Voluntary Project Overview

This voluntary project is a dream comes true for one very special woman, a dancer, choreographer and classical singer. She refused to accept that dance was only performing onstage and believed that it could also help children with physical and mental handicaps to use their limbs freely. She spent years researching with the doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and dance movement specialists in order to realize her vision: "Each and everyone is a blessed magician...Each and every child the magic wand".

The organization runs a special school for children, an art centre and a vocational centre for adults with disabilities. Dance, drama, storytelling and movement, art and craft are all used as learning tools for the children and help them with everything from developing their sensory and motor skills to social skills and daily living. Adults are helped to learn skills and activities that will help them earn a living.

The project also has outreach programmes and is linked to several schools in Chennai as well as running a postgraduate diploma for people interested in working with special children.

The Volunteer Abroad Role

This placement is ideal for people who have some experience in performing arts as a professional or are thinking about working in fields like occupational therapy, art therapy, special needs teaching or community work.

Carer break volunteers can work with the class teachers in music and theatre rehabilitation work. This means they would be working alongside the local staff and helping to make activities as enjoyable and productive as possible. If you are in the field of using therapy for development, you can design your own programme, the centre will be happy for you to run that during your volunteering assignment.

Other Volunteer Abroad opportunities

Career break volunteers can also help train disabled adults in any of the following skills - embroidery, block-printing, painting, and handicrafts.

Voluntary Programme Requirements/Eligibility Criteria

Previous experience in performing arts or using arts for therapy would be preferable and you will be able to use your career break in India to really make a difference.

Volunteer Accommodation and Living arrangements

Based in the south of India, Chennai is a coastal city and is one the four metro cities in India. Rich in traditional culture, Chennai and its surrounds are perfect to explore ancient Hindu architecture in the forms of temples.
Generally career break volunteers in Chennai will be staying with a local host family and have an independent room. However if you prefer to have a different accommodation option please discuss the same and any cost implications while booking your volunteer programme.

Being on the coast, Chennai is humid and has a warm climate for most of the year.

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 be sharing a room with another volunteer, however if you prefer to have a single room to yourself, this can be arranged but a cost supplement may apply. If you prefer totally independent accommodation, this may also be 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