Obtaining a volunteer visa, traveling from Canada

nycank

If the ashram is not registered, how can it be GPH ? eh ? Ganga Prem is registered and three recognized trusts are associated with it. The indian registration is as follows:

The OP has not furnished us with any details that would help us determine if a long term volunteer visa is applicable. Another possibility is that the ashram/trust is indeed registered, and the person inviting the OP is in no position to get entangled with the legal intricacies associated with getting someone a visa for volunteering purposes.

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Paleface

GPH is a Hospice not an Ashram eh? Nani Ma's ashram is quite a different entity although Nani Ma is a guiding light of GPH. Anyway the ashram is hours from GPH (above Rishi) so maybe it's something else entirely but local to Uttarkashi or the OP doesn't know the geography of both as yet - we'll see.

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livinhimalayas

If the OP is volunteering with GPH she should be staying at Rishikesh where they are building the hospice, Nani's ashram at Sainjh just does PR work and as far as I know there are quite a few people already there to help her with that sort of work. Nani is the PR person for GPH but wouldn;t the OP be more useful onsite specially looking at the carpentry skills??
If the volunteer visa is for an organisation that has its work at Rishikesh, why would the OP want to stay in Uttarkashi and how will she explain it?

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Glandith

Yes, my friend is Nani Ma.

She has told me that the ashram itself isn't registered and that until the hospice is built, she could not help me with a letter from Ganga Prem Hospice. The Shradha Cancer Care Trust based in Delhi is running this project and they are officially registered. I would like to obtain a letter from them.

I'm aware that Uttarkashi and Rishikesh are roughly 70 km apart. As this is my first trip to India, we have decided that it would be best if I began my stay at her ashram in Uttarkashi which would give me time to adapt and get a better grip of the language and culture. There I would help with computer-related and other work to pay for my room and board. Once in Rishikesh, I would need to take care of my own accommodations. I have enough funds to sustain me for the duration of my stay, however long that may be.

I do not know what the specific nature of my work will be. Most people on the GPH team have many different responsibilities. I said computer-related work and carpentry as I have studied in both these fields, but my work could also include administrative work, fund-raising drives, and helping with the patients.

I am quite surprised that a lot of you are familiar with Nani Ma and Ganga Prem Hospice. Is she well-known throughout India? I understand that the skills I have to offer aren't lacking in India (which are?), but I doubt that there are many that would work for free as I would like to. The experience in itself would be rewarding enough for me.

Thank you for your replies.

Glandith

Edit: Ah, and I'm a he.

Paleface

Yes, know Nani quite well, and No She's not 'famous' in that sense, across India. Rishi and Uttarkashi are 5/6 hours drive apart. Rather late here to go into details but suffice it to say there is a network, call it that for want of a better word, of some folks who i am sure are going to help you out with what's required. Seva = service, that you are embarking upon this means that obstacles will be dissolved!

nycank

Thanks for information. It is not true that she cannot help you; rather she serves on their board. I do not know what your interaction or connection is to her.

She is known in the area.

It is good that you will go and see if there is a fit. Good luck in your quest for volunteering.

livinhimalayas

You should ask Nani to help you get a letter from Dr. Dewan of the Shradha Cancer Care Trust. I think the foundation stone laying ceremony of the GPH building is on the 11th of October.
Actually you are off roughly by a 100 kms - they are approximately 180 kms apart. On the mountains that means a 6 hour journey in your own vehicle and more in a bus.

We live in the area and hence know Nani, infact we volunteer for her too when we have the time (which in the past few months has been pretty scarce) So we know her. She may not be famous all over India but around here people do know her.

Sorry for the mistake in the gender!

Glandith

Paleface, thank you for your kind words of encouragement.

It is. I will ask her again once the event has passed. She's extremely occupied these days

Thanks for the correction. Checked on google and read 70 km somewhere. Boy was it off.

No problem!

Glandith

Paleface

Glandith - Now you know a little more info about this! I agree that coming to Uttarkashi will be a good transition move, plus selfisshly i want to avail of your carpentry skills - bring a Tenon saw? One thing is, are you intending to stay the 5 years straight, and not return to Canada or anywhere in that period.

Glandith

Once there I intend to play it by ear, but I'm expecting that I won't be returning to Canada until I'm ready to go for good. And a tenon saw? Whatever for?

Glandith

Paleface

Even at Nani's you'll find some carpentry Karma Yoga to do, if you enjoy doing it that is there's plenty of scope there for teaching as well - in your spare time! Saws in India are generally awful and in the hills completely awful. After much searching i found a 20" Stanley crosscut in Dehradun, it's so good. Tenon is small enough to pack up and I'll buy it off you! Am slowly working on your case regarding visa and letters of introduction - Got an eye camp next two days but that may provide an idea or two, when did you intend leaving Canada ?

Glandith

Your help is very much appreciated Paleface. My intent is to leave in early-mid January. Processing time for this kind of visa here is 8+ weeks, from what I read.

About teaching, while I've studied carpentry, I don't have that much hands-on experience, so I don't think I'd be the best candidate. I can work very well with guidance if needed though. Anyway, I'll start looking for that tenon saw. I have a pretty Stanley crosscut as well. Unfortunately most saws available today can't be sharpened. Do you know what kind you're looking for?

Glandith

Haylo

Sorry to go off topic, but carpentry surely is a craft, and crafts are surely all about hands on experience.

What sort of course was it that gives you a diploma in carpentry without much hands on experience; did you learn carpentry over the internet or something?

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Paleface

It is quite cold out of the sun in winter as you can imagine, but nothing near how it is in Canada, of course we don't have central heating so you'll need some warm gear. Nani's ashram is right on the bank of Bhagirathi Ganga, which while being mesmerising adds to the cool breeze, ha!

So we need to get this letter moving fairly soon for it to be of help. Dr.Dewan in Delhi seems the best bet, or the Hospice General Manager, Swami Madhavanand who lives in Rishikesh, speaks fluent English also, have you heard of him or perhaps been in contact with him. What would you like me to do?

Glandith

I completed a program at a trade school. That's how it's done here. After some time on the work market I discovered that it wasn't what I wanted to spend the rest of my life doing, so I switched to something else deciding to keep it as a hobby. I have worked on a couple of projects since, but I am definitely no expert.

You're really nosy. :P

It sometimes gets down to -40 C with the wind factor here, so I think I'd be able to handle it. Bring warm clothes. Noted.

I have read about both people on the GPH website and Nani Ma has mentioned Madhavananda on a couple of occasions, but I have had no contact with them. Once the groundbreaking ceremony has passed, I thought I'd ask her if Dr. Dewan from the Trust could write a letter for me, as livinhimalayas has suggested, as it's an officially registered charity. Maybe as nycank has suggested, she can't afford to get involved in helping me obtain a visa. In this case I hope that she would tell me straight out. Would you happen to have a better suggestion? I don't know in what position you are, or what you could do to help. But everything is certainly appreciated.

Glandith