Final Impression

2010
09.09

Looking back to your expectations and goals, would you like to comment on your overall experience here?

  • My project location was great, because I expected to stay the most of the time with only Indians, and so I did. Sometimes I had a few other volunteers here with me in Manasa, which has been no problem. Imaging staying in Kundapur with many other foreign volunteers wouldn’t had been my expectation, but if yes, I think I could have had arranged myself well with it. Overall, it was a great year full of new, different colourful Indian expressions in every ways, which make me happy and proud to remember. Thanks for all your support and all the best with future volunteer coordinating!

  • I would never change this experience for anything in the world.
  • The year in India was an unforgettable experience. Some of my goals remain unfulfilled because I had some naïve expectations and a wrong imagination of India before coming here. But most of the important goals – like spreading happiness, making new friends, teaching good lessons and learning the local language – were achieved. In general, I had a great time in India! Thanks for everything!
  • I have not had detailed expectations before I came, but I definitely had a great and personally enriching time here.
  • I had a really great time in India and Kundapur which I do not want to miss at all. For me the year past actually more quickly in the beginning and stretched out to be longer in the end. Still a year passes by quite quickly. I enjoyed being “Bindass” most of the time and to work the way I felt was good and to take travels which were important for me (family, getting your head of school etc.) My overall objective before I came was to get to know my roots in a way that I will not be a tourist and do something useful while being here. I believe I accomplished that and especially seeing a contrast between the south and north of India and actually many parts of India where things can change and be so differently every 20 km was good. I want to thank the whole FSL-India Team for helping me out mostly as good as possible. Thank You.

Austin in South Korea

2010
09.08

The 21st International Youth Forum

The Role of youth for Achieving the Cairo Agenda

18 to 26 of August 2010, Seoul Korea

There were 107 youths were participated from 39 different countries in South Korea to seek ways to encourage youth involvement in achieving the ‘Cairo Agenda’. The participants discussed about the Protection of family dignity, World population for sustainable development and Promotion for public health of the world in this seminar.

The International Youth Forum initiated in 1990 in order to enhance youths’ awareness about global issues and their friendship, based on a special fund created by the Ministry of Sports and Youth of Republic of Korea. Since its first year, the forum has grown consistently and has developed in dealing with various international issues such as Volunteering, Multi-cultures and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and so on.

The program was hosted by Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Republic of Korea, Organized by National Council of Youth Organization in Korea (NCYOK) and Sponsored by Asia Pacific Alliance.

My personal experience was the little fear about fist fly in plane!! But Fsl team members guided me very well. I found lots of cultural differences between India & Korea, like dress code, food, infrastructure of the country, travelling in bus, trains & cars, etc. Also I did not see any animal on the street & never heard about blowing horn. The South Korea people are really kind but to communication was little problem for me, same time I managed with sign language. All this experience reminded me about the volunteers feeling while they come for voluntary service in India. Finally, in my point of view, FSL staffs are well supporting volunteers.

Special thanks to FSL, National Council of Youth Organizations in Korea (NCYOK), Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Republic of Korea (MOGEF). Last but not least, I am gratitude to all, who has supported me directly & indirectly for this golden opportunity

Early sea turtle nesting

2010
09.04

This year’s first sea turtle nest was found and relocated near Maravanthe beach, North of Kundapur. Usually Sea Tutles nest between the month of  October to January in this part of the west coast. Since monsoon is not yet over, there are chances of sweet water entering the nest and destroying  it. It is a challenge for us to protect this nest against the rain. Last year some of the nests totally/partially failed to hatch because of the heavy rainfall at the end of September.

FSL-Work Camps in August 2010

2010
09.01

1. Place: Bangalore Theme: Social/Kids

Number of Volunteers: 14 (France, Spain, Greece,South Korea and Italy)

This work camp was conducted with an organization called Sama foundation. The volunteers worked in an informal school run by Sama foundation. Total numbers of children in the school are 40. (Boys-15, Girls-25) The children are between 8 to 14 years of age.

Volunteers also did some renovation work in the school. They painted the wall, drew educational charts on the walls to promote awareness of health and Hygiene, family planning and environment awareness.The volunteers did  country presentation for the children so that they could learn  few aspects about other cultures.

2. Place: Kundapur. Theme: Kids/Environment

Number of Volunteers: 14 (France, Italy,Spain, Korea,Russia)

The volunteers worked in 2 different schools, Anjuman school and Chikensal primary school. The volunteers helped in the renovation work and on the second week of the camp they helped in cleaning the school garden of Chaithanya special school. The volunteers did country presentation for the children as part of the Inter cultural exchange. Volunteers had opportunity to visit interesting places around Kundapur during the cultural visit and Eco-tourism boat trip.

3. Place: Coorg. Theme: Tribal/Environment

Number of Volunteers: 17(France,Korea,Italy,Spain,Lithuania, Belgium,Germany)

During this work camp volunteers worked in Morarji Desai residential school Kushalnagar which is run by the social welfare department for the local tribal kids. Volunteers helped in the gardening work and on the second week of the camp they helped in cleaning the school playground and planting trees at the school campus. The other activities of the work camp were visit to coffee plantation and local families, Tibetan colony and monasteries,elephant camp and nature camps. Cultural evening was organized by which kids  got  chance to know the culture and tradition of  different countries.

4. Place: Daramsala . Theme: Tibetan culture/ kids/Environment

Number of Volunteers: 19 (France, UK,Germany,Singapore, Spain, South Korea

Main focus of this camp to support Yongling and Tibetan welfare school in Mcleodganj by doing some renovation and betterment work. The volunteers painted the school and added some creative material to the classrooms. During the afternoon, volunteers had  chance to interact with the Tibetan population and the youth in particular. With the help of the Tibetan Welfare office, there were visits to the main places of interest in the town of McLeodGanj, to get to know more in detail about the situation of the Tibetans nowadays. Furthermore volunteers will had chance to meet the Tibetan youth and discuss a number of issues and topics. On the third week of the work camp, volunteers participated in 4 day trekking program around the beautiful mountain ranges of Dharamkot and Triund

5. Place: Kerala . Theme: Yoga/Ayurveda/Kids

Number of Volunteers: 14 (Turkey, Italy, Spain, South Korea, Belgium,Germany,Taiwan)

The volunteers participated in learning the Basics of Yoga and Ayurveda in these three weeks of the work camp. Everyday there were topics covered by a professional master (the person in charge of yoga and Ayurveda classes) which was practiced by the volunteers in the mornings.

Apart from this, volunteers helped in conducting classes at St.Mary’s school.  Volunteers helped this school by simple renovation work,interacting with the children, teaching them basic English and Mathematics, Health and Hygiene awareness, environmental protection etc.


FSL India – Review Meeting

2010
08.27

This is the 10th year celebration for FSL India. Taking this opportunity, the special meeting has organized with the NGO consultant to review organizational aspects. Here is a snap from meeting at Kundapur office….

BMZ Volunteers Final Evaluation

2010
08.25

There were 4 final evaluation seminars were organized for 2009 -10 batch weltwearts participants. The seminars were facilitated at FSL staff house Kundapur. All together 25 volunteers from AFS, IJGD and YAP-CFD organisations got together for final meet.

SL No Dates No of Vols
1 31st and 1st June 9
2 28th June 5
3 13th July 5
4 12th August 6

Ltv Gtg – August

2010
08.25

A short ltv get together was organised on 13th and 14th of August 2010 at Turtle bay beach resort. There were 5 participants including volunteers and FSL staff.

Profile – Deepak

2010
08.17

Deepak Chander – Joined FSL-India on 1st of August 2010 as Assistant Director – Programs

I am basically a fun loving and charismatic person with a vision to grow and reach out to youth and underprivileged people. I interact a lot with youths with an intention to motivate and bring them up with right values of our Indian culture. I love to make friends from different sectors of life with an attitude to learn and to explore the new opportunities. I have been involved in social work from past 7 years and have a strong 5 years of experience in NGOs. Previously I worked with SAIACS CEO Centre as Public relations officer. What fascinated me the most about FSL was to be involved in the Inter cultural aspect and the opportunities available to to tap into our skills and abilities.

Dedicated son and a Faithful husband:

I am the only son to my Mom Violet. Always crave to keep my mom happy as she been an ultimate inspiration to teach me to soar high even in the midst of traumas and sorrows.

I’ve been married to Shalini, three months ago, a psychologist by profession at MPA. I happened to meet my wife three years ago and sensed a life time commitment with her. She is a true blessing and adds life to my ministry.

FSL – A place with an objective to promote Global understanding.

The very objective of Global understanding and Inter- cultural learning has drawn me to FSL India. I am glad to be a part of FSL-India as Assistant Director of Programs. It is a new environment for me and gives lots of scope to interact with youths of cross culture. I am yet to learn a lot and hope to give my best in the days to come. I will be based in the Bangalore office.

Chief Minister Inaugurates Sea Turtle project

2010
08.16

On Friday 13th August, Chief Minster of Karnataka Mr. B.S. Yeddiyurappa officially inaugurated Sea Turtle conservation program by releasing a wounded sea turtle at Kodi Kanyana beach. During his visit, he inaugurated “Green cover project”, which includes sea turtle conservation program and different afforestation projects along the coast to prevent sea erosion.

Ministers, members of Western Ghat Task Force, officers of the forest department, politicians and locals were present during this event.

Green cover program is started by the western ghat task force- Government of Karnataka and Sea turtle conservation program was included along with many other Eco projects to preserve bio- diversity of the region.

This initiation is the result of the effort from forest department and the presentation/appeal given by FSL sea turtle team to the Government during workshop held by Forest department and Western Ghat task force at Mangalore in March 18th 2010.

Getting Support by the Government for this project is huge achievement for MTCI (Maravanthe Turtle Conservation Initiative) to our future plans. FSL India would like to thank all the volunteers and locals who actively participated in this project during last 5 years.

Profile – Mayur

2010
08.11

Hello,

I am Mayur, new member of FSL India. I had joined FSL on 21st July. I work in FSL  as LTV(Long term  volunteer) and as Computer Administrator. My native place is Karwar. I am 21 years old. I completed my 12th grade and i also did a course in “ Computer Hardware and Networking”. My hobbies are traveling and reading story books.