Teaching rural children: work camp in March

We recently hosted a work camp in Kodagu, a South Western District in the Indian State of Karnataka, where volunteers were involved in teaching close to 130 children in Milinda Vidhya Samsthe School, for Tribal community children various environment-related topics. The project also provided the volunteers with an opportunity for intercultural learning. They visited the ginger and tobacco fields in the locality, spent some time at the Dubera elephant camp and picnicked on the island of Kaveri Nishagardhama.

Volunteering in the Himalayan foothills: work camp in March and April

Volunteering in Dharamshala, (located in the Indian State of Himachal Pradesh) is often described as a surreal experience by many. Home to the Dalai Lama and the exiled Tibetan government, the locality is rich in culture and natural beauty. Volunteers to the camp in March were involved in school wall painting, cleaning the school ground, spreading awareness of waste management and other activities. In appreciation of the volunteers, the school children performed a skit for them.

As a part of their intercultural learning, they got to interact with Tibetan monks and indulge in a Tibetan cooking session. Also included was a site seeing excursion to a Hindu temple, waterfalls, Dalai Lama temple, museum and Tibetan children’s village.

Yoga in God’s own country: work camp March and April

The Southern Indian state of Kerala, known affectionately as God’s own country, is famed for its beautiful backwaters, beaches and tropical greenery. The yoga/ayurveda work camp we conduct is set against the backdrop of this beautiful scenery. Volunteers dedicate themselves in the mornings to teaching, playing and entertaining special needs children. Evening times are spent in rejuvenating yoga and ayurveda classes.

 A visit to the Muthappan temple and a viewing of Kalaripayattu, an ancient form of martial arts originating from Kerala, forms a part of their intercultural experience. They also witnessed the famous ‘Theyyam’ dance performed by local artists.

Working with slum children in Kolkata: work camp in April

 The city where the famed Mother Teresa founded her Missionaries of Charity, Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Volunteers to this work camp were involved in various activities aimed at improving the education of slum children in the city. This included teaching them Basic English, tutoring them in Maths and Science, organizing games and conducting educational drawing lessons. Some volunteers were also involved in aiding Self Help Groups to make paper bags

As a part of their intercultural learning, volunteers visited the Mother Teresa Memorial House, Indian Museum, Victoria Hall, local flower markets among others. They also enjoyed their international cooking session.

Teaching children in the Garden City: work camp in April

Considered in many ways the Information Technology (IT) hub of India, Bangalore City is also known as the Garden City of the country for its beautiful parks and greenery. Volunteers worked in a Government Primary School with a total of 25 children. Children were educated on various environmental topics such as types of pollution, nature protection as well as Basic English. They also participated in school wall painting and cleaning the school ground.

As a part of the intercultural learning, they visited the Bull Temple, the Lal Bagh park (a close to 240 year old park) slum area and village. They were invited by a local host family and enjoyed their Indian welcome and food.