How to be a Volunteer in Vidya

VOLUNTEERS FROM ABROAD


VIDYA depends on the generosity and dedication of its volunteers. With the exception of our certificated teachers, volunteers comprise and oversee all of the organization’s programmes. These volunteers come from a variety of age groups, professions, and social and linguistic backgrounds; they come to VIDYA from within India, and from across the world. What unites every VIDYA volunteer is the belief that progressive social change is not only a real possibility, it is an urgent calling. For anyone wishing to heed that call, VIDYA offers a plethora of opportunities.

WHO VOLUNTEERS AT VIDYA?

Volunteers come to Vidya from all kinds of different backgrounds and contribute their time and skills as they are able. We accept volunteer applications for periods of time ranging from a week or two to six months or longer. If you are highly skilled in an area such as Micro-credit, health or teacher training for example, our staff or the communities we serve might well benefit from targetted workshops or clinics in that area. If you live in Delhi or Mumbai you may be able to volunteer some time each week on a more permanent basis. If you would like to experience living in India for a period of time we would gladly appreciate your help in teaching English, or perhaps music or sports in one of our educational programmes. Please read on to find out more about the programmes you can get involved in.

Volunteering at VIDYA means joining the VIDYA family, and we do our best to ensure that our foreign volunteers find the transition to Indian life an easy and enjoyable one. Those arriving on flights at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (New Delhi) can arrange a pick-up service through our volunteer coordinator, Mala Goyal. For volunteers in need of accommodation, VIDYA regularly arranges “paying guest” accommodations (private rooms in a family home, some with breakfast and dinner included) that range from Rs. 5,500/- to Rs. 7,000/- monthly. Volunteers from abroad find Delhi an invigorating and exciting place to live. From the crumbling ruins of ancient palaces and the narrow, winding lanes of Shahjahanabad, to the thumping nightclubs and plush cinemas of South Delhi, the city has something to suit every taste. Your fellow volunteers at VIDYA will be glad to aid and advise you as you accustom yourself to life in India’s capital. Volunteers in Mumbai will live in one of the hostels on the IIT Mumbai campus. Food is available in each of the hostels from the mess; there is also the Aahar canteen for lunch (Vidya project) and various other restaurants on the campus.