CHOOSE FROM THE FOLLOWING PLACEMENTS & PROGRAMMES
Placements:
You can choose from two types of Placement, a 2-week Personal Development Placement, or a longer- term Educational Placement.
1. The Personal Development Placement (workcamps): 2 weeks
These are aimed at the working professional who wants to expand their horizons and see something of community development. Alternatively, students who have a short time period available will find this a superb opportunity for personal development, and a great addition to your CV. This time period will give you a broad overview about work at RUCHI and life in India besides having satisfaction of being able to contribute to community action.
2. Educational Placement: longer than a month:
These placements can be of a longer duration, and are ideal for summer placements for students or as part of a long-term travel experience. You have the flexibility to decide which area of work you are most interested in and, what project you would like to take on and how long you dedicate to that project.
Programme Areas you could be involved in:
Within both placements you may have the opportunity to be involved with 4 programme focus areas depending on your experience, area of interest and projects happening at RUCHI at the time you are there:
1) Environmental Management Programme:
You could be involved in activities such as design, construction, and cleaning of natural springs, ferro- cement tanks and other water harvesting and low cost constructions, tree planting, helping with education projects for children and women on safe water, ecology, and biodiversity.
2) Social Development Programme:
You could be involved in activities such as organising and strengthening women’s groups and enterprise establishments, socio-economic feasibility studies for micro-enterprises, educating children, and discussing environmental issues in villages.
3) Health and Sanitation Development Programme:
You could be involved in activities such as promoting the importance of personal hygiene, sanitary latrines, and clean water; educating mothers on balanced diet; first aid care and prevention of diseases; health check ups; cleaning of dispensaries/primary health centres; putting up waste bins.
4) Staff capacity building:
Supporting and training the RUCHI staff to make their work easier. This could include sharing knowledge on computer software, English language assistance, promotional material for the volunteer programme, website improvements and office support.
PROGRAMME CONTRIBUTION:
The programme is not supported by any donor. Hence, you have to share the cost of participation which varies depending on type of project, venue and duration.
WHAT IS COVERED BY YOUR CONTRIBUTION:
• Pick up from Kalka railway station by public bus – 2 hours from RUCHI
• Local travel costs by public buses while visiting villages.
• All meals (authentic vegetarian North Indian food with some western food options)
• Accommodation at RUCHI (shared room in accommodation block with mattress)
HOW TO SIGN UP:
- Complete the sign-up form and return it to RUCHI
- Your application will be assessed, and you will receive confirmation of your acceptance into the program and the proposed placement dates
- Arrange the necessary tickets (plane and train), visa, insurance, and vaccinations listed in the next section.
Copies of these documents must be sent to the RUCHI contact before you leave for India - Submit the placement donation with a final confirmation at least 4 weeks before departure (refundable with a deduction of processing cost of Euro 50)
WHAT YOU NEED TO ORGANISE BEFORE YOU LEAVE:
Necessary:
- Indian Visa – obtainable from the Indian High Commission in your country
- Comprehensive travel insurance. Your certificate must be sent to the RUCHI contact
- Vaccinations – your travel centre will advise which vaccinations are currently needed for India.
- Past volunteers have said getting rabies shots would have made them feel more comfortable – there are a number of dogs wandering on the streets in India.
- Sufficient Indian rupees as spending money. Can be taken as cash, American dollar travellers cheques, or ATM/credit card with a pin (Cirrus/Plus/Maestro/Visa/MasterCard)
- Standard Medical Kit for India. Recommended are malaria pills, isotonic fluid replacement sachets, topical antibiotic cream, oral antibiotic pills, antihistamines
- Train booking from Delhi to Chandigarh or Kalka
Also Recommended:
- A travel guide book such as Lonely Planet India or Lonely Planet Indian Himalayas
- A good level of physical fitness, as walking to villages in hilly terrain and hands-on fieldwork will be a major part of the program
- Previous international travel experience
- A strong willingness to learn, a desire to witness living conditions in a developing nation and the patience to adapt to a different style of living