Community Slum Volunteer, India

What's included?

• Pre-departure Briefing in London
• Pre-departure information and advice
• In-country assistance and support
• 24-hour emergency contacts
• In-country induction or training
• Donation to the project
• Transportation: airport pick-up
• Accommodation: volunteer house or on-project residence
• Food: all meals included during work days and provided by staff

What's NOT included?

• Flights
• Insurance
• Visa costs
• Sightseeing activities
• Monthly stipend
• Transportation: airport drop-off, transportation from the accommodation to the project and back

Overview:

We have been sending volunteers to India for a number of years, and in that time this vibrant country has fast become our volunteers’ most sought-after destination - ideal for those looking for that deep cultural immersion and meaningful travel experience.

Jaipur, one of the fastest-growing urban centres in India, has experienced a burgeoning population of slum-dwelling citizens, so in 2010, with millions of people now living in Jaipur's slums we decided to expand the number of projects that we send our volunteer to.

Volunteers are able to choose from a selection of EIGHT diverse projects in Jaipur: four of these involve working with children, one focuses on environmental work, one works with the female communities, and the last two are projects centred on medical/health issues.

Please click on the 'TYPE' tabs on the left to find out more about each of the EIGHT projects available.

Each of the eight projects will be based predominately in Indian slums:

The projects are located in and around the beautiful city of Jaipur, known as the Pink City because of the pink sandstone used in the buildings of the old walled city. Jaipur is the state capital of Rajasthan, a hot, dry desert state where there are many tourist attractions. Where you will be staying is well connected for visiting other parts of India.

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The 8 Projects

This programme has 8 separate volunteering projects that you can choose to work with. Before you arrive in India you will be asked by a WAVA Travel Advisor to pick 4 of the projects that most interest you (in order of preference). When you arrive in Jaipur, the Project Coordinators will try to place you in your top choice. 

Child-based Projects (x4)

• 1. Disadvantaged Children Project
• 2. Child Care and Pre-primary Education Project
• 3. Orphanage Assistant Project
• 4. Disabled Children's Project

Environmentally-based Project (x1):

• 5. Environmental Awareness Project

Community Female-based Project (x1):

• 6. Female Empowerment Project

Medically-based Projects (x2):

• 7. Health and Hygiene Awareness Project
• 8. HIV and AIDS Patient Care Project

Project Life:

In 2010, WAVA visited a number of the eight featured volunteer projects in the slums of Jaipur. We came back with hundreds of photos of these projects as well as comprehensive knowledge on the tasks that our volunteers will be taking part in whilst there.

The type of project site that you will work in will vary -  some will have more facilities than others, buildings and classrooms can be extremely basic - many are poorly constructed concrete/wooden structures with corrugated iron roofs. In more deprived slums, volunteers may find themselves teaching basic computer skills in a very small room, with up to six people sharing only two computers. Please click on the Project Type tabs on the left for specific duties at each project.

Your Induction:

After being picked up from the airport you will be dropped off at your accommodation where you'll be able to settle in and relax. During the next three days you'll be given an orientation and induction into project life and be taken to visit project sites – this is an important aspect of your induction as these visits will allow you to observe the tasks that you will be involved in whilst working in the slums of Jaipur.

You need to bear in mind that although you will be asked for your 4 preferred projects (out of the available 8), your eventual assigned volunteering placement will not just depend on your abilities or desire to work, but also on the needs of the community at the time of your arrival in Jaipur. Furthermore, during your induction, your Project Coordinators will be monitoring your performance so that they can also advise you on which project placement will best suit you.

As soon as the induction period is over, you will get stuck into your chosen project.

CHILD-BASED PROJECTS (x 4)

	Disadvantaged Children Project India struggles to provide care and education to an increasing number of children born into poverty. Poverty often leaves them open to a variety of ills - malnutrition, illiteracy, abuse and neglect. This project aims to provide welfare and education, vital to the improvement and development of Indian society.
	Child Care and Pre-primary Education Project Spend your days working at special centres set up to provide care and education to children aged 5 and under. Get involved with developing key motor skills of the children, organising vaccination drives, building awareness of the work at the centre, assisting in maintaining health records for each child.
	Orphanage Assistant Project Committed and caring volunteers are needed to help provide warm and supportive environments for Jaipur’s orphans. Help children with homework, support them with their English and computer skills and shower them with bucket-loads of love and affection.
	Disabled Children's Project Work with disabled children and engage with mentally and physically challenged children who are often neglected in society. Jaipur has very limited access to special education facilities, and so requires volunteers who are enthusiastic, committed and sensitive to the needs of disabled children in India.

ENVIRONMENTALLY-BASED PROJECT (x 1)

Environmental Awareness Project Get involved in activities that help alleviate Jaipur’s growing environmental problem. Research and document environmental issues, raise awareness, and get ‘hands-on’ involved in setting up the infrastructure for effective environmental practices, waste disposal, water conservation, and tree planting initiatives.

COMMUNITY FEMALE-BASED PROJECT (x 1)

Female Empowerment Project Fewer and fewer Indian females are being educated and given a fair chance in life. Your help not only alters the lives of the females you'll be teaching, but also the lives of their future little girls, who will be provided with better guidance from their mothers as a result of your help.

MEDICALLY-BASED PROJECTS (x 2)

	HIV and AIDS Patient Care Project   HIV is a massive problem in India and caries huge stigma. Women often contract it through no fault of their own, simply by having unprotected sex with their unfaithful husbands. Help rebuild shattered family relationships by working at a centre that provides a caring environment for women and children.
	Health and Hygiene Awareness Project India has very limited access to sanitation facilities and education. Volunteers are needed in Jaipur to build awareness about hygiene related practices. You will be working in a number of slum-dwelling communities, organising garbage disposal activities, and educating children in schools about hygiene related diseases.

Accommodation and Food

Accommodation:

You will be staying in a volunteer house located in an affluent suburb of Jaipur. The building has a gated entrance and is located in a safe area just off a main road and round the corner form where our Partner’s office is based. It is in this office that your orientation will take place.

The house includes a large and comfy communal room where volunteers tend to relax and socialise after a days work on the project site.  To entertain yourselves, the house comes with a television (incl. Sky and Cable channels), a computer and an array of books to read about India.

The bedrooms are particularly large ensuite rooms with high ceilings - the bathrooms are essentially wet rooms, where you can choose to either have bucket baths or showers. Each room sleeps up to four people (on two bunk beds). There is no need to bring mosquito nets or bedding, as these will be provided for you.

Food:

The accommodation has a large dining room where volunteers eat. Three meals will be provided for you each day and the cooking staff operate a meal rota that runs in two-week cycles.

• Breakfast is often an omelette, fruit, toast or cereal.
• Lunch and dinner is a variety of typical Indian dishes, so expect to be given eat a lot of tasty curries and spicy food (if it too spicy or oily for you, let the project manager know and you will be catered for).
• All the food is safe to eat and water is purified and also safe to consume.

The arrival dates to Jaipur will be every alternative Tuesday.

Our partner in Jaipur gives volunteers 24 hours to arrive at the airport - So please make sure your scheduled landing time is between 10AM on the Tuesday and 10AM the next day (Wednesday). 

Arrivals and Departures 2010:

• Flights are not included.
• You need to book your flight to Jaipur International Airport.
• You need to arrive between 10 AM Tuesday until 10AM Wednesday on the arrival dates where you will be picked up by a volunteer liaison
• If your flight arrives outside of these times then extra transport will be required and arranged at additional cost
• A visa is required for stays longer than 14 days

• All of WAVA's placements are in partnership with recognised and established local organisations, run by or employing local people. These organisations, depending on the nature of what they do, might be small-scale NGOs, family projects, schools or orphanages, or local initiatives with environmental or social goals. We often use local businesses to provide logistical and support services to volunteers such as transfers, pick-ups, accommodation and so on. In this way, we support the local economy through helping independent local businesses to thrive. WAVA takes its partnerships very seriously and works extremely closely with all its partners. All WAVA partners are expected to abide by the WAVA Partnership Principles and Responsible Travel Policy. WAVA does not work with organisations with religious, ideological or political affiliations or goals
• Comprehensive insurance is available for all programmes. Here are full details of our partnership with Endsleigh. You have no obligation to take up insurance with Endsleigh, but insurance of a suitable sort is mandatory on all our programmes
• WAVA provides 24-hour emergency support from the UK and our partner provides support locally
• WAVA has an agreement with the crisis management service Tranquillico, should the very worst situations arise
• Participation on programmes with wild animals are at the volunteers' own risk; however, WAVA works only with partners who take all possible precautions to ensure volunteer safety
• If any wider safety concerns arise in the destination, such as civil disturbances or natural disasters, we seek advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and implement their recommendations where appropriate

• Minimum age: 18
• You do not need any formal training or experience to participate on this programme, however, whatever experience you do have will be taken into account when arranging your day-to-day activities in Jaipur.
• Volunteers simply need to have an open-minded attitude to life in India, be independent, enthusiastic, adaptable and hard working.

Whilst you will of course be busy Monday to Friday, during the weekends you will have plenty of free time to explore Jaipur, Rajasthan or even other parts of India.

• Jaipur is an historic city with an incredibly old city centre surround by ancient walls. Much of the city is either constructed of pink sandstone or painted pink and it is a unique tourist destination. Popular sights include the Hawa Mahal, the Floating Palace and a gigantic sprawling fort on a ridge overlooking Jaipur.

If you wish to travel more widely you can journey to local points of interest including:

• Taj Mahal, Agra - The wonder of the Tal Mahal can be easily accessible on an easy weekend excursion. It's an opportunity for foreign visitors to glimpse into the magnitude and exquisiteness of India's history and culture.
• Ranthambore National Park - One of the most filmed wildlife reserves in the world. The most famous Indian sanctuary for tigers - it includes ancient abandoned forts mixed within the natural surroundings.
• Pushkar - This sacred town is a famous pilgrimage site for Hindus, built around a holy lake and many ancient religious temples. Charmin bazaars filled with textiles and handicrafts. Over night camel safaris are easily available from town.