‘global youth for a sustainable future’€¦ · long / mid term volunteering program profile...

Long / Mid Term Volunteering

PROGRAM PROFILE Program Year : Jan - Dec 2016

‘GLOBAL YOUTH FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE’

01.Contact details……………………………………………………………………….. 04

02.Overview of FSL-India……………………………………………………….……. 05

03.Network and Collaboration..……………………………………..……….….. 06

04.Our programs……………………………………………………………………...… 07

05.Areas of Interest……….………………………………………………..….....…. 08

06.Our Ideology……………..………………………………………….…………..….. 09

07.Our Approach …………..……………………………………………..…………… 10

08.What is need to be LMTV……..………………..…………………….…….... 11

09.Structure of the program…………………………………………..…..……… 12

10.Application …………………………………………………………………………… 13

11. Information sheet and Pre-arrival Letter ………………………………..14

12. Orientation week……………………...………………………………..…………. 15

13. Do’s and Dont’s’…………………………………………………………………… 16

14. Cost Involved ……………………………………………………………..……… 16

15.VISA requirements………………………………………………………..…...… 17

16.LMTV Project Information…………………………………………..……...... 18

LTV 01 A - Regular Teaching….………………………………………………….... 20

LTV 01 B - Orphan Children Teaching…..………...........................…… 21

LTV 01 C - Ethnic Tribes Teaching……………………............................. 22

LTV 01 D - Street Children Teaching………………………………………….... 23

LTV 01 E - Kindergarten / Anganwadi Teaching…........................... 24

LTV 01 F - Speech and Hearing Impaired Teaching….......................25

LTV 02 A - Sea Turtle conservation……………………………………………… 26

LTV 02 B - Environment Education……………………………………………… 27

LTV 02 C - Rain Water Harvesting…………………………………………..……28

LTV 02 D - Water and Sanitation………………………………………………... 29

LTV 02 E –Animal Care and Conservation………………………….……….. 30

LTV 02 F – Sustainable Agriculture/ Organic Farming……….………… 31

CONTENTS

Continue…

LTV 03 A – Children with Special Needs…………..……………………………. 32

LTV 03 B – Rehabilitation Projects………………………………………………… 33

LTV 03 C – Old Age Home / Geriatric Care…………………………......……. 34

LTV 03 D – Women Empowerment…………………………..…………….……..34

LTV 03 E - Slum Children Teaching and Development…………….…….. 35

LTV 03 F – Ethnic Tribal Development………………………………….…….… 36

LTV 03 G – Prevention of Child Labour/ Promotion of Child Rights…37

LTV 04 A – HIV/ AIDS Awareness and Care of Support…………………..38

LTV 04 B – Rural Medication…………………………………………………….…….39

LTV 04 C – Nutrition and Health……………………………………………………..40

LTV 05 A – Special Teaching……………………………………………………….…..41

LTV 05 B – Special Learning…………………………………………………….……..41

LTV 05 C – Media / PR/ Research and Documentation………….………42

17. Accommodation for Volunteers…………………………………….…..…….43

18. What is it like to live with a host family?.....................................43

19.Living at the Project…………………………………………………………………..44

20. What FSL-India can Provide you? ……………………………………..…… .45

21.LTV Department………………………………………………………………………..46

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FSL-India

Bangalore Head Office

# 453, 1st Floor, 15th Cross, Lakkasandra

Wilson Garden, Bangalore – 560030

Karnataka, India

Phone: + 91-80- 22111930 + 91-80- 22111931

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Hot Line:+ 91- 8970038500 ( Ms. Supriya Spandana -LTV Communicator)

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E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.fsl-india.org

Blog: www.fsl-india.org/blog

Face book: www.facebook.com/Fslindia

Administration Contacts: Mr.Rakesh Soans (President): +91-9945231224 , [email protected]

Mr. Devadass Ragland ( Deputy Director ): + 91-902162990 , [email protected]

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An Overview of FSL-India

FSL-India, (Field Services and Inter-cultural Learning - India) is a youth

development organisation focused towards Inter-cultural Learning through

Voluntary Services set up to promote Global Understanding by providing

opportunities to the youth to work in different cultural contexts to appreciate

Inter-cultural learning. Thereby, reducing boundaries and bringing people to

work together in harmony by understanding the Inter-cultural aspects

focusing towards development of people and society through youth mobility

and volunteerism.

Founded in the year 2000 and legally incorporated in 2001, FSL-India is a Trust

under Indian Trust Act 1882. It was formed with the support of like-minded

National and International Organizations with a primary purpose to bring

about global transformation, progress and growth through youth exchange

programs.

FSL-India is headquartered in Bangalore, with regional offices in Karnataka

(Bangalore, Mysore and Kundapur), Tamil Nadu (Chennai), and Pondicherry

and is well equipped with experienced associates who support developmental

activities across the country with the help of Local and Regional Partners.

Annually, FSL- India mobilizes movement of 1500 and more youths from

across the globe with the support of International Partners and local NGOs.

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Network and Collaborations:

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It acts as a support structure for youth and social organizations engaged in various

development programs such as: 1) Asia - Europe Young Volunteers Exchange (AEYVE), 2)

European Voluntary Service (EVS), 3) World Heritage Volunteers (WHV) 4) Weltwaerts and

5) Experiment in International Living (EIL).

FSL - India works in various fields in cooperation with Archaeological Survey of India,

Ministry of Women and Child Welfare, Ministry of Health, Education, Forest and Wildlife

Departments and Local Self-governance Bodies.

The on-going CSR Projects of FSL-India are sponsored by –

FSL- India has been implementing CSR projects titled “Happy Move Global Youth

Volunteers” and “Dream Village Project in Tamil Nadu” South of India, sponsored by

Hyundai Motor Company (HMC), South Korea. Recently, FSL-India has also developed a

partnership with Hysco Steel company Ltd and Samsung Electronics, South Korea in

implementing their CSR project in Tamil Nadu and Delhi.

Apart from this FSL-India also undertakes self-funded Projects under Home Based Projects

like the Sea Turtle Conservation, Environmental Education, and Tent School for Migrant

community.

By virtue of its affiliation, FSL- India is a member of -

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Our Programs

LTV - Long Term Volunteering (more than 3

months)

MTV - Mid Term Volunteering (up to 2

months)

WC- Short Term Volunteering or Work Camps (WC) (Up to 3

weeks)

OB- Outbound Program

High School Student Exchange Program

YDP - Youth Development Program

HBP - Home Based Projects.

CSR – Corporate Social Responsibility

Areas of Interest:

Youth Leadership and Experiential Learning: Training programs for Youth; Social inclusion

projects; Social awareness and Promotion of Youth leadership.

Society and Culture: Tibetan Culture, Ethnic Tribal Development, Promoting and Conserving

Traditional Folk, Art and Culture

Rural Development: Promotion of Model Village, Formation of Self Help Groups, Organise

Women and Youth for Microfinance/Micro-enterprise development and livelihood

promotion, Skill development, and Employment generation.

Urban Development: Slum Development, Construction and Renovation work.

Medical & Health Care: Health & Hygiene, HIV/AIDS, Disability, Medical Outreach Camps

and Ayurveda

Environment and Conservation: Sea Turtle Conservation, Rain Water Harvesting,

Agriculture, Environment Protection, Eco-clubs, Heritage Conservation, Water and

Sanitation, Environment Education

Education: Creative and Interactive education, Teaching of English language, Developing

teaching and learning aids, Capacity development of Teaching faculty, Improve learning

levels and cognitive skills of children.

Women & Childcare Development: Orphanages, Women Empowerment, Street Children,

and Tent School Project for children of migrant workers

In addition, FSL-India also works on a range of self-initiated Home Base projects. We have

been engaging youth to supplement national and global efforts for attainment of

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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OUR VISION : ‘Global Youth for a Sustainable Future’ OUR MISSION :

To promote world peace, mutual respect and inter-cultural exchange by

facilitating international voluntarism among youth in the field of Natural

Resource Management and Socio Economic Development of local

community.

Our Ideology

We believe that the experience of living and working with people from varied cultural

backgrounds creates understanding and respect, something that we should all work on and

feel responsible for, in this world!

Volunteering is the heart of our work and activities. We initiate our programs together with

local communities in building a more peaceful and self-content society. By placing

volunteers throughout India and the world in various communities, we show interest in the

work and lives of people, which in turn encourages them to take up their own initiatives and

find local solutions to the problems. We also hope to make people more aware of the world

in which they live and its unlimited possibilities.

Through this endeavour, we help open the minds of local communities towards

internationalism in an age of globalization. It further encourages exchange of individual

experiences and points of view among all the participants involved. It also creates

awareness and reflection on one’s own culture.

By providing opportunities to participate in our programs, FSL- India considers that

volunteers will get access to “Alternative Education” which includes a number of approaches

to learning process other than mainstream education. Alternative education with a blend of

local and global perspectives would vary widely, often emphasizing the value of close

relationships between international volunteers and local communities with adequate means

for inter-cultural learning and exposure. This opportunity would also enhance the global

competency of international volunteers as well as local youth, who are also expected to

contribute substantially to bring the global dimension to local situations and place the local

issues in the global scenario.

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Our Approach

During the last 15 years, FSL-India has grown to become one of the largest volunteer hosting

organizations in the country, organising various volunteer and development projects

throughout India mainly through Short Term Work camps and Long Term Volunteer (LTV)

placements. Most of the projects are carried out independently, and some are undertaken

in cooperation with local NGOs as they are aware and carry hands on experience of the

development work that needs to be undertaken in an area. We support them in their efforts

to address the issues and the precise needs of the local community and help bring about the

desired change in the long term.

Although there are times when our assistance consists of financial support, but quite often

we ensure that our support goes in terms of placing volunteers from different countries in

different projects. Through this we aim at uniting people from different backgrounds and

cultures through a common tool by living and working together.

Together with a worldwide network of like-minded organisations, we strive to create a

positive impact by encouraging youths and creating opportunities for people to work

together with their individual strength and capabilities thereby making a difference in

his/her own life and in the lives of others through the field of social work.

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Objectives of LMTV Program:

To promote international understanding and cultural exchange.

To encourage voluntary service as a means to encourage peace, equality and mutual respect.

To spark new ideas for socio-economic development for the rural youth.

To stress importance on natural resource management.

To support community development and bring an inter-cultural dimension to community projects.

To support and conserve our nature.

To support local community identify and adress global issues.

To create self-awareness and personal development among youth in particular.

To facilitate Global Education through Experiential Learning.

What is needed to be an LMTV(Long / Mid term Volunteering)?

We welcome anybody who is interested to participate in our voluntary programs regardless

of age, sex, religious belief, ethnicity or sexual orientation. Most of our programs do not

require any specific skills. But as the work is development and humanitarian in nature, we

encourage volunteers to be:

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Committed Flexible Creative Open

Minded

Structure of the Program: The L/MTV program at FSL-India is structured as follows

Application: Volunteers must apply to our partner organizations in their own country.

Placements: We will complete the placements of volunteers within a week of receiving the

application. Volunteers can apply for an L/MTV program for a minimum of one month.

Information: FSL-India will send the required Information to the volunteers - including a pre-

arrival letter, project profile, info sheet, general information and travel details. This

information will be sent to the volunteers at least one month in advance.

Arrivals: Volunteers arrive at Kundapur or Bangalore by the first Monday of each month.

Orientation week: The program will start with a week-long orientation. Depending on the

volunteer’s project location, the Orientation will be held either in Kundapur or Bangalore.

This information will be sent to the volunteer at least a month in advance.

Registration: The registration will be completed during the first week of arrival.

Projects: Following the orientation week, volunteers will join their respective projects in

different locations, depending on the placement.

Monitoring: Each volunteer is allocated a LTV Coordinator on his/her arrival who is a staff of

FSL- India and he/she supports the volunteer in their project, and monitors the progress

during their voluntary service through monitoring visits, LTV Cultural Meet, one to one

sessions, emails, phone calls, reports etc. Monthly Project visits are also made by the LTV

Coordinators during the placement where ever possible.

LMTV Cultural Meet: Once a month, FSL-India organizes a LTV Cultural Meet for all

volunteers to discuss their progress, share their experiences and challenges encountered. It

is a great opportunity to reconnect with volunteers and to use them as a resource network

on how to act within their own projects. We also have one-to-one supervision between LTV

coordinators and volunteers to ensure that any challenges are tracked and dealt with at the

earliest. In case the monthly monitoring visit from the LTV Coordinator does not take place,

the cultural meet is a good opportunity for the volunteer to discuss and resolve any

challenges.

Final evaluation: Volunteers are expected to complete and submit a Final Feedback report

and Final Evaluation report at the end of their volunteering program. This details their work,

progress, problems, solutions and suggestions for future volunteers and FSL- India. This

report acts as a future resource and reference documents for new volunteers and enables

FSL- India to develop and improve the project.

Application: In the section below, titled “LTV/MTV Project Information”, the details about

the different fields of work that are available through our program have been provided.

Volunteers are requested to go through them carefully and consider wherein their interest

lies most. A minimum of three fields of work as choices are requested from all the

applicants in order of preference in their application form. Also required is a Motivation

letter accurately describing themselves, their skills and interests, past work experience,

strengths and weaknesses etc. This information assists us to match the project and the

volunteer as accurately as possible.

Placements: After the application is accepted from the Sending organisations, the

placement of projects are organised on an individual basis, according to the preferences the

volunteer has stated in his/her application form. It is therefore very important that

volunteers are specific about their interests, experience and project choices in the

application form. FSL-India will place volunteers on a “first come - first serve” basis and

therefore some projects may get filled up sooner. If a volunteer’s first project choice is full,

we will offer his/her second or third choice, or ask you them to apply at a later date when a

place is available.

Please note:

We at FSL-India try our best to place a volunteer in their first choice for field of preference

choice; however it cannot guarantee it every time due to a lot of factors for e.g - availability

of spots, time duration, distance etc. has to be considered.

Changes to project placements and hosting accommodation is only considered for special

cases, but not before we are sure that the volunteers made sufficient effort to adapt and

overcome initial challenges. Therefore all the participants are requested to make significant

efforts to stay in their assigned placement for a minimum of one month before changing to

a new placement. In our opinion it takes a minimum of a month’s time to adapt to a long-

term project and new surroundings.

Information sheet and Pre-arrival letter:

The Info sheet will contain all the information that volunteers need to prepare for their

journey and stay in India. It is very important that volunteers read the whole info sheet at

least once and understand all the contents. This document will be sent to the sending

organization a month prior to the volunteer’s arrival in India. The pre-arrival letter will

include all the necessary information that will make their journey to India as smooth and

trouble free as possible. Hence, it is very important for the volunteers t read it carefully.

Arrival:

The starting date of the program is the First Monday of every month: Volunteers should

make sure that they arrive at Kundapur or Bangalore by the scheduled date. Bangalore has

an International airport and Kundapur is well connected to Bangalore by train and bus, the

closest Airport to Kundapur is Mangalore Airport. All volunteers will meet at a common

meeting point, where they will be picked up. Specific information regarding their arrival

will be sent to the volunteers in a pre-arrival letter.

Registration: All the registration formalities will be completed during the first three days

of the Orientation. This will consist of understanding and signing a contract and collecting

the participation fee.

Please note that if a volunteer has applied for more than three months, the fee for the first

three months is collected at the beginning of the project. If a volunteer has applied for less

than three months, then the entire participation fee will be collected in the beginning

itself. Volunteers have to ensure that they have the currency converted to Indian Rupees

before they arrive and make certain that they have the full amount available with them.

Also, all volunteers will have to produce two photocopies of their passport and their visa

respectively.

Orientation Week:

The schedule is flexible but the Orientation week usually contains the following:

The LMTV Program Introduction: Topics include - Aims of the program, Way of working,

Finances, Reporting and Documentation, Rules and Expected behaviour.

India: Topics include - Culture, Religion, Habits, Customs, History, Geography, Social issues

etc.

Language Skills: India has 18 official languages, and many more dialects and sub-dialects.

We will start with teaching the local language – Kannada or Tamil. Do not forget that English

is widely spoken throughout the country. However, we urge the volunteers to learn and

speak the local language, as it will open more doors for them.

Projects: Includes - An overview of the projects of FSL-India and an explanation and

presentation of the volunteer’s particular placement. There will also be Project visits, where

volunteer’s will have the opportunity to conduct activities as a group and meet current

volunteers in other projects who can share their experiences.

Safety: Topics include Health, Women safety, Travel guidelines, and an introduction to FSL

India’s Emergency Action Plan (EAP).

Life in the Host Family: We will provide an opportunity to all volunteers to meet some of

our Host Families who will share their past experience of hosting volunteers and also to

clarify any questions volunteers may have about living with an Indian Host Family.

Information: Lots of new and interesting things will be introduced during sessions like- Yoga,

cooking and Hindu philosophy.

Local sightseeing: Meeting people will make you feel right at home. Therefore, we will

provide volunteers with the opportunity to visit market places, Indian homes and natural

sites in groups or individually during the free time.

Do's and Don’ts: There are some simple rules, which can help volunteers have a smooth

integration with each other and with the local people. This will also help overcome the

culture shock!

Intercultural Session: All volunteers are requested to bring items from their home such as

photos, music, food, handicrafts, etc. that will help them present their country and culture

to other volunteers as well as to the local youth and your Host Family.

Group games and discussions: This methodology adopted during the orientation week,

aims at turning the theoretical sessions as dynamic and participatory as possible.

Please note :

Volunteers will have to stay together in the FSL- India Guest-house in Bangalore or the FSL-

India Training Centre in Kundapur during the Orientation week. The accommodation will be

shared bedrooms. All volunteers will be provided with vegetarian meals. The FSL- India LTV

Coordinators and team leaders will take care of all the activities and sessions

during the entire orientation week.

Costs Involved:

FSL- India is a non-profit organisation and does not depend on any public or external

funding and all costs are sustained through the participation fees from volunteers. Therefore

volunteers are expected to pay the participation fee mentioned below besides all their

personal costs needed to come to India (travel / visa / vaccinations etc.). We work only with

local organizations that need our support.

The Participation Fee is 14,500 Indian Rupees for each month (approximately 200 Euros

per month, depending on the exchange rate)

Remember that the participation fee is non-refundable. Volunteers are therefore

requested to carefully consider the duration of their program while applying.

If a volunteer has applied for more than three months, only the first three months fee is

collected in the beginning.

If a volunteer has applied for less than three months, the entire participation fee is

collected in the beginning.

The participation fee will be collected only for a full month and it is not possible to apply

for half a month.

The Participation fee will be collected from the volunteers during the first three days of the

orientation week. The amount will be collected only in the local currency (Indian Rupees).

We do not accept any payments in foreign currency. We expect volunteers to pay the first

three months of the participation fee before starting the program for practical and

organizational reasons.

Volunteers should try to exchange their foreign currency as soon as possible. However, it is

recommended that they do not to exchange foreign currency at the airport as the rates are

more disadvantageous. FSL-India staff can assist volunteers to find a convenient

place/bureau of exchange to convert the currency or travellers cheques and cash

withdrawal at ATMs.

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Visa Requirements / Registration:

Visa Requirements: Please Note that according to the new Visa Regulations, volunteers

coming to India to do voluntary service with/through a registered Indian organization need

to apply for an “Employment Visa” (to work with NGO / Non-Profit organization). No other

visa is acceptable.

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In order to apply for an Employment visa, volunteers will need a proof of employment with

an organization in India, such as a contract that states the terms and conditions. FSL India

will provide necessary documents for your visa application on request.

NOTE: Due to the strict Visa regulations by the Ministry of Home Affairs, we will not accept

any volunteers in our LMTV program if they arrive on a Tourist Visa.

For more information, please visit the following websites:

http://goindia.about.com/od/visas/tp/Guide-To-Indian-Visa-Types.htm

http://www.immihelp.com/nri/indiavisa/categories.html

Registration: Volunteers arriving in India with a valid “Employment Visa (NGO / Non-Profit

organization)” need to register within 14 days of their arrival in India with the FRRO (Foreigner’s Regional Registrar Office). It is important to collect and keep the Residential Permit which will be issued once registration is done at the FRRO. This document should be

produced while exiting the country during the departure once the program is over. Failure to

do so will result in a penalty and possible deportation.

For more information, please visit the following website: http://indianfrro.gov.in/frro

Sample VISA Template










http://www.immihelp.com/nri/indiavisa/categories.html

http://indianfrro.gov.in/frro

LMTV PROJECT INFORMATION

January to December -2016

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The following section provides an overview of the LMTV Projects available from January

2016 - December 2016. In this section you will find details about the type of projects that

you can volunteer in. Please read these carefully before applying.

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Education, an important tool for development that enables people to acquire skills,

knowledge, attitudes and values which is necessary to shape a sustainable future. As a

volunteer for Regular Teaching you will find it rewarding to teach spoken English, basic

Math, Health and Hygiene Awareness, Environmental Education and conducting Co-

curricular activities with local schools. The schools are Kannada/Tamil Medium schools

lacking in resources and/or English Teaching Staff.

One of the important aims of this project is to support the staff in the classroom and to

bring an international dimension to learning. Tasks include -

Assist with English language learning by using creative teaching methods and encourage

and develop learning levels and cognitive skills of the students.

Assist with extra-curricular activities, inspiring children to learn new languages and learn

about new cultures. Additionally following tasks may also require your assistance:

Develop teaching and learning aids with low cost or no cost locally available materials, and

facilitate simulation games for the children and the teaching faculties.

Design developmentally appropriate tools and criteria for assessment of children’s learning

levels and cognitive skills; Individual goal setting for children with learning disability; lesson

planning etc.

Develop teaching-learning methods and pass this information (through the Final

Evaluation/Report) to future volunteers with a view to creating long-term improvements to

the educational model.

Environment/ Coffee Plantation / Kids/ Tibetan culture

LTV 01 A

Regular Teaching

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NAME OF THE CAMP

The volunteers are encouraged to bring creative ideas to initiate new activities in the

school, for example - environmental, organizational or computer education. It is important

for the children to feel love and care from you, as you will be surrounded by them every

day. If you have many ideas in teaching different kinds of activities such as games, songs,

arts and crafts or sports and athletics to children, then this type of project is for you! You

will be teaching a variety of subjects depending on your personal interests and skills.

Volunteers should have a good level of spoken English, and previous experience in teaching

children will be useful.

The Info-sheet will have more information regarding the individual projects with schedules,

and activities.

Note: Please note that due to school holidays, these projects will remain closed during the

following months: March until May; in the month of October; and sometimes in

December.

During these months, FSL India organises Summer Projects (in March/April/May) and

Winter camps (in October). These camps are offered to our LTVs in 'Teaching projects’ which remain closed due to school holidays.

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LTV 01 B

Orphan Children Teaching

Volunteers have the chance to work in orphanages, by supporting the staff in the project

with the daily care of orphan children. The work is varied and requires the volunteer to be

flexible in tackling and multitasking.

The work could involve rehabilitation, education and supporting the orphan children to

return and participate within mainstream life. Daily work may also include activities like

cleaning, cooking, gardening, helping the children with their homework, playing with the

children in the evening and teach games, arts and crafts, songs etc.

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NAME OF THE CAMP

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A creative approach to work will be useful. If you have many ideas in teaching different

kinds of activities such as games, songs, arts and crafts or sports and athletics to children,

then this type of project is for you! It is important that volunteers in this project have a

flexible approach to the work and are good at

Multitasking, prepared to undertake variety of tasks.


and activities.

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There are several ethnic minorities in India whose faces several issues like lack of proper

education, infrastructure and medical facilities along with isolation due to the interior

nature of living, illiteracy of parents and lack of livelihood development. Various NGOs are

working towards community development of these ethnic tribes with a prime objective of

preparing them to participate and compete within the mainstream society.

Working in this field requires a high degree of flexibility, and volunteers should try and get

involved with the local community and with the staff of the project. These projects with the

tribal communities are located in rural and remote areas, near to or within the communities

and since you will be working with them, therefore it is important that you are prepared for

bare minimum and simple living conditions. Strong language barrier could also pose a

greater challenge for anyone working in this field.

LTV 01 C

Ethnic Tribes Teaching

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NAME OF THE CAMP

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Most of the development work carried out by NGOs is aimed at community development

through education, awareness, livelihood promotion and health improvement. Volunteers

will be required to teach in most of the projects where they will work with tribal children.

Therefore an interest in teaching and love for children is crucial. However, you could also be

supporting the staff in the daily activities of the centre, whilst the children are away

attending Regular schools.

A creative approach to work is useful and you will have the opportunity to initiate new mini

projects or activities. You will have to be prepared for a flexible approach to the work and

be willing to undertake a variety of tasks. If you have many ideas of teaching different kinds

of activities such as games, songs, arts and crafts or sports and athletics to children, then

this type of project is for you!


and activities.

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LTV 01 D

Street Children Teaching

It is estimated that more than 400,000 street children in India exist. FSL – India like many

other NGOs and local initiatives in India, work for the welfare of these children often

termed as “working children”. The focus is to take these children away from the streets and

from their working place in order to give them a chance to live a decent and accepted

standard of life.

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NAME OF THE CAMP

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The effort is to try and place as many of these children in centres, boarding schools and day-

care shelters etc. and help them return to the regular schooling system, where they are

provided vocational education and training skills that would help them find a decent job in

the future and keep them away from exploitation.

Much of the development work these projects is based on education known also as

“alternative education”. Therefore, the volunteers will be required to teach in most of the

projects where they work with street children. Hence, an interest in teaching and love for

children is of utmost importance to the project. Other work activities will involve supporting

the staff in the daily activities of the schools.

A creative approach to work and dealing with the children will be useful and you will have

the opportunity to initiate new mini projects or activities. You need to have a flexible

approach to work with children and be prepared to undertake a variety of tasks.

In some cases the volunteer will be required to go amidst the “tent community” comprised

of families of migrant labourers, to raise awareness of the teaching program and to

motivate parents to enrol their children in schools. If you have a lot of ideas in teaching

different kinds of activities such as games, songs, arts and crafts or sports and athletics to

children, then this type of project is best suited for you!


and activities.

Note: Minimum application for Street Children Teaching is for three to six months.

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LTV 01 E

Kindergarten / Anganwadi Teaching

An Anganwadi (meaning ‘courtyard shelter’ in Hindi) is in many ways a day care centre for

children below 6 years of age and were established around the country in 1975 as a part of

the Government of India’s Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS). One of their main

functions is to provide non-formal, pre-school education to children between the ages of 3

to 5.

NAME OF THE CAMP

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Volunteers will be expected to teach children in this age group through various interactive

and creative activities that will help improve the cognitive skills of the children. The

pedagogical approach to teaching should be in accordance with standards employed in

kindergartens around the world. Anganwadis were also envisioned as a part of the Indian public healthcare system. Along

with providing pre-school education, one of their main functions is to act as primary

healthcare centres in villages and raise awareness of health and hygiene in their locality.

Volunteers can also help these workers in providing health, hygiene and nutrition education

to families. This will include teaching them about family planning, educating parents on

child growth and development, among others.

The volunteers should bring in creative ideas to initiate new activities in the school. It is

important for the children to be felt loved and cared for by you, as you will be surrounded

by them every day. This type of project is perfect for you if you are someone who has many

ideas in teaching different kinds of activities such as games, songs, arts and crafts or sports

and athletics to! You will be teaching a variety of subjects depending on your personal

interests and skills. Volunteers should have a good level of spoken English, and previous

experience in teaching children will be useful.


and activities.



December.



LTV 01 F

Speech and Hearing

Impaired Children Teaching

26

NAME OF THE CAMP

26

Many NGOs and Government organizations are working to support people/children with

hearing loss and speech problems. The hearing loss can affect a child’s development of

receptive and expressive communication skills. The language deficit causes learning

problems that result in reduced academic achievement. Communication difficulties often

lead to social isolation and low self-esteem. Different tools and methodologies are used by

organizations to conduct formal and informal teaching and to help such children integrate

into mainstream life through inclusion.

Work schedule for volunteers working in Speech and Hearing impaired children teaching

project includes any of the following activities:

•Class room teaching: Spoken and written English, Mathematics, Geography, etc.

•Extra-curricular activities: Sports, Games, Drawing, etc.

•Assist in Computer reporting work, Photo/video documentation

•Impart training to children on life skills, health and personal hygiene


projects or activities. It is important that volunteers in this project have a flexible approach

to the work and are good at Multitasking, prepared to undertake variety of tasks. If you

have many ideas of teaching different kinds of activities such as games, songs, arts and

crafts or sports and athletics to children, then this type of project is for you!


and activities.



December.



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LTV 02 A

Sea Turtle Conservation

27

NAME OF THE CAMP

27

For the past 15 years, the Sea Turtle population has been under threat from fishing and egg

predation by local population. Three species of the protected Sea Turtles are nesting on

India’s West Coast and all of them are endangered species and increasing threats caused by

humans could drive them to extinction.

With an effort to protect these endangered species, FSL-India is working along a 60

kilometre stretch of the beach in the south and north of Kundapur, Karnataka state. The

work is focused on protection and conservation of Sea turtle, by promoting awareness

about the eco-system and addressing related environmental issues.

The work involves – conducting surveys, gathering and analysis of data, Awareness

generation amongst the local community, schools children, and harbours and fishing

communities. You will also be required to build hatcheries and temporary information

centres, as well as design and create promotional material.


and activities.

Note: This project is seasonal and starts in August and runs until February, only for six

months. The work requires high degree of motivation, interest and some knowledge in this

particular field is useful. Please remember in the first month and the last month the

majority of the work includes documentation. There is no guarantee that you will see sea

turtles, hatchlings or eggs while working on this project.

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LTV 02 B

Environmental Education

This project has been set up by FSL-India in collaboration with local NGOs with a primary

aim to educate lower economic and social groups, the local community, youth and children

about environmental issues and good practices.

In this project a volunteer main task would be to develop and support through creative

education about nature and ecology conservation.

28

NAME OF THE CAMP

28

By doing so, you will educate the local community on the economic and social benefits of

environmental protection and conservation of nature and natural resources. You will have to

visit schools, colleges, and youth groups and organise environmental educational workshops

and disseminate information to various stakeholders on environment protection.

Eco-Clubs is a governmental initiative that was introduced 5 years ago in all Government

schools. As part of this initiative, Eco-Clubs were formed in schools and the members

comprised of school children. The aim of the Eco-Club was to introduce environmental

concerns and good practices to the school children to make them actively involved and to be

aware of the necessity to protect nature. However, most government schools lack personnel

and financial means to run the Eco-clubs effectively and efficiently. As a result, Eco-clubs

have been formed in most schools but ceased to function.

As a volunteer your task will be to design and run the Eco-club sessions in the schools with

the help of other volunteers, a field assistant and teachers. Being creative, innovative and

loving towards children is important to work in this project. You will also get the chance to

work with the local community in order to organize some outdoor events for the children.

There is an ample opportunity to work with the local community where our volunteers try

and create model streets. The local community is introduced to Solid waste management,

building of compost pits and the separation of bio-degradable material. There is a lot of

scope for interested volunteers who have prior experience to bring in their ideas and

implement them in the project.


and activities.

Note: Minimum application for Environmental Education is for two months

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LTV 02 C

Rain Water Harvesting

Water being the most valuable and at the same time one of the scarce natural resources,

there is a tremendous need for harvesting available Rain water. Rainwater is an economical,

safe and sustainable source of quality water when it is captured and stored in a correct

manner.

29

NAME OF THE CAMP

29

With the concept of “catch water where it falls”, FSL-India networks with local organisations

that are working for conservation and promotion of water resources through multiple

approaches.

Generating awareness among various sections of the local communities is an important

dimension of FSL-India's programs. Volunteers can contributes to these initiatives through

various creative input and participation in campaigns for promoting water literacy,

documentation and research undertakings.


and activities.

LTV 02 D

Water and Sanitation

Health and sanitation is the priority areas in development, both in rural and urban areas.

Especially, in rural areas open defecation is quite common and sanitation is very poor. Lack

of Proper education and an understanding about the need for hygiene and sanitation and a

general lack of awareness are the main culprits.

FSL-India is making its share of contribution to address this problem by implementing Water

and Sanitation based programs through multiple interventions that includes 'Dream Village

Project', Environment Education Project and also through volunteer service in various

locations.

These projects along with other objectives, support construction of toilets in the villages

and generate widespread awareness on various potential diseases due to want of proper

hygiene and sanitation. In this field of work, volunteers work would include - construction of

sanitary toilets, education and awareness generation among students and adult community

in the proposed villages through innovative methods.


and activities.

30

30

LTV 02 E

Animal Care and Conservation

A sustainable future for the planet can only be achieved if both animals and people are part

of the solution. However, it is not at all uncommon to see animals - domestic, stray or wild

often exploited and taken for granted. It is a forgotten fact that even they need food and

water. Conservation and management of animals have a significant bearing on the survival

of every species by helping in promotion of rational use of environment to provide a high

quality of living for mankind. Animal care and conservation envisages not only the

protection of the existing populations of animals and their habitats, but also the breeding

and farming of rare animals.

As a volunteer you will be assigned to work with organisations involved in the field of

impacting political and economic climate, habitat protection, breeding and farming, special

wildlife projects, legislative measures, nurse ailing and injured animals. The major activities

that you may be assigned are: Providing care and treatment, conducting surveys,

documentation, policy advocacy, designing appropriate IEC (Information, Education and

Communication) materials, community awareness and education. The Info-sheet will have

more information regarding the individual projects with schedules, and activities.

Note: Limited projects are available, and requires an application for the duration of

minimum of three months.

31

31

The challenge of food security, especially in the face of rising food prices, places a serious

responsibility before the country. Despite immense advances in the agriculture sector,

many people still sleep hungry or live under the threat of food shortage. The degradation of

natural resources is also a major concern as it severely impacts the livelihoods of poor and

backward communities in rural areas. In this backdrop, sustainable agriculture is one of the

most effective ways to respond to the challenges of the rural community. In essence,

Sustainable Agriculture refers to a set of practices adopted for cultivation that are least

harmful to the environment while also ensuring a good crop. It involves crop production

methods that support sustainable natural resource management to increase crop

productivity, maintain biodiversity, and also are economically viable and socially acceptable.

Organic farming is generally sustainable; however, organic produce can also be cultivated

on large scale industrial farms that are not sustainable. Soil and water management, organic

farming, integrated pest management, and integrated nutrient management are common

practices promoted under sustainable agriculture. Sustainable agricultural development, as

well as employing organic farming methods, seeks food and nutritional security, improved

livelihoods for our people, safe ecosystems, and sustainable economies of agriculture.

As a volunteer in this field of work you will -

Work with the farming community and the associated organisations that assist in

sustainable agriculture and/or organic farming.

Conduct community awareness on the importance of sustainable agriculture.

Facilitate training and capacity building on crop productivity, how to maintain biodiversity,

water management, organic farming, integrated pest management, and integrated nutrient

management, surveys, documentations etc.


and activities.

LTV 02 F

Sustainable Agriculture / Organic Farming

32

32

LTV 03 A

Children with Special Needs

Working with people/children who deal with different forms of various forms of physical or

intellectual challenges can be quite a demanding task for anyone. However, despite the

challenges they never lack in terms of spirit and enthusiasm and working along with them

can bring you a lot of joy and give a lot of life learning experiences.

The main work will be teaching and supporting the staff in their daily activities for the care

of the children. As a volunteer, you will be involved in Individual goal setting and planning

for holistic development of children/persons with special needs through home-based,

community based or institutional based approach. It needs a bit of flexibility and openness

to all kinds of works and activities.

These children are subject to multiple deprivations and limited opportunities in several

dimensions of their lives. They are mostly rejected by mainstream society and face grave

discrimination. Therefore, we believe volunteers can be huge change-makers in such

projects by participating and bringing joy in lives of these children, and help the NGO to

bring some structure changes in their daily lives and prepare them for adulthood. Additional

work activities would involve maintenance and gardening work, prepare and serve meals,

cleaning and providing company.


projects or activities. A flexible approach to the work with to be prepared to undertake

multiple tasks is very necessary to work in these projects.


and activities.

33

33

There are many NGOs working for social inclusion projects where minorities or less

fortunate people have been left behind in the race and struggle for economic and social

justice. FSL-India makes efforts to motivate/support them by placing interested volunteers

to help them in their office, field work or to bring in new innovative ideas to their work. The

work varies from project to project. Therefore, it is important for the volunteers to clearly

mention in the application indicating why they want to work on such projects and also

how they can contribute to the projects. Following are examples of the different kinds of

Rehabilitation projects:

•Projects where working children are given vocational training ;

•Projects where young people are given training in various trades ;

•Projects where Micro-finances are given to a minority community and we help them to

become economically stable;

•Projects where computer education is given;

•Projects with disabled children and/or adults, in order to give them more autonomy and to

eventually reintegrate them in the mainstream of society.

In the past volunteers have contributed in a lot of ways for instance – Photography and

documentation work of local projects and helping them build a webpage of their own, at a

vocational training centre help make a catalogue of all their products. Assist projects by

implementing a good filing system; support in survey and data collection. In these projects

creativity plays a major role, and prior experience is also very useful.

FSL-India also empowers less fortunate youth from slums or low economic backgrounds by

providing them training in camp leading or office work. After completion of the training

they work as camp leaders for a year. Thereafter, they go back to their communities and

organize work camps for the next year and help bring development in their communities.


and activities.

LTV 03 B

Rehabilitation Projects

34

34

Geriatric care and concern for the older people is becoming more important today. FSL-

India helps many projects by sending volunteers to old age homes where the elderly are

neglected and forgotten by the mainstream of society.

Working at an Old Aged home can be quite a challenging task. The work will include

interacting with the old people and basic support towards the staff in their daily routine.

Volunteers will take part helping in the daily activities, medical care, special programs for

physical exercise, and giving company to the elderly.

This project is for those who are willing to work with old people finds interest in doing

activities mentioned above. The Info-sheet will have more information regarding the

individual projects with schedules, and activities.

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LTV 03 C

Old Age Home/ Geriatric Care

LTV 03 D

Women Empowerment

35

Bridging the chasm of India’s wide gender gap is increasingly gaining importance in the

country’s developmental strategies, with a greater number of NGOs and government

organizations putting women at the centre of their projects. A key component of many of

these strategies is building the capacity of women in financial self-management which will

enable the creation of an environment where women can make independent decisions on

their personal development as well as shine as equals in society.

In recent years, the government has extensively promoted the formation of Self Help

Groups or SHGs as platforms to enable micro-credit options for the economically

disadvantaged. Comprised primarily of women, an SHG is, in essence, a credit and savings

group: each member regularly contributes a fixed, small amount of money until enough

capital is built within the SHG to begin lending. The group then collectively decides which

members should be lent money, based on the needs of each member. Repayment, at a

predetermined interest rate, is ensured through peer pressure. Through the years, SHGs

have evolved into more than just community-driven institutions of micro-credit; they have

also been crucial to mobilizing women’s empowerment activities at the grassroots level.

Volunteers will work extensively with SHGs and other women’s groups to implement

capacity building initiatives in their communities. Some of the activities they will be

involved in include:

•Teaching English

•Building capacity in computer literacy

•Raising awareness on health and hygiene

•Promoting entrepreneurial initiatives and income generation activities that increase family

income

•Building the financial capacity of SHGs to actively manage their group, increase capital and

fund entrepreneurial projects of their women members


and activities.

LTV 03 E

Slum children Teaching and Development

36

Indian cities suffer from huge urbanization problems and slums are present and

mushrooming in many cities and towns. The slum areas in the cities are clusters of houses

and shacks built illegally, where all basic infrastructures are absent, water and electricity

supply and other civic amenities are scarce or non-existent, hygiene is of very poor. With

high rates of unemployment and outbreak of diseases these slums become breeding

grounds to poverty, exploitation and negligence.

Many NGOs are working with an aim to improve the basic living conditions of the large

number of people residing in those slums. The volunteers will have the opportunity to join

hands with the local NGOs to support ongoing projects such as - Awareness campaigns,

Literacy programs, Educational projects and Empowerment of minorities.

The volunteer’s will mainly focus on teaching slum children in small shelters or in schools. In

addition, with the support of the project staff, the volunteer may have to visit slum areas

interact with inhabitants, conduct awareness campaigns on health, water, sanitation, etc.


and activities.

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LTV 03 F

Ethnic Tribal Development

Indian society is characterized by discrimination, deprivation, exploitation, subjugation and

marginalization, particularly on the basis of caste and ethnicity. The Scheduled Tribes (STs)

in India suffer from exclusion, neglect and under-development due to their geographical

and cultural isolation and separation from the mainstream. The greatest challenge that

India has been facing since independence is the proper provision of social justice to the

scheduled tribe people, by ameliorating their socio-economic conditions. Scheduled Tribes,

Scheduled Castes and de-notified tribes constitute the weakest section of India's

population, from the ecological, economic and educational angles. They constitute the

matrix of India's poverty.

37

As a volunteer in this field of work not only will you gain in terms of experience but you will

also have rich inter-cultural exposure with tribal community. Your work as a volunteer will

comprise of –

With ethnic tribal community in partnership with community based organisations that are

trying to mainstream the tribal community. Healthcare, education, livelihoods, skills

training, and promotion of tribal rights will be the development intervention strategy.

Conduct community awareness on various development issues of ethnic tribal community,

conduct training and capacity building, network with organisations working with similar

vision.

Participate in advocacy and campaign, conduct surveys, carry out documentations, and

design project proposals for ethnic tribal development


and activities.

Note: Limited projects are available, and most require a minimum application of two

months.

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LTV 03 G

Prevention of Child Labour/

Promotion of Child Rights

It’s every Child’s right to have a joyful childhood and grow up in a safe and nurturing

environment with protection and guidance from their guardians. Whether in the cities or in

villages, at home or in schools, every child deserves a childhood free from exploitation and

abuse. Children are the hope and future of a nation. Yet, there are millions deprived

children in our country who have never known a normal, carefree childhood. The problem of

child labour is a serious social matter that needs to be addressed sooner. With an officially

estimated 4.3 million children engaged in hazardous occupations (2011 Census), India has

the largest number of child labourers under the age of 14 in the world. They are employed

in many industries and trades, including garments, footwear, brick kilns, stainless steel,

hotels, and textile shops.

38

Many work in export-oriented hazardous industries like carpet weaving, gem polishing,

glass blowing, fireworks and matches, brassware, electro-plating, lead mining, stone

quarrying, lock making and beedi rolling (indigenous cigarette in which tobacco is rolled in a

tendu leaf).There are legislations that have been enacted to prevent child labour in India.

Many NGOs across the country are working for elimination of child labour and promotion

child rights. Prevention strategies adopted include rescue, relief and rehabilitation

interventions designed by NGOs and other actors with education, health, alternative

livelihoods.

As a volunteer you will be associated with a community organisation that is involved in:

•Special health care programs for children living on the streets,

•Exposing exploitative child labour practices, and

•Ensuring children join residential bridge schools and vocational training programs for

children

•above 14 years.

•Conducting awareness campaigns.

•Facilitating training and capacity building for the parents and community workers.

•Prevention/rehabilitation of child labour.

•Counselling.

•Conducting surveys, documentations, designing appropriate IEC (Information, Education

and

•Communication) materials on child rights will be your assignments as a volunteer.


and activities.


months

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LTV 04 A

HIV/AIDS Awareness

and Care of Support

39

HIV and AIDS related issues are a worldwide problem which is threatening the entire human

population. According to National AIDS Control Organization of India, the prevalence of

AIDS in India in 2013 was 0.27, which is down from 0.41 in 2002. This decline comes as a

relief but even then the prevalence of HIV continues to be a threat.

There are many NGOs taking up this issue and working to tackle this problem. Each NGO

adapts different methods - some conduct outreach/awareness programmes whereas other

NGOs work directly with people who are infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Volunteers applying for this field must have some prior experience or some medical

background.

The work is varied and will involve assisting the NGOs in their programs. The work would

predominantly be on generating awareness and not practical work with AIDS patients. In

these organizations, volunteers will be required to help and provide counselling, work in

hospitals or homes by treating patients, participating in daily care and also to provide

education and social activities. The Info-sheet will have more information regarding the

individual projects with schedules, and activities.

Note: Some NGOs working in this field may require a Police Verification Certificate from

your home country before joining the project.

LTV 04 B

Rural Medication

Rural Health care among one of biggest challenges that India is faces today. More than 70

percent of the country’s population lives in rural areas, which do not have access to public

health care. Also, the quality of available health care is of poor nature, there is a shortage of

qualified medical functionaries and lack of quality infrastructure. The regional medical

colleges and government institutes conduct rural health check-ups and rural medication as

part of health legislations. Sadly, the government hospitals in these regions are severely

under-staffed, over-worked and there is always a lack of staff support. Thus, medical and

paramedical professional assistants are severely needed in these settings.

The volunteers will work and serve as medical assistants and help the rural medical team as

a team member within villages and government hospitals. Volunteers applying for this

program must have medical background or be trained in a medical/paramedical field so

as to contribute in health requirements of people. The Info-sheet will have more

information regarding the individual projects with schedules, and activities.

40

Healthcare and the lack of easy access to it prevent people from upward social and

economic mobility in India. Healthcare facilities in India are difficult to access. Government

hospitals, though technically free, are so overwhelmed by the incongruity between the

massive population of patients and the deficiency of qualified medical staff that they cannot

cope with the load. Rates of children suffering from under-nutrition in India remain high

despite the economic growth. In India 20 per cent of children less than 5 years of age suffer

from wasting due to acute under nutrition. More than one third of the world’s children who

are wasted live in India (UNICEF).

Under-nutrition is substantially higher in rural than in urban areas and is responsible for 35%

of deaths among children under 5 and 11% of the total global disease burden. Under

nutrition often an invisible problem jeopardizes children’s survival, health, growth and

development, and it slows national progress towards development goals.

According to the World Health Organization, a majority of the top 10 causes of death in India

are both treatable and preventable. Therefore, to supplement the effort of the Government,

many organisations are working in India to provide health care to people and improve the

nutritional status of the children.

As a volunteer you will be working with healthcare centres or community based

organisations and tasks will include :

Catering to the healthcare and nutritional needs of the rural community.

Organising health camps; providing health and nutritional education to children,

youth/adolescent and community.

Conducting community awareness; facilitate training and capacity building for the health

workers, community mobilisers on preventive, curative and rehabilitative health

intervention.

Conduct surveys; documentations; designing appropriate IEC (Information, Education and

Communication) materials on health and nutritional aspect.


and activities.


months.

LTV 04 C

Nutrition and Health

41

At FSL India we are always looking for people with different vocational or special skills other

than what is mentioned in our project information section above. For example, If you are a

musician, a carpenter, an Electrician, or you have skills in sewing or if you are qualified

teacher in Maths or IT/Computing, website design etc.

We welcome you to get in touch with us as we can consider special projects for you in

which, you could use your special skills to benefit and serve an underprivileged community.

LTV 05 A

Special Teaching

As FSL-India works towards cultural understanding and immersion, we therefore collaborate

with many local institutes, schools, individual groups who are working to keep the local folk

art, music, culture, traditions alive. We also have an option for placing volunteers who are

interested in this field, to help these mini projects by involving themselves in these art

forms to learn and to give performances to spread it to others.

LTV 05 B

Special Learning

42

The different fields are:

Note:

a)- Special Learning Projects will be conducted for 1 to 3 hours every day. During free time

volunteers are also expected to be engaged in some social work like teaching in the local

schools or helping other volunteers in other projects.

b)- For Special Learning projects, you have to pay an extra charge depending on the skill

you want to learn – the extra fee is towards the fee for the skilled teacher and this will be

informed to you at the time of applying.

c)- The application for Special Learning projects must be sent at least 2 months in advance.

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Many NGOs and nonprofits in India are often understaffed and overstretched in terms of

human resources. The grassroots organizations in particular, often lack the funds to

dedicate personnel for knowledge management. Although well versed in the vernacular of

the region and experts in their own field of work, staffs in many NGOs and nonprofits finds

it quite challenging to document their activities in English. Yet this knowledge management

process is an integral function of any organization.

Volunteers interested in this field of work will be involved in:

Designing and creating content for the organization’s offline and online communication platforms. This may include annual reports, brochures, blog articles, website content, social

media platforms, press releases among others.

Research, either through primary or secondary data collection, on impact of program

implementation, feasibility of program action plans etc., as per the needs of the

organization.

Documentation: this may include report writing, putting in place documentation

procedures, recording organizational program activities, among others.

LTV 05 C

Media / PR / Research and

Documentation

43

What is it like to live with a host family?

Living with a host family could be an experience of a life-time. A routine day in a host family

is behind-the-screen look into the culture of the hosting country and gives an insight into

the customs of a family, which is an experience like no other for anyone who wants to learn

and experience a different culture. Apart from learning you develop an understanding of

why the culture is the way it is. Host families help you interact with the local community,

which increases your chances of making friends and contacts.

At FSL- India we take pride in the fact that our host families comes from all walks of life they

could be - couples with or without children, joint families, single parents, single people etc.

Not only do they provide accommodation, food but they also give moral and emotional

support and guidance.

There are certain guidelines that you need to take care of while staying with an Indian Host

family.

You should be willing to become part of your host family with the same rights, that is –

You should be prepared to help with the daily household chores like - clean your room, help

to prepare meals or to clean the dishes etc.

You are required to participate in family activities, show interest in the family functions and

celebrations, help in the kitchen and play with the children.

You should also respect the timings; refrain from smoking and consuming alcohol in the

house unless permitted by the family.

FSL- India expects all its volunteers to make an honest and sincere effort to share the daily

life of the family he/she has to live with.

Note: Volunteers should be prepared for basic accommodation and basic Indian food three

times a day. As part of the community living experience, volunteers are expected to adjust

to shared bedrooms and bathrooms, strict timings for meals, house rules and etiquette,

and dress code.

Accommodation for Volunteers:

Accommodation for volunteers can either be at the project, in a local host family, as a

Paying guest, in a hostel –depending on the project, location and availability.

44

Living at the Project At times, accommodations for volunteers are provided by the projects themselves. The

project will provide a room that is shared by other volunteers or with the staff of the

project. You must respect the living conditions of the project, and respect for the local

environment is expected at all times. For example: Smoking if allowed should be only at a

designated smoking area.

Volunteers also should be prepared for living in a basic accommodation with simple Indian

food three times a day. As part of the community living experience, volunteers are expected

to adjust to shared bedrooms and bathrooms and adhere to strict timings for meals, house

rules and etiquette, and dress code.

EXPECTATIONS

“Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.” ― Alexander Pope

What could be your possible expectations from your volunteering experience?

• To learn about a new culture?

• To eat good food?

• To take part in a humanitarian act?

• To receive support and to help others?

• To work within a dynamic team?

• To change the world?

•Or simply to have fun?

Let’s presume that these expectations are not met, how will this make you feel -

Disappointed? Frustrated? Or maybe Let down?

Now let’s imagine having NO expectations at all, meeting your new experience with an

open-mind…. Will this enhance and enrich your experience?

YES!!!! It will give you the freedom to be open to all new possibilities and opportunities. It

will give you the chance to discover new things and for you to enjoy your wonderful

personal experience, by accepting and enjoying everything that you come across.

What happens if I am unhappy with my project or hosting facilities?

Changes of placement and hosting facilities can only be considered for very special reasons.

However, this is taken into consideration only after it is ensured that the volunteer displays

an attempt to adjust and overcome the challenges that are present. We kindly ask all

participants to stay in their assigned placement for a minimum of one month before

requesting for a change, as we encourage volunteers to try and adapt to the new

environment.

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/25157.Alexander_Pope

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What FSL-India can provide you?

•A LTV A comprehensive Orientation week on arrival

•Coordinator/mentor at FSL-India to support you in any case

•A Contact person to assist you in your project

•Access to reports and project information that could be useful for your project

•Transportation reimbursement from accommodation to your project.

•Basic accommodation and food

•Evaluation Meetings and monthly LTV Cultural Meet

•An experience Certificate at the end of the program term to formally attest your

participation

•An opportunity to engage within a program that can be rewarding, fulfilling,

educational and a lot of fun!

Please consider the following:

You have a responsibility to read and understand this profile and to have attended the

preparation meeting organized by your sending organization. You must also read the

Information Sheet carefully, which will be sent to you at least one month before your

arrival.

We also expect you to participate in the program, and therefore we ask you to stay for the

entire length of the placement. Therefore, please plan all your personal travel plans, after

or before your placement. Quitting your project before the end of the program term can

cause a lot of inconvenience to the project and the people involved in it.

Please remember the following:

Your actions will directly or indirectly affect the reputation and image of FSL-India.

It is important to respect the local culture/values and traditions and the religious beliefs and

practices of the local people.

Realize that the living conditions are many times different than at home (no warm water, no

air-conditioning, no easy access to international phone or internet, no easy transportation

at all times, mosquitoes…etc)

To make a serious effort in integrating into the local community.

It is easy to de-motivate other volunteers through careless complaining. You can avoid this

by expressing yourself to your FSL-India LTV coordinator, who is there to support you.

It is important to support FSL-India in our programs and projects.

To be committed and show responsibility

That inter-cultural exchange is a complex process but highly rewarding

To have a good time!

Please consider all these points before you apply for a long-term volunteering project at

FSL-India.

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WE WELCOMES YOU TO INDIA

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation!!

‘global youth for a sustainable future’€¦ · long / mid term volunteering program profile...

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