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…
Going to India with FSL brought me so much of joy, adventure and growth!It gave me the chance to experience a hell lot of things, in a safe environment and with the right preparation. Whether it was going on my first chaotic bus rides, moving in with my host family, struggling with the language or getting on my first weekend trips. There were always people that supported me, that had prepared me or that were waiting for me to discuss…
LTV team, Kundapura organised a Mid Term Evaluation for FSL India’s Long Term Volunteers. The programme was held for 2 days, from 17th and 18th October 2019. In total, 4 volunteers from AFS took part in this evaluation. The MTE was organised at FSL India’s Centre for Experiential Living. The objective of the MTE was to assess the progress of our volunteers, how they are doing in their project and host family, to offer solutions to overcome any hurdles, as…
Day 1/ July the 5th : We began this diary from the second (and last) plane to India. We’ve done scale in Dubai, because there is no straight flight from Madrid to Bangalore. This journey to India is strange for ourselves, we feel an emotional mixing: a bit of uncertainty, passion and joy. The flight from Madrid to Dubai took 7 hours approximately and the next one to the 5th largest Indian city took 3 1/2 more hours. It seems…
As the summer holidays for the government schools in India last 8 weeks, all the volunteers from FSL-India’s teaching project were sent to a summer project. Paula, Luka, Tabea and I went to an orphanage called De Mercedes orphanage in Deralakatte, near Mangalore. Our tasks were to teach some English or Maths to the children, paint the windows on the roof as well as some cupboards, to stitch the uniforms for the children for the new school year, and to…
Hi all, greetings from FSL India’s Centre for Experiential Living (CEL), Kundapur!
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.
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.
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…
Following is a testimonial about long-term volunteer (LTV) Nadine from Germany, who has been volunteering at Gnanodaya High School in Chennai. Rubini, her coordinator, writes to us about Nadine’s experiences. “I don’t know how to start the article because I have lot to say about this volunteer Nadine. She is the most amazing volunteer that I have met in my career. Nadine did lot of good work in the project. She was working with…