India Volunteering: An Advanced Guide Choosing Your Volunteer Program

Travellers Quest

Volunteer in

IndiaAn Advanced Guide to Volunteering in India

Table of ContentsChapter 1: Volunteer in India - Getting StartedWhy should I volunteer in India?What are the most popular volunteer projects in India?Where are the most popular areas in India to volunteer?

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Chapter 2: Volunteer in India: Choosing Your Volunteer ProgramHow do I select the best volunteer India organization? 7

Chapter 3: Volunteer in India: Getting Ready

Passport/documentationVaccinationsFlight ticketsRaising fundsSuggested readingPacking advice and tipsGifts for projectList of essentials to pack

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Chapter 4: Information you must know before departure

Information on your projectHost family detailsNetworkingConfirm arrival

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Chapter 5: Arriving/Volunteering in IndiaHow to make your India volunteer experience rewardingSafety concernsDo’s and don’ts while in IndiaCulture shock in IndiaThings to do in India

1415161718

Chapter 6: Completion of Project – Back Home Again 19

Chapter 7: Frequently Asked Questions From Volunteers 21

www.travellersquest.com 3

CHAPTER 1: Volunteer in India - Getting StartedWelcome to India

If you’re looking for a travel adventure which includes helping out a community through inter-national volunteering abroad, then India is the place to start. With a history that dates back to 3000 B.C. the glorious Himalayan peaks, Indian Ocean coastline, and safari wildlife terrain India has many faces.

India may be a developing country in economic terms, but its cultural richness is highlighted through spirituality, yoga, architecture and the truly genuine people.

Why should I volunteer in India?

India is one of the most popular volunteer abroad destinations, chosen by those who want to experience the culture in a more natural way, are interested in travelling in the area, or simply by people who want to donate their free time to a worthwhile humanitarian project.Here some of the reasons people volunteer in India.

Photo Credit: rusticvolunteers.org


You can experience diversity

If you are a people person, this is the place. There are so many people from varying back-grounds in India yet it is still embedded in unity. The cultural differences from region to region will also amaze you. Mountainous areas, safari badlands, enchanting forestry, and white sand coastal beaches India really does have some-thing for everyone.

You can enjoy regional cuisine

There’s a lot more to Indian food than the deli-cious curries you are probably familiar with. In the north you will find clay-oven Tandoor with thick gravy and naan bread, while people on the eastern coast serve fish and tortilla-like chapat-ti. Travel south to indulge in dosa, a crepe filled with sweet treats and spices.

The best food is found in local homes rather than restaurants. So make the most of this op-portunity to discover, eat and enjoy some of the best food in the world.

You can have an intense sensory adventure

India is a sensory sensation, and with every step you take outside of a hotel room you’ll be over-whelmed by an array of sights, sounds, smells and tastes thin a way that has to be experienced to be truly understood.

Business men yapping on phones, beggars clank-ing their change buckets, chaotic driving con-stant horn blowing, the smells and tastes of the street food, restaurants filled to the brim, and locals lingering on every corner. You will never feel bored with India.

You can visit both big cities and rural villages

India’s cities are some of the most heavily popu-lated in the world, while some villages are so remote few people even know they exist! This

mix of old and new is part of the charm of India.

A great example can be seen in the case of Delhi and Old Delhi; one is progressive and the other still promotes old values and traditions. Try to visit both cities and villages during your volunteering adventure in India, and experience the dual personality of this amazing country for yourself.

You can make a difference in a community

There are a number of reasons to volunteer in India one of them being that nearly 21% of the population are among the world’s poorest peo-ple.

They suffer from malnutrition, unsafe drink-ing water, lack basic health facilities, adequate shelter, and access to education. As a volunteer you will have a fantastic opportunity to make a lasting positive impact.

You will experience cultural traditions

while volunteering in India, you will probably stay with a host family. Make the most of this once in a lifetime chance to experience Indian culture, traditions and family values at a grass root level.

You will have opportunity to see many things

volunteers who are based in India will find there are many places to see and things to do. Wheth-er you like to spend time by vast oceans with sandy white beaches, climb mountains, explore spiritual avenues, go shopping at markets or yearn to join a wildlife safari, you’ll find it in India.

What are some popular volunteer projects available in India?

There are lots of volunteer programs to choose from in India, in a wide variety of fields. Here


are some details on some of the most popular volunteer projects.

Teaching English

English teaching in one of the popular volunteer programs in India. Operating largely in rural public schools, English teaching projects are de-signed to build creative talents and sharpen the children’s knowledge of their second language.

Volunteer in an orphanage

Orphanage work is so popular in India that pro-jects exist in many different locations. Volun-teers often teach English to the children, but they also organize extracurricular activities like music, dancing, sport and drawing.

The focus on these placements is to provide educational and character building opportunities within a caring and home-style environment.

Women empowerment

These programs provide education and skill based training to Indian women of all ages and backgrounds. Due to the traditional patriarchal society women have attended to be of second-ary status in the household and workplace, so such projects are very much needed.

Volunteers work with local support agencies which are set-up and designed for women, and the program strives for the women involved to become independent and self-supporting.

Health and medical projects

Health/medical volunteer projects in India mostly aim to serve poor or low income fami-lies, and operate mostly in rural areas. Depend-ing on your skill, experience and qualifications you will be asked to get involved in a variety of medical volunteer activities.

Eco-tourism and wildlife conservation

Popular with volunteers with an interest in either the environment or animals, these pro-grams offer hands-on opportunities to make a difference to the natural world.

There are many wildlife conservation volunteer opportunities available in India, including those helping to protect tigers and elephants.

Where are the most popular areas in India to volunteer?

There are volunteer programs available in many locations across India, however, the following cities are the most popular due to the availabil-ity of projects available, opportunities to travel and explore and so on.

Delhi, India

Delhi is almost an entire country in itself. This mega city is home to 20 million people, and boasts amazing examples of folk art and modern architecture. It is also a city of striking eco-nomic inequalities, with parts being modern and progressive, and others poverty stricken, unsani-tary slums.

Available programs include: orphanages, medi-cal/health, women empowerment, teaching English.

Jaipur, India

Jaipur, a city of rich and royal history. Affection-ately known as the “Old City” or the “Pink City” (for its trademark building color and amazing ar-chitecture) there’s lots to see and do including old palaces, and forts, hot air-balloon rides and a fine collection of art and museums.

Available programs include: women’s empow-erment, community development, teaching, healthcare, and street kids projects.


Kolkata, India

This city is also known as Calcutta and is located on the Hooghly River. It is the second largest city in India and a place where you will find both the cultured and desperate, the noble and the squalid. This major commercial port was a favorite place for Mother Teresa to visit.

Available programs include: street children projects, medical and health, education, or-phanage.

Dharamsala, India

Home to the Dalai Lama, a vibrant Indian com-munity and two distinct neighborhoods known as the ‘upper’ and the ‘lower’, the misty highlands are a stark contrast to India’s buzzing cities. Available programs include: orphanage, English teaching, health, womens’ rights.

Kerala, India

Located on the Malabar Coast in the south-west coastal region, Kerala is an oasis of natural beauty and religious coexistence. With its wa-terfalls, sprawling paddy fields and old planta-tions it is said to be the cleanest city in India.

Available programs include: teaching children, agriculture, construction projects for rural vil-lages, women empowerment, healthcare, arts, wildlife conservation, marine conservation, sports, and animal care.


CHAPTER 2 : Choosing your volunteer program in India

Photo Credit: volunteerworkindia.org

How do I select the best Volunteer Organi-zation?

When you start searching for volunteer opportu-nities in India you will find hundreds of organi-zations to choose from and program fees which range from $200- $2000. This can be both over-whelming and confusing- but by using the fol-lowing tips you’ll find it easier to select the best organization for you.

Choosing the best program – a checklist to help

Although there are many organizations offer-ing volunteer in India programs those offering the best programs share certain features which demonstrate their quality and professionalism.

As choosing the tight organization is extremely important make good use of these tips and ideas and let them guide your research.

First check out the organization’s website /blog:

• How long have they been in business?• Do the sites look professional?• Is the website information current and the

blog regularly updated?• Is the ‘about us’ section easy to find and

informative?• Are the projects well explained• Are there some photographs of projects and

volunteers?• Are there stats on how many projects they


have? • Do they specialise in one region or type of

project? • Can you find out where they offer projects

now? • Are there stats on how many volunteers they

have worked with?

You can often get a very honest impression of an organization simply by asking these questions.

Check their social media platforms

A professional volunteer organization will want to communicate, so the way they use social media will give you some good clues into their attitude to volunteers.• Check Facebook – do they post regular up-

dates? Respond quickly to public queries?• Is their Twitter account active and well

monitored?• Do they have a good mixture of promotional

and useful Tweets?• Are other social media accounts well main-

tained?

Check prices

A good volunteer organization offers well priced programs which are not just affordable, but of-fer true value for money. Most programs involve the volunteer living with a host family, eating local food and working on a local project.

Although they are generally very similar the prices can range from $300 - $3000 for a 2 week program, so how can you work out which is rea-sonable?

• Look at what the program fee covers. High end fees may include airfare or tours.

• Look for a simply written explanation of how the fees are broken down. If huge amounts are being taken for company costs the main motivation on their side may be profit over project.

• There should be a clear statement about how much of the fee the host family and project receive.

• With very cheap prices check if there are any hidden costs

Overall it’s important you don’t pay more than you need to, and that the organization you vol-unteer with are honest and ethical.

Reviews and ratings

Good organizations will have plenty of positive reviews and ratings because people like to say thanks for their good experience. Look around on the Internet and see what people are saying about an organization you are interested in.

You can find reviews on the company website, but also on volunteer program review sites, chat forums and blogs written by previous volun-teers.

• Read online reviews seriously• Do not expect 100% positive reviews- no or-

ganization can manage that

Photo Credit: rcdpinternationalvolunteer.org


• Take note of how the organization deals with negative reviews – is it in an apologetic or

aggressive tone?

References from previous volunteers

If you would like to know more it is worth talk-ing to some project alumni:

• ask the organization for the email addresses of 2-3 previous volunteers

• contact them and ask questions• check their Facebook or other social media

accounts to see photos and comments

Personal recommendations are usually a trust-worthy source of genuine information.

Start communication

• Send an email to the organization• Monitor the speed in which they reply • Does their answer sound professional? Do

they answer your queries fully? Are they helpful?

See this link for further information: http://projecthelporphans.com/its-official-we-have-chosen-a-volunteer-organization/

Check their commitment to local causes and ethical practice

• Check the organization is supporting local projects like school construction.

• Check if they seem ethical.• Check that they seem genuinely concerned

about local people.• Make sure they are not only operating to

make money.


CHAPTER 3 : Getting Ready to Volunteer in India

Once you have been accepted onto the program you chose it’s time to prepare for your volun-teer in India experience. Start with getting these important tasks underway:

Visa

Volunteers must apply for a tourist visa and this must be secured before arrival. There is a fee, which varies depending on your stay in India. Depending on your nationality this form may re-quire quite extensive documentary information and evidence, so it’s wise to apply for the visa as early a possible.

Passport

YA passport with at least 180 days validity and

at least two blank pages is required to enter India.

Vaccinations

According to the CDC, you will need to start your vaccinations four to six weeks before leav-ing for India. Make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccinations such as measles-mumps-ru-bella (MMR), vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertus-sis, varicella (chickenpox), polio and your yearly flu shot. Rabies is necessary and both typhoid and hepatitis A are recommended.

Airline tickets

In general it’s best to book your flight tickets as soon as you possibly can, as prices do tend to

Photo Credit: rideindia.org


rise as the departure date approaches. If you choose to wait take advantage of sales and dis-counts by registering with flight finder services such as Kayak.com.

Raising Fund

Many volunteers do some fundraising to raise cash for their volunteer plans. There are two basic routes to choose. Online fundraising plat-forms provide templates for a volunteer to fol-low, in the hope that both contacts and stran-gers will donate to their cause. Look at www.gofudme.com or a similar site for more details.

If you prefer to do some practical fundraising (or combine this with an online campaign) there are lots of ways to make money, including or-ganizing a tabletop sale or sponsored event.

Suggested reading

Top paper choice would be India - Lonely Planet Travel Guide. Checkout www.girltweetwworld.com/books-to-read-before-going-to-india for more suggestions.

Packing suggestions and tips

Your journey will be more comfortable if you are travelling light, so leave out anything you know can be bought in India, or any item which won’t be used or worn extensively.

Gift for Programs

Giving some small gifts on arrival will make your host family and project staff very happy. Small items for children, such as pencils, notebooks, toys are always welcome, while for adults, something small like a key fob or handkerchief is fine.

Here are some essential items to pack:

▪ Gifts for your host family/project ▪ Backpack ▪ Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots ▪ Sandals ▪ 2 pairs of pants (lightweight) ▪ 2 T-shirts ▪ 3 short-sleeved shirts ▪ 2 long sleeved shirts ▪ 3 pairs of shorts and bathing suit ▪ Lightweight jacket or rain jacket, depending

on season ▪ Layer for warmth, evenings may be cool re-

gardless of season ▪ Hat or cap ▪ Towel and personal bath kit ▪ SPF/sun protection, sunglasses, ▪ Camera ▪ Mosquito net ▪ Bedding (if noted in placement document) ▪ A copy of your passport


CHAPTER 4 : Information you must know before departure

Now you are about ready to leave for India have a last check over everything to be totally sure you haven’t missed something important.

Here are a few things you need to have before

you go:

Detailed information about your project

Most organizations will provide this information during your communications, but if something from this list is missing be sure to find out about it as soon as possible. You should know:

• What your work responsibilities will be• That you have the correct dates and times

for any orientation or classes• The name, address and telephone number of

the project• If your cell phone carrier operates in that

country

Information on your host family

Most organizations place volunteers with a host family, who provide a home like atmosphere, food and a place to sleep. If you know their names, ages and occupations and about any house rules and family traditions your transition into their lives will be much smoother.

Photo Credit: ifrevolunteers.org


Network with locals

All volunteer organizations have some form of local support system in place. The staff may be direct local hires or be seconded to your project via another local organization, but wither way, they will be happy to help you find your way around.

Make the effort to build relationships with other local people you meet, such as café and restau-rant staff. This is a great way to feel like part of the community and practice any language skills you are working on.

Confirm your arrival details

• 48 hours before you leave give your vol-unteer organization a call and ask any last minute questions you have. This is also the time to confirm your flight details, arrival time and place, airport pick-up time and place, and that no details have changed regarding your project and accommodation plans,


CHAPTER 5 : Arriving/Volunteering in India ted

Photo Credit: volunteerhq.org

How to make your India volunteer experi-ence rewarding

Be prepared for anything, open to adventure, and ready to roll with what this volunteer place-ment in India is going to bring you. Here are some more specific tips on how to make the most of this amazing experience.

Embrace the positive experience & overlook the inconveniences

Volunteering abroad is a unique and overwhelm-ing experience. Rationalize the inconveniences which you would not tolerate at home, such as lack of air conditioning, see them as part of the overall adventure. Remembering that you are there primarily to help others and immerse

yourself in their lifestyle makes it easier to tol-erate, accept or even ignore the hardships.

Be prepared and organized

In the previous chapter we mentioned how important it is to have all the information you need about your volunteer abroad program. Other things to prepare include putting some emergency clothing in your hand luggage in case of delays and changing money before you leave (if it is possible.)

Create Realistic Goal

It is important when choosing your program/project that you have considered the goals you have for this trip. You cannot save the world, but even the smallest amount of effort and work


with a community can lead to long term ben-efits.

Be social: Volunteering abroad programs are about connections, people helping people, and your project will lead to some of the strongest friendships you may ever make. Network with the locals to the best of your ability, mingle with volunteers and staff, and if invited to any type of gathering always say yes.

Many of these connections will need to be fos-tered in real time, as online communication or cell phone messaging may well be unavailable. This may take some adjusting to but keep try-ing. The more you actively immerse yourself in the community, the culture, the more rewarding your time there will be.

Understand how developing countries work

You chose to volunteer because you want to sup-port those in need to better their lives or cir-cumstances. This can be quite a challenge when you are first getting used to seeing the effects of poverty, poor housing, and chronic sickness all around you. Look beyond that to the people and you will maintain focus.

Make the most of your free time

India has so many wonderful things to see that no matter where you are placed there will be lots to do at the weekend, both in the imme-diate community and a short bus or train ride away.

Follow the organization’s rules

Guidelines, protocols and rules relating to your project may not always make sense but it is not your place to question their methods of work-ing. Try your best to fit into existing ways of working, though of course you should discuss any serious concern with your in-country staff

contact.

Celebrate the little victories

Many volunteers join a program with ambitious ideas and plans to make a huge impact on their very first day. While this kind of excitement and passion is necessary it is also not the reality. Progress and change generally involve lots of small steps forward rather than huge and obvi-ous leaps, so celebrate the minor things safe in the knowledge that everything counts towards the end goal.

Safety concerns while volunteering in India

Wherever you choose to travel in the world you will need to give some thought to safety issues, and India is no different. Below you will find some tips and suggestions on things to do which will give you peace of mind while on your volun-teering project.

• Register your plans with the embassy of your home country. If there are several in India choose the one located the closest to your project base

• Make sure to buy comprehensive travel insur-ance. Policies are not generally very expen-sive so don’t skip this important task just to save cash.

• Get local contact numbers for your embassy, police, fire, and your in-country coordinator.

• Make a photocopy of your passport number and photo page to carry everywhere while the original is kept somewhere safe.

• Make yourself a basic first aid kit and include bite cream, mosquito repellent and bed bug killer.

• Leave details of all vital information such as the name and address of your project, a number for the in-country coordinator, the host family address, and a telephone number (if available), with your family or friends at home so they can contact you in an emer-


gency.• Avoid packing or openly carrying too many

belongings, especially items which are easy to steal such as shoulder purses or cameras.

• Take some traveler’s checks as emergency backup if you lose your cash or credit cards.

• Never go out alone, and always travel in groups of 2 or more.

• Women should pay attention to local customs regarding dress sense.

• Note the area’s that the locals have warned you about and stay out them.

• Of course watch for signs of malaria and den-gue fever, these are rare but it is possible.

• Public transportation can also be a bit risky, motorbikes are the leading injuries in India, so be careful when you are out sight-seeing and using public transportation.

DO’S & DON’TS while volunteering in India

Now you have decided on a project it’s time to learn the customs and traditions of India. Learn-ing about the beliefs and social rules of a new culture shows respect for a culture, but also makes your transition between lifestyles much smoother.

Here are some tips on things to do (and not do) in India.

DO

• Dress Codes - check with your in-country coordinator to see if there are any dress codes for your particular project. Delhi is not highly conservative, but Old Delhi is still very traditional.

• Cell Phones - it is customary to keep your phones on silent or vibrate when entering certain places of business or temples and mosques.

• Tipping - although it is not required when taking a taxi it is customary to tip hotel, air-port, and train station porters. Rs50/bag is

the average amount to give. You should also add 10-20% to your bill in a restaurant.

• Dining – apart from if eating at 5-star re-sort style restaurants you are likely to come across many situations where the locals are eating with their hand. Feel free to give it a try, but remember to NEVER use your left hand, (even if you are left-handed).

• Bring gifts - It is expected that a guest will give a gift to the host or hostess when in-vited to an Indian family home. Considering this remember to bring something small to offer your host family. Candies or a book/toy if they have small children would be great gifts.

• Explore - Your volunteering program is only one part of your India adventure, so take full advantage of your free time and plan some great excursions.

DON’T

• Clothing - Indian culture is very reserved in terms of dress, particularly in the rural areas. It is customary to keep your legs and shoulders covered, and to avoid tight or shape revealing clothing. Following these rules will help avoid harassment and uncom-fortable situations. Keeping your head cov-ered is customary while entering temples.

• Shoes – it is customary to never wear shoes inside a home, place of worship or a busi-ness, so play attention to the way those around you navigate buildings and follow their lead.

• Intrusive questions - Indian people are very inquisitive and in their culture it is perfectly acceptable to ask questions many western-ers may find a little rude or personal. Conse-quently, you may be asked about your salary, relationship status and religion - all upon meeting you for the first time. The good news is they are happy when you also be-come inquisitive by asking an abundance of questions.

• Don’t point your feet at people - This one seems a little odd, but in fact Indians believe that the feet are the dirtiest part of the


body, so it is considered rude. Try to avoid touching anything except the floor with your feet, and if you do so accidentally, apologize immediately. Most Indians will touch their head or their eyes as a form of apology.

• Don’t show affection in public - While you may see the occasional couple snuggling in the local park, or embracing each other at the shoreline, for the most part public dis-plays of affection are not common.

• Don’t use your left hand - Indian people never eat, pass or receive anything with their left hand. This is helpful to know when bringing gifts to your host family, or pro-jects.

Culture shock – tips for coping

Culture shock is something you should pretty much expect to experience when you are volun-teering in a developing country. While it is not always a pleasant thing to go through there are ways you can lessen the impact.

Listed below are several tips and suggestions on how to recognize culture shock and cope with it as best as possible.

Dreams vs. Reality

The dream of combining travel, volunteering and adventure in a foreign country inevitably focuses on the positives such as great things to eat, people to meet, places to visit. The harsh reality of everyday life for disadvantaged people can be quite overwhelming.

Preparing yourself for poor sanitation, bad smells, street beggars and dirty streets can help to reduce the impact of meeting them face-on.

Language barriers

This is a major cause of confusion and anxi-ety, especially for volunteers on longer term projects. Try to get at least some of the basics down before you arrive, and sign up for any

kinds of classes that are provided in country. Be-ing able to communicate will really change the way you experience everyday life.

Talk it out

Don’t bottle up the feelings culture shock brings on. Others on your project will have felt the same way and will probably have advice to of-fer, or at the very least be a listening ear.

Network

Jump right in and mingle with locals, get to know their customs and daily practices. When invited to join any activities take this opportuni-ty to connect with people, and you’ll soon build a support system to complement your friends and family back home’s contact.

Treat yourself

Now is the right time to break out that special treat you packed for yourself, perhaps some great tea or your favorite snack. Take some time out – read a book, play some music you like, or


book yourself into a nice hotel for a day of spa treatments and a night in a large com-fortable bed.

Things to do in India

Your exact volunteer abroad program sched-ule will depend on the project you have chosen to do, but all placements include plenty of free time for you to get out and see some of the things India has to offer visitors.

Below are a few tips on the top sites to visit while in India.

The Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is probably one of the most popular places visitors to India head for. Why not combine this with a trip on the sacred Yamuna River? A fabulous opportunity to glimpse this breathtaking building from a rarely seen angle.

Shekhawati Rajasthan

You don’t need to be a committed art lover to appreciate what is known as the larg-est open air gallery in the world. If you can make it to the triangle of Delhi, Jaipur, and Bikaner this is a must see.

Pichavaram Mangrove Forest

The second largest mangrove forest in the world, (beaten only by the Sundarbans National Park in West Bengal), this is an offbeat adventure you shouldn’t miss. The forest is spread over 3,000 acres, and is explored by taking a boar=t tour through its extensive canal system.

Dharamsala

Home to many Tibetan exiles, this town is re-garded as one of the most spiritual places in the world. Yoga, and meditation are high on the list of to-do’s, along with some great cooking class-es featuring local cuisine.

Varkala

Located in the Kerala region, this popular beach town has a long history of healing and spiritual activity. If you are interested in ayurvedic mas-sage or treatments you’ll be spoiled for choice. For ten or eleven months a year this town en-joys a peaceful and serene atmosphere.


CHAPTER 6 : Completion of Project – Back Home Again

Photo Credit: projects-abroad.com.au

Once you have returned home to your comfy couch and big fluffy bed pillows it may take a few days to get used to such luxury. You are bound to miss India and the people you got to know while volunteering, but your experience doesn’t need t end now you are home again. In fact there are several ways you can easily con-tinue to support your volunteer project. Here’s how:

Leave feedback

Future volunteers and the organization itself really benefit from honest feedback with fair praise and, if necessary, constructive criticism. It doesn’t take much of your time to leave a testimonial or fill out a feedback form.

Sharing your experience

Share stories, blog entries, photographs and memories through social media and at special events you set up for family and friends. Others who are interested in doing this kind of thing will really appreciate your effort. You may even find yourself recommending your project and organization to potential volunteers.

Continue to support the projects you love

If you would like to offer more practical support why not hold a fundraising event at home to raise cash for your project? Ask the managers in country what ideas they would like to contribute and what they would use money raised for.


CHAPTER 7 : Frequently Asked Questions From Volunteers How will I get from the airport to my host family/volunteer house?

Most volunteer abroad providers handle the airport pick-up and transfer to the location. It is ex-tremely important to call a couple of days before you leave and confirm that they have passed on your flight and arrival time to the in-country staff. You can also take this opportunity to ask for details on who will collect you, where you will meet and how you will recognize them. Will there be support staff around to help me in India?

Most volunteer abroad organizations provide in-country staff. These may be local hires with a dedicated office or staff from an organization in the community they have partnered with. Ask your volunteer agency for further details and relevant contact information.

In-country staff will be your key contacts once you are working on your placement so do get in touch as soon as possible to establish a positive relationship early on.

How many volunteers will be participating?

This varies with the individual project and the season you choose to volunteer in. If you are book-ing through a local organization things may run on a much smaller scale than a program booked via a reputable international organization. In general though the most popular time to participate is during the summer season.

If my friend and I volunteer can we be placed in the same project and housing?

Most international volunteer programs will do their best to place you and your friend, (or partner, fiancé, family member) together, but do make sure to confirm this before making a payment.

Are meals and housing included?

Volunteers staying with host families or in group housing usually include food. However, programs which offer housing in a hostel or hotel may not provide any meals. All this information should be available through the booking/pricing sections of your organization’s website.

Do I have to bring my own bedding and mosquito nets?

Unless you are staying in a hotel you should seriously consider packing these items. Although every volunteer will definitely be provided with a bed the accommodation offered will probably be very basic.

What if I don’t speak the native language?

English is understood and used to different extents across India and your host family and project staff will be able to communicate adequately, for sure. Despite this it is worth taking up any op-portunity offered to study the local language, as it will really make a difference to your stay to learn even a few words.


How will I get to the project site each day?

In some cases volunteers are housed close enough to walk, but some will need to use public trans-port. Ask your volunteer origination for more details of your situation.

What kind of food will I eat while I am there?

This will depend on the region you are volunteering in. Indian food varies considerably in ingredi-ents and cooking methods around the country, although staples such as rice, roti and delicious chai tea are available everywhere.

If you have to follow a special diet or have any strong feelings about spices or meat eating it would be wise to check this topic out more fully.

Does the volunteer abroad program offer any treks or excursion, for the weekends, and days off?

In general, no, although there are a few opportunities to book a combination sightsee-ing/volun-teer work tour in India. On regular volunteer programs participants tend to get together and make independent plans to take short trips to popular sights.

Plan group activities where possible, and avoid travelling around alone. Check with the local tour-ism bureau when you arrive as they may have bargain packages available.

How many hours will I be volunteering?

This may vary depending on the type of project you are working on. Most international volunteers work 4-6 hours a day, and up to five days a week – the exact details depend on the project director. If you work in an orphanage you may work different shift patterns to cater for busy morning and evening routines.

How much money do I need to bring?

As food and accommodation is generally provided most volunteers in India only need to budget for personal expenses. Although basics such as bottled water, street food snacks and bus fares are gen-erally very cheap, entrance into tourist sites can be quite expensive.

Do some planning and research depending on what you would like to do, and plan your budget ac-cordingly. In general though most volunteers find $50 - $100 per week should be enough.

In closing we would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for participating in the volunteer abroad in India, helping the local communities and visiting our site and downloading the necessary information to have a wonderful experience abroad. We wish you all a productive and enlightening time and look forward to you sharing your time there with us. Bon Voyage!!!!!!!!!


This free eBook is just written to help volunteers. So please use this book just as a general reference or source

of information. We cannot guarantee the validity of information as changes in the field can be sudden. As it is

impossible to provide a definite or authoritative guide it is vital you verify information directly with a relevant

and up to date source. We cannot be held liable in any way for damages caused should you choose to overlook

this advice.

India Volunteering: An Advanced Guide Choosing Your Volunteer Program

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Transcript of India Volunteering: An Advanced Guide Choosing Your Volunteer Program