4 Volunteering Opportunities in India

India is one of those countries filled with contrasts. When you go for a visit you will be able to experience its rich and vibrant culture that can be identified by its music, dance, food, history, clothing, festivals, and artifacts. India is the second most populated country in the world.  It is also a place known for its modern and ancient architecture. As if that wasn’t enough, India has an amazing amount of animal species waiting for you to discover.

India is a place where you can find enormous cities with booming economies and gorgeous areas where the wealthy live.  In contrast, and often near by, you can find severely impoverished communities.  It is a fascinating country with numerous volunteer opportunities.  As a volunteer, you can experience all of the beauties of the country while making a meaningful contribution.

India is easy to travel to with numerous websites offering cheap flights.  A quick search will result in a number of options!

Here are 4 options for you to volunteer:

1. Women Empowerment program in India with CADIP

The Canadian Alliance for Development Initiatives and Projects (CADIP) is a non-profit organization. It has no religious or political affiliation. Through various charity, volunteer and youth initiatives, CADIP promotes peace, cooperation, tolerance and understanding in multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and international surroundings.

For this assignment, volunteers will work extensively with women’s groups to implement capacity building initiatives in their communities. Some of the activities they will be involved in include:

• Teaching English;
• Building capacity in computer literacy;
• Raising awareness on health and hygiene;
• Promoting entrepreneurial initiatives and income generation activities that increase family income; and,
• Building financial capacity of local organization to actively manage their group, increase capital and fund entrepreneurial projects of their women members.

The project runs all year round. The minimum duration is 1 month. The project starts on the first Monday of every month.

They do charge a small fee that will depend on the time you stay with them. Take a look at their website for more information.

2. Special Child Care with Arm-in-Arm Volunteers

Arm-in-Arm Volunteers is a non profit organization with the mission to encourage more and more people in the world to volunteer their knowledge, skills, and positive attitudes in deprived communities in support of peace and development.

Volunteers will be able to help with showing lots of love to the kids; watching out for their well-being (falls, etc.); teaching them general subjects, like English or Math, etc.; helping with in-class work and homework (writing, reading, painting, exercising); assisting local staff with preparing food for the children; counseling the parents of these children about their condition and how to take care of them; providing extracurricular activities, such as arts and crafts, music and dance, games, etc.; helping local staff organize field trips, sports competitions, etc.

They also charge a fee of $525 for 4 weeks.

3. Teaching Children with Mango Tree Goa

Mango Tree Goa is a UK registered charity, which was established in 2012 with the primary aim of helping disadvantaged children and young people in Goa, India. The charity is administered voluntarily and has no staff or office, which means more of your money, is available to fund their partners and schemes.

Each year they support around 500 disadvantaged children through five projects and are always looking for new volunteers.

They require a minimum if 3 month commitment. The only fee is £50 once you have been accepted. Other than that they don’t ask for any money but you need to pay for all of your expenses.

4. Empowering Women with FarmStays Ladakh

FarmStays Ladakh is an initiative of mothers in Ladakhi villages together with the Ice Stupa Project to bring back life in their village and make them models of rural resurgence and harmonious development for the whole Himalayas.

More than a volunteering program, this is a fundraising to be able to run this project. You can also book a visit to the community which would benefit them and is a great vacation for you. Find all of he info here.

There are numerous other opportunities to volunteer in India.  So, find a program you like, grab a cheap flight and get out there and experience it for yourself!

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