With the snow-clad Himalayas, the buzzing metropolis of Delhi, and the palm-lined beaches of Goa, India is a land of contrasts. This country’s six major religions, dozens of languages, and numerous ethnic groups make it a fascinating conglomeration of culture. World Endeavors volunteers in India immerse themselves in this vibrant country, working side by side with local community members to help them build a stronger future for themselves and their country.
ABOUT GOA
Consistently ranked among India’s top tourist destinations, Goa is the ideal place for first time travelers and adventurers alike to acclimatize to a different culture. From caves behind waterfalls to villages hidden in sandy coconut forests, there is always something more waiting to be rediscovered. The mountain ranges and spice plantations enhance the beauty of this glorious state. Apart from its natural beauty, this former capital of Portuguese India and home to various UNESCO World Heritage sites has a lot to offer in terms of architecture with churches, cathedrals and forts abounding. Put together, it is all of these aspects and more that make Goa the ultimate travel destination.
Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older, though exceptions to this age requirement may be made on a case-by-case basis. Successful volunteers are hardworking, flexible, and open to truly immersing themselves in the culture. Keep in mind that all countries have different visa restrictions for varying types of passports.
Kelly is a math and science teacher from California. She volunteered teaching children in India with World Endeavors.
"World Endeavors allowed me to live in India, rather than be another Western tourist. I was not 'experiencing a culture,' I was engulfed in the day to day life of Tamil Nadu. It was one of the more remarkable experiences of my life."
- Maxwell, Volunteer in India
World Endeavors volunteers in India can contribute to the following project:
Volunteers interested in Childcare Assistance can participate in the following projects:
Goa Kindergarten and Teaching
Teach children from 3-16 years old from migrant families living in the periphery of the city. The population of migrant laborers has been increasing, which affects children who must leave their schools for 4-5 months every year when their families migrate to different locations every few months.
Our main concern is the realization of sustainable peace and development in which the children, youth, women, adults and elders are involved in positive activities that will ensure socio-economic welfare in this village.
Volunteers participate in various activities depending on their interests, such as:
- Providing regular basic education for migrant children
- Developing infrastructure in the village, including better roads, constructing a rainwater harvesting system, and setting up libraries
- Conducting workshops on general health, hygiene habits and nutrition
- Running environmental camps to teach about household waste management
- Teaching classes for kindergarten children during the day while their parents are at work, and organizing summer camps during the summer vacations of April and May
- Conducting soccer camps for the children of the community
Volunteers interested in Community Development can participate in the following projects:
Community Engagement Program in Goa
By lending your time and effort you would help in improving the quality of life of the local communities of Goa. This project is designed to provide basic informal education, life skills, arts and crafts. Participate in our endeavor to empower the local women to start up their own businesses. And provide them with proper materials and training to stand on their own feet. Join us in this project to inspire the less privileged and help the community to build on their own.
Construction and Renovation in Goa
In this project, you will get your hands dirty with construction projects. Our main focus when constructing is working at the slum and migratory children schools allocated to the poor. Despite the previous efforts, the work here is far from done and we continue to renovate pathways, toilets, walls, etc. Moreover, those with artistic talents can help decorate the walls by creating images and sketches of their home countries and cultures. We have the feeling that this will be a nice way of reflecting the hard and good work that has been done by our participants over the past years.
Other construction efforts might be carried out in the local village (renovating and building houses and sanitation facilities) or working on construction projects at the local hospitals - this very much depends on the needs of any particular time and so our participants will be using their construction skills where they are most needed!
Volunteers interested in Teaching can participate in the following project:
Goa Kindergarten and Teaching
Teach children from 3-16 years old from migrant families living in the periphery of the city. The population of migrant laborers has been increasing, which affects children who must leave their schools for 4-5 months every year when their families migrate to different locations every few months.
Our main concern is the realization of sustainable peace and development in which the children, youth, women, adults and elders are involved in positive activities that will ensure socio-economic welfare in this village.
Volunteers participate in various activities depending on their interests, such as:
- Providing regular basic education for migrant children
- Developing infrastructure in the village, including better roads, constructing a rainwater harvesting system, and setting up libraries
- Conducting workshops on general health, hygiene habits and nutrition
- Running environmental camps to teach about household waste management
- Teaching classes for kindergarten children during the day while their parents are at work, and organizing summer camps during the summer vacations of April and May
- Conducting soccer camps for the children of the community
Spend your first week in India experiencing the beauty and culture of Goa, getting to know the people, exploring India's natural treasures, relaxing on the pristine beaches, visiting local markets, historic forts and churches, and learning about Goan history and heritage. Learn to cook an Indian meal and take home with you an unforgettable experience.
You will have the opportunity to participate in language lessons, cooking classes, yoga sessions, sightseeing, visits to authentic Indian homes, workshops that will introduce you to the culture, visits to our project locations and much more!
Goa Culture Week highlights:
- Visit to Old Goa and spice plantation
- Mapusa city visit and local market
- Self defense class, cooking class, Indian Chai tea-making session, yoga class and local language lesson
- Visit Candolim, Sinquerim and Anjuna beaches
- Sightseeing tour of Panjim to visit the markets, churches and other important sites in Goa's state capital
Volunteers in both Goa and Rajasthan stay in a shared volunteer house and stay in shared rooms by gender. Three meals a day on weekdays (two on weekends) are included during your stay. The meals are a mix of Western and Indian food, consisting mainly of vegetarian dishes including rice and vegetables. You can expect to have a chicken dish about twice per week.
The World Endeavors Volunteer in India program is flexible in duration and can be tailored to last between 2 to 12 weeks. If you have the time, we recommend a stay of at least 4 weeks.
Due to holidays, traditional vacation schedules, and seasonal work availability, there might be better times than others to volunteer in a specific project.
When you are ready to start planning your volunteer trip to India, contact us. Our experienced advisors will help you sort through any timing considerations unique to your destination or your volunteer project.
Please wait until after you are accepted into the program and you have received the confirmed arrival and departure dates before you book your flight.
| Program Name | First Week | Each Additional Week |
|---|---|---|
| Volunteer In India | $2,085 | $300 |
INCLUDED FEATURES
- Program Advisor: dedicated, experienced, and accessible for one-on-one guidance
- Local Onsite Coordinator with 24/7 availability; pre and post arrival orientation
- Visa guidance and support
- Comprehensive travel medical insurance
- Travel Protection with 24/7 Emergency Travel Assistance
- Re-entry Support
- Airport reception
- Shared, single gender rooms in volunteer house
- 3 meals per weekday and 2 meals per weekend provided
OTHER BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS
- Round-trip transportation to India
- Visa expenses
- Optional trips and excursions
- Personal expenses
Congratulations on your decision to embark on a life-changing experience abroad! We look forward to working with you to make your trip a memorable, meaningful one. We can accommodate applications received 4 weeks prior to the intended start date up to a year in advance. If your intended start date is less than 4 weeks away, contact World Endeavors for more information.
