The second-most populated nation on earth, India is a vast and varied country. It boasts a colorful and complex culture with traditions that have been carried on for centuries. Geographically, the country ranges from tropical jungle to windswept desert and icy mountains; from isolated rural villages to bustling urban cities. The nation’s diversity of people is just as impressive: there are hundreds of recognized dialects in India and a wide range of religious customs dominates everyday life.
Program Location: Rajasthan
This state in northwestern India is known for its cultural and geographical diversity. From lush green valleys of the Aravali ranges to the vast dry stretches of the Thar Desert, Rajasthan is home to a wide variety of plants and animals, including the Indian tiger. This region is also celebrated for the way it mixes royal and tribal traditions with modern daily life. Colorful festivals, accented with both religion and folk art, are plentiful and popular. People here wear elaborate jewelry and women are known for their colorful garments, while the men are known for their large, white turbans.
Program Location: Himachal Pradesh
Distinguished by the magnificent Himalayan Mountains on the Tibetan border, the natural beauty of this state is unsurpassed. Its rocky, rugged terrain boasts numerous lakes and cool, green valleys and is also home to many revered religious temples and shrines. Himachal is one of India's most populated rural states, with most of its citizens residing in small villages and making their living in agriculture. Culturally, this area is characterized by a lively and diverse mix of people, customs, and traditions.
Program Location: Goa
Dubbed the “Pearl of the Orient,” Goa is a world-renowned beach destination located on the western coast of India. The state is a crossroads of sorts, exhibiting a diverse range of lifestyles, a rich mix of cultural influences, and a striking disparity between rich and poor—it is home to both a booming economy and a profound poverty problem. Goa has served over the centuries as the meeting point of races, religions, and cultures of East and West. It is now known for both its international culture as well as its stunning beaches marked by palm trees and silvery sand.
Note: Participants with our Goa Community Outreach Project will be based in Colva Beach, a small village in southern Goa. Participants with all other India projects will be based in Rajasthan or Himachal depending on the season. During the winter, volunteers will be located in the village of Shiv in Rajasthan. In the summer, volunteers will be located further north, in Himachal Pradesh in a village near Palampur.
Why Volunteer in India?
Although modernizing quickly, India is not without its share of problems. Its growing population has already topped the 1 billion mark and the country has one of the highest poverty rates in the world. Because of both national debt and the strict class division of the caste system, most of India's poor receive little or no education, health care, or social services.
More than half of the country's impoverished citizens live in non-urban areas, where a lack of education and health care is rampant, especially among women and children. Unfortunately, the material and human resources to help the needy are also lacking in these areas. Recognizing these deficiencies as a major social dilemma, our partner organizations in India have begun to help rural communities in India through volunteer-supported education, health, and vocational programs.
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