Unique experiences, lifelong friends and the knowledge of having made a difference to someone else’s life – there’s simply nothing like it. As cliché as it sounds, volunteering in India can be a life-changing and soul-finding experience, especially when you do it right. Whether it be through thorough preparation, managing expectations (which sounds slightly half glass full right off the bat but stay with us) or choosing the right volunteering opportunity that uses your skills and talents, here are our top tips for an Indian volunteering trip of a lifetime Read our four top tips below.
1
Do Your ‘Travmin’
Thorough preparation (or ‘travmin’ as we like to call it) is part and parcel when it comes to holidays, but it’s even more paramount when planning to embark on a volunteering adventure in India. For such a notoriously hot country, India has its fair share of wet weather. The climate varies dramatically based on location and season, and if you forget to consult the Met Office before leaving, you may be unpleasantly surprised by monsoon downpours and unexpectedly cold temperatures. When it comes to packing your wardrobe, try sticking to light fabrics such as linen, a good quality rain jacket and decent footwear. You also won’t be able to visit without a complete set of up-to-date vaccinations either, but don’t let that be the extent of your medical preparation. Bring suitable medication, and make sure you get the lay of the land for your closest medical aid. It’s rare to visit India without getting travellers tummy either so prepare accordingly. Finally, this is certainly not a must, but try preparing a few phrases in Hindi (or the language your local hosts and guides speak). Many people you work with will be able to communicate with you in English but that’s exactly why making the effort is so important. And it will probably earn you a few brownie points, especially if you plan on getting to grips with the language while you are there.
Image by Julien Mignot
2
Manage expectations
Volunteering in India is a great way to do your bit for the local community (think of it as a more exhilarating and exciting Duke of Edinburgh Award if you will) while seeing the sights of one of the world’s most diverse and historic countries in a completely authentic way. However, volunteering isn’t always a picnic in the park and can at times be quite challenging. Some opportunities will expect a lot of you emotionally and physically but the reward of helping a child to learn how to say hello in English, nursing a wild animal back to health or building community centres in rural villages will remind you how worthwhile volunteering in India is.
3
Find The Right Fit
From building infrastructure or making foods (such as rotis, or flatbreads) for the local community, to teaching English or other valuable skills, there are myriad options when volunteering in India. Ask yourself if you have any specialist skills, any training or qualifications, whether in healthcare, yoga, or sports that point you in the right direction. If animal conservation is close to your heart, volunteer at one of the country’s 100-plus national parks. Care for rescued animals and aid with anti-poaching projects that aim at protecting the country’s ever decreasing tiger population. Or, if you’re wanting to put your degree to good use, investigate education programmes where you’ll have the opportunity to build schools, plan lessons, teach and learn about life a world away from your own. It seems like common sense, but considering what you can bring to a project when planning a trip is paramount, even if it’s just a can-do attitude and an open mind.
4
Be a Good House Guest
Volunteering in India more often than not involves staying with a host family, rather than at a hotel. And with the principle of Atithidevo Bhava (Guests are like God) as a key part of the country’s fabric, you are sure to be treated to a hospitality like no other. The best way to show your appreciation is by respecting and adopting local customs. Take your shoes off inside houses, temples, and sacred places; avoid calling people older than you by their first name; and don’t offer a handshake when you greet someone (it can come off as overly-familiar). Yet, despite its customs and cultural expectations, India is surprisingly laid-back. From Goa and Hampi, which indulge themselves in the art of doing nothing, to the strikingly beautiful Ladakh and its smattering of picture-perfect gompas, you’ll be surprised by how friendly and colloquial Indians are. In fact, you’ll hardly go hungry with the amount of invites you receive to local restaurants and homes. Make sure to go with an empty stomach though, you won’t be wanting to say no to plates of vada pav or aloo gobi.
Header image by Julien Mignot