Voluntary Project Overview

This charity began 10 years ago when a teacher and social worker thought that they could do more to help those in vulnerable communities, especially children who instead of attending school were working in roadside tea stalls or at home. They started with one school in a rural area which developed into a community centre and provides education, health care and support for mothers through income generation programmes. Year by year schools were added and the NGO grew and developed and is working in four different wards of the city and two panchayats (rural community areas). The communities have embraced the schools and centres and have directed the growth of their own centres.

The organisation has now 14 different informal schools/centres across Kolkata and the semi-rural outskirts of the city. They have successfully educated over 2200 children and mainstreamed over 1500 into the government school system. The children enjoy the coaching sessions so much that they rush from school to get to the sessions on time. The vocational training means that older children and women have a chance to be more independent and support the children’s education. The well being of the children and their families are all supported through free health clinics and nutritional meals at school.

The Volunteer Abroad Role

Career break volunteers would can be teaching English abroad on this voluntary programme, helping at informal schools by taking small groups of children aged between 5–12 and working on specific activities with them. Career break volunteer would be working within the teacher’s lesson plan but under their own initiative. The volunteer will also be engaged in making ‘Teaching Learning Materials’ which are posters or games to help the children learn English, and will be supported to be able to monitor the children’s progress over a period of time.

Other Volunteer Abroad opportunities

Career volunteers will also have the opportunity to provide after school coaching to children who go to government schools but need support as they are first-generation learners (their parents didn’t go to school). Coaching these children will involve planning and teaching larger groups and working closely with the teachers to fit the learning into their curriculum.

Voluntary Programme Requirements/Eligibility Criteria

While previous teaching experience is not essential, any experience of working with children or teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) would be useful.. We expect all career break volunteers on this programme to bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference, and have an interest in teaching children. It is also important to be patient in dealing with children and staff who may not understand your language or accent.

Volunteer Accommodation and Living arrangements

Generally career break volunteers in Kolkata are provided accommodation in an Indian home and have a room to themselves. If your prefer independent accommodation that can be arranged either in a self service apartment or guest house, please discuss the details and cost implications while booking your volunteer programme
Kolkata is one of the most liberal, educated, historic and a culturally vibrant city in India and as such has a different character and fascination to explore during your stay. Known as ‘City of Joy’, most people’s recollection if it is for Mother Teresa’s work here.

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