FSL India Blog

In early January 2012, twelve volunteers from seven countries arrived at FSL India for long-term voluntary service. As part of the inter-cultural learning, FSL India organised a week-long orientation for the new volunteers at FSL India Guest House, Kundapur between 2^nd to 7^thJanuary 2012. The orientation sessions were facilitated by the LTV program team of FSL India. Volunteers were welcomed by FSL India team with garlands of Jasmine, and vermilion tilak marks on the forehead followed by Aarathi.

Different sessions were scheduled to give input on a range of topics. Sessions were conducted with both theoretical input and inter-cultural experience. Introduction to FSL India and its works, Indian Philosophy and life, roles and responsibilities of the volunteers, setting up aims and objectives and conflict management were the major topics dealt with. Volunteers shared with participants about their country and people. During the evening hour sessions were organised to introduce the volunteers on Indian culture. Volunteers also interacted with the Indian host family to know the Indian way of leaving, shared experience of previous volunteers and the intercultural experience. Volunteers also learnt a little bit of Kannada language.

In this batch volunteers opted to be placed in in different theme-based projects. Therefore, the facilitators introduced the volunteers their preferred project and organised filed exposures on Street children teaching, Women empowerment, Special Learning, Ethnic Tribes Teaching, Sea Turtle Conservation, Environment Education, Slum Development, Orphan children Teaching, Regular Teaching. Volunteers actively participated in the orientation. On the last day of the orientation an excursion was organised. The following table highlights the details of volunteers:

Ching Nga Chan from China

Britt Mari Bjorktund from Finland

Eveliene Marjin De Wilde from Netherlands

Alice Pernet from France

Anabel Kuebler from Germany

Erwan Gauthe from France

Cynthia Cochet from Switzerland

Anna Lena Neidmann from Germany

Manuela Genta from Italy

Marie Hernandez from France

Ferraguti Camille from France

Eddie Gastrein from France

In November 2011, a total of 25 new volunteers from 9 different countries arrived for long-term voluntary service. As inter-cultural learning is the important aspect LTV program, FSL India organised a week-long orientation for the new volunteers. The orientation event was held at Hotel Sharon, Kundapur, from 7th to 13th November 2011. There was a special orientation for 5 Denmark and 2 French volunteers which was organised from 2nd to 4th November 2011. The orientation program was facilitated by the LTV program team of FSL India. Volunteers were picked-up from the meeting point and taken to Hotel Sharon, Kundapur. As the orientation program started, volunteers were welcomed by FSL India team with garlands of rose, and vermilion tilak marks on the forehead and Aarathi.

Different sessions were scheduled to give input on a range of topics. Sessions were conducted with both theoretical input and inter-cultural experience. Introduction to FSL India and its works, Indian Philosophy and life, roles and responsibilities of the volunteers, setting up aims and objectives and conflict management during the voluntary service in India were the major topics dealt with. Volunteers shared about their country and people. During the evening hour sessions were organised to introduce the volunteers on Indian culture. Volunteers also interacted with the local community so as have inter-cultural learning and experience. Teaching of Kannada and Tamil language, project introduction and visit to the social and development projects were organised during the orientation. Volunteers actively participated in the orientation program. On the last day of the orientation an excursion was organised. The following is the detailed profile of volunteers:

S. No. Country, Name, Project/Placed

01 Denmark, Kathrine Mory Kristiansen, Bless, Tamil Nadu

02 Denmark, Katrine Stokholm Høngaard, Narayana training centre, Tallur

03 Denmark, Maja Staffeldt Pedersen, Bless, Tamil Nadu

04 Denmark, Veronica Solund Kirsebom, Narayana training centre, Tallur

05 Denmark, Lars Fjord Garvey, Seon Ashram

06 France, Tony Sabastier, Reads, Tamil Nadu

07 France, Djeneba Dembale, Sinum, Tamil Nadu

08 France, Marine Mangenot, Seon Ashram

09 Netherlands, Louise Willemjin, Baptist

10 Germany, Anna Greshake, SWORD

11 UK, Sean Gilhooly, Milinda School, Kushalanagar

12 Finland, Mari Kähäri, Relief Foundation

13 France Esclancon Myriam Nisarga

14 Germany, Fabian Bethge, PLANT, Tamil Nadu

15 Germany, Maria Kelz, FSL India (Tent School)

16 Italy, Benedetta Ceccanti, IWDI

17 Italy Sara, Tafuro Govt. School, Bangalore

18 France, Cécile Prouchandy, Kalvikendra

19 Italy, Giulia Curiotto, FSL India-Tent school

20 Italy, Fabiana De Luca, FSL India-Tent school

21 France, Etienne Homer, FSL India

22 Netherlands, Sanne van Nistelrooij, READS

23 France, Antonin BORGNON, Water Literacy foundation

24 France, Arthur Sire, FSL India (EE)

25 Netherlands, Wouter Bot, Seon Ashram

The early October 2011, was yet another momentous occasion for FSL India to welcome the new volunteers. This month a total of 26 volunteers from nine different countries arrived to be part of FSL India’s mission and venture into long-term voluntary service. As inter-cultural learning is the important dimension of voluntary service, FSL India organised a week-long orientation for the new volunteers. The orientation event was held at Hotel Ju-lio International, Kundapur, from 3rd to 9th October 2011. It was facilitated by the LTV program team of FSL India.

As required by the participants, the week-long orientation was divided into several aspects. Volunteers were picked-up from the meeting point and taken to Hotel Ju-lio International. On the day of arrival they walked across Kundapur and got themselves familiarised with the town. As the formal orientation commenced, volunteers were welcomed by FSL India team in a typical Indian style. They were welcomed with garlands of rose and vermilion tilak was marked on their forehead. The volunteers’ cheeks were besmeared with turmeric talcum powder. Aarathi (light from wicks soaked in ghee and camphor) was performed with a symbolic gesture of welcoming the volunteers as the most honored and respectable guests.

Different sessions were scheduled to give input on a range of thematic areas. Sessions were conducted with a blend of theoretical input and inter-cultural exposure. Introduction to FSL India and its works, Indian Philosophy and life, roles and responsibilities of the volunteers, setting up aims and objectives and conflict management during the voluntary service in India were the major topics dealt with. Volunteers were also given opportunity to share with others about their country and people. During the evening hour sessions were organised to introduce the volunteers on Indian culture. Volunteers also had interactions with the local community as part of inter-cultural exposure and learning. Teaching of Kannada and Tamil language, project introduction and visit to the social and development projects were also organised during the orientation. One live-show on India classical instrumental music was performed which the volunteers liked very much. Volunteers actively participated in all the sessions, presentations and group activities facilitated. On the last day of the orientation an excursion was organised.

Here is list of volunteers who participated in the orientation:

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As promotion of volunteerism and inter-cultural learning is the heart of the matter and an in important channel for development cooperation, receiving the overseas delegation is the regular phenomenon at FSL India. Every month new volunteers across the world join FSL India and NGO stakeholders for voluntary service and inter-cultural learning.

September 2011, is yet another eventful occasion for FSL India to welcome new volunteers. For as many as 38 volunteers from eight countries arrived in India to begin their long-term voluntary service. As usual prior to the placement of volunteers in different projects, FSL India organised a week-long orientation programme for the new entrants. The orientation programme was organised at Hotel Julie-yo International, Kundapur, between 5th and 11th September 2011. It was facilitated by the LTV Programme team under the direct supervision and guidance of Ms Vanaja the Deputy Director.

The orientation schedule was divided into different parts to meet the participants’ requirements and expectations. On the first day, the volunteers were picked-up from the meeting point and brought to the venue of orientation. On the same day afternoon volunteers went round Kundapur to get familiarised with the township. In the first part of the orientation which started on Tuesday the 6th September 2011, the volunteers were welcomed in a typical Indian style of garlanding and application of vermilion Tilak (mark) on forehead and turmeric talcum on the cheeks followed by the Aarathi (in which light from wicks soaked in ghee (purified butter) or camphor is offered to a deity and human being with a symbolic gesture of worship and dispelling evils).

By and large morning and afternoon sessions were structured so as to orient and give theoretical input to the participants on introduction to Indian life, philosophy, roles and responsibilities, setting up aims and objectives and conflict management. The evening sessions were facilitated mostly to introduce the volunteers on Indian culture and interaction with community people. The local girls and women organised Henna decoration for the girls at Hotel, Yakshagan on Friday evening. Three hours of Kannada language class, project introduction and visit to the social and development projects were also the important features of the orientation. Volunteers actively participated in different sessions, presentations and group activities. Eventually, on the last day of the orientation an excursion was organised for the volunteers. Here are the volunteers who participated in the orientation:

In this month we have welcomed 41 participants from 9 different countries. It is very multicultural group with volunteers from different countries and age groups. Moreover, 5 local volunteers took part in the sessions, helped in organizing this big orientation week. All the participants actively took part in sessions, field visits and the heavy monsoon could not stop high spirit and motivation in different activities. On the last day, excursion was organized and volunteers were taken to Jog falls all the way through beautiful mountains and crossing river

FSL-India has welcomed 22 volunteers from 8 different countries in the first week of July. Highlighting facts about the Orientation Week are; Good mixture of different nationalities. Cultural event held at an orphanage where volunteers presented their country, children performed theatre, dance and sang songs. We involved local volunteers in all the activities as part of promoting voluntarism among local youth.

FSL-India has welcomed 6 volunteers from 6 different countries in the first week of June.

Here are volunteers comments about the ‘thoughts and feelings about the orientation week so far in general’ – It’s a very good preparation to start the voluntary service. You get to know the staff, the volunteers and I felt very welcome. The week gave me a big motivation for the work also it was good to get to know something about the philosophy, Do’s and don’ts and some Kannada to feel prepared.

Comments about the ‘practical arrangements’ – Its nice get to know the issues in a more creative way, the food was very delicious and we liked the accommodation.

A letter from volunteer,
Thank you for all your help this week. You made orientation go without hitch. Ever when i was sick, I got the best treatment from the staff itself and it made me not worry.

Thank you again!
Nithya Ravindran

FSL-India has welcomed 7 volunteers from 4 different countries in the first week of May. They been in a week of on-arrival orientation in FSL Guest House in Kundapur. One of the volunteer from Denmark will join a day of orientation on 19th May in Kundapur.

In April, 10 volunteers from 4 different countries has joined FSL-India projects. There were 2 different orientation trainings took place on 4th to 10th and 11th to 13th April.

This month FSL India has welcomed 17 volunteers from 4 different countries…There were 2 separate orientation programs held for Denmark pax and rest of the volunteers. It was held between 7th to 16th of March at the new ‘Guest House’.