"If travelling was free, you would have found me everywhere."
We all love to travel. Travelling and experiences gained from those trips is what we all are made up of. I am listing down some volunteering options you can find in India, that lets you travel for free and experience the place like you can't if you go there as a tourist.
NORTH INDIA
1. SPITI ECOSPHERE
Location: Spiti, Himachal Pradesh.
Website: http://www.spitiecosphere.com
Overview: Spiti Ecosphere is a social enterprise that aims to create sustainable livelihoods that are linked to nature and culture conservation, by addressing the triple bottom-line of conservation, development and economies.
Minimum period of commitment: 4 days to 1 week, depending on the project.
Nature of volunteering opportunities
– Physical building of greenhouses & solar passive structures.
– Volunteering with daily village activities.
– Volunteering with Ecosphere’s day-to-day office work.
Good for
– Environment enthusiasts
– Mountain lovers
– People with a medium fitness level
Costs: Boarding & travel not covered
Contact: Email info@spitiecosphere.com
2. R.O.S.E – Rural Organization for Social Elevation
Location: Kanda, Uttarakhand, India
Website: http://www.rosekanda.info
Overview: R.O.S.E. works at grassroots level, with an aim to improve the health, education and quality of life of the rural poor in this region, while maintaining cultural integrity and ecological balance. This goal is realized through a programme which brings tourist volunteers to Kanda to live with the Verma family, experience local Kumaoni culture and assist financially (opportunity fee, rent, boarding / lodging & optional donation) and manually, in the rural development activities of R.O.S.E.
Nature of volunteering opportunities
– Physical building of community centres, bathrooms, etc.
– Volunteering in tree plantations.
Good for: Environment enthusiasts, Mountain lovers
Costs: Boarding & travel not covered
Contact: jeevanverma@rosekanda.org
3. AAROHI
Location: Peora, Uttarakhand, India
Website: http://aarohi.org
Overview: Aarohi is a non-profit, grassroots organization committed to need-based and people-planned integrated rural development in the beautiful Central Himalayan region of Uttarakhand.
Nature of volunteering opportunities
– doctors (general physicians and specialists)
– community health managers
– nurses
– physiotherapists
– teachers
– art & craft and theatre persons
– sports people
– musicians
– rural development professionals
– managers
– marketing persons
Good for:
– Professionals
– Mountain lovers
Costs: Boarding & travel not covered.
Contact: aarohi2000@gmail.com
4. RACHNA
Location: Garhwal region, Uttarakhand, India
Website: http://www.rachnaonline.org
Overview: Research, Advocacy, and Communication in Himalayan Areas (RACHNA) is an independent entrepreneurial non-profit that works for conservation and sustainable development in the mighty Garhwal Himalayas. RACHNA is developing Home in the Himalayas (HITH) — a professionally-managed rural eco-tourism initiative, diversified and innovative green businesses, community based conservation plans and a green constituency for policy advocacy.
Nature of volunteering opportunities
– Helping with local tours
– Running workshops on conservation
Good for: Mountain lovers
Costs: Not available.
Contact: Email rachnasociety@gmail.com
5. HAJI PUBLIC SCHOOL
Location: Breswana, Jammu and Kashmir.
Website: http://www.hajipublicschool.org
Overview: Breswana is a prototype of the average, remote, inaccessible village in the mountains of Doda in Jammu and Kashmir. The very first HAJI PUBLIC SCHOOL (a not-for-profit setup, with subsidised fees) under the Amina Trust umbrella was established here, and offers an immersion into the village life of Kashmir with teaching opportunities at its premises.
Nature of volunteering opportunities
– Short term & long term primary school volunteers
– Medical / media activities
Good for: Teaching enthusiasts, Mountain lovers
Costs: Food and lodging provided to volunteers
Contact: info@hajipublicschool.org
6. CHIRAG: Central Himalayan Rural Action Group
Location: Kumaon, Uttarakhand
Website: http://chirag.org
Overview: Chirag is a rural development organization based in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand They work closely with communities on issues relating to forestry, soil and water conservation, agriculture, animal husbandry, drinking water, health care, education and skill and knowledge development of young people, in 200 villages in Nainital, Bageshwar and Almora districts.
Nature of volunteering opportunities
Volunteers interested and/or trained in
– health
– hydro-geology
– marketing
– agriculture
– education
– teaching English
– Information technology.
Contact: Email info@chirag.org
7. LHA
Location: Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh
Website: http://www.lhasocialwork.org
Overview: Lha is a grassroots, non-governmental and non-profit social work organization based in Dharamsala, India. We aim to provide vital resources for Tibetan refugees, the local Indian population, and people from the Himalayan regions. Lha offers free English, French, Spanish and Chinese classes, cultural exchange programs, IT classes, vocational training, health and environmental awareness education, a wide array of volunteer opportunities, distribution of clothes and medicine, a community kitchen and many other programs and activities.
Nature of volunteering opportunities
Short term & long term opportunities, ranging from teaching & vocational training, to assistance in community related activities.
Contact: Email office@lhasocialwork.org
8. SECMOL – The Students’ Educational And Cultural Movement Of Ladakh
Location: Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir.
Website: http://www.secmol.org
Overview: SECMOL was founded in 1988 by a group of young Ladakhis to reform the educational system of Ladakh. Its activities range from solar alternatives to youth camps, educational reforms and ecotourism. Around Ladakh with Students (ALS) is SECMOL’s travel arm, specialising in student groups interested in cultural exchange and environmental & development issues.
Nature of volunteering opportunities
– People with teaching or ice skate coaching experience
– Winter volunteers for English conversation or classes
– Experienced science or maths teacher
– Youth camp volunteers
Contact: Email info@secmol.org or just show up.
9. WWF India – Green Hiker
Location: Himalayas
Website: http://www.wwfindia.org/about_wwf/critical_regions/high_altitude_wetlands/green_hiker/
Overview: The Green Hiker Campaign is WWF’s initiative to encourage tourists and tour operators in the Himalayan region to opt for sustainable and responsible tourism. Covering almost the entire Himalayan region, WWF aims at reducing the baggage of tourism while inviting tourists to enjoy the Himalayas in its pristine form.
Nature of volunteering opportunities
– Mountain cleaning expeditions
– Online advocates
10. Druk White Lotus School
Location: Ladakh
Website: http://www.dwls.org
Overview: Locally known as the Druk Padma Karpo Institute, this school is Location the last scene of 3 Idiots (the Aamir Khan movie) was shot. The main school is located in Shey (the ancient capital of Ladakh), about 30 minutes’ drive up the Indus Valley from the main town of Leh. A branch school opened in Khachhey in April 2010. Students study Bothi (the local language), English and Hindi languages, plus sciences, social studies, creative arts and sports. They learn life and livelihood skills, including team work, presentation skills, leadership and problem solving through formal and co-curricular activities.
Nature of volunteering opportunities
– Teacher Resource Centre, including teacher training
– Sponsor a day pupil or a remote area student from a disadvantaged family
– Completion of the Secondary School and related infrastructure
– Landscaping of the school campus and creation of sports facilities
Contact: volunteers@dwls.org
11. Ladli
Location:Jaipur, Rajasthan
Website: http://ladli.org/
Overview:
Vocational training programme for abused, orphaned and destitute children.
Minimum period of commitment: Flexible from a week to a year
Nature of volunteering opportunity:
– teach the children English and Art or Crafts
– lead them in exercise or dance or simply play
– if you have jewellery or textile experience you can show the children new designs and techniques.
Contact: ladligirls@yahoo.co.in
12. Sambhali Trust
Location: Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.
Website: http://www.sambhali-trust.org/
Overview: Working with Dalit (lower-caste) women and girls, both in Jodhpur and Setrawa Village using education and vocational training to empower them
Minimum period of commitment: Two weeks
Nature of volunteering opportunity:
The Sambhali Trust seeks volunteers and interns (unpaid), to help with administration, workshops, teaching, and provide new ideas. We seek volunteers and interns to not only help us run the Hindi, English, sewing, arts and craft workshops, but to also help with administrative work, and to expand workshops with new ideas
Contact: info@sambhali-trust.org
EAST INDIA
13. Volunteer Opportunities in Trafficking
Location: Kolkatta
Website:http://goindia.about.com/od/volunteering/tp/Kolkata-Volunteer-Trafficking.htm
Overview: Many non-profit organizations in Kolkatta (Calcutta) are doing inspiring work to rehabilitate women and children victimized by Kolkata’s red light districts, and the problem of prostitution and trafficking, as well as to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Each organization listed on the site has different types of programs, so see which appeals the most to you.
Nature of volunteering opportunities
– Dance therapy volunteers.
– Education, health care, legal aid volunteers.
– Vocational training volunteers.
– Youth group & support group volunteers.
Contact
Through the websites of the individual organizations (click link about to see)
14. Dakshinayan
Location: Jharkhand
Website: http://www.dakshinayan.org
Overview: Dakshinayan works in the picturesque, forest-covered Rajmahal Hills, inhabited by the Paharia who coexist in harmony and are inter-dependent on each other. The Paharias practice shifting cultivation and are partly hunter-gatherers. Dakshinayan’s work in the region is mainly in education, health care, self-reliance and utilization of available resources. It trains young men & women to run schools in the region, provide first aid and fever treatment, impart health education, motivate the villagers to undertake conservation work and set up village committees, women’s groups and youth groups.
Nature of volunteering opportunities
Volunteers can enrol in Dakshinayan’s Development Education Programme, which aims to promote better understanding of development and inter-cultural issues, and teach basic English or Math to school kids.
Contact: info@dakshinayan.org
15. Sikkim Himalayan Academy (DPC Academy)
Location: Sikkim
Website: http://www.sikkimacademy.com
Overview: The Sikkim Himalayan Academy is a non-profit school that offers education and living opportunities to underprivileged children from remote areas of Sikkim. The landscapes here are truly beautiful, and the school is well run. It was set up in 2002 by a group of local Sikkimese teachers and a few Dutch volunteers. The school seeks to provide good quality education, healthy and balanced lifestyle, and a positive learning environment, which emphasizes traditional Sikkim culture and languages.
Nature of volunteering opportunities
– English teaching volunteers
Contact: sikkimacademy@yahoo.com
16. Root Institute
Location: Bodhgaya, Bihar
Website: http://www.rootinstitute.com
Overview: Root Institute is a socially inclined Buddhist meditation & study centre in Bodhgaya, Bihar. Besides meditation & philosophy courses, the institute runs health programs on-site and in remote rural villages of Bihar, with an emphasis on health promotion, enabling people to care for their own health, health education, and integrated health and development at the village level.
Nature of volunteering opportunities
– Spiritual volunteers to assist with daily meditations, run short workshops, and offer general help with the spiritual program.
– Health program volunteers to assist with program coordination and nursing.
– Physiotherapy / Occupational therapy volunteers.
Contact:
Volunteer application: http://www.rootinstitute.com/about/volunteerform.htm
17. Ecotourism and Conservation Society of Sikkim (ECOSS)
Location: Sikkim
Website: http://sikkimhomestay.com
Overview: Ecotourism and Conservation Society of Sikkim, (ECOSS) is a nongovernmental organization working to accomplish a mission of sustainability and conservation in the state of Sikkim. ECOSS has been involved in establishing the Sikkim Himalayan Homestay with support from UNESCO. To develop the homestay destinations, ECOSS has worked closely with the villagers of the different destinations in building their skills and capacities for the sustainable tourism activity. Each village has a tourism management committee, which overlooks the operations and management of the tourism activities.
Nature of volunteering opportunities
– Volunteering with homestays to develop the skills and capacities of the local communities.
Contact: ecoss@sikkiminfo.net
18. Mother’s Hope
Location: Dimapur, Nagaland
Website: http://www.mothershope.in
Overview: Mother’s Hope is a residential home for pregnant mothers and babies. Mother’s Hope provides care to pregnant girls undergoing crisis pregnancies, victims of sexual abuse, and infants needing a permanent home. They offer free counseling, a residential home for women to stay during pregnancy and receive new skill training, free health-care and psychological support to girls undergoing crisis pregnancies, and a residential home for newborn babies till they are adopted into loving families.
Nature of volunteering opportunities
– Awareness & advocacy volunteers.
– Volunteers for counseling & baby care home.
Contact: mothershope@rediffmail.com
19. Grassroutes Journeys
Location: Orissa
Website: http://www.grassroutesjourneys.com
Overview: Grassroutes Journeys is a travel company that provides opportunities for travellers to engage with local communities. It believes that enriching experiences come from a deeper understanding of the place, people and culture, and offers responsible travels deep into rural & tribal Orissa.
Nature of volunteering opportunities
– Agriculture & organic farming.
– Vocational training for women.
– Teaching English in tribal schools.
Contact: info@grassroutesjourneys.com
20. Fertile Ground
Location: Assam
Website: http://www.fertile-ground.org
Overview: In northeast India, there is still little support available for farmers and growers following traditional farming methods, or for those interested in incorporating organic agriculture practices such as composting, mulching, and natural pest control. Fertile Ground has provided encouragement, training and resources to farmers, small-scale tea growers, extension staff, teachers, students and families living in the state of Assam. Their projects support people to grow healthy food by bringing together some of India’s traditional practices with low-cost practices that rely on locally available materials.
Nature of volunteering opportunities
– Organic farming activities.
– Educations workshops for teachers & kids.
Contact: fertile_ground2003@yahoo.com