Overview
Volunteer with street children and tribal communities in India

This short-term program in Rajasthan, India offers volunteers the opportunity to work as teaching assistants in both formal and informal schools. Participants will generally work alongside other long-term GVI volunteers and/or local staff providing much needed assistance and continuity on our education projects. Depending on the project needs at the time, you may be teaching tribal children at rural formal schools in the morning or teaching street children at informal schools in the evening. This program includes Hindi lessons during the first week, cultural workshops in the second week, and on the last weekend volunteers will take an overnight sleeper train to Agra, to visit the Taj Mahal before travelling on to Delhi where this program ends.

View Film Footage, images, blogs, volunteer stories from the field, volunteer video diaries and more at the programs media centre

This program not only provides an opportunity to give back to the society but it also presents a chance to learn a new language, a new culture and a new way of life. The biggest difference, which the volunteers will notice at the end of the program, will not be external but will be the difference inside of them.

Neeraj Kumar - Project Manager

What Difference Does This Project Make?

India’s isolated tribal communities face many challenges; the socio-economic progress being witnessed in other parts of India has not yet reached these areas and consequently the cycle of poverty continues. They also face illiteracy and a general lack of education on a wide scale. Child labour and child marriages are common and contribute to these low rates of education. This project aims to focus on assisting the education of future generations as a positive step forward in achieving sustainable community development. This program offers you the chance to help with the development and teaching of these local children, some of which would not have the chance to go to school without the support of volunteers.

Highlights

Assisting the volunteer teachers in schools, working in child day care centres, helping the local nurses, working with street kids, participating in health campaigns, getting involved in cultural workshops, attending Hindi lessons, viewing the scenic beauty from Monsoon palace of Udaipur at sunset, enjoying a local folk dance and puppet show, visiting the majestic forts of Rajasthan and admiring the immeasurable beauty of the epitome of love: the Taj Mahal.

Location

This programme takes place in Rajasthan, which is located in the north-western part of India and is famed for its palaces, maharajas and exotic colours. The state is bounded in the east by the pink city of Jaipur, the famous forts and deserts of Jaisalmer and Jodhpur lie to the west, and the beautiful lake city of Udaipur rests on the southern border.

Field Conditions

Volunteers are based on the outskirts of the city of Udaipur. The accommodation is basic, but well located for access to the city and to the project sites. Volunteers will be sharing rooms and all meals will be prepared for you. The accommodation is comfortable and spacious. The house has electricity, running water and volunteers will have access to internet and phone facilities. Travel upgrades are available on this project. Please contact GVI for more information.