Volunteer Programs in Kerala, India

Gain meaningful exposure to healthcare while experiencing life in one of India’s most peaceful and scenic regions. Volunteers are placed in clinics and hospitals around the Kochi area where they observe and learn from qualified doctors and nurses. While the role is primarily observational due to professional regulations, medical and nursing students may assist with basic tasks such as taking vital signs, supporting patient flow, helping with simple care activities and contributing to community health education under supervision. Volunteers often observe a range of specialties including general medicine, paediatrics, surgery, ophthalmology and more, offering a broad introduction to healthcare in a cross cultural setting. This program is ideal for students or aspiring professionals interested in global health and clinical environments. Your hosted experience includes airport pick up, a full orientation, accommodation in a volunteer house or homestay, two meals daily and continuous support from the local team. Outside placement hours you will have time to explore Kerala’s beaches, backwaters, historic towns and rich cultural traditions while gaining insight into healthcare practices.

Empower, educate, and uplift — join our Women Empowerment Volunteer Program in India and be part of a powerful movement helping women gain confidence, skills, and independence. Through this meaningful volunteer experience with Volunteering Journeys, you’ll work closely with women and girls from underprivileged backgrounds to promote gender equality, education, and self-sufficiency. India is a country of incredible diversity and deep traditions, but many women, especially in rural and low-income urban areas, still face barriers to education, employment, and leadership opportunities. As a women empowerment volunteer in India, you’ll play an important role in helping local women build brighter, independent futures for themselves and their families. By volunteering with Volunteering Journeys, you’ll join initiatives that address these inequalities directly — helping local NGOs and women’s groups create safe spaces where women can learn, grow, and lead. These programs focus on practical skills training, language development, income-generation workshops, and confidence-building activities that empower women to become change-makers in their own communities.

The Banyan Impact Fellowship (formerly AIF William J. Clinton Fellowship) is a fully funded 10-months program in India. By facilitating exchange and collaboration between young professionals from India and the U.S., the program aims to shape the next generation of leaders committed to positive and sustainable change and creating a lasting US-India relationship. Fellows serve with civil society organizations in various thematic areas including environment protection, climate justice, public health, education, livelihoods, arts, culture, and more. Fellows receive a stipend, health insurance, language training, mentoring, professional development, international networking and career opportunities. Fellows benefit from in person conferences, and they engage in workshops, reflection exercises, and skill building activities. Apply by February 20, 2024.

Set foot in the culturally rich country of India and contribute to our sustainable community development projects. As a volunteer, assist in the local community of Kerala where you’ll get the chance to get your hands dirty with one of our important community construction projects. Participate in this interdisciplinary course, accredited by universities and colleges around the world. We introduce students to international service-learning and sustainable development, both in theory and practice. Engage in lectures, discussion, research, service, and reflection at home and abroad two weeks prior to your departure and two weeks after returning home. Emphasis will be placed on relating long-term goals with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and engaging in daily reflection surrounding the experience, which will be led by qualified group facilitators, furthering individual educational development. This course curriculum will be tailored to your academic level or curriculum. The aim of our Service Learning course is to empower you to gain confidence in your knowledge and to provide practical experience in your subject area.