In early October 2012, a total of 17 new volunteers from eight countries across the world (Germany – 6, Spain – 2, France – 2, Belgium – 3, Netherlands – 1, USA – 1, Finland – 1 and Austria -1) arrived for long-term volunteering service. Keeping in mind the importance of inter-cultural dimension of volunteering effort, FSL-India organised a week-long orientation for the new volunteers. The orientation program was organised at Kundapur and Bangalore from 1^st to 7^th October 2012. While 13 volunteers participated in the orientation in Bangalore, 4 of them participated in Kundapur. As usual the orientation program was facilitated by the LTV program team of FSL-India. Volunteers were picked-up from the meeting point and taken to the venue. As the orientation program started, volunteers were welcomed by FSL-India team with jasmine garlands, application of vermilion and turmeric tilak marks on the forehead and performing Aarathi which form the integral part of the breath-taking culture of Indian hospitality.

 

Sessions on varieties of topics were facilitated during the orientation. Some of the topics covered are – Kannada language, introduction about FSL-India, project introduction and reporting, Indian life style, environmental talk, project introduction, concept of volunteerism, roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders of LTV program, setting up aims and objectives  conflict management and Hindu philosophy of Life. During the evening hours sessions were conducted on henna. Volunteers also visited Temples and spent time in shopping in the local markets. As part of the project exposure, volunteers visited some of FSL-India’s Home Based Project in Kundapur. Volunteers also interacted with the host families and watched Bollywood movie as part of inter-cultural learning. Following are the details of new arrivals:

 

1. Luise
2. Maria Barbara
3. Johannas Niklas
4. Mariona
5. Tia Toljander
6. Eva Luise Hoppe
7. Sophie Hoeher
8. Charlotte MULS
9. Livia Klenkhart
10. Maïlys Bessière
11. Stefanie Lommers
12. Caroline Demanet
13. Audrey BARBAZZA
14. Juliane Beckmann
15. Alexander Nicolai
16. Kallene Ryan
17. Quentin DOMPNIER