Rewarding Care Work with Orphans and Disadvantaged Children in India

  India

Madurai

Term: Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter 
Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: Available all year round

Description: Assist on one of three different Care Projects in India, working with children with orphans, or children with special needs, or in the YMCA Deaf School. All are excellent and worthwhile projects with an immense feel-good factor and benefit the children tremendously! By giving the children love and attention, plus playing games with them, you help to boost their confidence and encourage them to develop social skills and, just as importantly, to use English in an informal way. We work with many different orphanages and centers, each of which tugs at your heartstrings. Some are for very young children and babies and others are for older children. You'll be able to help with all ages.

CARE FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS:
A worthwhile project, working with children with mental, physical or emotional disabilities that are in need of much love and attention. The Project is based in the bustling temple town of Madurai in Southern India. This is a challenging yet totally rewarding project and it will be hard not to fall in love with all the beautiful children!!

At our main centre there are approximately 160 children ranging from babies to the age of 45. About 130 of these students are provided with residential care; the others are brought to the school each day by their parents. The children mainly suffer from Downs Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Microcephaly, Autism, Epilepsy, Deafness and some of the children are slow learners and dyslexic. The aim of the school is to help the children to study, build confidence and develop essential life skills.

CARE FOR ORPHANS PROJECT:
A rewarding Project in an Orphanage where you'll really make a huge difference. This project is extremely beneficial for you and for the children you work with. Your work here will be to help the carers with the day-to-day running of the centers and caring for the children. The main care center we work at is a home for victims of female infanticide and abandoned children. Their mission is to work with competence, compassion and commitment for the sick and the needy, to help the victims of female infanticide and abandoned children first to survive and then to ensure the right of the child to a family.

THE YMCA DEAF SCHOOL:
This project offers you the chance to give something back and help a very much neglected section of society in the Indian sub-continent. Help provide opportunities for marginalised hearing impaired children and young people to receive a basic education and become integrated into their family and the rest of society. Disability in India is often viewed as a punishment for a misdeed committed in a previous life and whole families can suffer as a result of the social stigma attached to hearing impairment. Many hearing impaired children and young people are abandoned by their families and face life being ostracised by communities and lacking access to education and training.

The YMCA aims to provide opportunities for marginalised hearing impaired children and young people to receive a basic education and become integrated into their family and the rest of society.

"I'm going to state the obvious and tell you that Ive had an absolutely amazing time, I dont want to go. I've loved Anbagam, Hello, how-are-you-fine! and Faisel's Yorkshire "Hallooo" made me feel right at home, Emo boy, cute boy, Jayne's boy, Nandri boy, downs boy, and all of them. I've loved shaking their sticky hands and made to feel really wanted! Ive loved my evenings & weekends, freezing in the concrete tent in Kodaikanal, catching waves in Pondicherry, candle-lit chats. Loved it all!" Isabelle Detscharner Vischer, Travellers Volunteer

WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT:
* An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into Indian culture.
* The enormous satisfaction of helping disadvantaged children and knowing that you made a difference to them
* New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.
* An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market.
* And maybe best of all ... an unforgettable experience!

India is a combination of experiences in one place - it's vast and exotic and frenetic and beautiful and peaceful and very, very different - you'll love it!

ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD
Food and accommodation are provided on the placement. You'll either stay with an Indian host family or will most likely share a Travellers house with other volunteers and you may share a room with up to three other volunteers. The house is very nice, with marble tiled floors, verandahs back and front and a rooftop patio/garden. It has mod cons and facilities, including some en-suite bathrooms, showers and Western toilets. There is a communal lounge with TV.
Your food will be prepared for you, but there may be occasional days when you'll need to prepare your own meals (on the cook's day off, for example). Food is a mixture of Western and local meals and includes fruit, fruit juice, etc. You'll also have access to the kitchen if you want to make snacks or drinks.
Travellers' placements are very flexible and you can combine this project with any other Travellers project, either in the same country or in different countries.

WHAT TO DO NEXT:
Talk to us - We're there to help you. Most of our team are ex Travellers volunteers and are ideally qualified to offer advice and guidance because they know what you're looking for. They'll help you find your perfect project - and then make it all happen! If youd like more information about this or any of our projects, please email or call us! If youd like to apply for this project, please go to our website and complete the application form. As soon as we receive it, well liaise with you and then start making your travel adventure happen. Its as easy as that.

"The placement in India has challenged me in so many ways. I have a much deeper sense of gratitude for my life at home now. It is very unique to live in another country for a protracted period and embrace a different way of life. After all, you don't learn about a country just through a textbook! The best thing about the about the placement is the children, their enthusiasm and energy has been delightful. I would most definitely recommend this placement. I abhor clichés but this really is an experience of a lifetime, miss at your peril!" Catherine Williams, Travellers Volunteer

Highlights: Our programs in India will be a memorable adventure for you! India is an attack on all of your senses, from the chaotic cities to the spiritual Puga festivals on the banks of the Ganges River. A wonderful mix of culture and traditions that is completely different to the Western world. The way to best enjoy India is to absorb it - the warmth of the people, the beauty, the smells, the food, and the wonderful hospitality!

Our projects are situated in and around the town of Madurai, some of them in incredibly scenic areas. The famous, awe-inspiring temples in the town should not be missed, and for a bit of cool relief, you can catch 'toy trains' to different hill stations such as Kodaikanal, which are dotted around this region. You can also go further afield and explore quaint waterways, beautiful sandy beaches, and meander through forests and coconut groves.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES YOU CAN DO WHILE ON THIS PROJECT:
Add to your travel experience in India by doing some additional exciting activities.
* For example, you could take a 2-hour basic Tamil Course (only 10 USD). You'll learn some basic phrases to kick-start your placement
* Alternatively, you could do a One-Month Tamil Course (75 USD) at the same time as doing your main project. Lessons are conducted by a retired lady Professor who was Head of the Department of Tamil at one of the leading ladies colleges in Madurai. You'll very much appreciate the benefits of having some Tamil during your placement ... and the locals will love you for trying to speak their language.

This project can also be combined with any of our other projects in India, such as Sports, an Internship or Work Experience, or Teaching underprivileged children at local schools, giving you a varied and broad experience of life in India.

Qualifications: No qualifications or previous experience are necessary, just a good dose of enthusiasm! Everyone is welcome on a Travellers programme, whether gap year, undergraduate, on a career break - or even retired! From 17 years old upwards, and all nationalities. This placement would suit Sports enthusiasts who want to make a real difference, want first-hand experience of a different culture and who have initiative.

Cost in US$: Varies depending on length, but starts at USD1,200

You'll be met at the nearest airport on your arrival by our in-country manager who will take you to your accommodation and give you a full induction into the area. He/she will also be on call 24/7 and you'll see them frequently.

Pre-departure you'll receive comprehensive information about every aspect of your placement and necessary preparations, ranging from what to pack, to visa information, to what to do on your weekend travel in the country. Your safety, well being and happiness throughout your placement are our primary concerns and we will keep in touch with you throughout. International flights not included.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: This placement would suit people who want to make a real difference, want first-hand experience of a different culture and who have initiative. No qualifications or previous experience are necessary, just a good dose of enthusiasm and a love of children! Everyone is welcome on a Travellers programme, whether gap year, undergraduate, on a career break - or even retired! From 17 years old upwards, and all nationalities.

Age Range: From 17 years old upwards to 70+

This Program is open to American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to India Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone Interview
• Resume
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Travellers Worldwide's Mission Statement: Travellers Worldwide organises all types of worthwhile and beneficial voluntary placements in local communities. We also provide Work Experience & Internship opportunities, as well as different types of Courses and study abroad options. We have many diverse projects, from teaching underprivileged or refugee children in schools, orphanages and care homes, to conservation and rehabilitation of endangered animals, such as orangutans, lion cubs, dolphins, elephants. Our aim is to make a difference to the communities we work in and to facilitate personal and professional growth in our volunteers. We employ local people in our destination countries and local providers of goods and services, thus ensuring we have a positive impact on the community. Our ethos encompasses mutual respect, cultural exchange, responsible travel and a beneficial outcome for all. Travellers also arranges work experience placements in Journalism, Law, Veterinary, Medicine, Tourism, Architecture, and many more. There are also opportunities to learn languages and other skills such as Capoeira in Brazil, Tango in Argentina or Flying in South Africa. These projects are unique - and tailored to suit you! Our placements are flexible (2 weeks to 1 year) and on most you can choose your own start and finish dates. No qualifications are required, just an enthusiasm to experience a new culture! Full support is provided within the country, with friendly and conscientious staff, ensuring a safe and exciting way to experience a brand new culture! Placements are also very sociable: you'll make friends with the other international volunteers and often volunteers travel together after their placement and during their free weekends. We help you to Make a Difference and have an exciting adventure travel experience!

Year Founded: 1995