As 2024 sets in, we’ve all been deciding on our resolutions and bucket lists for the year – focusing on all the amazing things we’d want to do! But what if I ask you to pause for a moment and add volunteering in India to your checklist for 2024?

Yeah, you heard me right. While most of our resolutions revolve around personal goals, this time, consider taking a step to embrace something different and contribute to spreading happiness in the world.

Volunteering India has curated a meaningful Summer Impact Project 2024 which will give you a chance to explore India like never before and indulge in teaching underprivileged kids in the capital city of India, New Delhi.

This program is perfect for high school, college, and university students, as well as gap year travelers, backpackers, corporate groups, and solo travelers with a passion for contributing to the development of Indian society.

 

What will be the program schedule?

The duration of the Summer Impact Program is 2 weeks (with a choice to add another week). In these 2 weeks, your focus will be on engaging with underprivileged children in Delhi while also contributing to beautification and renovation projects in Jaipur. Additionally, the itinerary encompasses sightseeing tours of Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, and Pushkar.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the itinerary:

Your volunteering journey will begin in New Delhi, where you’ll get a couple of days to sync in and explore the local places. We’ll also take you on a guided city tour on Day 3, where you can see the UNESCO Heritage Sites like Red Fort and Qutub Minar.

From Day 4, you’ll be working for the Street Children or the Child Care Project in Delhi. Under this project, volunteers take informal education classes with the children, play games with them, and introduce them to different new activities.

On Day 7, you’ll head off to Agra to witness the beauty of the Taj Mahal. Famously known as the Monument of Love, it was built by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. After spending a day and a half there, your journey will continue towards Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan.

On Day 9, you’ll go for a guided city tour of Jaipur, exploring the City Palace, Amer Fort, Hawa Mahal, and some of the local markets. From Day 10 to Day 14, you’ll be volunteering in Jaipur, contributing towards a Construction and Renovation Project.

Through this project, our objective is to identify disadvantaged schools, centers, and clinics in Jaipur that lack the financial resources for renovation.

Day 15 and 16 will be spent exploring the quaint Rajasthani town of Pushkar, before heading back to New Delhi.

This is a perfect program for those who wish to make the most of the summer break, exploring India and contributing towards a meaningful volunteer program.

 

What are the program requirements?

To be a part of the summer volunteering program in India:

• You should be 17 years or older when you join the project.
• Have an open mind and a flexible attitude to adapt to a new and different environment.
• Bring energy and enthusiasm to make a positive impact.
• Ensure you are fit and healthy at the time of joining the program.
• Have no criminal convictions and provide a clean criminal background check report.
• If you are under 18, a parental consent form is required to join the program.

 

What kind of accommodation facilities will be provided? What kind of meals will be served?

Once you arrive in New Delhi, you will be picked up from the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) by our local team member. If you are already in the country or arriving early, arrangements can be made for pickup from a designated meeting point decided beforehand.

 

Accommodation

Accommodation is arranged in the volunteer houses in Delhi and Jaipur. These houses are maintained with high hygiene standards, ensuring a neat and clean environment that feels like a ‘home away from home’. Our volunteer houses come equipped with Wi-Fi/internet, geyser facilities, air-conditioning, television, modern toilets, comfortable beds, and other essential amenities.

During weekend tours to Agra and Pushkar, accommodation will be provided in standard/deluxe hotels with modern comforts and amenities.

Before you start your program, there will be an orientation session where our Country Coordinator will tell you everything about the culture and heritage of the country, as well as guide you about the project, the tasks that you’ll be doing, the places you can explore, etc.

 

Meals

While in India, it’s a must that you try local cuisine, which is famous all over the world for its flavors. Most of the meals will be served at the volunteer house, as mentioned in the program itinerary. For breakfast, options such as parantha, bread, tea, jam, butter, porridge, etc., will be available. Lunch and dinner will include dishes like dal (lentils), vegetables, roti (Indian bread), rice, yogurt, curry, and more for the volunteers.

If you have any dietary requirements/ allergies, you can let us know beforehand, and we’ll arrange accordingly.

 

What will be included in the program fee?

The cost for the Summer Impact Program in India is 949 USD (and an additional week comes for a cost of 150 USD), which will include:

• Comprehensive pre-departure guide for the program
• Full support and assistance from the in-country team in India
• Airport pickup in Delhi
• Program Orientation
• Accommodation in Volunteer House/Guest house
• Volunteering opportunities in Delhi and Jaipur
• Meals as specified in the itinerary
• City tour of Delhi
• Visit to Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple and water show in Delhi
• All intercity transfers between Jaipur, Agra, and Pushkar
• Visit to the amazing Taj Mahal and Agra Fort in Agra
• City tour of Jaipur with a visit to historic Amber Fort
• 1 Night/2Day Trip to Pushkar with Camel Safari
• Services of a program coordinator during tours
• Experience traveling by air-conditioned train in India
• Certificate Of Completion (Upon Request)

 

Why should you volunteer in India?

Despite rapid development, India grapples with various social challenges such as corruption, illiteracy, poverty, and inadequate sanitation facilities. Being a volunteer in India will give you the opportunity to contribute to the upliftment of the underprivileged sections of society, offering a better life for them.

Being a volunteer in India can be both challenging and rewarding, potentially becoming one of the most impactful experiences of your life. Perhaps, upon returning to your home country, you might inspire others to come to India and engage in volunteering efforts.
If you wish to know more about volunteering in India, feel free to contact us at [email protected] and our Program Advisors will get back to you.