Involvement Volunteers International WHY we need you in India
- India is one of the poorest countires in the world, with 2 thirds living in poverty.
- According to UNICEF, about 25% of children in India have no access to education, with higher rates of girls not attending school.
- 43% of childen under five years are underweight and around 61 million children are stunted due to malnutrition.
- Even though there is a law about no child labour under age 14, it's estimated by aid agencies, that there could be up to 65 million children aged 6-14 working.
HOW can you help?
- Help on-going community projects designed to help underprivileged families
- Help give local schools a new lease of life!
- Work under the supervision of a local coordinator
- There are multiple areas you can get involed in!
WHAT you can do?
- Paint murals on classroom walls to make it look brighter
- Assist in basic landscape gardening
- Get involved in digging, fixing broken chairs/tables and reparing walls
- Help to improve the living facilities of the local children and community
Why Involvement Volunteers International?
- Non Profit Organisation & Charity
- Over 30 Years Expertise Globally
- Low Program Fees - From US$295
- Excellent Safety Record, In-Country 24/7 Support & Emergency Assistance
- 1 Application Fee - Multiple Countries
PROJECT NAME: CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION
LOCATION: DARJEELING
START DATES: WEEKLY (SAT/SUN ARRIVALS)
ACCOMMODATION: VOLUNTEER HOUSE (SHARED ROOMS)
MIN DURATION: 1 WEEK
MIN AGE: 16+
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Criminal background check required
*Mid June to 1st week of July, December & January are winter vacations in Darjeeling, thus this project will not function during this part of the year.
Overview
On this project, you will get your hands dirty with construction and renovation projects, helping the local community in the stunning Darjeeling. This mountain region ha school weather year round and some incredible views, perfect for those who love walking, hiking and adventure!
Other construction efforts might be carried out in a local village including renovating and building houses and sanitation facilities or working on construction projects at local community centres, schools and monasteries. The placement you will be working at may change depending on the needs of the community at the time.
You are likely to bet involved in light construction work and also painting school buildings, fix broken tables and chairs, make pathways, renovate toilets, repair walls and gardening in schools. You will be supervised by a local coordinator and do not need any prior construction experience, although of course this is always welcome!
Location
Darjeeling is a hill station in the state of West Bengal in India. Set amongst steep and snowy mountains, the city of Darjeeling has been popular with locals as well as international travellers as a great holiday destination. Darjeeling also has much more to offer. The climate is cold here throughout the year. Tea plantations and picturesque monasteries add a unique value to the atmosphere in Darjeeling.
Project Tasks
- Improve the quality of life for underprivileged communities
- Paint and decorate school buildings
- Repair broken objects and walls
Food & Accommodation
You will stay in a local volunteer house, where there is a mini library, a dining room, and lounge area where you can relax with the other volunteers. There is also a lovely garden to relax in your free time.
You will stay in shared rooms of 2-4 people per room, with a fan, hot shower, bed linen and mosquito protection included. There is a refrigerator in the house to store food and beverages you may purchase. Water, Coffee, Tea, and Milk are provided at the house also. There are ATM’s in the city of Darjeeling which is about half an hour of walking distance. The closest local supermarket is in Darjeeling city.
You will be provided with 3 meals per day during weekdays and 2 per day on weekends. Food will be a mix of Western and Indian food, consisting mainly of vegetarian dishes including rice and vegetables.
*Accommodation may be in our local centre or in close proximity, depending on availability and time of year.
Standard Projects
- Cultural Orientation Week, Goa
- *Buddhist Monastery Teaching, Darjeeling
- Community Construction, Darjeeling
- Hospital Internship, Goa
- Sports Coaching, Udaipur
- Kindergarten & Outreach School, Udaipur
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1 Week - $435
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2 Weeks - $595
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3 Weeks - $875
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1 Month - $1095
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2 Months - $2150
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3 Months - $3250
- Private rooms cost additional $250 p/week
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Meals
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Airport Pickup
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Local Transportation
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1 Day Orientation
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24/7 In-Country Support
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Project Materials & Equipment
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Pre-departure Expert Advice
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Preperation Tools & Checklists
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Certificate of Completion
- Application fee is one off per person (unlimited placements)
- Click Here to convert the below prices to your local currency
- Discounts may apply if travelling in a pair or group!
- All credit card /international fees included in below pricing! 🙂
Testimonials...
FAQ
If you have a good level of fitness, love working in a team and don’t mind getting a little creative, then yes!
- Accommodation
- 3 meals p/day weekdays / 2 meals p/day weekends
- Arrival airport transfer (Sat/Sun arrivals)
- Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea
- 1 day orientation
- Daily transportation to project
- In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
- Fundraising support
- University course credits (where applicable)
- Certificate of Completion
- Airfares
- Travel Insurance
- Tours, Souvenirs & spending money
- Introduction meeting, General rules, Setting Expectations, Advice on Health and Safety and insuring you have all your documents.
- Indian Do’s and Don’ts, Cultural introduction, learning about the countries history
- Tour around the accommodation and local area.
Programs begin every Monday, and volunteers are required to arrive the day prior, for orientation before the project. Your accommodation on the Sunday is included in the program fees.
A free airport pickup is included when arriving to Siliguri Bagdogra Airport, Bagdogra (IXB). You must arrive between the hours 08:00 to 14:00 on Sunday.
If arriving outside the pickup times, we charge an additional fee for any extra night’s accommodation before your program, and an extra fee for a private transfer.
Alternatively, if arriving early you could wait at the arrival’s terminal for the pickup time, book accommodation at the airport and meet us during the pickup times or make your own way to the project (we will advise on how to do this).
From Bagdogra airport to the accommodation it’s around 4+ hours by road.
Monday to Friday – volunteering is from 4-6 hours a day.
After breakfast, you will have a quick discussion with your coordinator about the day’s tasks. You may do some light construction work and also painting school buildings, fix broken tables and chairs, make pathways, renovate toilets, repair walls and gardening in schools.
*Schedule possible to change due to the project and community needs at the time. Volunteer flexibility and adaptability is important to a positive volunteering experience.
Here are some things you can do when visiting Darjeeling, India:
Tiger Hill: Visit early in the morning to catch the breathtaking sunrise over the Himalayas. On clear days, you can see the majestic peaks of Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga.
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Toy Train): Take a ride on this UNESCO World Heritage-listed narrow-gauge railway, offering scenic views of the tea gardens, valleys, and mountains.
Tea Garden Tours: Explore the lush tea plantations for which Darjeeling is famous. Many estates offer guided tours where you can learn about the tea-making process and sample different varieties.
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park: Home to endangered species like the snow leopard, red panda, and Himalayan wolf, this zoo is dedicated to the preservation of Himalayan fauna.
Japanese Peace Pagoda: Marvel at this serene Buddhist stupa built by Japanese monks, offering panoramic views of Darjeeling town and the surrounding mountains.
Hiking and Trekking: Darjeeling offers numerous trails for hiking and trekking enthusiasts, ranging from easy walks to challenging treks, such as the Sandakphu trek.
Batasia Loop and War Memorial: Visit this engineering marvel of a railway loop and pay homage to the Gorkha soldiers who sacrificed their lives in various wars.
Observatory Hill and Mahakal Temple: Enjoy panoramic views of Darjeeling and visit the Mahakal Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, which is highly revered by locals and tourists alike.
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute: Learn about the history of mountaineering in the region and pay tribute to Tenzing Norgay, the first man to summit Mount Everest along with Sir Edmund Hillary.
Chowrasta Mall: Stroll along this bustling promenade, lined with shops selling souvenirs, handicrafts, and local delicacies. Enjoy a cup of Darjeeling tea at one of the many cafes while soaking in the lively atmosphere.
- Due to the active nature of this program, a decent level of fitness is required.
- Participants below the age of 18 should have parental consent.
- Participants above the age of 65 should have medical clearance.
India is an eclectic and intoxicating cultural experience like no other! Home of the famous Taj Mahal, the Himalayas, the sacred Ganges river, and over 1 billion people of varying languages, cultures and beleifs, India is sure to push you to the boundaries of your comfort zone.
IVI is focused on establishing sustainable employment and education through volunteering efforts in India. Children in some of the regions we service have not had basic nutritional background. Over 950,000 newborns per year in India die from infections. Education about health for families provides a strong foundation for self-care in the communities we service in India.
India’s climte ranges from tropical down south to alpine up in the northern mountain regions.
From April until the start of October is summer, and in most places in India, is very hot. In June the monsoon rains start in Kerala down south, and move inland. Further north and in the rural areas of Rajasthan, it can get pretty cold from December to January- sometimes as low at minus 5 degrees!
Be prepared for some hot temperatures but if in the Sikkim region, bring along some warmer clothing as it can get cold in the mountains.
India is a country FULL of culture! From the beautiful colours, different religions, ancient traditions and the smells of spices- India is a country like no other. It’s the the second most populous nation after China, with over 1.2 billion people.
The most prominant religions are Hinduism and Buddhism and around 13% of the popualrtion are Muslim. Because there are so many religions, India celebrates a large number of festivals throughout the year. Some of these include Diwali, Holi, Eid and Good Friday.
In India, the cow is considered to be a Holy animal and you will see cars either driving around, or simply waiting if a cow is in the road holding up traffic! In some parts of India it is forbidden to eat meat or drink alcohol.
You will see many temples in India, as well as colourful clothing, particually the sari’s that the local women wear, and many cultural dance shows and activities.
30 Years Non Profit Experience
IVI is an Australian charity & non profit organisation founded in 1989 and is one of the pioneers of overseas volunteering successfully placing over 20,000 volunteers globally.
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