First published in April 2017. Programs, prices and details may have changed since then. See our current programs.
It seemed like only yesterday that we had welcomed 2017, and already the first quarter of the year was over. Time was flying, with so much good work still to do and so many places left to explore.
Volunteers from around the world joined our programs in Delhi and in Palampur, where we also ran projects at the time, and each contributed in their own way. Some joined the medical projects, while others joined the street children program and gave the children plenty of love and attention.
It wasn’t all work, either. Volunteers explored India in their free time, and a few were lucky enough to see snow in the Himalayas in January.
As the second quarter began, we looked back at what our volunteers had been up to in the first.
Alysia, Louise, Kylie and Sarah
This group traveled from Australia to spend four weeks on the medical program we ran at the time in Palampur, a small town in the foothills of the Himalayas. They worked at local hospitals and health centers, shadowed doctors and learned how healthcare works in a semi-urban part of India. (The Palampur program has since closed, and our medical internship is now in Delhi.)
In their free time, they explored more of Himachal Pradesh and enjoyed the snow that covered the valleys that winter. They also visited the Golden Temple in Amritsar, one of Sikhism’s holiest shrines, and, like nearly every visitor to India, made the trip to Agra to see the Taj Mahal.
Julia
From the United States, Julia volunteered on our childcare program in New Delhi and made wonderful memories with the children there. They adored her enthusiasm and friendly nature.
Marcia
Marcia, from the United States, spent two weeks on our street children program in New Delhi and fell in love with India during her stay. The children loved her company and learned a lot from her.
Tracey
Tracey, from the United Kingdom, joined our two-week mini break. She was in India in March for Holi, the festival of colors, and of course she joined the celebrations. She had a great time with the children, teaching them through games and activities, and she also traveled to Jaipur and Agra, making friends with a few monkeys on the way. India kept her amused from start to finish.
Anastasia
Anastasia, from the United States, spent five weeks on the street children program in New Delhi. The children at her center looked forward to her visits, and they all loved her. She also explored Delhi’s monuments, including the Lotus Temple and Qutub Minar, and was captivated by their architecture.
Many other volunteers also made a meaningful contribution in these months, and we felt lucky to be the bridge between them and the communities they worked with. Inspired? See our current programs.