Care for Children with Learning and Physical Disabilities in India with Budget Volunteering

Program Description

This is a big institution that helps around 160 children. Ages range between babies to 5 years old. Around 130 of these students are in residential care. Parents of the remaining students bring their children to school every day.

These kids suffer from varies conditions such as Downs Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Microcephaly, Autism, Epilepsy, and Deafness. Some other student simply have a learning disorder like Dyslexia.

Most of our students are unable to speak English. This can be difficult but also rewarding. The children show such excitement that you are there and will adore you as a volunteer and friend. If you so choose, you can take a class in Tamil, the local language. This will help you learn some common phrases. This will assist you not only with the children but with the locals in India, plus you get to learn a new language!

Be prepared to have lots of fun with the children. You will help with activities like arts and crafts and sewing and embroidering. This benefits their hand-eye skills. You can also watch the daily yoga classes and even join in! You can assist with dance and music classes and also with their physiotherapy. The older children get to garden. If you have a green thumb, you can teach them things you know. If you don't then be prepared to learn something new. Some children also need help with eating or going to the bathroom. This is a responsibility of all our volunteers. All children get to go to the playground at 3:00pm for a half hour. This is a great time to have fun, fun, fun!

Our volunteers need to be flexible and able to adapt to new culture and language. You will be working in many different areas.

Highlights

Accommodations: We offer our volunteers the chance to stay with a host family while in India. Not only can it save you some money but it gives you the chance to learn about India and Indian culture. Our host family will make you feel like you are at home. It also gives you the chance to taste traditional Indian cuisine. Many volunteers keep in touch with their host families after they leave India.

You may choose to share a room with our other volunteers. The upside to this is a traditional western bathroom with hot water. Showers with host families can be cold although most will boil water for you. Host families tend to be close together and a short walk to other shops, banks and internet cafes. You can also take a ride to the center of town. Most staff live very close to the host families also.

Food: Breakfasts and dinners are provided by host families if you'd like. Lunches are the responsibility of the volunteer.

Qualifications

There are no qualifications for this volunteer position. All you need is a genuine care for children. The age minimum is 17 years old.

Volunteer Types

What`s Included

►Accommodation
►Food
►Meeting you at Madurai Airport
►Transfer to your accommodation
►Transport to and from your project
►Full pre-departure support
►Local in-country team support and backup
►24-hr emergency support.

What's not included: Flights, Insurance, Cost of Visas (if a visa is required), Return transfer to airport.