Info

iSPiiCE is a voluntary social organization which helps Indian Communities.

iSPiiCE offers meaningful travel and volunteer opportunities. Volunteer abroad with iSPiiCE and combine this with travel in India, visiting some of India's most treasured landmarks.

iSPiiCE offers volunteers a real opportunity for personal connection and the possibility to honor their desire to give service to the less fortunate. Volunteers are given the chance to interact in meaningful ways with people from a different cultural setting, whilst helping local institutions supplement staffing.


About iSPiiCE Volunteer India
iSPiiCE Volunteer Programs have been set up to assist local schools, children's Day Care Centres and Women's Empowerment groups. We endeavour to directly contribute to genuine community development in the project areas we operate and offer after school English lessons and IT skills training to teenagers.

Program Information
iSPiiCE constantly monitor Program content to ensure the local community and volunteers derive maximum benefit. International Volunteers are vital to the work we carry out and program partners are selected to make sure volunteers get a quality experience.

Duration
iSPiiCE volunteer programs (2009-2010) are available for 2-12 week durations. We welcome volunteers who wish to extend the volunteer period beyond the pre-determined 2 weeks to 12 weeks options. The program starts on fixed dates, which are joined by participants from many countries.

Skills & Educational Requirement
There is no educational requirement for this program; anyone with a heart to help is welcome on this program! However proficiency in English is required. People should be patient, committed and willing to learn.

Location
Our Indian Program is located in Dharamsala, in the Kangra Valley district of Himachal Pradesh.

Dharamsala is a famed tourist destination offering magnificent views of the snow covered dhauladhar peaks, pine forests and tea gardens. Full of life yet also peaceful, Dharamsala offers the perfect destination for volunteer work in India. And not surprisingly, His Holiness the Dalai Lama holds residency in the area.

The region, despite its natural beauty is cut off from main stream development and is in much need of developmental assistance in both materials and human form. The rural communities we assist are set in the green valleys at the foothills of the Himalayas and the family background of the children are mixed, with many coming from farming communities in these areas.

Arriving in Himachal Pradesh is like stepping into another world. With its remarkable natural beauty, breathtaking scenery, serene natural environment and friendly, beautiful people; many wonderful and rewarding experiences and exciting adventures await and during your placement iSPiiCE will ensure your involvement is both memorable and enjoyable.

Work Commitment

Most work occurs in the morning before lunch but some placements will require afternoon work as well. iSPiiCE volunteers are also encouraged to participate in afternoon 'optional workshops' for groups of older children and teenagers, teaching English, community visits and basic IT skills. During some afternoons, the volunteers can take up maintenance, renovation and decoration of their various work places like schools, day-care centres etc. Such work will not be available on a continuous basis and hence may be seen as an extra activity that the volunteers would carry out.

Volunteer Activities
The activities done by volunteers in our programs primarily relate to education, social work, care and empowerment, carried out in various partner institutions identified as appropriate for iSPiiCE intervention. We constantly seek expansion of our programs by developing new initiatives and volunteer activities which meet the needs of the local population. While the requirements of each community group differ there are some common activities that we offer in the areas of education, childcare, women's empowerment and health care.

Education Related

Education volunteers play an important role in raising awareness about the need for regular schooling and offer much needed support to local teachers. Working in local schools gives volunteers a chance to meet regularly with local children and their families and for those volunteers with a professional interest in education, teaching gives them a chance to hone their skills in a very different environment. The most commonly requested subject of teaching is English, however you are also invited to teach math, science, geography or other subjects covered by the curriculum. We encourage volunteers to create their own lesson plans and teaching materials are available for this purpose. You may also bring your own teaching materials such as reading and picture books and flash cards. . For teaching English it is not necessary for volunteers to have past experience and in-depth knowledge of grammar and vocabulary. The children having experience working with fluent English speakers is invaluable on its own. This is a brilliant opportunity to teach school children in Himachal Pradesh and children in shelter homes and orphanages. Interacting with them is extremely valuable for children’s confidence and also for your learning of the local culture.

Childcare Related

The concept of "preschool" childcare is new in India, where the joint family system has long provided ample childcare providers. Unlike western countries, where child care facilities exist primarily to free woman to work, the Indian Day Care Center's main purpose is to provide a safe, healthy and hygienic space for young children who would not be able to receive proper care at home. Day Care Centres also serve pregnant women. While often extremely effective at improving the health of the children and mothers they serve, these Centres suffer from under funding and miss management, thus making the contributions of the volunteers extremely important. Child care volunteers share the workload with regular staff and help bring a level of professionalism and dedication by meeting regularly with children and their families and ensuring maximum attendance by awareness building in the community. You will introduce the children to the English alphabet and create a colorful and enjoyable environment for the children by playing games, and developing arts activities to enhance their motor skills and encourage creativity.
You will provide personal care to the children each day and assist the local worker in the maintenance of healthcare records including vaccinations, growth and nutritional status.

Women's Empowerment

With the introduction of the National Policy for the Empowerment of Women in 2001 the Indian Government has said ‘Our vision in the new century of a nation where women are equal partners with men’ but in reality Indian women struggle to gain empowerment through society. Education is the most influential tool to raise the status of women and at iSPiiCE we run a variety of educational and confidence building activities to benefit women and adolescent girls in the local community. English teaching and computer classes impart much needed skills to the ladies, increase their self worth and offer a platform for social interaction, ultimately increasing their social status and employability prospects. One good technique for building rapport and empowering the local women is to ask them to teach you basic Hindi at the same time as you are teaching them. You’ll come back with fond memories of an unforgettable experience.

Program Cost
Cost of Package (NOT INCLUDING FLIGHTS & INSURANCE)

iSPiiCE Volunteer Programs strive hard to keep costs low and at the same time offer you competitive pricing with professional services for your volunteer abroad experience. A market place comparison of our prices and services offered will surprise.


Program Fee India Volunteer Program-

Duration Cost
2 Weeks US $490
3 Weeks US $640
4 Weeks US $790
5 Weeks US $940
6 Weeks US $1090
7 Weeks US $1240
8 Weeks US $1390
9 Weeks US $1540
10 Weeks US $1690
11 Weeks US $1840
12 Weeks US $1990
Extra Week US $150

iSPiiCE welcomes any volunteer who wishes to extend the volunteer period beyond the pre-determined 2 weeks to 12 weeks options. This will incur an extra cost of 150 US$ per week.

We expect volunteers to arrive between Sunday 12:00am to 02:00pm Sunday. Arrival outside these hours - there will be an extra cost of 1,200 Indian Rs approx(30 US $)




What's included?
"We endeavor to take the 'worry' out of your volunteer placement by including all of the main arrangements within the cost of the Program Fee."

Your Indian Volunteering program includes:

Meet & Greet at New Delhi Airport & transfer to the Hotel in Delhi.
Pre Departure Info Kit, which would have all information regarding your program, work area information, city, things to bring, immunizations along with your 100% comprehensive Insurance details and welcome details in Delhi Airport.
All excursions/trips are included in a program fee.
Himalaya trek and McLeod Ganj visit including one night's camping, Transfer, meals.
Visit Taj Mahal - regarding one of the eight wonders of the world. One night stay
Visit the Golden Temple at Amritsar, one night stay Transfer, accommodation, meals.
* Volunteer programs of 2 and 3 weeks inculde two excursions only, a Himalayan trek and trip to Taj Mahal.
All transportations are included in a program fee.
Volunteer work with community in rural areas.
Emergency support.
All meals are included in program fee. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
All accommodation for the duration of your placement is included in program fee.
English speaking Guides for the duration of your placement.
Basic teaching materials and use of Computer/Internet.
All material required for various activities during the volunteer work like color, pens papers, sports equipment etc.
Workshops Program to include yoga teaching.
Basic sporting equipment for volunteer activities in the Camp.
Popular workshop subjects include Hindi class, Indian cooking, Yoga and decorative Henna painting.
Delhi airport drop at the end of your project.
Other facilities provided by Indian Volunteering program for comfort and recreation of volunteers include:

Amenities like refrigerator, DVD player, television etc.
Video and books library; Board Games.
Information and assistance for independent excursions during the weekends.
What's NOT included?

Airfare, Insurance, Visa and Visa extension fee.
Application fee.
Any personal expenses.
Mineral water and soft drinks.
Laundry, telephone, immunizations.

Duration

2 - 12 weeks

Start Dates

Throughout the year commencing every Secound sunday. Please visit our website.

Requirements

There is no educational requirement for this program; anyone with a heart to help is welcome on this program! However proficiency in English is required. People should be patient, committed and willing to learn.