Gap Year Expeditions, Global Volunteering & Conservation Projects – Greenforce

Highlights

Come and truly immerse yourself in this fabulous country. We will teach you about the culture and customs plus learn the language too! Undertake vital humanitarian aid work in the schools and orphanages, plus a few days to explore all India has to offer in this complete five week programme.

Arriving in Delhi, you will spend your first week sightseeing in both the ancient and modern parts of Delhi and having Hindi classes.

Moving out of the city you will join the Rural Communities Development Programme project in a rural part of the Jaipur province working in an orphanage. Here you will demonstrate your flexibility by working with these extraordinary children, in whatever situation is needed. Then its off to the Taj Mahal, Red Fort and a chance to explore Rajastan.

What I’ll be doing?

In all Greenforce social initiatives, volunteers promote social development and redress areas that ultimately leave children vulnerable. Through work in education and health care, volunteers help prevent circumstances of child neglect and abandonment.

But many volunteers go a step further—working directly within institutions that care and provide for orphaned children. The types of volunteer activities performed in these projects are diverse and usually cater to the special needs of the individual child. However, usually volunteers’ lead creative field trips for the children, building their confidence and integrating them into the community, tutor in home work, teach vocational skills, organize games and recreational activities, and provide much needed individualized attention.

Points to note:
• On receipt of deposit, you’ll receive a Welcome e-mail with access to your personal page.
• We provide helpful advice on flights, insurance and more.
• A staff member is in India all year round.

What will I achieve?

• You will have the chance to see some the world’s most amazing scenery, and experience a rich and ancient culture.
• You will have the possibility to network with teachers and see what life is like on the other side of the world.
• You will set your CV apart from the rest, through gaining skills and experiences which look favourable to employers.
• You will be having a massive impact on the local community and really make a positive difference.

Where will I live?

In all project areas, volunteers are accommodated in comfortable, safe and supported facilities. Accommodations are structured around one central camp location, where volunteers meet to hold meetings, socialize, dine, and prepare resources and activities for project work. This setting allows participants to freely interact with other like-minded international people and to secure privacy and comfort. Volunteers are encouraged to be model citizens outside the camp, sensitive to cultural differences, but then to return inside and enjoy their freedom and personal space.

Camps include comfortable and accommodating facilities like

• Project leaders on duty during all waking hours, to assist and support volunteers in all work related initiatives, translation services, and any personal needs or concerns
• Dining area with full-time cooking staff for preparation of all meals served at the camp. Volunteers can also utilize the kitchen area to practice Indian cooking or prepare an individual meal of choice
• Television with international cable channels, DVD player, and a collection of DVD movies
• Common area, spacious and designed with an authentic Indian style, for relaxation, socializing, and the holding of workshops
• Internet Access, available through multiple computers
• A café, where volunteers can purchase local food/drink items
• Telephone services within a very short walking distance of the camp
• Refrigerators that may be shared by volunteers to store food/drinks.

Money

• The currency is Rupees. The best way to carry your money is to split it between separate payment methods, e.g. cash, card and traveller’s cheques. Never carry a lot of cash as you can always get more out at a cash point or exchange money in all the major banks and hotels and large towns.
• Most credit cards are accepted in India.

• Your money will be spent covering your ground costs e.g. food and accommodation. Any money left over will be put back into Greenforce Projects.

Country facts

• Population/Area – 1.3 Billion / 3.2 Million Square Kilometres.
• India is home to several hundred languages, of which 17 are official with Hindi and English being most widely spoken.
• India is the largest democracy in the world.
• ‘Hello’ in Hindi is Namaste

Eligibility

• The trip is open to all nationalities.
• The minimum age for this trip is 17; there is no maximum. Expedition teams consist of individuals from a diverse range of ages, backgrounds, and experiences. Everyone is welcome!

What's included?

On receipt of your Booking Form, we will call to discuss any questions you may have. You gain access to your own personal webpage, which includes briefing packs with medical, kit, FCO advice, country history and project information. You will also be invited to your Meet Your Team briefing day and BBQ in Central London. We will fully prepare you before you go.

Airport collection from Delhi International. Accommodation and up to three meals per day throughout. Hindi language lessons. Cultural briefing. Old Delhi city tour. New Delhi city tour. Three week placement including food and accommodation. Golden Triangle tour including Agra; Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Jaipur, Sikandara, City Palace, Palace of Winds, Jantar Mantar, etc. (entrance fees not included). Emergency back up. Airport drop off.

Itinerary

Week 1: Delhi - Language and explore

We collect you from Delhi airport and after your first night's rest the next day we undertake a full briefing at our office. Not only do we cover safety issues, but we find it is useful for you to know some background on India, its geography, its politics and the people from diverse backgrounds who make it up, including the caste system.

On your second full day we start your Hindi language lessons. Greetings and short expression, which we will then expand on over the first week. Typically you will have around 3 hours per day of formal lessons, plus you obviously have the opportunity to continue practicing this exciting language over meal times and when exploring.

Also included in your first week is one day in Old Delhi. We visit the Jama Masjid, the largest Mosque in India and the magnificent Red Fort. Also Rajget, where Mahatma Gandi was cremated following his assassination in 1948, plus we go to the colourful shopping bazaar, with is spices and silks.

In comparison we also take another day to visit New Delhi. Luteyn's Colonial centre, with the impressive Arch of Triumph - commemorating those Indian soldiers who died in the First World War, along with the Laksmi Temple and Qutab Minar tower.

A busy first week, but an ideal immersion into Indian culture. All this combined with the language lessons means you are now more at home here than most travelers ever hope for.

Week 2-3-4: ORPHANAGE

Now it is week two, and time to meet your school. As we have linked with both a school and orphanage, we will discuss with you, before you depart for India what area you prefer to work in. There are options on the physical side, on constructing programs and creating play areas for these children who literally have nothing.

There is also a big demand to help the teachers. In these positions you not only develop your own organisational and leadership skills but will assist in organising, games, singing and dancing using your new found Hindi! Along with helping children do their homework, monitoring skills training and even introducing them to computers and email.

Which ever area you decide to work in, you will not only create life long friends but also provide an opportunity to these children that they would not have had, if you had not volunteered.

Week 5: Rajasthan

Red Fort, Taj Mahal, PalAce of Winds, Lotus Temple...

Maps

Feedback

"Well you have eaten the food, seen the Bollywood movies, so what are you waiting for?!!" JD - on asking what we should say about Gapforce India.

"Its India, another world, another time another place - so full on, just do it "

JD - Gapforce India  April