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Child Care Volunteer Program
Himachal or Rajasthan, India
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Comments from our Volunteers |
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Volunteer Activities |
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Encourage local children to attend the center |
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Give the children much-needed personal attention |
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Assist local workers with the maintenance of health records for each child |
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Prepare and serve nutritious meals to the children |
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Help to create games and outdoor activities |
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| Volunteer Program at a Glance |
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Start Dates:
Feb 15th, March 15th,
April 12th, May 10rd,
June 7th, July 5th,
August 2nd and 30th,
Sep 27th, Oct 25th,
Nov 22nd, and Dec 20th
Program Length:
Minimum: 4 weeks, Maximum: 16 weeks |
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Program Cost:
4 Weeks:
US $2,095, additional weeks:
US $250,
8 weeks:
US $3,095 |
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Cost includes:
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Airport pickup |
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Orientation |
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Accommodations |
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On-site activities |
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Volunteer donation |
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Schedule:
9am to 1:30pm, Monday-Friday.
Programs from March to September are in Himachal.
Program from September to April are in Rajasthan. |
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What Volunteers Can Do: |
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As a volunteer in our India Child Care Program, you will work with children in holistic daycare centers, or "Anganwaris," in rural India. You will help to educate and care for the underprivileged children who come to these centers every day.
Volunteers in this program will work to promote positive educational, social, and health-related changes for rural children. You will cultivate a friendly learning environment with crafts, games, and physical activities. You will also learn to make nutritious meals, and to record the health status and vaccination history of the children. The difference you make in this beautiful Indian setting will change many lives, including yours.
If you choose to volunteer during the winter, you will be working in the village of Shiv in Rajasthan, a state in northern India. Volunteers who work during the summer months will be located further north, in the state of Himachal Pradesh in a village near Palampur. |
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Why Volunteer in India? |
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Although it is 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.
Program Location: Rajasthan
This state in northwestern India is known for its cultural and geographical diversity. Stretching from the cool climate of the towering Himalayas to the dry ecosystem of the Thar Desert, Rajasthan is home to a wide variety of plants and animals, including the Indian tiger.
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 it is also home to many revered religious temples and shrines. Himachal is one of India's most populated rural states, with most of its residents living 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. |
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India Child Care Program Goals: |
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Due to the lack of social welfare in India, local residents have collaborated to promote health and education on a state-by-state basis. Our partner organization in India has been working to better the lives of rural residents since 2000. As a volunteer in Rajasthan or Himachal, you will work to promote health and education in these rural villages. Your work will benefit local communities for generations to come. |
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Airport Pickup and Orientation: |
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Upon arrival, you will be picked up at the airport in New Delhi and taken to a hotel, where you will spend your first night. You will then be taken to the city of Jaipur in the state of Rajasthan, where you will meet your group, and the host family with whom you will be staying during orientation.
During this time, you will participate in a 3-day volunteer orientation designed to ensure a smooth transition into Indian life and a productive contribution to the local community. The orientation will provide you with extensive information about your new work situation, as well as tips on handling intercultural issues. After this orientation period, you will take a bus to Rajasthan or Himachal, the site of your volunteer program. |
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Transportation: |
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Airport pickup in New Delhi, to hotel and host family |
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Orientation in Jaipur, Rajasthan |
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Transportation to and from excursions |
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Local transport at program locations |
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Overnight bus journeys at the start and end of the program |
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Accommodations: |
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Upon arrival, volunteers will be picked up at the New Delhi airport, and will spend one night in a hotel. During the 3-day orientation, you will stay with an English-speaking host family in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
In both Rajasthan and Himachal, volunteers will stay in a rural camp. This camp is a balanced combination of comfort, safety, and cultural authenticity. It is ideally situated and designed for volunteers to experience the culture of the area, while offering both privacy and opportunity for recreational activities. All camp structures have been made with locally available material, which is another way in which the organization gives employment opportunities to the locals.
The rural camp is a large campus that has a cafeteria, kitchen, and training area, with ample space for outdoor activities and workshops. Volunteers will stay in one of 24 rooms, either in a double or triple occupancy, with a private bathroom and running hot water in the winter. For free time at the rural camp, there is an entertainment room with games, books, a television, and movies. |
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Meals: |
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Three meals a day are included in this program. During excursions, volunteers will be served breakfast. |
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In-Country Support: |
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There is always a dedicated on-site translator at each location during the first four weeks of the program. Members of our partner organization will also be available to help coordinate the programs. There is an on-call staff at the rural camp at all times, and medical facilities and first-aid kits are provided. The village programs also have support from the communities they serve. |
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India Excursions: |
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Sightseeing in Amber Fort in Jaipur with an elephant ride. |
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Tiger safari at Ranthambore National Tiger Reserve. |
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Camel safari with overnight camping in the desert. |
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2-day excursion to the Tibetan community Dharamsala, including Tibetan Buddhism lectures. |
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3-day trek into the Himalayas with overnight camping. |
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Activities: |
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During your free time, you will have the opportunity to participate in various programs and classes at the rural camp. Options include the following: |
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Yoga workshop |
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Indian cooking classes |
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Tibetan Buddhism seminar |
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Insurance for Volunteers: |
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BridgeVolunteers provides emergency travel insurance for participants. For more information, please read our Insurance page. |
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