Involvement Volunteers International 5 reasons volunteering in Bodhgaya will change your life! written by: AaronLee Bodhgaya is famous for being the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage center in the world. It is said that this is where Gautama Buddha received supreme knowledge and Enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. The majestic Mahabodhi Temple standing above the Bodhi Tree contains a colossal statue of the Buddha himself. Here, you will bear witness to thousands of devout Buddhists from across the globe in their pilgrimage to pay their respects at the foot of Buddha.
Walk out the temple and you will see the colorful, buzzing village life, with the streets filled with food stalls and rickshaws zooming here and there. As you move further from the city center into the local villages, the scenery rapidly changes into that of poverty and rustic lifestyle.
This is where volunteering work happens. This is where you can make a difference to the community, and a difference to your very own self.
Why do we say so?
Reason 1: Experience Bodhgaya like never before – be a part of the community itself.
As a volunteer guest, you will be welcomed into the community with wide, open arms. Experience sincere Indian hospitality as hundreds of smiling faces welcome you when you step into their village. The children especially, would be delighted to have you in their midst as they shower you with bright colored, fragrant flower petals and proudly perform their native Hindu and Indian songs.
Experience first hand the joy of Indian community spirit while making a difference at the same time. Only by volunteering will you be able to experience such hidden gems of hospitality which are often missed if you visit as a tourist.
Reason 2: Be part of the team that makes a lasting difference.
A rural school in the outskirts of Bodhgaya is the only educational institution in the surrounding area. It caters to approximately 600 students coming from surrounding villages. The agriculture driven community forbids children of poor families from receiving formal education, preferring them to work in farms or fields. Despite that, the school persevered. It wouldn’t have been so if not for the energetic and capable volunteers who helped to continue to crusade.
Here, you will be involved in a variety of school projects. Under formal education, you will teach English and other subjects as well as provide maternal and health education. The school project also includes taking care of children’s nutrition and educating on the use of Safe Birthing Kits. For hands-on courses, we provide lessons on community gardening and basic vocational training too.
To ensure sustainability of this school, there are also projects to develop fundraising strategies as well as to draft grant application for the betterment of the school.
Reason 3: Enrich yourself as you immerse into the local culture.One of the activities we provide for internal faculties and volunteers is Yoga lessons. It is very widely practiced in India due to its multiple health benefits. A trained yoga instructor would be provided for volunteers, whenever possible. Hence, it do not matter whether you have prior experience with Yoga. Learn the art of Yoga in a tranquil environment, a far cry from the hustle and bustle of city life.
When you live with the community, you share food of the community as well. You will be provided with authentic, delicious vegetarian meals, three meals a day. The dishes are cooked wonderfully with Indian spices which are a delight to the palate. Of course, you can choose between spicy or non-spicy meals according to how hot you want your meal.
Reason 4: Learn more about yourself.Undoubtedly, volunteering would take one out from his or her comfort zone. For many volunteers, it is a whole new experience to be part of such community projects. This way, you get to learn more about yourself: you learn about your own limitations or shortcomings. Most importantly, you will learn to overcome them. You will learn what you can do, and what you will be able to do. You won’t be left by yourself as you will also integrate into our superb team of facilitators, who look forward to assisting you in whatever way we can.
We also have a range of Tribal Community projects, in hopes to better their lives by providing education targeted to the community. Some of the projects include primary skills development, basic nutritional care to the community and provision of vocational training such as computer training, sewing and clothing, plumbing, carpentry, diesel engine repair and organic gardening, to name a few. We host inter-cultural dialogue program where we hope to foster inter-cultural ties.
Reason 5: View the world in a different perspective.Serving as a volunteer enables you to see the true nature of a community. Just like in many parts of India, there is a stark difference to the city compared to the outskirts and rural villages. You will see the needs and the difficulties faced by the community in order to just survive.
More often than not, the things we take for granted at the comforts of our home is a luxury for these communities. At the same time, you will see that despite they were perceived as lacking in many ways, they are still happy and joyful as they are contented with what they have.
This is how volunteering is a life changing experience. After witnessing the difficulties of the community, you have the opportunity to make things better, the opportunity to make a difference. It may not be changing the world, but at least you know that their world is changed. It is a feeling like no other to be able to do help strangers, who eventually become close friends.
Who can participate and be part of the team?Anyone looking to help make a difference to another’s life while having a first hand experience in the vibrant Indian community is more than welcome to apply. It would be a major advantage if you speak Hindi, but would not be a deterrent as many have a grasp of English as well.
We place utmost importance to the safety and comfort of our volunteers as well. The accommodation in the volunteer center is safe and hygienic, with the bedrooms equipped with western toilets. You can choose basic single, double or dorm style rooms, whichever available at time of booking. Each room is equipped with standard amenities.
Please note that visa application, wherever applicable, is the responsibility of the participant.
Volunteering will definitely change your perspective on life. Combine volunteering with the sacred village of Bodhgaya and you truly will have a life changing experience, which you will yearn for more.
FOOTNOTE:
– words above: 1104- please note that the term ‘we’ could be replaced by the name of your organization. Kindly provide that and I would gladly amend the article for you.- The facts are used in accordance to the blog provided (such as the school projects, tribal community projects, food and accommodation details). Kindly provide the related information should there be discrepancy for amendments.
It was a pleasure writing this article. Hope to hear from you. Thank you!
