons from doctors and going to the conference. The most life changing was the experience at SAPNA with the traumatized patients. I involved in lessons with doctors, seeing patients. I cultivated so much compassion, empathy, and understanding that this will definitely help me in my future profession. I will be able to have a better understanding of situations that I cannot directly relate to. It gives me understanding and perspective for things that are not my own. I understand hardship on a new level and this understanding creates empathy and this empathy can only be of benefit for a psychotherapist.

My friend and I were doing the woman empowerment program for ten days and we had a great time staying with Manu and her family. We were taken care of and had a nice place to stay. We were picked up by Sukret who told us a lot about our stay and showed us where we could go in our free time. Our guide Pradeep was so welcoming and funny and he knew a lot about Jaipur and Rajasthan in general. The volunteering was not exactly what we thought it would be, as we found out that they had their own beauty class and we were there as support and motivation, and not as teachers. They taught us more about henna. But overall the experience was amazing. We were welcomed by everyone and felt very safe with everyone. It will be something we never forget.

I had the most amazing 2 weeks volunteering at a women's centre in Jaipur. Stayed at a guest house close to the city centre. Volunteering was from 12-4pm each day and Rohit the coordinator would come with me each day. I felt incredibly safe and supported. Often after volunteering we would stop for chai or other indian treats on the way back to the guest house. The women at the centre were welcoming and as a volunteer you can incorporate your own skills. I work in a school in Australia so I ran some different art/self identity activities. On arrival to the centre the women would be practicing Mehendi (henna). The guest house rooftop spot was my favourite, Jaipur is a special place. Hope I can return one day soon!

Volunteering With India responded to this reviewMarch 03, 2025

Thank you Kelly for the review.

I chose the women's empowerment programme because I wanted to come into contact with Indian girls and women - especially from the slums of Jaipur - and understand more about their world, their lives, their expectations, their difficulties and their dreams. The two weeks I worked in the programme were very enriching for me. The girls who attend the six-month course at the NGO Veeneta Society are trained to become dress makers and/or beauticians. I attended their practical lessons, helping where needed, and I was their teacher in the English lessons. With a great dedication the girls made me the beauty treatments they had learnt in their course. Despite the language barriers between us (there was always a Hindi-English language mediator with me, to help in case of any misunderstanding) we shared bits and pieces of our lives. I also had the honour of handing diplomas to the girls who had completed the six-month course. The festive moments were unforgettable for me, the girls performed traditional Rajasthan dances. All in all, I highly recommend this experience.

Volunteering With India responded to this reviewOctober 07, 2024

Thank you Anna for the review

Spending each day in the womens programm gave me an amazing opportunity to learn about the indian culture as well as the womens needs and situation. Teaching english and math was so much fun thanks to the womens enthusiasm and strong will to study and move forward. We were also able to put together a First aid Box with them and play the guitar. So great to see how strong and open they are and how important this program it is for them.

Volunteering With India responded to this reviewSeptember 03, 2024

Thank you for the review.

My volunteer program lasted 4 weeks in Jaipur, India. I spent 2 weeks in the women's support program and 2 weeks in the hospital. Both were very enriching experiences for me. The girls and women were incredibly open-minded and inquisitive. They were interested in and implemented everything that was offered to them. First and foremost, they want to learn English. Any form of teaching is welcome, whether role-playing, singing and translating English songs or face-to-face at the blackboard. It was a lot of fun to see how quickly they learn. In return, I got traditional make-up, beautiful braided hairstyles or henna tattoos on my hands and feet. It was a very warm and unforgettable time. The work in the hospital was very touching, as people came with problems and pain and needed help. The doctor's idealistic commitment means that even the poor population can receive very good treatment. They couldn't afford a normal hospital. So they only pay a small fee and only those who can afford it pay. The doctor works on a voluntary basis. The treatments mostly consisted of infusions, acupuncture with electrotherapy, cupping treatments, stretching and the administration of medication. The doctor also makes his own Ayurvedic medicine. I was very impressed by his efficiency and was able to learn a lot. As a physiotherapist, I was able to alleviate the pain in some patients. All of this left a lasting, deep impression on me. Perhaps it was a start for me to further projects of this kind. I would like to thank the organization again for making this possible for me. Sukret, my local coordinator, responded immediately when there were questions or problems. They were solved immediately. Shekhar, my driver and "bodyguard", drove me everywhere extremely reliably, picked me up again and showed me a bit of the area. Perhaps it is still possible to get a small handout about the work in the projects beforehand so that you can prepare better. However, I was integrated quickly. My accommodation at Boby Mansion Homestay was a blessing because, as a woman travelling alone, I enjoyed family contact with all the care that comes with it. I felt very safe and secure in a foreign world.

Volunteering With India responded to this reviewAugust 21, 2024

Thank you Ina for the review.

I had the opportunity to spend 4 weeks with the association, working in two different settings. First, I worked in a school located in a clearly disadvantaged neighborhood, where I provided academic support to teenagers. Then, I joined a beauty school where women were training for careers in esthetics. My biggest surprise was discovering that the community members didn't speak, or spoke very little, English. This posed a challenge to my initial goal of empowering women through English language learning. Unfortunately, I was only able to truly pursue this mission in the last five days, once a translator became available. Personally, this experience was enriching. However, I remain unsure about the actual impact of my involvement. At times, I felt left to my own devices, without a structured program or insight into previous activities. Although I'm not an English teacher but rather a business and marketing trainer, I was still able to share my expertise with some women, though it was less relevant for the teenagers. On the other hand, I want to highlight the quality of the association's hospitality, as well as the weekend excursion offerings and the comfort of the guest house. These aspects undoubtedly contributed to making my stay enjoyable.

Through this fellowship, I've been able to work on UNICEF and UNESCO environmental education training and capacity-building projects. While the project placements vary, my experience has been one that could not have happened any other way, as an American citizen figuring out how to work and live in India. The entire AIF team is so supportive, and while I would say the experience of living and working in India is not for the faint of heart, this is the best way I can find for anyone to do that, and to come away with incredible professional growth and experience to show for it. I highly recommend this program to anyone who is interested in the development sector but only those who are ready for a challenge.

I joined the AIF BIF fellowship as the class of 2023-24. Sitting through a round of online applications and rounds of interview was one filled with doubt, but extremely satisfying. From the very first step, from the interview, candidates are provided help, for example, the website and the work of the fellows gives a fantastic picture of what the fellowship will be like. The team is also extremely helpful and prompt to respond to mails as well. Although I do not have as much experience in the development sector, I was provided this opportunity to serve with an NGO whose work I really liked. My host organization is very supportive as well. The team always makes sure there is ample support and resources that fellows have for learning during their fellowship and contribute to their projects. The regular check-ins, the training and orientation provided before starting our projects help us transition well into our host sites. Health insurance, other resources related to health and safety- the team provides information about everything, contacts and support system that you can reach out to. The team really makes sure that you learn and contribute to your best in the fellowship. My motivation has only increased to serve in the development sector after joining the fellowship, and it is an experience of a lifetime. I will wholeheartedly recommend this fellowship to anyone who wishes to work in the development sector.

Banyan Impact Fellowship is a bridge to understand the development sector in India. As a fellow one works with NGOs/NPOs under the themes of livelihood, education, public health and administration. Such an exposure to the development sector gives fellows a chance to not just complete their project but build a community around it. The fellowship team and the strong bond between the fellows is the best experience one could ever take from their abroad experience.

Joining the American India Foundation Banyan Impact Fellowship was a pivotal decision that has undeniably been life-altering in many ways. The nine-month experience was not only enriching but also instrumental in shaping the person I am today, providing unparalleled learning opportunities. The connections I made during this journey continue to be a source of learning, and personal growth. I joined my Host Organisation as a fellow and gladly continue to work with something that I feel so close to and passionate about. Reflecting on my journey, I entered the fellowship lacking grassroots experience, however, this period has exceeded my expectations, not only altering my perspective but also instilling in me the confidence to believe in myself, embrace uncertainty, and step out of my comfort zone.

I will highly recommend to individuals you really have interest or passion to work in a development sector. This 10 months journey will help you to shape your career. I have done quite a lot fellowship in India but AIF will be top of all.

Being part of the AIF Banyan Impact Fellowship in Auroville has been a truly enriching experience for me over the past four months. I find myself overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to the host organization, Social Entrepreneurship Association, that aligns with my values and focuses on regenerative travel, education, fair trade, and bioregion development projects. The organization's commitment to a telos-driven approach has been a revelation for me.The fellowship has not just been about work; it's been a holistic journey of personal growth and learning. Engaging in projects that promote regenerative travel, education, fair trade, and bioregion development has opened my eyes to the positive impact one can have on society. While I may not fully comprehend the extent of the change I'm bringing to the community, I am acutely aware of the significant transformation within myself. The fellowship has been a catalyst for change in my perspective, particularly regarding travel. Taking the resolution of flightless travel this year was a direct result of the realizations and insights gained during my time with the host organization. The emphasis on sustainable practices and regenerative approaches has left an indelible mark on my consciousness. Expressing the depth of this transformation is a challenge, as words seem inadequate. However, I can confidently say that the fellowship has been a turning point in my life. The exposure to meaningful projects, the immersive experience in Auroville, and the ethos of the organization have collectively shaped me into a more conscious and responsible individual. In conclusion, my AIF Banyan Impact Fellowship in Auroville has been more than just a professional experience – it has been a journey of self-discovery and a commitment to making a positive impact on the world. I am grateful for the lessons learned, the relationships formed, and the positive changes set in motion, both within and around me.

During August I volunteered for three weeks with the Women’s Empowerment Program and the School Program. Volunteering for an extended period of time meant I was able to build strong relationships with the women and children. Most of the time was spent teaching English, however, the programs are flexible which means you can contribute knowledge and skills based upon your own background and strengths. I was able to draw upon my own resources (nutrition, yoga) and I would encourage this for future volunteers - if you have teaching resources/activities/games from your home country, bring them with you! The home stay accomodation was AMAZING. The family treated me as one of their own, sharing safe, local advice and including me in activities such as visiting the temple, the cinema and a theme park! My favourite part of the stay was playing with the children and helping cook meals. I recommend Volunteering with India for those who want to experience an authentic Indian lifestyle. Danae, Australia

My wife and I volunteered for 1 week for the women empowerment program. As most of the women were learning to become tailors and / or beauticians / hairdressers, we took the opportunity to share with them our experiences working for product companies in the hair & beauty industry. The overall experience was positive and we really got the chance to interact deeply with the locals. I think having more hands on skills (like sewing, or hairdressing or skin therapy, massage or any other practical training) would have supported the group of women more. English and maths were some of the other areas, were we tried to support. The program gives you a chance to bring your own skills and knowledge to the table, which is great. However, I would have also liked to receive more direction from the organisation on how we could deliver most impact. Something to keep in mind and to ask prior to starting the program. All the staff at the organisation were very welcoming and made are stay enjoyable. However, we would have liked to learn more about how we could truly support the locals to deliver more impact. Our host family was great and really made us feel at home.

Volunteering With India responded to this reviewOctober 30, 2023

Thank you for the review.

I had a great time working with the kids, the program is great for people who loves teaching and spending time with people. It was definitely worth it, they are really implicated in learning new things like math or english.

Volunteering With India responded to this reviewAugust 07, 2023

Thank you Victoria for the review.

It was an incredible experience! I had so much fun with all the girls and had the best time at the school. I just wish that there had been more time at the school since it was only 3 hours a day and for all the travel it doesnt feel like enough time to make enough of an impact. Apart from that it was great

This is unlike anything I have ever done before. I volunteered for one week with my adult daughter and we had a great time. India is so vibrant and colourful. The girls we met on the project were lovely and welcomed us into the group. Some of the things I really enjoyed were the henna, yoga, teaching a women's health class (I was so surprised at what they didn't know) and the meals at the guest house. The family at the guest house were so friendly and helpful as were the project organisers. They responded to WhatsApp messages quickly and answered any questions we had. Although the accommodation was basic, there were comfortable beds, clean sheets and air conditioning in the room. I would recommend this to anyone and encourage you to take every opportunity that is offered to allow yourself a truly immersive experience where you get to see the real India!

Volunteering With India responded to this reviewMay 27, 2023

Thank you Melanie for the review. I was such a wonderful time with you in the program. We hope you join us again in near future. Best Wishes from India !

This is such a fulfilling program and I recommend it to anyone looking to help equip disadvantaged women / children with the skills and information they need to get by in the world. The females in the program very eager and excited to learn from the volunteers, which makes the experience all the more fun and uplifting! The staff / program coordinators also make you feel very welcome and comfortable. Jaipur is a wonderful city and there was so much to see during my off time - it was a great experience!

Volunteering With India responded to this reviewFebruary 10, 2023

Thank you Aanchal for the review.

I previously participated in a trip abroad to represent my country abroad in the field of art and music, and we got third place in singing. I am a girl who loves to travel and help others, especially since I am a doctor. I am used to caring about the health of others. I strive to volunteer in many fields