A land of sensory overload, cultural extremes, and extraordinary beauty and mystery, India has become one of the most desirable destinations to travel and volunteer. Its sheer size and dynamic, complex population combine with fascinating wildlife and a mystical and pervasive heritage filled with tales of ancient gods, kings and queens, to make it a place that will turn your expectations upside down.
Almost impossible to fully appreciate in one visit, you can gain an insight into the lives of some of India's poorest and most vulnerable communities as you bring hope to the street children of Bangalore, a sprawling Indian city brimming with diverse culture and varied influences.
Use your skills and enthusiasm to contribute to the education and support of neglected and outcast kids. At the same time, discover this ancient and fascinating city, and its beautiful surrounding countryside where you will find captivating wildlife, remote villages that uphold traditional artisanal lifestyles and some of the most arresting scenery in the world. Travel to India for a unique volunteering experience that will provide lifelong memories whilst totally changing your world perspective!
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
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TEFL qualification included in the price
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Use your initiative on this life-changing project
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Experience the splendours of India
PROJECT RECOMMENDATIONS
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Please check availability when applying for this project!
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Location |
Madikeri, India |
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Activities |
Teaching English
Singing & dancing
Teaching sport |
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Transport |
Airport pick-up |
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Accommodation |
Shared volunteer house |
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Before you go |
Pre-departure support
Travel & medical advice & documentation
Equipment advice
Discounted medical kit
Free Frontier t-shirt
FREE Frontier TEFL Certificate |
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In-country |
Food
Accommodation
Airport pick-up
Ground transfers & in-transit accommodation
Local orientation & project training
In-country emergency support
24-hour international HQ backup |
What Next? Apply Now!
WHAT DOES THE PROJECT DO?
There are millions of street children and working children in India. Many have suffered neglect and abuse at the hands of family members or are addicted to sniffing glue or other narcotics or are sold into slavery.
The local police forcibly house the children into shelters, from where many subsequently run away. This might be because shelters are centres of abuse or because children have developed a distrustful attitude towards caretakers. They don't understand that they need to be cared for, or believe that they have a future to look forward to.
Furthermore, the quality of education for children from underprivileged backgrounds is very poor in India. Even where basic education is provided, in many cases the creative, physical and key skills education is completely neglected. You'll help these children to reach their true potential and bring joy to their lives by teaching, playing football, singing songs, and doing arts and crafts with them - a truly rewarding and enriching experience.
WHAT WILL I BE DOING?
As part of your volunteer experience, you will work with neglected or outcast children at a local orphanage or shelter. Your activities could involve helping with study and education, making music and art together, playing games and sports or just bringing love, care and affection into the blighted lives of these deserving children. We invite you to use your creativity and imagination whatever you are interested in.
Schedules are not strictly structured and there is plenty of room for you to implement your own ideas. Volunteers are expected to take responsibility for their own project within their placement, either continuing a previous volunteer's work or starting something new and exciting. You will discover the enormity of the difficulties these marginalised children have experienced and have the opportunity to make a great difference.
What Next? Apply Now!
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I ARRIVE?
You will fly into Bangalore airport on the Sunday, where you'll be met by a friendly member of the in-country staff. You will then be transferred to Madikeri where you will be based for the remainder of your stay.
WHERE WILL I BE STAYING?
You will be staying in basic but clean shared volunteer accommodation. You will have access to all basic facilities, toilets, and shared leisure areas.
WHAT WILL I BE EATING?
There are enough choices for both vegetarians and meat eaters, as India provides you with a fabulous and wide variety of national, regional and local specialities. The food is delicious and often spicy. The cuisine at the accommodation has been 'spiced down' to meet the requirements of international volunteers! International cuisine is sometimes provided, however, and Bangalore city has a wide range of fabulous street food and international restaurants.
What Next? Apply Now!
But most of all I just enjoyed hanging out with the kids
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26 Mar 2010
I enjoyed every minute of my time on this project, the kids were so amazing and it was great to k...
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ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
In your free time, or after your placement has finished, you may have the opportunity to engage in a number of cultural and adventure activities. Get taught yoga by a true Indian master, attend Bollywood festivals and theatre performances, explore remote white sand beaches, learn Indian cooking, visit magnificent ancient temples, test your nerve as you rock climb high above coffee and tea plantations, and spot tigers and monkeys from the back of an elephant as you trek through the jungle.
TEFL
Volunteers on the Frontier-India Street Children Project can get a TEFL certificate. This will help you to teach anywhere in the world and is great for demonstrating your experience to foreign language education employers.
Your TEFL training will take place over a day at our London Office. We'll take you through everything from basic grammar and punctuation to lesson plan development and communication skills! This is also a great opportunity to meet other volunteers and learn more about Frontier.
You might be worried that you don't have any teaching experience. Don't be! This course is designed for people who are teaching for the first time. We'll take you through the basics, making sure that you are comfortable with the material at every step of the way.
