Welcome to India. We hope you like tea, and spice, and cows, because they’re everywhere. India is bursting with sacred cities, iconic landmarks and more stunning vistas than you can shake a massive stick at.
As a volunteer in India, you will probably find yourself simultaneously intimidated by and attracted to the country’s infinite layers of history, religion, politics, and society. Home to 18 languages, 500 dialects, 30 religions, and over a billion people, India provides the international volunteer and traveler with endless opportunities for exploration. From the Himalayan Mountains to the Indus and Ganges rivers, India is a land of great geographical and ethnic diversity. Bordering Pakistan, Nepal, China, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Burma, India has a history that dates back more than 5,000 years.
Our advice would be not to even try and figure out India as you won’t be able to. In fact, when it comes to India in general, the best thing to do is go with the flow and expect the unexpected.
Best Volunteering Programs in India
About India
India is a diverse country with huge mountain ranges, scenic rivers, beautiful sea coast as well as desserts and rainforests. Experiencing everything requires a significant amount of time but volunteering can offer a way to explore India in depth.
There are so many volunteering projects in India. Many international and highly organized local agencies operate in the country. While the international organizations charge fairly steep fees to cover accommodation, and food, dealing directly with local NGO’s running the programs can significantly cut down on the costs. Some organizations even make board available, which makes the trip even cheaper.
Why Volunteer in India
Persistent inequality in India is reflected in the low human development attainments of the country’s most marginalized groups including castes, women, the transgender community, people living with HIV, migrants, and tribal and rural populations.
More than 800 million of India’s 1.25 billion people live in the countryside, and a quarter of this rural population lives below the poverty line, totaling 216 million individuals. The government estimates average monthly incomes per agricultural household across the whole of India at only US $105.
Families face the reality of a rural economy and the pressures that come with it. Very often education is not viewed as a way out of poverty, and children are instead encouraged to contribute to the cultivation of the family land and animals. Additionally, access to health care in rural settings can be extremely limited and under resourced.
Facts
• Population Below Poverty Line: 24% under $1.25
• Human Development Index Ranking: 130 / 188 countries
• Average Schooling for Girls: 3 years less than boys
• Maternal Mortality Rate: 190 / 100,000
Volunteer in India to support the education of vulnerable children and girls, and deliver public health campaigns to those that lack adequate health care.
Popular Projects
Teaching: India, a major economic superpower continues to face stern challenges in the public education sector. It is still ranked 161 on the World Education index with a literacy rate of only 54.27 %. The major reasons for the low literally rate is the very high drop our rate of students, shortage of infrastructure and poor level facilities.
Orphanages: There are more than 10m abandoned children in India, where a growing number of newborn babies are being dumped anonymously in cots placed outside orphanages/adoption centers.
Traditional Medicine: Traditional medicine programs are a trademark program and the most unique program volunteers from all across the world will ever come across. It involves working with a Traditional practitioner of Ayurveda to treat patients and at the same time help in preserving this traditional science.
Women Support: Women support programs are aimed at empowering women in India, who due to the traditional patriarchal norms have always been given secondary status thin the household and workplace, especially in small cities and rural India. A lot of work needs to be done at the grass root level to help.
Community: In places like Uttarakhand, organizations help community development efforts. Projects are carried out throughout the year allowing volunteers to experience life at the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains. Work revolves around farming, teaching in a local school, and construction. Volunteers can live with a local family.
Disabilities: A residential village for the under privileged and mentally challenged adults approximately four hours from Mumbai have been using volunteer since 1995. Volunteers help to run workshops, community development projects, and cultural activities. Volunteers get meals and accommodation but welcome donations as the project does not receive any government funding.
Wildlife: In 2005 the government allotted 30 hectares near Jaipur for elephants. It has housing for the animals with a large man-made lake for the elephants to swim and play after working in the city’s dust and heat. Volunteer help is solicited to help the mahouts take care of the elephants feeding and bathing them after a long day’s work.
Where You Can Help
You could volunteer at youth shelters in New Delhi, teach sports in the southern state of Kerala or work with underprivileged children in Goa. Projects will help you make a genuine and sustainable difference to the environment and local people.
Volunteering in Mumbai opens up a host of travel opportunities across the entire country including the water ways and tea plantations of Kerala in the south, the insanely good food and exquisite palaces in Rajasthan and the holy cities and Himalayan lined landscapes of the north. Dharamshala is possibly one of the most scenic destinations in India and where you can help refugees exhaled from Tibet.
For beaches and wildlife, head to the beautiful southern coast.
Cultural Activities and Free Time
Hindi Language Lessons
For many volunteers, Hindi language lessons are a first. In addition to practicing the elegant calligraphy, you’ll practice spoken Hindi as well. No worries on rocketing to the head of the class, a little goes a long way and just the basics can really help you connect with the community. And if you’re a little shaky at first, the local people appreciate your attempts and are very friendly with their corrections!
Classic Indian Music
If you’ve always had rockstar dreams of jamming on a sitar, now may be your shot! You’ll have that chance in cities like New Delhi where you can enjoy classical folk music group for a performance you’ll not soon forget. They’ll perform beautiful renditions of popular songs, discuss the music’s origin and meaning, introduce you to their instruments, and even give you a chance to jam!
Indian History Lesson
There is no shortage of incredible guest lecturers. You’ll have a chance to talk with a local professor and talented storyteller on the politics, history, and culture of India. You’ll have the unique opportunity to learn about the history of India.
Celebrate Holi
You never know what wonders await you on an afternoon walk. Visit temples, snap photos of ancient mansions, or haggle with street vendors. Plan your experience for March if you want to celebrate Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, but be sure to bring old clothes; you’ll see what we mean when everyone starts throwing handfuls of colored powder!
FAQ
When to Go
Expect blue skies and endless sunshine but, for the best of the weather, visit in between the drier months of September to April – perfect for a winter break!
Getting Around
The transport system is one of India’s many triumphs, so while you may need to be patient when it comes to timings, you can be sure you’ll get to where you need to go safely and cheaply.
Must See Places
Travel just a few hours outside of New Delhi to visit the Taj Mahal in Agra. Spend the day exploring India’s sparkling jewel, but get there early to avoid crowds. Let the transformation of the white marble of the Taj Mahal hypnotize you as it transforms from a pale yellow at dawn, to a deep gold at sunset. Return after dinner to catch the Taj Mahal in the blue light of the moon.
Must Do Activities
Trekking through the Aravalli Hills is not only a great opportunity for some epic photos, it’s the oldest mountain range in the world and runs through the entire state of Rajasthan. If you feel like a walk on the wild side try Ranthambore National Park where you’ll come across a plethora of exotic wildlife including tigers and leopards!