Media Centre for Volunteer Work with Tribal Communities in India

Robyn Sherwell

Embarking on this volunteer project was the smartest choice I ever made. A unique and challenging experience, the project brought huge personal reward, and opened my eyes to a beautiful and fascinating country. The only regret I can mention is not having been able to stay longer.

From the moment we landed in Delhi, and throughout our trip, my fellow volunteers and I were made to feel safe and comfortable by the local volunteer coordinators, as well as by the relaxed and contented attitude of the departing volunteers we met at the airport on our arrival.

The project is extremely well structured, allowing volunteers to be completely immersed in Indian culture across Rajasthan in all its different hues and colours, both beautiful and shocking. We began with an action packed orientation period in Jaipur, during which time all our burning questions about the teaching and the schools were answered, our education on Rajasthan’s history and culture began to blossom, as did our Hindi with our very first lessons! All this new information was framed by a cosy home stay with a middle-upper class Indian host family, which was a tremendous insight into Indian life as well as a lovely comfort for us so far from home.

The move to Udaipur with its green mountainous landscape altered the pace of our journey, and the heart of our experience took shape. We quickly fell into a cheerful routine – rising early to a good breakfast, followed by an exhilarating rickshaw ride of breathtaking mountain scenery on the way to school and to the new challenges that only such amazing children can provide. Impoverished, but always smiling, tireless and eager, the children are the real pleasure of the project. Teaching fourteen (sometimes very naughty!) 4-5 year olds was certainly a new situation for me, and the support of local volunteers, along with the basic Hindi I learned, was invaluable. Every afternoon I left school tired but happy, to enjoy a great lunch back at the apartment, relax and prepare for the next day.

Once settled in this way the time flew past – we squeezed in two parties to celebrate volunteer’s birthdays, a Sunday excursion to some of the astonishing sights outside Udaipur city, including the stunning Jain Temple at Ranakpur and the massive Kumbulgarh Fort, lots of shopping and countless glasses of chai, and as the monsoon rains took hold and the Udaipur lakes swelled and flooded, we had several days of inventive indoor entertainment (involving mostly Hindi movies!)

All too suddenly our time in Udaipur was up, and we were on the road again for our 5 day excursion westwards through blue Jodhpur to golden Jaisalmer, culminating in a camel safari and a night spent in the desert amid flawless, silent and endless sand dunes. This trip was a fantastic way to round up our month together, during which time of course we had shared so much, volunteers and volunteer coordinators alike - and then the sad goodbyes began.

In truth, overall the trip has left me wanting more – but in a good way! One month was certainly not enough time for me, and I feel the 8 week programme is to be preferred. Best advice is to book an open return ticket – I did not want to come home and am definitely planning to return in the future.