Volunteering in South India (short-term, experienced and trained)

ZoeD

Hi,

I'm having a few issues trying to organise volunteering in South India between August - Sept. This is why:

I am only looking to volunteer four around 3 weeks, which appears to be problematic for most serious placements (where you actually help)

I cannot afford to pay, and would not anyway as I am looking for genuine NGOs (not flimsy excuses for holidays) - thu obviously would expect to pay board and food costs.

I volunteered before in Africa and Thailand for around 6 months altogether (teaching, conservation, building, advocacy), I also run a 'mother and child' group at a local refugee centre in the UK. I feel like I do have allot to give because of my volunteering experience, and I am currently studying for a masters in Poverty Reduction and Development Management, so I have allot of knowledge and understanding of poverty. (this isn't meant to be a look at me post )
But yes, I cant seem to find anything really. Ideally I'm looking for a rural project, working with children and/or sustainable development. Around the South West coast. If anyone knows how I could go about finding a genuine NGO where I could volunteer for a few weeks (at a very low cost!) that would be great!

Also (yes a long post!) my boyfriend is going to be volunteering with me, is this likely to be a problem (I don't want to upset local traditions, especially if I'm going to be working with children), I thought maybe I should suggest we're engaged? - But a bit of a moral dilemma there

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

poipleshadow

Hi...

Just to comment...

3 weeks is a little short (for the genuine places that don't require fees), this is generally because it can take the amount of time to settle in and be productive, with us (CWT), it takes about a month to learn all the children's names!!

I don't have any suggestions, although SISP is in the south (Kerela), don't know if they have any fees etc, but they receive volunteers so it's wrth a try....

About your boyfriend... I don't think it will be a problem as most people/children would assume you're married anyway as they don't see there to be other choices available,

Hope this helps

Thanks

Rob

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Rob
Trying to make the world a better place is really hard...

Haylo

Engaged? That would be equally shocking!
Tell them you're married, they'll assume you are anyway. Indian passports give not only marital status but also spouses name, but fortunately ours don't!

As you're planning on working with a rural community and gaining their trust in a very short space of time, you'll have to learn about this sort of thing in advance. There are a lot of helpful threads on here about Indian society - just bear in mind that some of the things that people say, for instance "Everyone wears shorts and strappy tops these days" relates only to their experiences in cities or beach resorts, and not traditional village communities!

My feeling is that for such a short time, it's not worth the paperwork for genuine organisations who are strapped for cash to advertise volunteer placements. Maybe you'd be better off coming for a holiday on a tourist visa and asking round for organisations that could use your help when you arrive.

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The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful - E.E. Cummings, poet (1894-1962)

plugugly

Read about the place here - I read this blog regularly

http://travel.paintedstork.com/blog/...d-program.html

and

You guys can volunteer here .....
http://www.youthforseva.org/index.ph...ms& Itemid=71

Hope this helps,

Cheers!

ZoeD

Hey,
Ur replys have been helpful, i know that three weeks is often not enough time to volunteer, I'm going to try and up it up to four (so 2 months altogether -time for travels and volunteering) but will have to persuade my boyfriend.
I don't intend on getting a volunteering visa - just getting a tourist one and then volunteering.
Thanks Rob SISP is in the Kerela looks like exactly what i'm after, how do you know about them?
Cheers
Zpe

clivington

In a school not only does it take a while for volunteers to settle in but also the arrival of a new person can be quite disruptive. The kids become very excited and need time to get to know you - that also makes it hard on existing staff who you'd be assisting. Initially at least, you would also demand some of the staff's time.

Like CWT, SISP does take volunteers and does not charge fees. You have to find and fund your own accommodation and food. The minimum term is one month unless you already have some connection with them or bring some very specialised skills. Short term volunteers (anything under 3 months) would generally be involved with helping teaching the youngest children (6 - 9years) as the older ones are following lesson plans and continuity is more important. And as with any reputable NGO working with children you would have to provide an original of your police check (CRB).

One tip I can give is that there are opportunities that volunteers sometimes overlook which might not be quite as glamourous as working in a classroom but are still very much appreciated by the organisations - such as helping in the kitchens, helping with building maintenance or helping with games (PE) afternoons. It can be hard graft (hot kitchen, hot sun) but you still get to meet the kids, you get insight into their lives, your work is beneficial, it doesn't disrupt the children's academic work, and it can give you some flexibility to fit in other activities (eg sightseeing) in the area. That last point in itself may allow you to stay longer
Clive

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Bring me sunshine, in your smile

ZoeD

I'm more than happy to do any of those things, well maybe not helping in the kitchen as im a terrible cook! My boyfriend would probably be more up for doing those things than teaching.
Having spent a month in botswana constructing long drop toilets for a school (glamourous eh?) im not sure it can get worse

Ive sent SISP an email asking if we could help (now that we're going for a month) so hopefully all will go well.

Thanks for your help.

vandy

This one is near Trivandrum I think. http://www.foloindia.org/



vandy