India is an amazing and very rewarding destination for volunteer work and travel. If you have the willingness and time, there are many chances in India for you to volunteer for a worthy cause. However, with so many options, choosing reliable and worthwhile volunteer activities could be difficult. As a result, we are bringing you a list of the 8 must-see volunteer programs for 2023. These encompass a broad spectrum of endeavors and programs, ranging from rural development and animal rescue to youth projects and women’s empowerment. Additionally, make sure to check out Flyopedia to book flight tickets from Edmonton to Delhi.
Do You Need a Visa for Volunteering in India?
Everyone entering India needs a visa unless they are from one of the neighboring countries, Nepal or Bhutan. The good news is that it is rather easy to obtain a visa online in order to volunteer in India.
Whether you’re planning to volunteer in India for two weeks or a year, there is definitely an e-tourist visa that will work with your schedule. An electronic visa that is good for one month, one year, or five years can be applied for by citizens of 165 different countries. A normal ten-year tourist visa is also available to citizens of the United States and Canada.
If you plan to volunteer for a long time with an officially recognized organization, you could need an employment visa, for which you have to apply in person. A contract or letter of invitation from an Indian volunteer organization, approved by the government, can support your application.
Volunteering Programs in India
1. Volunteering Solutions
With Volunteer Solutions, travelers can select the best program for their interests and budget from over 10 moderately priced volunteer and internship opportunities in India.
Volunteer Solutions works with institutions located in Delhi and the hill town of Palampur, Himachal Pradesh. Volunteers in Delhi can help with street children, teach in a slum school, or intern at a medical facility to obtain professional work experience. The focus of Palampur’s programs is yoga and meditation, which sets them apart from Delhi’s options.
One fantastic thing about Volunteer Solutions for dental or nursing students is that they offer specialized internship programs, particularly for the healthcare industry. You can visit Flyopedia.com for cheap flight offers from the USA to India.
2. Plan My Gap Year
With Plan My Gap Year there are no official requirements if you’d like to try your hand at the healthcare sector, even though the year’s medical programs are created with students in mind.
There are two elective courses available: one for aspiring doctors and another for aspiring nurses, where you can shadow professionals and get insight into your possible future route. Whichever route you choose, you can be sure to gain experience by doing rotations at community clinics as well as big hospitals. This will help you gain a deeper understanding of the Indian healthcare system.
3. Volunteering with India
By volunteering with Indian women’s groups through the Volunteering With India organization, you can give women the chance to gain employable skills that will assist them in the future.
Volunteers will get the chance to see the breathtaking wealth of Rajasthan’s capital city and learn more about rural Indian life as these programs are conducted in rural communities surrounding Jaipur. Volunteers will teach math and English to the women involved in the programs, enhancing their communication and numeracy skills as well as their sense of self.
4. iSPiiCE
If you are passionate about education and enjoy working with kids, iSPiiCE offers you the opportunity to teach English to youngsters in the foothills of the Himalayas. Because of its captivating natural beauty and breathtaking vistas of the mountains, Dharamsala is a great area to volunteer.
Although it’s not necessary to have a TEFL certification or previous teaching experience, volunteer teachers are expected to infuse the classroom with enthusiasm and original ideas. Village schools allow parents to spend more one-on-one time with each child because of their smaller class sizes and student body, which range in age from 6 to 12. Furthermore, you can visit Flyopedia, the best online travel website to grab affordable Canada to India business class flight deals.
5. IVHQ
One of the leading global suppliers of volunteer experiences, International Volunteer HQ, offers four distinct program types in Delhi. Your alternatives include teaching in underprivileged areas, working in healthcare, and providing childcare.
Unlike many other organizations that only offer shorter programs (which can still work well for your schedule, of course), International Volunteer HQ offers programs ranging from one to 24 weeks. Volunteering for a longer period of time usually benefits you and the people you’re working with more because it allows you to put your skills to use better. After you get over any early culture shock and go beyond the surface-level interactions with the people you work with, you will have enough time to really make an impression.
6. Youth International
If volunteer work is a part of your experience learning curriculum, Youth International can be the best option. One of the most fascinating and varied travel destinations in the area is India. You will travel, volunteer, and experience Indian culture in the span of a month.
You will dedicate approximately one-third of your time to engaging in cultural and recreational events with other like-minded travelers, and allocate the remaining portion to volunteering at worthwhile community-led service projects. These include a homestay in a tiny rural village and Hindi language training.
7. The Tarzan Way
If you want to visit as much of India as you can in a short period of time but still love the idea of volunteering and immersing yourself in the local way of life, this Social Travel experience with The Tarzan Way is an excellent option.
Over the course of six weeks, you and a group of like-minded volunteers will visit 16 cities in North India, including Agra, Jaipur, and Rishikesh. Along with sightseeing in some of India’s most stunning views, you’ll get involved in volunteer work and hands-on activities. These could include working with kids or animals, taking part in workshops, and photography.
8. Volunteering with India
Travelers can help with animals at the beautiful Elephant Village, which is situated outside of Jaipur, by volunteering with India.
You will help with tasks including feeding, cleaning, and walking the elephants while working at a sanctuary. The 30-hectare preserve known as Elephant Village houses both the inhabitants and the rescued elephants. Volunteers are expected to work three to four hours a day, Monday through Friday.
Therefore, volunteering in India is a special and fulfilling way to help underserved people while taking in the dynamic country’s rich and varied culture. So, if you’re considering volunteering in 2023, make sure to visit Flyopedia, the best online travel website to book online flight tickets from Edmonton to Mumbai.
Also Read: Eco-Wanderlust: 7 Effective Ways to Become a Sustainable Traveler
