Teaching & Education Volunteer Projects in Rajasthan, India

Work with underprivileged slum communities, give children and women an opportunity to learn as a Be the Change Worldwide volunteer teacher. Promote creativity, boost confidence and inspire local people to realise their own potential.

On this project you will work in communities which traditionally have been marginalised in Indian Society. Known in yesteryear as untouchables, and renamed by Mahatma Ghandi as Harijans meaning ‘Gods Children’, many continue to experience a disadvantage life today. This exciting community development project gives both local non-school going children an opportunity to learn and provides professional dress making training to community women.

The usual daily pattern of life in this project community is that parents leave for work early to do low paid work whilst children remain at home, tending to animals and looking after younger siblings. Many children, even today, do not access formal education. In light of this we have developed a community project to inspire their thirst for knowledge and learning. We believe that with good knowledge and access to education there is no limit to what an ordinary person can achieve. As our volunteer on this project you will deliver fun engaging sessions that boost school attendance and encourage the students to boost their creativity whilst at the same time raising awareness of good practice around health and hygiene that serves to prevent the spread of disease. As our volunteer you will also work alongside a professional dressmaker to teach local women essential skills that aim to boost their employment prospects.

In addition to the enormous contribution you will make to local people as a Be the Change Worldwide Volunteer you will also gain from this amazing cultural exchange. In our India project you will learn basic Hindi, and gain an understanding of local customs, traditions and lifestyle through our comprehensive orientation. You will also have the opportunity to opt for Indian Cookery, Yoga or Mehendi (Henna Painting) lessons.

As a Be the Change Worldwide Volunteer you will be helping local ground staff to promote an ethos which champions the benefits of education, to communities who until recently had no access to formal education. Our challenge is to teach not only the children but also to help their parents gain an understanding of basic skills. Our work takes place in communities that have for generations been marginalized. As a volunteer on our India project you will work to promote alternative ideals at the same time as teaching your students basic skills.

Whether you join our India project for a few weeks or a few months one thing is certain the people you will meet will remain in your heart and mind long after your volunteer experience finishes. You will work with severely disadvantaged communities, to provide a lifeline to learning for those who have little or no access to formal education.

The program begins with a comprehensive orientation that introduces volunteers to the project site, their role, the profile of the communities and the teaching styles and methods that are used on the projects. On a work day the schedule begins at 8 am with breakfast. After breakfast volunteers travel a short distance to the worksite to teach one of two classes (in an informal school environment that is entirely run by local staff), an older class and a younger class. Teaching lasts for 2 hours and is currently themed to boost attendance and encourage the forming of school going habits amongst children with little or no previous access to formal education. Volunteers lead creative activities, art, storytelling, songs, and awareness sessions that promote good health and hygiene. In the afternoons volunteers work for one hour alongside a professional tailor to teach community ladies basic dressmaking skills. This activity aims to boost both confidence and employment opportunities. This project is located in the heart of the slum community in an area that is offered by the local community.

In addition to your Be the Change Worldwide Gap Year teaching project you will be encouraged to give time to our other projects including delivering after school classes to orphanage children, running art and craft workshops with disabled children, delivering sessions on our street children’s project, participating in community visits and from time to time assisting community health staff in local polio camps.  Outside of these structured activities we encourage our volunteers to join in activities taking place in the local community around our volunteer apartment such as playing cricket with the local children.

Be the Change Worldwide seeks individuals that are passionate and energetic with an enthusiasm for an adventure of a lifetime. If you are a post-school or post-university gap year student, a university undergraduate or postgraduate, or a career breaker, our projects are ideally suited for you. Our excellent teaching and education projects are also tailored for qualifying and qualified teachers. Volunteers must be 17 years of age and above.

Be the Change Worldwide, with the help of our Gap Year volunteers, funds the supply of educational resources for all our India projects. We have a central supply of stationary and teaching resources which volunteers use to plan and deliver their lessons. Annually we allocate funding to fund essential community projects such as the renovation of classrooms, or the provision of ground water for community use. Volunteers wishing to donate stationary are advised to contact us for advice on what is most required.

Location

Jaipur is the Capital city of Rajasthan and is also the latest City.  It was built in the eighteenth century as India’s first planned city.  It forms one of the corners of India’s renowned Golden Triangle which encompasses Delhi, Jaipur & Agra.  In and around Jaipur there are many historic sites and attractions including City Palace, Amber Fort, Birla Temple and the palace of the winds.  Jaipur is often known as the Pink City in reference to its distinctly coloured buildings, which were originally painted pink to imitate the red sandstone architecture of Mughal cities.

Accommodation, Food and Transport

Be the Change Volunteers stay in safe clean basic shared accommodation in our dedicated volunteer house.

As a Be the Change Worldwide Volunteer you will be met by our team at the airport and accompanied to our volunteer house

Our Volunteer House is located centrally (around 20 minutes in each direction) between our volunteer placements and the main City.  The rooms are basic but clean a relaxing communal TV room with cable TV and a book and DVD library.  Volunteers have access to International telephone facilities and internet.  The environment is structured but relaxed and friendly, staff are on site 24 hours a day.  Volunteers enjoy three home cooked Indian meals a day freshly prepared by our dedicated chef.

Before your work placement begins you will be given a comprehensive orientation covering a range of topics including cultural awareness, religion, your work placement, lesson preparation and delivery.  Our projects have a high level of support and guidance which will help you to be as well prepared as possible for your volunteer experience.

Excursions

The volunteer group excursions are selected from a wide variety of exciting activities based in and around Rajasthan. Volunteer group excursions are selected in advance by the Be the Change Worldwide team and are subject to change. The volunteer group excursions are selected from a host of varied activities such as:

• Visit the magnificent Taj Mahal in Agra
• Visit JodhpurVisit Pushka
• Visit Delhi

The table below indicates the number of group excursions selected from a wide variety of exciting activities that are included as part of your project fee:

Volunteers will have free time on weekends to explore all that Rajasthan has to offer. Our team will inform you of all the amazing attractions available to you in and around Rajasthan. If volunteers choose to experience any additional excursions above those stipulated as group excursions, these excursions will be at the volunteers own cost. Types of additional excursions available to volunteers include:

• Desert family stay and camel safari
• Tiger Safari to Rantambore National Park
• A two day trip to Jaisalmer

What Is Included In Your Chosen Project?

Prior to your departure:

• Expert advice on selecting your most suitable project
• Travel assistance from our specialist Partners
• Valuable ideas and assistance for your fundraising campaign
• An open line of communication to our friendly and informative team
• Our informative Project Pack including all relevant contact details

During your project in India:

• Welcome on Arrival at Jaipur airport by our India Team
• Transfer from the airport to the volunteer house
• Clean basic accommodation:
• - Udaipur volunteers will stay in our dedicated volunteer house.
• Three freshly prepared Indian home cooked meals a day
• 24/7 on-site assistance from our Be the Change Worldwide Team
• Comprehensive project induction and training prior to the start of your work placement
• Management of your project delivery
• Local transportation to and from your work placement
• A selection of exciting volunteer group excursions and social events
• 24/7 emergency support from our Be the Change Worldwide UK Team
• A portion of your funding donated to your projects local community
• Experience a new and vibrant culture

What Is Not Included In Your Chosen Project?

• Flights
• Visas
• CRB / police Check
• Travel Insurance
• Vaccinations