Best Decision Ever! – By Anne Wichmann
In retrospect my decision to go to India and become a volunteer was quite spontaneous. And now Ican say: “that was the best decision I could have ever made!“ Throughout my time here in India I experienced so many things. It was full of fun, people, trips,music, colours, festivals and more. There also used to be tough times in which I struggled. But I never felt left alone. There were other volunteers helping me, who I could talk to. And…
A journey from a local volunteer to an international volunteer
There lived a boy in the eastern coasts of Puducherry, India with many dreams to fly but along with the limitations that pulled him back in the forms of several underprivileges still he somehow fought all the odds of his life and the challenges to build himself as a volunteer supporter. His wish to support the least fortunate through the minimal fortunes he had, became true when he started volunteering for the needy through several NGOs and through his mental…
Live Your Dream!
Late Dr. Abdul Kalam once said “You have to dream before your dream comes true”.In my story, my dream of traveling to Germany has finally become a true story through my“volunteering program”. What is volunteering? Who can be a volunteer? Volunteering is work foran organization without any financial cause. There are no professional courses required (Only aheart to serve people is what is needed). Hello everyone! I’m Sowmiya Purushothaman. I’m currently working as a volunteer under the Weltwaerts program as…
Few of my firsts as a volunteer!
In this article I will describe some of my experiences and learnings from the first four weeks of my stay as a volunteer. Below I will drag the key of my first experiences when it comes to: Host family stays CREDIT I – projects Darasa Festival – Mysore I landed in Bangalore on the 14th of September 2022. FSL coordinator Manjunath met me at the Airport and followed me to Hunsur, where I was warmly welcomed by my first host…
Virtual Cultural Exchange Program: Different is Beautiful 2021
IVS (International Voluntary service) – a movement that FSL India follows to promote peace, understanding and service through intercultural programs allows youth from different cultures and backgrounds to connect, experience, share, learn from each other and work with each other physically. Due to the pandemic and the restrictions that it has caused FSL India has continued to promote the IVS Motive and vision through conducting Virtual exchange programs that encourage Personal Social Responsibility. We are happy to share with you…
Volunteering in Germany – an unexpected and unimaginable experience: Canute John D’Souza, FSL-India’s Outbound volunteer
After having worked at a German language and cultural institute, working with German teachers and interns, while also simultaneously learning the language, for a total of close to 4 years, it only made sense for me to go to Germany to be in the country that I was working for and also virtually surrounding myself with. The most practical option I found was an international volunteering project. Working for a social cause was something that I was always keen on,…
July GTG
On the 17th and 18th of July, a monthly get-together (GTG) took place in Yercaud, Tamil Nadu. Eight volunteers and four FSL-India staff members attended this GTG. Participants visited Mundakabati village and planted saplings in a playground. They also interacted with the inhabitants. Volunteers also had a chance to have one-on-one talks with their coordinators.
LTV Orientation
July’s monthly long-term volunteers (LTV) orientation took place from the 5th of July to the 9th of July in Bangalore. Seven LTVs attended the orientation that was facilitated by ten FSL-India staff members. The volunteers hailed from France, the Netherlands, Japan and Germany. Amongst several activities, the volunteers also gave country presentations at a government school, had language and yoga classes, understood their roles and responsibilities as a volunteer and more.
Volunteer’s voice – Sarah
Sarak Keamper, a long-term volunteer (LTV) from Germany has been volunteering at SINAM since September 2013. SINAM is a non-profit organization in the Tiruvannamala District working with poor and destitute children, promoting the welfare of differently abled people, underprivileged women, unorganized and marginalized labourers, widows, Dailits and people suffering from HIV/AIDS. Following is a testimonial of her thoughts and experiences. “To empower women in India, a lot can be done. One way is…