Teaching Program
If you're wanting to experience life in rural India and make a true difference to the lives of disadvantaged women and children, this program is for you!
Volunteers assist in a non-governmental school, run by a local woman with a passion for educating women and children towards a better life. The school caters to children of rural and itinerant families, special needs children and uneducated local women. These students may well be the first in their families to access education. The school teaches vocational and practical skills as well as traditional subjects, empowering its pupils to earn a living and to build their confidence and self-esteem.
This programme ticks all the boxes for volunteers wishing to experience Indian village life while helping those less fortunate onto the path for a better future. While the poverty and hardship you’ll see may be confronting, the wonderful children and staff you’ll be working with and the cultural and social experiences on offer will undoubtedly enrich your life for the better.
Goals of this Project:
- Educate and empower vulnerable children, special needs students and women through various programs and initiatives
- Improve the overall prospects and provide a safe place for street children and special needs students to come to for support
- Provide an opportunity for cross cultural exchange between volunteers and locals
How You Can Help
This volunteering program is a unique opportunity to offer your skills across a number of education projects; teaching rural, under-privileged and special needs children and local women – each project essential to improving the lives of its participants.
Volunteers can teach basic education such as literacy, numbers and counting as well as practical skills such as crafts and sewing. Education can drastically change the course of students’ lives, enabling them to function in society and open up opportunities that could improve their, and their families, lives.
Academic teaching (basic), sport, music, games, art, craft, sewing and taking the children on local excursions are just some of the activities volunteers may participate in. Volunteers with the skills may also contribute by assisting with the website and helping with marketing the program building or assisting with building or grounds maintenance and horticulture projects.
The women’s empowerment program includes basic education, life and professional skills that could help the women gain employment or run businesses. Part of the program teaches the women skills in producing hand crafted goods for sale. Volunteers on this project are welcome to bring along pens, pencils, books and other teaching material which will help them with teaching and simply with engaging the participants and having fun!
This programme will provide rich learning and cultural opportunities for volunteers while also making an impact on your life and how you see the world.
Volunteers will be kept busy on a variety of tasks on this essential program and can indicate their preference to work in a certain area, including:
- Help provide basic education and fun engagement to children, women and/or those with special needs
- Teach basic life skills and/or professional skills to participants
- Plan and participate in recreational activities - playing with and organizing fun activities for children
Requirements
Love Volunteers welcomes all those 18 years and over who wish to help create a brighter future for children through the power of education. This project best suits those with experience and/or qualifications in the field of childhood development and education, though volunteers who simply wish to explore an interest in this field are also welcomed as there are many ways you can assist in the classroom. Whist not mandatory, completing a TEFL course prior to joining this project would prove to be highly beneficial. Ideally, volunteers on this project will have at least a basic knowledge of the local language in order to communicate effectively with staff and students, though this is not a pre-requisite. Importantly, all applicants must first and foremost have a genuine willingness to help, show drive and initiative, and bring a positive 'can-do' attitude. If this sounds like you, we want you on the team!
Additionally, volunteers applying to join this program will be required to supply to following documentation:
- Emergency contact
- Police check
- Resume
Project Location
Volunteers on this program are based in the rural village of Bhatola, in the state of Haryana, approximately an hour and a half from Delhi.
While teaching and supporting by day, volunteers on this program will also have plenty of time to soak up the sights and sounds of village life and venture further into the city of Faridabad, filled with cultural experiences such as the Nahar Singh Palace, Badkhal Lake and vibrant and bustling Old Faridabad Market.
Excursions into Delhi can also be arranged, either by train from Faridabad or using a trusted local driver. The program director is also very happy to help with advice and guidance on travel further afield.
Start Dates & Duration
This project is available year-round and programs start every SUNDAY. Volunteers can choose to participate for periods ranging from 1 week to 6 weeks. Longer stays can be arranged directly with the local team, but will be subject to availability and individual visa conditions.
For current available start dates please check the calendar on the right.
Arrival & Orientation
Volunteers are met on arrival into Delhi and driven to Bhatola (a journey of roughly 1 1/2 hrs) where they can meet with their hosts and fellow volunteers.
The following day (Monday) an orientation session is held to introduce volunteers to the programs and their new environment. The session will cover safety, transportation, basic culture and history and is a chance to get to know other volunteers and the local team and ask any questions you may have.
- Arrival Day: SUNDAY 6AM - 10PM
- Departure Day: SATURDAY
- Arrival Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, India (DEL)
Accommodation & Meals
Volunteers are accommodated on the school grounds, in clean and comfortable shared rooms. Each room has its own bathroom.
Internet connectivity is available but not as reliable as you might be used to at home.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided, along with many cups of chai through the day. The food is simple, vegetarian, nutritious home style Indian cooking. The cook will do his best to accommodate for particular tastes and tolerance to spice levels.
Fees
That’s just USD 44 per day* for:
*In addition to the program fees listed above a Registration Fee is payable to secure your place. The registration fee is USD 299 for those volunteering with Love Volunteers for the first time or USD 149 for any subsequent volunteer placements. The registration fee includes: lifetime LV Alumni Membership, fundraising support & advice, dedicated pre-departure support, certificate of completion (on request), and exclusive access to the LV Trip Planner.
Some things are not included in the program fees listed above, such as flights, visas, vaccinations, travel insurance, additional foods and snacks, spending money, local transport, in-country trips and excursions, return airport transfer (unless mentioned above).
Please note that prices are subject to change without notice. Please ensure you have read the Love Volunteers Terms and Conditions & Refund Policy.