India Community Development

Your help is needed to improve public facilities and increase awareness of important social and healthcare issues in some of India’s poorest areas. Your day to day itinerary will depend on the needs of the village you are working in. The programme is generally split into two main areas; social development and labour work, your daily tasks may include:

Labour work projects

• Restoration and decoration of Anganwadis/Balwadis (day-care centres)
• Restoration and decoration of the village primary school
• Painting and decoration of school interiors
• Preparing sports facilities for basketball, badminton, court and football.
• Plantation of flowers, ornamental plants and trees at school campus
• Repairing houses of Below Poverty Line families
• Restoration and decoration of village community facilities with participation of the villagers.
• Motivating teams of children from the village to clear garbage, plant trees etc.
• Construction of dustbins (follow up action is intended to create hygiene awareness amongst children)

Social development work

• Importance of nutrition and balanced diet
• Awareness about hygiene and health care issues
• IDD (Iodine Deficiency Disorders) awareness campaign
• Importance of breast feeding
• Precautionary measures against HIV infection

Volunteers staying for 2 weeks will also be able to set off on the following inclusive excursions:

Rajasthan volunteers: You will be taken on a two- day/one-night excursion to Ranthambore National Tiger Reserve, which includes two tiger safaris.

Himachal volunteers: You will go on a two-day/one-night trip to Amritsar, the holiest town of Sikh religion. Visit the Golden Temple and border closing ceremony, between India and Pakistan, at Wagah.

Volunteers staying for 3 weeks will be able to take part in the inclusive excursions below:

Rajasthan volunteers: You will set off on two- day/one-night trip to the Hindu religious town of Pushkar, where you can enjoy a camel ride in the spectacular desert surroundings.

Himachal volunteers: You will be taken on a two-day/one-night excursion to McLeod Ganj, home to the Dalai Lama and base of the Exiled Tibetan government (for three -week participants only).

Days 1-2
On arrival in Delhi you will stay overnight and then be transferred to Agra the next morning.

Day 3
The day will start with a group visit to the Taj Mahal. In the afternoon the group will proceed to the project.

Day 4
Today there will be an introduction to the village and project orientation.

Days 5–9
This time will be spent taking part in the work allocated to you at the village. You will have the chance to take part in an evening cookery workshop.

Days 10–11
Rajasthan volunteers: You will be taken on a two- day/one-night excursion to Ranthambore National Tiger Reserve, which includes two tiger safaris.

Himachal volunteers: You will go on a two-day/one-night trip to Amritsar, the holiest town of Sikh religion. Visit the Golden Temple and border closing ceremony, between India and Pakistan, at Wagah.

(Please note: Ranthambore Park is closed from July-September. During these months an alternative trip to Jaipur will be arranged).

Days 12–14
Working at the village.

Days 15–16
For people on the two-week programme there will be a village meeting and farewell before returning to Delhi.

On Day 16, the group will arrive in Delhi to fly home or continue on their trip.

People on a three-week programme will continue working. 

Days 17–18
Rajasthan volunteers: The group will go on a two- day/one-night trip to the Hindu religious town of Pushkar, where you can enjoy a camel ride in the spectacular desert surroundings (for three-week participants only).

Himachal volunteers: You will be taken on a two-day/one-night excursion to McLeod Ganj, home to the Dalai Lama and base of the Exiled Tibetan government (for three -week participants only).

Days 19–21
Working at the village.

Days 22–23
For your final day at the village you will attend a village meeting to say goodbye before returning to Delhi and flying home (or continue with independent travelling).

Please Note: Accommodation is included on the 23rd night if you are not departing Dehli until the following day. 

Itineraries and activities are subject to change.