🇮🇳 VOLUNTEER IN INDIA 🇮🇳

Most Affordable – PMGY’s programs are accessible to everyone who wants to make a difference, through low fees and high-impact projects.

 

Best Support – Our international and local teams provide extensive around the clock services to assist you every step of your PMGY adventure.

 

Safety Prioritised – With safety a PMGY number-1 priority, we have taken all necessary precautions to ensure our programs are as safe and structured as possible.

 

Extraordinary Experiences – With PMGY, you have the opportunity to truly immerse yourself in amazing cultural and travel experiences, ensuring you leave with unforgettable memories.

 

Friendships for Life – Your PMGY experience not only opens up a doorway for new experiences and exciting memories, but also life-long friendships when meeting new people from around the world.

INDIA CHILDCARE VOLUNTEERS

As a childcare volunteer in India, you will brighten the days of young ones, making an important contribution to their lives. As a volunteer with children in India, you will act as role models to underprivileged individuals. Our volunteers coordinate fun activities and assist with tasks such as homework, to make a positive impact on local Indian communities. Above all as a volunteer with children in India, you will be assisting with the general childcare and daily activities at the volunteer placement.

 

Background to the Childcare Program

 

Like other developing countries, across India, hundreds of thousands of children find themselves lacking opportunities. In other words, many children struggle to receive the early years development they should otherwise be entitled to. Parents often lack the income and resources to provide adequate early years education for their children. Consequently, many of these children find themselves lacking opportunities to get the best start in life. Moreover, children with disabilities face even greater barriers within and outside the Indian education system.

 

Volunteers with children in India with PMGY work to support children centres in the Faridabad community. These are projects established by PMGY in the community for children from nearby slum communities. Not only do volunteers provide a friendly face to brighten up a child’s day, but they work hard to support and lead activities, making days at the centres fun and productive. Volunteers with children in India are required to have masses of energy, enthusiasm and creativity to ensure that contributions to the project can be as successful as possible. Volunteering with children is a highly rewarding experience and one that people from all backgrounds can get involved in.

 

Each day on this childcare volunteer abroad program in India is different and you will get out of the project what you put in. It is a good idea to join the project well prepared with lots of ideas of activities so that you can get stuck in as soon as possible. As a childcare volunteer in India, you have the opportunity to think and act creatively. As a consequence, they make a positive impact on the lives of young ones within the local community.

 

Childcare Project Examples

 

Sector 10 Program – Established by the PMGY local team, this project provides support for children from the Sector 10 community. For context, this is the community in which the local team are from and where volunteers are based during their time in India. Hence, the team have been passionate to establish a community childcare and education program within their immediate local area to keep giving back.

 

Around 50 children attend the Sector 10 program each day. Many of these children come from the local slum communities. The children usually segment into two groups, with younger children and slightly older children. As a childcare volunteer in India, your role is to work with the younger children where activities are less education based. Instead, spending time making arts and crafts activities, developing playground games in the local park, hygiene education and supporting with early years development. Whereas those who want to focus more on teaching, will work with the older children to teach basic English and Maths amongst other subjects.

 

It can often be the case that the older children coming to the project each day to learn are responsible for their younger siblings. With no access to childcare at home, they bring their younger siblings to the project. India childcare volunteers play a vital role in supporting these children as well as all the other younger children at the project.

 

The project usually runs in the morning for around 3 hours. The morning will start with the national anthem, nursery rhymes and some exercise with the whole group. For the next couple of hours, the childcare volunteers will work with the younger children and the teaching volunteers will teach the older children. The group then reconvene for the final hour usually involving some Bollywood dancing and snack time. A local teacher and coordinator are on hand to support volunteers with the tasks and activities at the project.

 

KRC School – This centre was founded some years ago by a physiotherapist. The project aims to provide children with disabilities the care and attention they deserve. Sadly, a lack of awareness and limited access to resources have left many disabled people in India without the care many desperately need. Therefore, the overall goal is to provide children with the skills and rehabilitation for the greatest chance of independence. Staff at the centre have worked with local people and children with conditions that include Down Syndrome and Infantile hemiplegia.

 

There are local staff at the volunteer project, but most of the additional support is provided by PMGY participants. Daily activities often include storytelling, physical exercise, basic life skill lessons, singing songs and games. You may even get involved in some English language teaching. It is hoped that through these activities, the children will also interact with each other. This, in turn, helps to promote social skills that the children may not otherwise develop extensively. Volunteers with relevant experience may be able to assist with physiotherapy and speech therapy sessions. Such interaction will be under the guidance of the local staff. Volunteers will usually take along toys and educational aids each day to the community centre project.

 

When participants arrive on this community development volunteer abroad program, they take over the room with their energy, stimulating and supporting children. The project is very hands-on. Volunteers will have important roles in teaching English and feeding, as well as assisting in activities that focus on motor skills.

 

Although this volunteer work in India can be challenging, feedback from participants suggests the project is one of the most rewarding volunteer opportunities. The bonds international volunteers build with the children at the project are unique and special to each participant. As funding and volunteer support increases, we can continue to maximise our support to communities and the centre.

 

Your Volunteer Role & Typical Childcare Day

 

As a childcare volunteer in India, you will coordinate activities and provide care, attention and support for underprivileged children. The volunteer project runs for 3 hours each day, Monday to Friday. Typical volunteering abroad hours usually take place during morning time. However, this may vary depending on the needs of the project at the time.

 

The role of a childcare volunteer in India can vary. Some days, you may work hard to assist the children with homework or a school project. Other days, you may be responsible for arranging activities, games in the park or leading hygiene classes. Childcare volunteers in India must, therefore, be proactive in their role. This means that they must identify the needs of the children each day and coordinate activities accordingly. With any challenge will come reward, meaning that volunteers in India can expect to find their time both rewarding and fun!

 

If volunteering with disabled children in India, a large amount of patience, energy and enthusiasm is required. Each day will be different, and a strict structure cannot be expected. With each day will come with different activities, challenges and perhaps even a different set of students! As a volunteer with disabled children in India, tasks may include teaching basic English, introducing activities to promote fine motor skills, and assistance with both meal and assembly times.

 

As a volunteer overseas in India, you are welcome to join other projects for additional volunteer work. Alternatively, a childcare volunteer in India is welcome to use their free time to plan activities or explore Delhi and surrounding areas.

 

PMGY’s India volunteer program has its own private transport network that will transfer you to and from the projects every day. You with travel to and from project by either tuk-tuk or minivan. This service is included in your Program Fee.

 
 

INDIA ENGLISH TEACHING VOLUNTEERS

As a volunteer teaching English in India, you will encourage students to develop skills, helping to achieve future goals. Conversing with fluent, native English speakers greatly improves student’s language skills, essential for future employment. This project provides the perfect opportunity for India English teaching volunteers to put leadership skills into practice and make a profound positive impact within poor communities in India.

 

Background to the Teaching Program

 

India has made some rapid economic advancement in recent years. Despite this, around 28% of the Indian population lives below the poverty line. The disparity of wealth in India is plain to see. It can be shocking to witness the extreme differences in living conditions. However, unfortunately, the slums are a regrettable fact of life in India.

 

Indian culture places a major emphasis on education, but unfortunately, the education system in India is still a work in progress. For one thing, class sizes go far beyond suitable capacities. Additionally, schools are highly understaffed. PMGY, therefore, supports two schools located within Faridabad’s largest slum community. Our team provides free education, school supplies and uniforms to local children. This aims to encourage parents to let their children go to school. Without this, they may be forced to wander the streets, begging and collecting rubbish to earn money.

 

The children at the schools range from 3-16. The schools we support are located within the slum areas, making facilities are extremely basic with cramped conditions. However, you will find the spirit of the children and their passion to learn a real joy to behold. On this volunteer teaching English abroad program, participants provide invaluable support to the limited local staff. In particular, the presence of a fluent English speaker brings a major boost to the children’s educational development.

 

When there are a higher number of volunteers teaching English in India, we may also be able to support more slum communities or disadvantaged areas with English classes. Consequently, as a volunteer organisation, this helps us to further community development.

 

Teaching Volunteer Placement Examples

 

Eco Slum School – Based in the heart of Faridabad’s largest local slum community, this is our main English language teaching volunteer project. The children are aged between 3-15, although the average age is between 7-10. The school was set up by our team in 2010. The aim is to provide children from underprivileged backgrounds the opportunity to receive free basic primary education.

 

Volunteers teaching English in India are encouraged to teach English, as well as some Maths. However, volunteers teaching English in India are welcome to discuss other ideas with their project coordinator. In addition to teaching, participants are expected to carry out the assembly daily, which consist largely of nursery rhymes and dancing. The majority of volunteers teaching English in India will spend their time working with this school. However, this cannot always be guaranteed.

 

Eco-School is also the hub for several other initiatives within the slum community. Here, our local team have also set up medical clinics and a women’s empowerment program, with the aim to increase opportunities and the provision of health care within the community. Participants teaching English in India may have the opportunity to engage in or learn about these projects during their time on the India volunteer program.

 

Nehru School – The Nehru School is a high school, based in a neighbouring local community to that of the Eco-School. Unlike the Eco Slum School, students here are required to pay a fee to receive an education. Several students who have previously attended the Eco-School have received sponsorship to attend here. In 2019 alone, 15 children have been sponsored to receive education at Nehru School. This funding has largely been generated by participants.

 

This is an additional project which some teaching volunteers choose to support, and here lessons can be operated more formally. The children are a little older here and usually aged between 10-12 years of age. Participants are actively encouraged to lead lessons and teach more advanced English and Maths to the students. There may also be the opportunity for participants to get involved in other areas such as assemblies, sports and drawing/painting.

 

Your Volunteer Role & Typical Teaching Day

 

As a volunteer overseas teaching in India, you will teach English and Maths lessons to one or more classes in an underprivileged school. India English teaching participants are also welcome to lead other subjects such as Science and Geography.

 

If you’ve never taught before then there is no need to worry! To be successful in teaching English in India, you just need to be energetic, creative, patient and proactive. Should participants require it, our local coordinators can guide you as to how to prepare lessons and what to teach. However, participants are required to be proactive in establishing the levels and educational needs of the class.

 

The volunteer project runs in the mornings for between 3-4 hours, Monday to Friday. Typical hours at the volunteer program are between 9am-12:30pm. However, this may vary depending on the needs of the school at the time. We highly recommend that participants use time outside of the project to prepare lessons in advance. If you are new to teaching, your confidence will grow massively once you have taught a couple of classes! Additionally, the more time spent planning, the easier classes will be to run.

 

You will usually spend your first few days working with children alongside a local teacher or another participant. After this, due to staff shortages, it is appreciated if participants can lead their own classes. If you are uncomfortable teaching independently, we will do our best to ensure you work alongside a local teacher or peer.

 

PMGY’s India volunteer program has its own private transport network that will transfer you to and from the projects every day. You will travel to and from the project by either tuk-tuk or minivan. This service is included in your Program Fee.

 
 

INDIA MEDICAL VOLUNTEERS

As a medical volunteer in India with PMGY, you will have a fantastic opportunity to gain first-hand experience and insight into Indian health care. Medical volunteers in India work with highly trained local staff. This gives individuals exposure and tuition that you are unlikely to obtain in your own country. If you are thinking of a career in healthcare or studying a health-related subject, joining PMGY’s India medical programs will offer you essential first-hand experience that will assist in your career development.

 

Background to the Medical Program

 

Despite advances in India’s healthcare system, the majority of the population still experience poor health. This is largely due to a lack of awareness of health issues. Additionally, many Indians simply cannot afford regular, if any, medical treatment. The projects we support therefore offer free, or highly subsidised, healthcare to local people from slum and rural communities.

 

Our main project for India medical volunteers focuses on supporting medical camps within slum communities. In these areas, there is a prominent lack of health education and access to medical help. To contribute to improving this, we have established our own primary healthcare clinic, running all year round in the heart of the core slum community we support. Additionally, our team establish pop-up clinics across some of the local area’s poorest communities. This helps to ensure our team and international volunteers are able to make the biggest impact possible.

 

As a medical volunteer abroad, you will have the opportunity to experience a variety of different medical facilities. This can range from shadowing in surgeries to sitting in on GP consultations. We offer medical placements for people of all backgrounds. Therefore if you’re a school leaver looking for work experience to boost your university application we can accommodate you. Alternatively, if you’re a nursing/medical student organising an overseas elective placement, we also have you covered.

 

Medical Volunteer Placement Examples

 

Eco-School Slum Clinic – The healthcare clinics we run really are the core of the medical volunteer project in India. Our main clinic is based in our Eco Slum School. The centre acts as the main point of health access for the local community. This is particularly important since individuals here may not otherwise have access to any other form of healthcare. Our medical staff can see anywhere from 40-100 patients daily. There are two clinics where doctors undergo consultancies – one general and one gynaecology. There is also a lab.

 

The gynaecology clinic is a newer development, with hopes of further expansion in the future. This clinic provides women from the local community with education about female health. We have also developed our own lab at the program. Here, the lab technician carries a variety of health checks. This often includes testing urine glucose levels, blood type and for pregnancy. Since the clinics are located within the slum school, medical volunteers in India will also have the opportunity to engage with the local children. Individuals can even try teaching English!

 

Whilst it cannot be guaranteed, a medical volunteer in India may be assigned some very basic hands-on involvement. This may include taking blood pressure, blood sugars and dressing minor wounds. This is all undertaken under the supervision of the staff you will be attached to during your time. The local staff are extremely welcoming and very keen for participants to learn. Although the patient interactions will be in Hindi, the doctors speak English and will explain everything to you in English.

 

Slum Outreach Health Campaigns – PMGY periodically run free medical camps across other poor communities in Faridabad. The slums we work in at any point in time are dictated by the communities that have the greatest need. Additionally, during the summer months, we receive higher numbers of participants. This often allows us to run these outreach campaigns as an extension of the Eco-School Slum Clinic operation. These campaigns are designed to offer primary healthcare and medical check-ups to members of local slum communities.

 

We hire a local doctor to lead the campaigns and supervise participants. Our team also supply the relevant medical supplies and equipment needed. An interpreter is also recruited to help PMGY India medical participants overcome the language barrier when interacting with patients.

 

We welcome medical volunteers of all backgrounds to join this initiative. Participants often have the chance to learn basic skills. This might include taking blood pressures, checking blood sugars and assisting doctors in seeing the patients. You will also get the chance to see and learn about interesting clinical signs and syndromes typically found in slum communities. Participants receive ongoing training and mentoring from the local doctor, enabling each participant to get as involved as possible. The range of health conditions encountered in the slums is vast. Although many patients only have simple problems, there are many that would benefit immensely from specialist input.

 

Shadowing in a Hospital Setting – We have a number of hospitals within our network. Generally speaking, participants will have the opportunity to shadow within hospital departments. Here, individuals may be able to carry out basic health checks on patients during doctor’s rounds.

 

Medical volunteers in India can also witness surgeries. However, these are on an ad-hoc basis. You will, therefore, be notified a day in advance or even on the day, once the surgeries have been confirmed. Naturally, we cannot guarantee those specific surgeries will take place. In any case, it can be a real eye-opening experience to see the difference between hospitals in India compared to those at home.

 

GP Clinic – Here, participants have the opportunity to work alongside a local doctor. Medical volunteers will assist in carrying out basic health checks on members of the local community in a bustling street market. Usually, the doctor sees up to 100 patients daily. The clinic can run in both morning and late evening time, usually around 2-3 hours each session. This may allow for basic hands-on involvement if participants choose to undertake such an opportunity.

 

Your Volunteer Role & Typical Work Day

 

As a volunteer in India, most participants in the medical program will have the chance to experience a number of different facilities. On a volunteer trip to India, our main placement base will be within the health campaign programs that we operate in the slum communities. India medical volunteers can expect to work 3-5 hours in the morning. This will usually be from 9:30am-1pm. Surgeries may be available for observation at any time of the day. Afternoons may be used to engage in hospital placements, the India childcare program or explore Delhi.

 

It is advised, where possible, that participants spend a minimum of three days on a specific placement. Doing this allows relationships with the staff to be made, often leading to increased exposure and responsibility. However, this will ultimately be dependent on the level/qualifications of participants.

 

PMGY’s India volunteer program has its own private transport network that will transfer you to and from the projects every day. You will travel to and from the project by either tuk-tuk or minivan. This service is included in your Program Fee.

Flights

 

After confirming your place on a PMGY volunteer program, we strongly advise that you book your flights as early as possible. This is since it will help ensure that you get the lowest airfare. You can choose to book your flights independently or we can help you with arranging them. PMGY has a wealth of experience in travelling to and from our host countries. Therefore, we know the most affordable ways to travel and the best airlines to use. Therefore, if you would like any assistance booking your flight, you can request an optional flight quote during your online application. Alternatively, feel free to contact us on the phone or by email.

 

For your volunteer trip to India, you should book your flights to Indira Gandhi International Airport for your Sunday start date. The airport code is DEL. Participants travelling to India can arrive at any time on their designated Sunday program start date.

 

Travel Insurance

 

Importantly, having an appropriate travel insurance policy during your time abroad is essential. Therefore, it is mandatory for all of our international volunteers to be appropriately covered across all of their trip dates. This includes your travel to and from the host country, as well as any onward travel. Although PMGY does everything to ensure your trip is safe, inevitably things can go wrong. Therefore, having a travel insurance policy in place helps you effectively deal with any problems you may encounter during your time away.

 

We have partnered up with the insurance company battleface to create an affordable and comprehensive optional policy. This has been designed with our international volunteers in mind, to cover our participants for all of their travel essentials. The policy is available to anyone across the globe, up to the age of 65 years. The document will cover you for your time on any PMGY destination and any onward travel (excluding the US and Canada). You can purchase PMGY Travel Insurance during your online application or you can contact us directly to arrange it.

Our International Team will work hard to provide extensive levels of support in the build-up to your trip. From our online chat service to email support and telephone conversations, our team are always ready to help. All international volunteers with PMGY will receive a Volunteer Handbook. This detailed hand guide will provide you with all you need to know in the build-up to your trip. From visa guidance to suggested packing lists, this will be the ultimate guide, helping you plan for your volunteer trip abroad.

 

We have Facebook groups for each of our destinations. Here you can find members of our international and local teams, as well as past, present and future participants. These pages, therefore, provide a great forum for participants to network, share experiences and community updates year-on-year.

 

Sometimes it can be difficult to picture yourself abroad without yet being there. We, therefore, do our best to further manage expectations before you arrive through a variety of informative and action-packed videos on our PMGY Vimeo channel. These clips help provide you with a visual perspective of what you can expect during your time volunteering with us. Our webinars are not to be missed either. Running on selected Tuesdays, at 4pm UK time, our International Team provides invaluable advice for your upcoming trip. Each webinar covers something different. Our pre-departure webinar covers all of the essentials you need to know and do before joining us abroad. Our program preparation webinar is more project-specific, with advice and information for the time you will spend on placement. Finally, our safety webinar offers you some top tips on how to manage your safety and wellbeing across the pond. For those who are simply interested in learning more about PMGY, our team also run an introductory webinar. This provides an introduction to the volunteer organisation, our background, goals and volunteer opportunities overseas.

 

Teaching and childcare participants may wish to take their program preparation even further, through a 60 hour online TEFL course. This is the perfect introductory course for working with children and teaching English abroad. Participation in this course enables international participants to acquire key skills whilst working towards an internationally accredited certificate.

Our volunteer projects are based in Faridabad, located in the New Delhi region of North India. It is around 1 hour away from Delhi Airport. New Delhi is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. Old Delhi and New Delhi show signs of past and present. Not only does Delhi contain historical gems, but it has all the modern amenities one could desire in a modern city.

 

Volunteers will stay in the city of Faridabad, located in the National Capital Region (NCR) of New Delhi. The city is close enough to absorb the influence of New Delhi. On the contrary, it is also far enough away to offer a quieter setting. Together, these factors mean that Faridabad is a comfortable location to live and work. There are some interesting temples and local parks in Faridabad for you to visit, as well as markets and shopping malls. There are also a handful of cinemas for you to catch a Bollywood flick, should you fancy!

 

Our volunteer opportunities in India run from 2-24 weeks, beginning on the first and third Sunday of each month. Our India Intro and India Gap Year Experience programs run for 2 weeks and 4 weeks respectively, and start on specific start dates across the year.

PMGY’s volunteer opportunities in India programs are run by our dedicated and experienced in-country local teams.

 

All staff have been fully vetted by our International Team. The committed local community network provides the structure for your stay with us as a volunteer in India. Our local team will arrange your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, in-country orientation and 24/7 emergency support. Whether you are teaching English in schools or working in medical slum clinics, our local team will support you. Our team provides a great framework for you to enjoy a unique volunteering experience with us in India.

Your orientation for your volunteer program in India will begin on Monday. After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, we will begin the orientation day. The day will kick-off with the theoretical aspects. During this, our team will cover everything from health and safety, language, money matters, cultural differences, rules and regulations. This part of the orientation usually lasts between 1 and 2 hours in the morning.

 

Following this, you will have the opportunity to visit our main project base within the local slum community. Here, the team will outline the background behind the project and introduce you to the local staff. Our teaching and medical volunteer opportunities are based within this location. Then, following a hearty lunch back at the Volunteer House, the local team will help arrange SIM cards and money exchange for those who require assistance.

 

As a participant in India, you are strongly advised to purchase an Indian SIM at a cost of roughly 300 INR. This means that participants are required to have an unlocked phone. SIM-cards are very important, allowing volunteers in India to contact each other and the team. This is particularly vital in times of emergency. Mobile numbers with the local team must be exchanged upon arrival.

 

The group will then venture out to explore a local temple and visit the market. On an ad hoc basis, the local team may be able to arrange an afternoon tour around Delhi for a small cost. Other options may include: visiting a monkey temple (~ 500 INR), pottery lesson (~ 600 INR) and a culture class. These afternoon activities are voluntary and can also take place across the week. This means that the associated costs, including travel, are paid for by participants, dependent on participation. Please note that all activities are not guaranteed and are both weather and staff dependent. The evening is then free for participants to lesson plan, relax or arrange to go into Delhi if they so wish.

Please make sure you arrive into Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in New Delhi on Sunday.

 

Day 1 (Sunday) Arrival

 

Welcome to India! Volunteers in India will be met at Indira Gandhi International Airport by a member of our local team, or one of our appointed drivers, who will be holding a name sign.

 

As a volunteer in India, you will be taken straight to our Volunteer House, which is about 40 miles away. This can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours to get to depending on the traffic. The rest of the day is relatively informal, as we may have volunteers arriving throughout the day. This is the perfect opportunity to get some much-needed rest, get to know the rest of your group and become familiar with your accommodation.

 

Depending on arrival times, you may receive your orientation (outlined below) later on the Sunday to maximise time at the project from the Monday onwards.

 

Day 2 (Monday) Orientation

 

Your orientation as a volunteer in India will begin on Monday. After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, we will begin the orientation day. The day will kick-off with the theoretical aspects. During this, our team will cover everything from health and safety, language, money matters, cultural differences, rules and regulations. This part of the orientation usually lasts between 1 and 2 hours in the morning.

 

Following this, you will have the opportunity to visit our main project base within the local slum community. Here, the team will outline the background behind the project and introduce you to the local staff. Our teaching and medical opportunities are based within this location. Then, following a hearty lunch back at the Volunteer House, the local team will help arrange SIM cards and money exchange for those who require assistance.

 

As a volunteer in India, you are strongly advised to purchase an Indian SIM at a cost of roughly 300 INR. This means that participants are required to have an unlocked phone. SIM-cards are very important, allowing volunteers in India to contact each other and the team. This is particularly vital in times of emergency. Mobile numbers with the local team must be exchanged upon arrival.

 

The group will then venture out to explore a local temple and visit the market. On an ad hoc basis, the local team may be able to arrange an afternoon tour around Delhi for a small cost. Other options may include: visiting a monkey temple (~ 500 INR), pottery lesson (~ 600 INR) and a culture class. These afternoon activities are voluntary and can also take place across the week. This means that the associated costs, including travel, are paid for by participants, dependent on participation. Please note that all activities are not guaranteed and are both weather and staff dependent. The evening is then free for participants to lesson plan, relax or arrange to go into Delhi if they so wish.

 

Day 3-6 (Tuesday-Friday) Volunteering Begins

 

On Tuesday, you will start your volunteer placement. The first couple of days should be spent learning the ropes and getting to know the people at the project. As the week goes on you will find that your role develops as you begin to get more comfortable. You will also have regular interaction with our local coordinators. Whatever the problem, big or small, you’ll be fully supported throughout your time with PMGY.

 

On average, you will volunteer for around 3-5 hours per day. This will usually take place in the morning, however, this will ultimately be dependent on your project. You will also have the chance to discuss with your local coordinator about the possibility of getting involved in more than one project.

 

To help make your evenings more entertaining, our local team are always happy to arrange cultural activities if participants wish to join. These include a Bollywood dance class (~200 INR), cooking class (~300 INR and a Yoga class (~200 INR).

 

Day 6-7 (Saturday-Sunday) Weekend

 

After a week of volunteering, it is your time to explore the wonders of India. Whether you are looking for a relaxing weekend in the mountains, some adventure activities, or a more cultural experience – India has it all! As a participant in India, our team both welcomes and encourages participants to explore the country’s wonderful treasures. They will be very happy to help you plan your weekend opportunities and outline any travel tips.

 

There is not a huge amount to do in Faridabad itself, meaning that evenings during the weekdays tend to be quiet or volunteers use the time to head into Delhi. This means that you should take the opportunity to travel further afield at the weekend. Our local team are happy to help you arrange a trip to Dharamshala, as well as a Golden Triangle Trip.

 

The Following Weeks

 

Your next week(s) will follow a similar pattern, as you will be volunteering from Monday to Friday. Time will fly so make sure you make the most of it!

 

Our local team are there to support you throughout your stay. Whether you’ve lost your phone, want some advice for weekend travel plans or just need someone to talk to, they are there for you.

 

Last Day (Sunday)

 

Sunday is your last day with PMGY as a volunteer in India. If you are heading home, then we can help you arrange your return airport drop off. Please note that this is not included in your Program Fee.

If you have not travelled much before, it is really hard to know what to expect. When anticipating their time overseas, many international volunteers (and their loved ones) are often concerned about safety and security. Although we can never guarantee experiences to be 100% trouble-free, we have taken all necessary precautions to ensure our programs are as safe as possible. Every program that PMGY offers has been personally inspected and selected by a director of PMGY. We have lived in the accommodation, experienced the orientation and worked on the projects. Through our frequent visits and daily communications, we have built strong, trusting relationships with our local staff.

 

In the unlikely event that something was to happen, participants have various layers of support available to them:

 

• Volunteer in India Local Team
• Project Staff
• PMGY International Team

 

Projects are monitored on an on-going basis to gauge participants’ experiences. With the help of feedback, we are able to continually improve our placements and opportunities. Security and safety are frequently assessed as part of this. We ask our participants to raise any concerns with our local or International Team. This ensures that these can be addressed and/or resolved as readily and appropriately as possible.

 

Through pre-departure and in-country guidance, we do our best to prepare our international participants for their time in India. All participants are provided with a comprehensive safety briefing during their orientation period. Our local teams will go through everything from project introductions, to emergency procedures, how to use local transport and cultural differences. During this period, our team also provide participants with a full list of the important contact numbers.

 

Listed below are some general safety tips:

 

• Be modest with the amount of jewellery worn in public
• Do not drink tap water
• Be cautious of beggars or crowds. Incidents can occur when is confusion to distract you.
• Be cautious about removing money in public
• Always try to know where you are going before you attempt long journeys. Be especially careful at night
• Use reputable transport only. Our local staff will be able to recommend some during orientation
• Try to keep in groups at night and never walk alone along dark, empty streets
• The recognised tourist areas can be considered potentially high-risk areas for pickpockets and thieves
• Leave your valuables behind before a night out in the town
• For traffic safety, always keep looking to the left and right and walk slowly when crossing the road
• Do not accept drinks or food from strangers

India has a tropical climate. The temperature is generally warm with temperatures between 21-35-degrees Celsius throughout the year. There are two rainy seasons: March-July and September-October. These rainy seasons are separated by a short cool dry season in August. There is also a relatively long dry season from mid-October-March.

 

The most moderate weather comes during December-February when it is dry and relatively cool. Volunteers in India during this time are advised to pack some warmer items of clothing. The worst of the rain comes between April and June. However, when the rains do come, it’s usually in short, sharp bursts which quickly clear-up. This means that you shouldn’t let the rainy season put you off joining our programs in India!

ACCOMMODATION

• WI-FI YES (FREE)
• PEOPLE PER ROOMUP TO 7
• SINGLE SEX ROOMSYES
• WESTERN BATHROOM FACILITIESYES
• AIRPORT TRANSFER1 HOUR
• NEAREST ATM & SHOPS10 MINUTE WALK

• BREAKFAST CEREAL, MILK, BREAD, JAMS, FRUIT, JUICE
• LUNCHMIXED RICE, VEGETABLES, CURRIES, CHAPATI, OMELETTE
• DINNERPASTA, NOODLES, SAMOSAS, SOUP

Transport to and from your project is included in your Program Fee. PMGY has its own private transport network that will transfer you to and from the projects every day. If not within walking distance, you will travel to and from the project by either tuk-tuk or minivan.

PMGY welcome participants of all nationalities and backgrounds. The minimum age to join the program is 17 and there is no upper age limit. All participants need to have a good level of English, although it does not need to be your first language. You do not need to speak Hindi. However, you will find that learning a few words in your days with us in India will go a long way!

 

All participants must be able to provide a clean criminal background check in advance of volunteering with us abroad. In general, no formal experience or qualifications are required for the projects, just lots of energy, enthusiasm and preparation!

 

In order to confirm your place on a PMGY program, you need to pay your Registration Fee of 249 USD. The remaining fee is then due no less than 60 days prior to your program start date. During this period if you need to make a change to your trip (destination, program or date) then this can be facilitated free of charge.

 

Please check out our Application Process for more info on how to join our volunteer projects overseas.