Volunteer In India - Change The World By Volunteering In India…. And Enjoy The Adventure Of A Lifetime

Are you planning to volunteer in India? Do you feel ready for a challenge, an adventure and the opportunity to make a lasting difference to disadvantaged people?

India is a country of great contrasts and fascinating traditions. You can find this nowhere more so than in Delhi and Jaipur, two cities in Northern India famed for their captivating architecture and history.

These cities also have their fair shares of problems, including homeless children, gender discrimination and rampant poverty.

There are many organizations that are tackling these problems and successfully empowering the disadvantaged, and RCDP has been working with these organizations to make their programs more meaningful and effective. These volunteer projects in India were all started by the grassroots communities, and are run solely for their own benefit.

When you join any of the India volunteer programs we offer you will help staff achieve their project goals, and also have the chance to explore a country that is unique, colorful, noisy, diverse and full of history; Join now, or email us to find out more about our program. We would be delighted to send you more information, and make your dream of volunteering in India come true.

Contact us now to find out more, or enroll in the program today and realize your dream of visiting this fascinating country.

What kind of volunteer opportunities are available in India?

Work at an Orphanage in India

Orphanages in India offer some children the only home they will know, along with the chance to get some education, and experience both love and support.

The permanent staff do their best but they are always short of resources, so if you choose to volunteer in an Indian orphanage your time and effort will be very much appreciated. As an orphanage volunteer in india your duties may include: teaching the children basic English, as well as planning and organizing fun leisure activities such as dancing, singing, playing music, drawing and so on.

Skills/Qualifications Needed : You don’t need any special qualifications or any previous experience to join a volunteer in India orphanage program, but it is essential that you are patient, kind, caring and genuinely enjoy being around children.

Volunteer Responsibilities: Volunteers on this India orphanage project teach English in either the orphanage or the local school (where the kids from the orphanage study.) Volunteers also help with support duties, such as helping the children get ready for school in the morning, teaching them essential personal hygiene skills, and organizing creative learning and leisure opportunities. Some help with homework may also be needed in the evenings.

If you prefer to spend the day only at the orphanage you can help care for the youngest kids, along with doing some kitchen work and gardening.

Teaching English in India

Indians who can speak English well have many more opportunities in life than those who can’t, but as public primary schools do not offer formal language classes poorer kids have no chance to learn at an age when they could make rapid progress. They are then unable to make full use of classes offered in middle and high school.

RCDP’s teach English in India volunteer program helps to fill this gap, placing fluent English speakers in schools in poor areas of Delhi to give their students the chance to learn. Volunteer English teachers in India are very highly respected, and your work will make a massive and long lasting difference.

**Please note that schools in India close for the holiday between May 15 and June 30. Volunteers who want to work with children during that time can be placed on a program working in an orphanage or with street children.

Skills/Qualifications Needed: There are no definite requirements asked of anyone keen to volunteer teaching in India program, however applicants with either a teaching qualification, or an education degree (specializing in math, science or computing) are preferred. All volunteers must be seriously interested in helping disadvantaged children learn, and feel able to support them through this journey.

Volunteer Responsibilities: Volunteer teaching programs in India may involve working independently, or assisting a local English teacher. Most placements are in government schools, though sometimes volunteers are placed in private learning institutions. Teach in India volunteer duties include delivering lessons based around an established curriculum and book, supporting students with remedial work and homework as necessary, and organizing fun activities outside of regular class to encourage their English speaking skills. Occasionally the school may ask for help with admin tasks or random academic tasks.

Work on a Medical/Healthcare Project

In recent years India has experienced an economic boom, and many more students are being filtered through the medical college system to staff the recently built clinics and hospitals. Medical research receives more funding, and great advances are finally being made in the healthcare system.

However, at the same time there are many people who die from diseases and conditions which are entirely treatable simply because they are unable to access the care they need.

This is one reason why medical volunteer in India programs are so vital, as every extra pair of hands able to help local doctors care for the vulnerable, poor and sick could help save many lives.

Skills/Qualifications Needed: There are medical volunteer opportunities in India available for people from all backgrounds, so there’s no need to have specific health related qualifications or previous experience in the field. Of course current students or workers in related areas, as well as retirees from the medical profession, are very welcome, but so is anyone with a strong interest in helping those in need.

Volunteer Responsibilities: We provide volunteer medical India placements in major hospitals around Delhi, as well as in smaller, community based clinics in rural areas. For most volunteers the day starts around 9am and involves four hours of work. Although some areas of medical care [such as surgery or conducting primary examinations) are off limits to all volunteers regardless of their background, other tasks assigned are based on your particular skill set and qualifications, as well as the current needs of the hospital you are working in. There may be the opportunity to work in a specific department, if that is relevant, but for the most part India medical volunteers help with basic tasks, such as measuring vital signs and treating minor wounds.

Women’s Empowerment

Many women in India live their whole lives in poverty and unable to read or write. It can be very difficult to break this cycle, but special projects which provide micro-finance opportunities are triggering change.

RCDP support these initiatives by placing volunteers on women’s empowerment India projects where local women have the chance to build a homemade craft related business which will support them and ensure their children get an education.

Many volunteers choose to teach English at an under-resourced local school in the morning, and help out the women on this project in the afternoon.

Skills/Qualifications Needed: Anyone who is patient, flexible, caring, and believes in both equality for women and that children have a right to education is very welcome to join this women's rights volunteer opportunities India program. Creative people are especially welcome due to the focus of the women’s project.

Volunteer Responsibilities: The women's empowerment projects in India exist to provide young girls and grown women with the skills and personal confidence they need to make progress in their lives. This involves various things, including learning English, developing business skills, training and experience in sewing and other arty projects, and organizing creative activities such as dancing and singing to boost self-worth.

Summer Volunteer and Adventure Program India (4 Weeks)

Enjoy the experience of a lifetime on an RCDP summer volunteer program in India. Everyone should have the chance to explore the many wonders of India, a majestic, historic, and sometimes mysterious country with surprisingly vast cultural diversity on offer region to region. We know and understand the allure of India, and it’s our pleasure to help you experience it to the max.

Orientation, Language And Cultural Immersion In Delhi (7 Days)

This summer volunteer India program starts in Delhi, where you have the chance to study some Hindi, and learn more about Indian culture and religion. During this week you also meet children living in a local orphanage and have the chance to go shopping in colorful, noisy bazaars.

Service Projects: Work In Orphanage in Delhi (14 Days)

Two weeks of volunteer work in an orphanage is the third step of this program. This worthwhile volunteer India opportunity involves teaching eager young people basic English, and providing plenty of opportunities for them to practice. As English is becoming so important in the workplace your efforts could really change the whole course of their lives. During your free time away from the project there are opportunities to travel, go shopping, hike or explore the surrounding areas.

Explore The Golden Triangle (6 Days)

After the India orphanage project it’s time to move on with the plans and visit the Golden triangle area of North India, famed for its lotus flowers, enjoying the sights of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra along the way. You will marvel at the many contrasts India offers, as ancient temples sit close to modern shopping malls, and street vendors sell traditional food alongside famous fast food outlets. You even get to see the magnificent Taj Mahal.

** Note that this is a sample itinerary, and it may well change to better suit all parties involved. The final version will be released at your volunteer orientation.

The Fee and Dates

RCDP India volunteer Program starts every 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month.

Every year, hundreds of volunteers arrive in India to volunteer from UK and USA based organizations and end up paying up to $2500 to volunteer for 2 weeks. Unfortunately, only a small portion of that money actually goes to host projects and host families. The local host projects (orphanages, school, and local NGOs) in India are resource poor and need external support to run their programs. In our model, you will pay your fee directly to the host families and projects upon arrival in India.When you join our program, we will make sure that all of your money goes to the projects and host families. Part of your fees also helps us to cover our expenses. The program fee is divided in as registration fee ($269) and weekly fee ($80 per week for room, food, coordination, and project donation).
Click to find the allocation of $269

Weekly fee is divided between room/3 local foods a day (50%) and project donation/support of local project staffs (50%). This allocation may be different depending up on location, project type etc. However, our coordinator will explain these issues before you pay the fee.