Voluntary Project Overview

The school was established 100 years ago. From the few basic buildings when the school first started, there is now a new school block with over 700 children from Kindergarten age to standard XI children being taught.

The school's vision and mission remains the same, to help those marginalized from society, although children are now from mixed caste backgrounds and all Tamil (one of the local languages in South India) speaking.

The school has also built a community hospital next door to the school to cater for the healthcare needs of the children, their families and the local general community.

The school is working to the government curriculum but wants to provide so much more to its students. It is very different in that lessons are taught in Tamil to 11 years old and then switches to teaching in English. This gives the children a definite advantage in relation to finding work on completion of their studies. One of the reasons for wanting volunteers is to bring a different perspective and widen the children’s horizons so that they see much more than just their local community.

The Volunteer Abroad Role

In the primary school the career break volunteer can be involved in activities such as learning through painting, songs and games. Voluntary teaching would be constraint for anyone who does not know the local language.
 
In the secondary school the Director is especially keen to see career break volunteer encourage cultural exchange through special teaching projects. Volunteer teaching at this school, can be quite creative and depending upon their own skills and interests design teaching programmes for the children using quizzes, research exercises and trips away from school to get the children widen their horizons.

The school shifts from teaching in the local language to an English Medium school in Year 8 and special focus is required from career break volunteers to teaching English to children in Year 7 to prepare them for this shift. It is a tough transition for the children and the volunteers help to the children and the English teachers is much appreciated.

Other Volunteer Abroad opportunities

There is also a community hospital that is run by the same Trust, opposite the school. The hospital wants to undertake health screening of all children and follow up interventions. The Director of the hospital is very happy for volunteers to be involved in this program.

Voluntary Programme Requirements/Eligibility Criteria

Career break volunteers need to bring energy, enthusiasm and motivation to work, to communicate clearly and effectively with the children and teachers and to have patience and understanding that India has a different style of teaching to that they may be used to themselves.

Volunteer Accommodation and Living arrangements

Generally volunteers will be provided accommodation with an Indian family however if you prefer more independent accommodation, please discuss the options and costs while booking your volunteer programme.
Bangalore is a city that has developed very fast in the last 5-6 years and has become a hub for many multi national companies setting shop. While the city expands, it is also grappling with the growing gap between the haves and have-nots.

What’s included in your Programme Fee?

• Project selection and placement - Our in-country teams work constantly to identify and select projects that are doing exemplary work in developing countries but need your skills and effort. Our staff are in dialogue with you to ensure that we choose a project that really needs you, where you will use your skills and contribute, because at MondoChallenge, we believe that a great volunteering experience is largely dependant on matching you with the right project
• Pre Departure Briefing - Before you leave, we will arrange for a pre departure briefing where we help you with small but extremely helpful details on your chosen destination. Things like: what to pack, local culture and customs, food, safety and precautions if any - simple things to make your life easier!
• Guidance for processing visa - MondoChallenge will arrange for any relevant documents and guide you through the visa process.
• Airport Pick Up - Arriving in a new city and not knowing where to go and how to go can be quite unnerving. A MondoChallenge representative will meet you at the airport and take you to your place of stay where you can put your feet up after a long flight.
• In country Orientation and Welcome Pack - When you arrive in the city, you will be given an orientation where you could meet other volunteers from MondoChallenge, know all about the city, how to find your way around, where to get SIM cards for the phone, small bits that you will need help sorting out in the first few days.
• In Country Support - Our local co-ordinators are there to guide you through out your stay. They will make sure that you are settled at your project, are comfortable with your accommodation and provide guidance on local culture and customs to ensure that you have a memorable and rewarding experience.
• Accommodation - In most cases you stay with a local host family. It gives you a taste of the daily life of a local. You will have a single room on a non-sharing basis. However if you are travelling with a friend or partner we can arrange for twin/double accommodation. If you prefer independent accommodation, this maybe possible in certain areas at an additional cost and our Programme Managers will be able to assist you with this.
• Breakfast and Dinner - Local home cooked food, will be provided at the home stays. This gives you a chance to experience local dishes.

Not Included:

• International Flights
• Visa and Travel insurance Costs
• Vaccination
• Local Transport and Travel
• Personal Expenses

Project photos

Testimonials