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Community Development in Rajasthan or Himachal Pradesh

This is a short term project with long term results. By motivating a community to clean up their village, repair and build schools and community centers, and educate the members on the importance of health and hygiene, volunteers are able to make an impact that lasts longer than their stay in India. The hope is for the community to continue teaching the young about sanitation and other health issues even after volunteers return home.

Volunteer Responsibilities Building

Actual activities of the volunteers vary depending on the village you are helping. In general, volunteers work alongside community members to assist with the refurbishment of day care centers, primary schools, community centers and even homes of local families.

Volunteers will be painting, planting, gardening, picking up trash, and building or repairing structures throughout the village, while at the same time, encouraging villagers to value and continue the efforts. Volunteers will also motivate groups of children in the village to pick up garbage and help maintain gardens. Social development work can also be incorporated by educating the village about health issues.

Location

This project is offered both in the mountainous region of Himachal Pradesh in northwestern India, or Rajasthan which is the most often visited region of India.

Orientation

Volunteers will be picked up from the airport in Delhi and stay the first night in a hotelarranged by CCI. Participants will then travel to Agra and visit the Taj Mahal. Later in the day, volunteers will travel to their “base-camp” near the project and begin their orientation that will address cultural differences, health and safety, local customs and language, as well as any additional information you will need to know for your project.

Accommodation and Meals

Volunteer stay at local guest houses that are located close to the project sites. All meals are included at the guest houses and are prepared by project staff. There will be many vegetarian options available, and meat is generally prepared 2-3 times per week.

Additional Activities*

Himachal Program

Visit to Amritsar, holy city of Sikh religion
2 day excursion to McLeod Ganj, home to Dalai Lama (3 week volunteers only)
One week of morning yoga sessions
English translator nearby

Rajasthan Program

Tiger Safari
Visit to Hindu town of Pushkar with a desert camel ride (3 week volunteers only)
One week of morning yoga sessions
English translator nearby

Volunteers by lake