Many schools, community centers and clinics in Jaipur can’t afford to repair or decorate their buildings. Our coordinators pick one at a time and organize volunteers to fix it up: repairs, painting and bright murals that turn a bare classroom into somewhere children want to be. When a building is finished, the team moves on to the next.
At a glance
- Repairs, painting and murals at schools, community centers and clinics.
- Hands-on work in a team, with before-and-after results you can see.
- Monday to Friday, usually four to five hours a day.
- Open from age 17, with no building experience needed.
- Stay from one week to 12 weeks, starting every Sunday.
What you’ll do
- Look at what the building needs with your coordinator.
- Check materials and plan the work, sharing out tasks if you are part of a group.
- Do basic repair and building work.
- Paint walls, classrooms and murals.
- Photograph the work before and after.
- If you are the only volunteer that week, take on smaller decorating jobs yourself.
About the work
A fresh coat of paint and a bright mural can change how a school feels, for the children and the teachers. Many of the buildings we work on have peeling walls, broken fittings and classrooms with nothing on the walls. The local team chooses each building based on need and plans the work so that each group of volunteers leaves something finished.
Projects are rarely repeated. Once a building is done, the team moves on to the next school, center or clinic on its list, so you may work on more than one building during a longer stay.
Working responsibly
Your coordinator directs the work and makes every decision about materials and safety. Volunteers do basic, supervised work and leave structural and electrical jobs to professionals.
Because the buildings are often schools and children’s centers, every volunteer shows a clean background check, and you never have unsupervised contact with children.
A typical day
- 7:30am: Breakfast at the house, then head out with your group to the building.
- Morning: Four to five hours of work: preparing walls, repairs, painting or a mural, with breaks for chai.
- 12:30 to 1pm: Lunch back at the house on most days.
- Afternoon: Free to rest, explore or plan the next mural.
- 7:30pm: Dinner.
The hours depend on the job and the weather. Your coordinator confirms your times at orientation.
How your week runs
- Arrival: our Jaipur coordinator meets you at the airport, or at Jaipur railway station if you are already in India, and takes you to your room.
- Next day: a half-day orientation on safety, culture, a few words of Hindi and getting around, with a walk through the neighborhood.
- The day after: you visit your project, watch how it runs and meet the staff before you start.
- Then: Monday to Friday, usually four to five hours a day. Projects are 20 to 30 minutes away, and the team helps you set up the ride apps volunteers use to get there.
Evenings and weekends
Jaipur is small enough to get to know and old enough to keep surprising you. Your free half-day and weekends leave plenty of time for the Pink City: the bazaars around Johari Bazaar and Bapu Bazaar, the honeycomb windows of Hawa Mahal, the City Palace and the Jantar Mantar observatory, and sunset from Nahargarh Fort above the city.
- Close to home: Amber Fort and the walk up to Jaigarh, the Galta Ji monkey temple, and a lassi on MI Road.
- Weekends away: the lake town of Pushkar, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Delhi, or a tiger safari at Ranthambore National Park.
Your coordinator can help you book trains and buses, and our weekend trips include a Golden Triangle tour if you would rather have everything arranged.
Your base in Jaipur
Jaipur gives you a choice of how to live:
- With other volunteers at our house in the north of the city. Expect shared rooms, Wi-Fi, hot water, air coolers for the summer and a washing machine, with shops, cafes and cash machines a short walk away.
- With a host family, in a twin room in a local home. It is the closest look you will get at everyday Rajasthani family life.
Either way, three vegetarian meals a day are included: breakfast to start your day, then lunch and dinner of home-style Indian food such as dal, vegetable curry, rice and fresh roti. Host families usually serve a traditional breakfast, such as paratha or poha.
Good to know
- Tell us which option you prefer when you apply.
- Drinking water is filtered at both.
- Alcohol and drugs are not allowed at the accommodation.
What your price covers
- Pre-departure information: packing list, visa and health advice, and your coordinator’s details.
- Pickup at Jaipur International Airport or Jaipur railway station, and your drop-off when you leave.
- Orientation, and a visit to your project before you start.
- A shared room at our volunteer house in north Jaipur, or a twin room with a host family.
- Three vegetarian meals a day.
- Your placement, plus support from our team at any hour.
- A certificate of participation, if you ask for one.
Not included
- Flights and your Indian visa
- Travel and medical insurance, which is compulsory
- Vaccinations
- Ride-app and auto-rickshaw fares to your project
- Weekend trips, entry fees, a local SIM card and personal spending
Support while you are here
- Your coordinator lives locally, runs your orientation, takes you to your project the first time and checks in with you and the project while you are there.
- Our team can be reached at any hour, every day of your stay, for anything from a lost phone to a hospital visit.
Before you apply
- You are 17 or older on your start date (under-18s need a consent form signed by a parent).
- No building or painting experience is needed, but you should be happy doing physical work.
- A clean criminal background check, issued within 12 months of your start date, because the buildings are often schools and children’s centers.
- Travel and medical insurance for your whole stay. Your own policy is fine.
- An open mind, patience and reasonable health. Tell us about any medical condition before you travel.
What volunteers say
4.5 from 213 reviews
From Volunteering India volunteers across our programs.
The projectEye-Opening and heart wrenching experience working with the poor runaway or abandoned boys at the shelter. Despite their plight, boys were happy, friendly, smart. Most with great potential. The staff working at shelter give boys an opportunity they would otherwise not get for return to families, or training for jobs or futher education. I have such admiration for those staff working there. It was an inspirational place.
Read the full review
Before the tripGood information, prompt and efficient contact.
ArrivalNo Problems, smooth pickup and transfer to home.
Food and accommodationHome stay was very comfortable. host family made everyone feel welcome and part of the family life and celebrations (diwali) with us. they were always supportive and the meals were outstanding. It was a home away from home!
Our teamRajiv was a friendly and supportive coordinator. He had a wealth of knowledge of Indian culture, hostory and way of life, here which he shared with us constantly. He was very organised and always there to sort out any problems.
Would you recommend us?YES!
Kate Wood, AustraliaStreet children
The projectI loved the kids that i worked with ! The staff was also helpful. Especially i would say the biggest challenge was the language barrier.
Read the full review
Before the tripAll of the questions that i asked were answered.My emails were always returned.
ArrivalGood.There was someone there to greet me on my arrival with my name sign.
Food and accommodationHost family were very nice.Meals were great especially.The family was very kind to me and were generous enough to let myself and other volunteers participate in their families Diwali celebration.
Our teamHe was very helpful and kind. I felt like i could talk to him.He answered any question that i asked.
Would you recommend us?YES
Sarah Hearld, USAStreet children
The projectWill never forget it. Staff was very helpful. Did much cleaning and washing, painting etc.Took kids to zoo.Hope to keep contact.
Read the full review
Before the tripAbsolutely no problems. Emails answered promptly and professionally.
Food and accommodationNice and friendly family
Our teamHe was knowledgable at history and culture and a great guide. Would be good to have spent more time with.
Would you recommend us?YES
Keith Wiggins, AustraliaStreet children
The projectIt was an unforgettable experience. I did not only enjoy my placement, but learnt many things from the place and people I worked with.
HighlightI cannot tell just one thing. It has been the overall experience of living. Delhi is crazy but once you get used to it, you start enjoying it. As I said the work with children was were rewarding.
Read the full review
Our websiteI liked the information given on the website, the fact that it had a Facebook link to its group, so that we can meet other volunteers before coming. Also I liked the evaluation feedback from past volunteers.
Before the tripIt was very helpful, the booklet was very informative as it helped me to prepare my stay. As for the service given, it was always quickly answered any possible doubt through email.
Food and accommodationAccommodation was good, we had more facilities than I had expected. The meals were the traditional meals from Indian family and we even learnt how to make some of the dishes, thanks to Priya.
Would you recommend us?Yes, Of Course!
Orientation and Hindi classesIt was very informative. I loved the combination of Indian culture lessons plus Hindi classes and trips to Delhi's monuments.
Summer Program 2009It was an excellent program. I would definately recommend it to everyone. Within four weeks, you get lot of experiences, the orientation week, the placement with the children and the final travelling Golden Triangle trip. We visited so many interesting places and it was very easy as we had private driver and a permanent guide with us.The hotels and the food was excellent.
Reyes Felip, SpainSummer program
Questions volunteers ask
Do I need building skills?
No. You need energy and a willingness to get paint on your clothes. The coordinator shows you what to do.
What will I be working on?
It depends on the building being renovated when you arrive. It might be a school, a clinic or a community center.
What should I bring?
Old clothes and closed shoes you do not mind spoiling, a hat, sunscreen and a refillable water bottle.
Can I design a mural?
Often, yes. If you can draw or paint, tell us when you apply. Murals are planned with the school or center, so bring ideas and be ready to adapt them.
Is this a good program for groups and families?
Yes. Renovation work suits groups well, and families can join from age 17. Tell us how many of you are coming and we plan the work around your group.
How will I get to my project?
Projects are 20 to 30 minutes from where you stay. The team helps you set up ride apps such as Uber, and you pay your own fares, which are low; local transport is not included in the price.
Volunteer house or host family: which should I choose?
Choose the house for company: other volunteers to share meals, plans and weekend trips with. Choose a host family for a closer look at everyday Rajasthani life and home cooking. Meals are included either way; tell us your preference when you apply.
How much spending money will I need?
Day-to-day costs are low, especially as all three meals are included. Budget for ride-app fares, snacks, a local SIM card and laundry, and more for weekend trips, monument tickets and shopping.
Which visa do I need?
Most volunteers come on an Indian e-Visa, applied for online before you travel. Your passport needs at least six months’ validity after your return and two blank pages. Rules change, so check the official Indian government e-Visa website; we send guidance after you book.
Do I need vaccinations?
There are usually no compulsory vaccinations for travelers from most countries, but keep your routine ones up to date. Travel clinics commonly recommend hepatitis A and typhoid, plus protection against mosquito bites. See a clinic six to eight weeks before you leave.
Is Jaipur safe for volunteers?
Yes, with sensible precautions. We pick you up on arrival, you live in a house or family home our team knows well, and orientation covers getting around, dressing for the culture and what to avoid. Our team can be reached at any hour.
What should I wear?
Modest, light clothes: shoulders covered and trousers or skirts below the knee. Rajasthan is conservative, and cotton Indian clothes from the bazaar are cheap and comfortable in the heat.
