RUCHI – INDIA

STV Program 2019

Spring projects (Jan-April 2019)

Contact address:

Village Bandh, Dist. Solan, H.P.

Email: info@ruchi.org.in

Web: www.ruchi.org.in

Tel: +91 7560078500

www.ruchi.org.in

ABOUT RUCHI

Rural Centre for Human Interests (RUCHI) is a community development organization with ever increasing focus on youth development and intercultural learning through voluntary service. RUCHI got registered in 1983, under Indian Societies Registration Act as a non-political, non-profit making voluntary organization. RUCHI was established keeping in mind the problems and restrictions that a remote community faces on day to day basis. These could be due to poverty, lack of knowledge, poor infrastructure or at times difficult terrain. As a result RUCHI has always implemented its project with people centered approach and gave priority to community development. With 35 years in this field, RUCHI has accumulated extensive knowledge in community development with project area ranging from semi-urban background to extremely remote communities requiring two days of walk certain time of the year. Over time RUCHI has also developed and successfully implemented many low cost technologies. We are now acting as a resource organization for Indian Government and other NGO’s pursuing rural community development work.

Our Aim Through Voluntary services, RUCHI aims to promote intercultural learning between individual, group and community, leading to better understanding and tolerance towards each-others culture. We believe achieving peace, harmony and working towards a world with fewer boundaries is a never ending process which can be achieved by increasing youth mobility through voluntary camps globally.

Our Approach For the past 35 years RUCHI has committed its efforts and resources towards rural development. All our projects have a people centered approach and ongoing commitment with our projects and partners. Our workcamp offer a unique opportunity to gain global perspective for volunteer and local youth increasing their professional competencies. Voluntary service not only helps community projects but also provide a much needed overview and technical support. With work camp we provide a unique learning experience for volunteers.

Network and collaboration RUCHI is affiliated with international and national voluntary service networks. Recently it got elected in Executive Committee of Network of Voluntary Development in Asia (NVDA), It is also member of Coordinating Committee of International Voluntary Service (CCIVS). RUCHI also partners with Alliance of European Voluntary service Organization (ALLIANCE).

Our Program

Short Term Workcamp, STW (13days)

Very Short Term Workcmps (VSTW) of 7 days

Long – Medium Term Volunteer, LMTV (1-12months)

Group Workcamp/Bilateral workcamps 10+ vols. (13days)

Areas of Interests

Renovation/ maintenance.

Environment and conservation.

Non formal education.

Community development.

Construction.

International Youth exchange.

Agriculture/organic farming.

Technology promotion.

www.ruchi.org.in

RUCHI Short Term Work Camps-(Code: RC) Spring 2019 (January-April 2019)

Summary

Code Name Location Dates 2019 (Jan – May)

Type No. Vols. Age 18+

Exra Fee

(Euro) RC-01/19 City to Countryside Delhi & Solan 28/01 – 09/02 SOC/COM.DEV 10 250

RC-02/19 Back to Nature Solan-RUCHI 11/02 – 23/02 ENV 10 220

RC-03/19 City to Countryside Delhi & Solan 18/02 – 02/03 SOC/COM.DEV 10 250

RC-04/19 Tibetan & Indian culture

Dharamshala 25/02 – 09/03 ART/CULT 10 220

RC-05/19 City to Countryside Delhi & Solan 25/02 – 09/03 SOC/COM. DEV 10 250

RC-06/19 Holi Mela – Festival of Colors

Solan-RUCHI 18/03 – 30/03 FESTIVAL/CULT 10 220

RC-07/19 Creative Arts & Crafts

Delhi 25/03 – 06/04 ART/SOC 6 250

RC-08/19 City to Countryside Delhi & Solan 01/04 - 13/04 SOC/COM. DEV 10 250

RC-09/19 Women Power Baddi/Bandh 08/04 - 20/04 SOC/EDU 10 220

General Information: All Short Term Camps (STC) last two weeks with

fixed dates and led by a RUCHI Team Leader. Every project has an extra fee to cover their living

and working costs. Volunteers take care of their own travel costs and bear all personal expenses during free time.

Volunteers have to be 18 years or older and be prepared to live under simple conditions.

No special skills are required; one has to be open minded and willing to adapt to challenging conditions.

Volunteers’ contribution is always recognized and appreciated but they will have to accept the fact that they cannot change the world in two weeks.

Volunteers must be willing to understand and respect local as well each other’s culture.

Volunteers must be prepared to live in harmony with others and work as a team.

Working hours will be 5-6 hours, 5 days a week.

Why the extra fee? RUCHI with other NGO’s in India is not financially supported by government to host projects related to IVS. Hence all projects are self funded with a participation fee. Given the remote location and various complexities we have tried our best to make it as affordable as possible for volunteers. Being a non-profit organization we emphasize on transparency, below is how we spend collected participation fee.

Food, accommodation and logistics of volunteer during workcamp.

Project setup costs. (material and logistics cost)

Running the camp. (wages of professional like mason, carpenter, plumber etc and training local youth supported by us.)

Office running/admin expenses. (Internet, photocopy, stationary, electricity, phone, salaries, office equipment, tools and rent etc.)

Supporting small community project.

International travel costs to global conferences and membership fee for networking.

www.ruchi.org.in

Description of the Short Term Camps

RC-01/19 Delhi & Solan City to Countryside SOC/CD 10 Vols. 28.01.19 – 09.02.19 RC-03/19 Delhi & Solan City to Countryside SOC/CD 10 Vols. 18.02.19 – 02.03.19 RC-05/19 Delhi & Solan City to Countryside SOC/CD 10 Vols. 25.02.19 – 09.03.19 RC-08/19 Delhi & Solan City to Countryside SOC/CD 10 Vols. 01.04.19 – 13.04.19

Location: This project will start in New Delhi and then bring you to Bandh Village and experience rural community life of Solan district in hilly state of Himachal Pradesh Work: This projects aims to expose volunteers to urban and rural community service initiatives. With assistance of grass root NGO’s you will participate in their daily activities and contribute towards a better tomorrow. In Delhi city, you will spend first week with our partner who operates a learning centre for migrants/street kids and hosts capacity building classes along with other health services for them. Whereas in the second week you will move to small village Bandh in district Solan and participate in our community development projects/initiatives in rural set up. The volunteer is expected to better understand the complex situation in two set ups and understand the urban-rural divide. They will be welcome to offer solutions to minimize the wide gap. Additional activities will include learning of various developmental issues and solutions. They will visit various humanitarian projects and interact with the villagers. Requirements: Interest in understanding different life styles and issues with a sharing and learning ability, High motivation.

Accommodation: Volunteers will live in shared accommodation with a host family and in the RUCHI campus. All basic amenities will be available. Asian squat type toilet and English WC will be available. Vegetarian food will be served. A cook will be there but volunteers are expected to help him and occasionally cook their own meals and self-management is required. Sleeping bags are also necessary. Leisure time: Many competitive Self organized city tours and excursions are available in Delhi, the capital of India. Heritage sites of Humanyu Tomb, Red Fort, India Gate, Lotus Temple are a few worthwhile sites to visit. Delhi is a nice place for those interested in shopping. Taj Mahal in Agra is only about 200 kms and it can be visited during a day. In the second week, Nearby Kasauli town is a small hill station as a tourist attraction. A visit to Shimla will offer an opportunity to see high Himalayan Mountains. International Terminal: New Delhi; Nearest railway station: New Delhi Participation Fee: Euro 250

www.ruchi.org.in

RC-02/19 Solan Back to Nature ENV 10 Vols. 11.02.19 – 23.02.19

Location: Ruchi campus which is located near Bandh village. It is 30 km from Kalka and 60 km from Chandigarh. Bandh village is small located in interior mountainous area and the volunteers will have a unique opportunity to live with nature in a peaceful environment. RUCHI campus is one km. from the village. Work: Volunteers will better understand flora and fauna in this forest area and how the nature plays an important role in influencing the lives of local people. The volunteers may be involved in actual plantation of trees on waste land near Ruchi campus or tend to the already planted trees. Work would be preparing holes, clear weeds and plant trees to rejuvenate forests. Besides tree plantation, volunteers will educate people how the trees are linked to life and survival of human beings. Tree nursery may also be developed for future plantation. Volunteer will get orientation before starting project. Additional activities will include learning of various developmental issues and solutions. They will visit various humanitarian projects and interact with the villagers. Requirements: Interest in environment and climate change and learning ability, High motivation.

Accommodation: Volunteers will live in the RUCHI campus. All basic amenities will be available with library facilities. Asian squat type toilet and English WC will be available. Vegetarian food will be served. A cook will be there but volunteers are expected to help him and occasionally cook their own meals and self-management is required. Sleeping bags are also necessary. Leisure time: Self organized city tours and excursions. Old Sikh and Hindu temples in the near vicinity can be visited. Nearby Kasauli town is another hill station as a tourist attraction. A visit to Shimla will offer an opportunity to see high Himalayan Mountains. International Terminal: New Delhi (320 Kms); Domestic Terminal: Chandigarh and Shimla (70 kms) Nearest railway station: Kalka (30 kms) Participation Fee: Euro 220

www.ruchi.org.in

RC-04/19 Dharamshala Tibetan Culture Art/Culture 10 Vols. 25.02.19 – 09.03.19

Location: Dharamshala, is a small but internationally

well known town in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh.

It is 70 km north of Pathankot city and 15kms from

Kangra town. Dharamshala offers a number of treks to

tourists and a good majestic view of great Dhauladhar

range of mountains. Dharamshala is a district head

quarter for Kangra district and also happens to be the

Secretariat of Tibetan spiritual leader, The Dalai Lama.

Dharamshala offers tourists culture of Tibet and a

different experience. Like any other hilly area, the

houses in the area are scattered. The economy of the

Tibetans is on tourism whereas that of local villagers is

purely dependent on agriculture. Project will be held in

sub-urban area of Mcleodganj.

Work: This camp will provide an exposure to local as well as Tibetan culture. The volunteers will study the history of Tibet and how the Tibetans had to leave Tibet to live in exile in this place. Inter-cultural learning will broaden horizons of volunteers on issues concerning environment and livelihood. Depending on situation, Volunteers may also work on facelift of local school, create learning opportunities for children and teach and play with children or even be involved with a cleaning

drive in this touristic area. They can witness the Tibetan New year celebration. Accommodation: Volunteers will live in a Guest House under simple conditions and share accommodation with other volunteers. English WC will be available. Vegetarian food will be served. Occasionally, non-veg meals may be served. A cook will be there but volunteers are expected to help him and occasionally cook their own meals and self-management is required. Sleeping bags are also necessary. Leisure time: The volunteers will have opportunity to visit the seat of spiritual leader, the Dalia Lama and other historical Hindu temples. Opportunities will be there for short and long treks in the mountains. After the camp volunteers, if they like, may visit Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab. International Terminal: New Delhi (520 Kms); Domestic Terminal: Dharamshala Nearest railway station: Pathankot (60 kms) from Dharamshala. Participation Fee: Euro 220.

www.ruchi.org.in

RC-06/19 Solan/RUCHI Holi-Festval of Colors 10 Vols. 18.03.19 – 30.03.19

Location: The project site is Ruchi campus located near Bandh village (1 km) in Solan district. It is 30 km from Kalka and 60 km from Chandigarh. The village is small with 35 families. Work: One of the major festivals of India, Holi is celebrated with enthusiasm and gaiety on the full moon day in the month of Phalgun which is the month of March as per the Gregorian calendar. Holi is also called the Spring Festival - as it marks the arrival of spring the season of hope and joy. Entire country wears a festive look when it is time for Holi celebration. This year, main Holi festival (playing with colours) falls on 21st March 2019. Market places get abuzz with activity as frenzied shoppers start making preparations for the festival. Heaps of various hues of colors can be seen on the roadside days before the festival. Womenfolk cook loads of sweet dishes for the family and also for the relatives. A Hindu festival, Holi has various legends associated with it. The foremost is the legend of demon King Hiranyakashyap who demanded everybody in his kingdom to worship him but his pious son, Prahlad became a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashyap wanted his son to be killed. He asked his sister Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap as Holika had a boon which made her immune to fire. Story goes that Prahlad was saved by lord himself for his extreme devotion and evil minded Holika was burnt to ashes, for her boon worked only when she entered the fire alone. Since that time, people light a bonfire at important crossroads, called Holika on the eve of Holi festival and celebrate the victory of good over evil.

The Holi festival celebrates the onset of spring and renewal. Coming forth with the full flush of life, the invigorating air of Holi festivities spreads into the lives of people throughout the year. After a fun-filled and exciting day, the evenings the spent in sobriety when people meet friends and relatives and exchange sweets and festive greetings. It is said the spirit of Holi encourages the feeling of brotherhood in society and even the enemies turn friend on this day. People of all communities and even religions participate in this joyous and colourful festival. Along with festival celebrations, volunteers will have time to spend 3 days on the community development projects for their personal development.

Leisure time: Self organized city tours and excursions. Old Sikh and Hindu temples in the near vicinity can be visited. Nearby Kasauli town is another hill station as a tourist attraction. A visit to Shimla will offer an opportunity to see high Himalayan Mountains. Accommodation: Volunteers will live under simple conditions and share accommodation with other volunteers. English WC will be available. Vegetarian food will be served. Sleeping bags are also necessary. International Terminal: New Delhi (320 Kms); Domestic Terminal: Chandigarh (70 kms) Nearest railway station: Kalka (30 kms) Participation Fee: Euro 220.

www.ruchi.org.in

RC-07/19 New Delhi Creative Arts & Crafts ART/DEV. 6 Vols. 25.03.19 – 06.04.19 Location: Nangloi in Delhi. The project will be taken up in collaboration with our local partner working in this slum community. The project site is well connected with Metro Rail Network to all touristic places and shopping areas of Delhi. Work: Volunteers will work with street kids. Work would involve drawing creative skills out of children in the form of arts work or through paintings. Besides contributing to child development, this should communicate development message leading to environmentally sustainable development. Subject would be related to peace and love, Global warming, inter-cultural earning, good message through painting on wall for youth and public. Additional activities may include sharing local culture, learning of various developmental issues and solutions. They may visit various humanitarian projects and interact with the inhabitants. Requirements: Interest in Art and teaching and learning ability, high motivation and creative skills. Accommodation: Volunteers will live in the Home Stay or Host Family. All basic amenities will be available. Asian squat type toilet and English WC will be available. Vegetarian food will be served. A cook will be there but volunteers are expected to help him and occasionally cook their own meals and self-management is required. Sleeping bags are also necessary. Leisure time: Many competitive Self organized city tours and excursions are available in Delhi, the capital of India. Heritage sites of Humanyu Tomb, Red Fort, India Gate, Lotus Temple are a few worthwhile sites to visit. Delhi is a nice place for those interested in shopping. Taj Mahal in Agra is only about 200 kms and it can be visited during a day. International Terminal: New Delhi Nearest railway station: New Delhi Participation Fee: Euro 250

www.ruchi.org.in

RC-09/19 Baddi/Bandh Women Power SOC/EDU 10 Vols 08.04.2019 – 20.04.2019 Location: Ruchi campus which is located near Bandh village. It is 30 km from Kalka and 60 km from Chandigarh. Work: This projects aims to empower women by helping them to gain confidence, recognize and demand their rights and most importantly start being an earning member of family. Working closely with local communities we have identified and assisted in developing women to start micro initiatives to economically support their families. The volunteer is expected to better understand the role a typical woman has in our society and join them in their economic activity. They will also be attending meetings of Self-help Groups (SHGs) and interact with women to better understand their plight and assist them to be economically independent. Additional activities will include learning of various developmental issues and solutions. They will visit various humanitarian projects and interact with the villagers. Requirements: Interest in gender related work and issues with a sharing and learning ability, High motivation.

Accommodation: Volunteers will live in the RUCHI campus in shared accommodation. All basic amenities will be available with library facilities. Asian squat type toilet and English WC will be available. Vegetarian food will be served. A cook will be there but volunteers are expected to help him and occasionally cook their own meals and self-management is required. Sleeping bags are also necessary. Leisure time: Self organized city tours and excursions. Old Sikh and Hindu temples in the near vicinity can be visited. Nearby Kasauli town is another hill station as a tourist attraction. A visit to Shimla will offer an opportunity to see high Himalayan Mountains. International Terminal: New Delhi (320 Kms); Domestic Terminal: Chandigarh (70 kms) Nearest railway station: Kalka (30 kms) Participation Fee: Euro 220