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?
- Centered around a rural school just outside of Bodghaya, you can help at the school or out in the community.
- Help give an education to one of the poorest regions in India.
- Teach English, help at the special needs school, or teach on basic nutrition.
- There are multiple areas you can get involed in!
WHAT you can do?
- Teach at the school, help to feed to children at lunch time and supervise them in the playground
- If you are qualified or studying in any health related industries, help with health checks in the local community
- Educate on diet, basic first aid and personal hygeine
- Assist with construction and renovation projects in the school and surrounding areas
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: BODHGAYA SCHOOL & COMMUNITY SUPPORT
LOCATION: BODHGAYA, INDIA
START DATES: WEEKLY (SAT/SUN ARRIVALS)
ACCOMMODATION: VOLUNTEER HOUSE (SHARED ROOMS)
MIN DURATION: ONE WEEK
MIN AGE: 16+
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Criminal background check required
Overview
This placement is centered around a rural school just outside of Bodghaya. The school is an educational institution that truly caters to the most vulnerable communities many of which live in extreme poverty.
The students come from the surrounding villages (approx 600 population) which lack basic infrastructure and without this school, would have virtually no access to education. For these agricultural driven communities, the reality of unjust social hierarchy simply does not allow children of poor families to receive an education.
The school is the first of it’s kind in this area as such it has faced incredible resistance from the village elites with a lack of understanding of the community benefits associated with ‘new’ knowledge systems and formal education opportunities.
Slowly but surely, the pupil base has grown exponentially over the years harnessing a powerful spirit of pride, acceptance and opportunity.
As a volunteer guest you will receive truly incredible Indian hospitality, as you are welcomed by hundreds of intrigued and appreciative smiling faces. There are a myriad of inspiring activities you can get involved with that will make a lasting difference to the school and community.
Location
Bodhgaya is a fascinating and sacred Buddhist pilgrimage location and the site where Gautama attained supreme knowledge to become Buddha, the Enlightened One in approx 525 BC. Bodhgaya, is famous for Mahabodhi temple which stands above the Bodhi Tree. Its architectural effect is mesmerizing.Inside the temple, there is a colossal image of the Buddha in sitting posture touching the earth by his righthand. Within the temple grounds you will be witness to thousands of devout Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world in colourful burgundy and saffron robes, congregated to worship at the feet of Buddha.
Outside the temple, you will see a crazy, buzzing mish mash of diversity, colours, culture, food stalls, rick-shaws, wild dogs and of course, severe poverty. Venture further out from the city centre, into the local villages, and this is where you will experience the true heart of India. This is where the IVI placement operates.
Project Tasks
-Special Needs School
-Essential Children’s Nutrition
-Maternal & Health Education
-Safe Birthing Kits
-Community Gardening
-Basic Vocational Training
-Develop Fundraising strategies
-Draft grant applications
-Resume Development
-Primary skills development
-Inter-cultural Dialogue program
-Basic nutritional care
-Ground water provisioning
-Vocational training such as computer training, carpentry, plumbing, sewing and clothing, diesel engine repair, organic gardening etc
Food & Accommodation
The volunteer centre is safe, clean and comfortable. We have eight rooms with living hall and separate kitchen. Each room has double beds and attached western toilets. It is very close to world heritage Mahabodhi Temple.
Volunteers can choose from basic single, double or dorm style rooms depending on availability. All standard amenities are included such as beds, mattresses, sheets, pillows, towels, water purifier, fans & coolers, mosquito netting, western toilet, cleaning supplies, chairs and tables. Wifi is not available but internet cafes are available within walking distance.
Three vegetarian meals a day (2 on weekends). We provide fruits, bread and butter with tea or coffee for breakfast. For lunch, we offer non spicy or spicy Vegetarian meals (Rice pulses and green vegetables, Soup and Salad) for dinner, we again provide non spicy or spicy authentic Indian vegetarian food.
Bodhgaya
Projects
- Teaching English
- Nutrition & Public Health
- Village Construction
- School Music & Arts Program
- Sports Education Program
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1 Week - $345
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2 Weeks - $475
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3 Weeks - $625
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1 Month - $795
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2 Months - $1395
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3 Months - $2050
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! 🙂
$5 Feeds a Child in Rural India for 1 Month!
Help this ongoing fundraising campaign by making a donation and spreading the word
Are you a health professional or student? Here is a comprehensive outline of what sort of things you can set up in Bodhgaya, from one of our past volunteers.
Testimonials...
FAQ
Anyone seeking to experience first hand the richness of Indian community spirit while offering services to those in need. Knowledge of the Hindi language is a major advantage. Many do speak some English, however it is very scarce in the rural areas.
What you will experience is the most incredible welcome, warmth, friendliness, acceptance, and Indian hospitality. Be prepared for a celebration where children shower you with flower petals and then performed a series of native hindu and Indian songs and greetings.
- 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.
Airport pick-up is included in the volunteering cost unless specified.This may involve either a local pick-up by your volunteer host or a public transport ticket where necessary. These details will be finalised with you upon making a booking as this will depend on your arrival information.
Each day can be different and depends on your skills/ where you would like to be working. You can volunteer at the school, out in the community or on medical projects. It’s really up to you to decide where you would feel most comfortable and make the biggest impact.
Visit Mahabodhi Temple: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is where Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment. It’s a sacred site for Buddhists and a place of deep historical and spiritual significance.
Explore Bodhi Tree: Located within the Mahabodhi Temple complex, this ancient tree is believed to be the direct descendant of the original tree under which Buddha meditated.
Visit Great Buddha Statue: The 80-feet tall statue of Buddha is a prominent landmark in Bodhgaya. It’s located near the Mahabodhi Temple and is an impressive sight to behold.
Attend Meditation Sessions: Bodhgaya is a hub for meditation and spiritual practices. Many centers and monasteries offer meditation sessions and retreats for visitors.
Visit Monasteries and Temples: Bodhgaya is home to various monasteries and temples representing different Buddhist traditions. Explore these to gain insight into the diverse Buddhist culture.
Take a Walk around Sujata Village: This nearby village is where Buddha received his first meal after his ascetic practices. It’s a serene place to explore and learn about Buddha’s early life.
Participate in Puja Ceremonies: Experience the vibrant atmosphere of traditional Buddhist rituals by attending puja ceremonies at the Mahabodhi Temple or other monasteries.
Shop for Souvenirs: Bodhgaya has markets selling a variety of Buddhist artifacts, handicrafts, and religious items. It’s a great place to buy souvenirs or gifts.
Enjoy Local Cuisine: Explore the local food scene and try traditional Indian and Tibetan dishes available in Bodhgaya’s restaurants and street stalls.
No extra requirements for this program.
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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