Volunteer in Shimla (Himalayas), India
The Program
The program will start with your arrival at Shimla Airport. Your coordinator will be holding a board with your name printed on it. The coordinator will then take you the accommodation which is a Volunteer House. You need to arrive on the Sunday before your start date. You can join from 2 weeks up to 6 months. The first week of the program will be an Introduction week. The Introduction week is the first step towards a comfortable stay in a new country. It’s an action packed and fun filled week that is dedicated to getting to know India in all its cultural aspects. You will also get time to meet the local people, taste the local cuisine, get familiar with the local customs and join a group of participants from different parts of the world. Many new things will be introduced to you and it will be the time to get used to the local culture.
Introduction Week
The introduction week is where you get an understanding of what India is all about, its religion, culture and people.
Location Description
Shimla, originally called Simla, is the capital city of Himachal Pradesh. In 1864, Shimla was declared the summer capital of the British Raj in India. A popular tourist destination, Shimla is often referred to as the "Queen of Hills". Located in the north-west Himalayas at an average altitude of 2,205 metres, the city of Shimla, draped in forests of pine, rhododendron, and oak, experiences pleasant summers and cold, snowy winters. The city is famous for its buildings styled in tudorbethan and neo-gothic architecture dating from the colonial era. Shimla is connected to the city of Kalka by one of the longest narrow gauge railway routes still operating in India, the Kalka-Shimla Railway. Shimla is approximately 115 km from Chandigarh, the nearest major city, and 365 km from New Delhi, the national capital.
Food
You will be provided all three meals per day on weekdays (Monday to Friday) and 2 meals per day on the weekend. The accommodation is a Volunteer House in Shimla where you will stay in rooms sharing with other volunteers.
Program Requirements
The minimum age for joining the program is 18. There are no specific qualifications needed to join the volunteer program. Volunteers are expected to be flexible and patient as well as possess a passion and love for children.
Volunteer Projects
Teaching
Our partner works with several schools in Shimla and the surrounding regions where we send volunteers to assist teachers and to teach english. This program consists of working with students at various schools ( primary, secondary and high schools). The age of the students will be between 7 and 18 years old. Kindergarten placements are also possible.
The different schools encourage a non- formal approach to teaching. This means that we will not have to conform to the local teaching methods or style, but everyone will be free to choose their own way of teaching and may bring their own ideas into class. It is important to understand that the methods of teaching are less important than the attitude of the participant towards the students.
The teaching program serves a dual purpose; of course it is meant to help children in rural India to have a chance to speak more English and secondly it will give you an insight into the Indian education system as well as it is a good chance to become good friends with students and teachers.
Whether you are a qualified teacher or simply interested in helping kids abroad, we have volunteer teaching opportunities available at local schools. Participants should have a good level of English and some knowledge and prior experience in teaching is appreciated, but not necessary. You have to love children, as you will be surrounded with loads of them everyday.
Orphanage
Orphanages in India have few resources and staff for all the kids they have to look after, so they need lots of help from volunteers to making them brighter, happier places to live. As a volunteer on our orphanage projects you can get involved in all sorts of things on these projects from building maintenance to care for the children to teaching English.
Most orphanages in India have integrated on their grounds their own primary (and secondary) school for their pupils. The school is also open for poor families. Of course the orphanage provides housing, food and teaching materials for these poor students as well.
In cooperation of the coordinator we will create each week a special program for all people who are involved in this initiative. Activities can include a combination of:
• Teaching English on a non-formal basis
• Creating activities for the students including workshops for cultural exchange
• Art & Handicraft activities
• Sports classes
• Environmental awareness activities
• Basic construction to improve the children’s livelihoods
Prices
Prices |
US$ |
GBP |
EUR |
|---|---|---|---|
2 weeks |
770 |
515 |
565 |
3 weeks |
950 |
630 |
690 |
4 weeks |
1130 |
745 |
815 |
extra week |
200 |
140 |
145 |
Our program includes these services:
Volunteer Projects
WLS International offers worthwhile projects that focus on matching the interests, skills, and experiences of volunteers with their volunteer work.
Airport pickup
Upon the receipt of the flight information you will be met at the airport.
Accommodation
You will share a room with other volunteers
Food
You will be provided all three meals per day on weekdays (Monday to Friday) and 2 meals per day on the weekend.
In-country transportation
We will take you to the different projects the first time. After that volunteers are responsible for daily transportation to and from their projects.
Support
Your local coordinator will co-ordinate your program and be available for support during your program.
Certificate of Completion
Upon completion of your respective service project, participants receive a certificate upon request illustrating their contributed time.
Pre-departure information
We help you with any questions that you have regarding your program before you leave.
The prices of our programs also cover the cost of researching, visiting the projects, advertising and promotion costs, office expenses and staff at our head office and local staff.
Not included in the prices is your flight, insurance, visa, personal expenses and daily transport to the project.
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