Trip Details

A fulfilling way to spend time volunteering in India to improve the lives and futures of people in the local communities of Goa. The project’s main aim is to provide a good education and basic knowledge of health and healthcare to the local people improving their present and future lives. The design of the project incorporates basic informal education, life skills training, arts and crafts activities, and the teaching of subjects such as mathematics, science, geography and also English. Additionally, it raises children’s awareness of environmental issues, basic hygiene methods, and behaviour skills.

Essentially, the project is split into three clear sections. As a participant at the project you will be involved in the Women’s Shelter Project,Women Empowerment Project and Home for the Aged.

Please see the project details in the itinerary section.

Aims & Objectives
The objective of the project is to help those who are in need in ways we can, to inspire and to care. We inspire and empower the women in need and we care for the elderly.

 

 

 

Trip Itinerary

WOMEN’S SHELTER PROJECT
Who the Project serves:
Women are strong pillars in families but due to circumstances or situations sometimes they are abandoned, are caught in petty crimes, premarital pregnancy, domestic violence where they get stressed and become mentally unstable. Women or girls who have experienced such situations in their lives are sheltered in this home, which tries to empower them to be independent.

This project cares for women and young girls from broken families. There are 10 children and 20 women on an average age between 4 to 30 years old. You will teach the girls English in fun and interesting ways. You will also play games to provide both physical exercise and relaxation as some of them have become demoralised and really relish spending time engaged in activities. The cultural exchange and interaction provide the girls/women with much-needed confidence and exposure.

Working Days and Hours: Monday – Friday (9:00 – 12:00)
Project Purpose:

  • To empower the women or girls back on their feet
  • To spread awareness about different issues.
  • To educate women in vocational training.
  • To give the women a sense of relief.
  • To teach them English.
  • To provide physical exercise.

Participant Skills Required

  • Patience
  • You must adapt to their culture while you are with them.
  • You must be organised
  • You should find out new methods of teaching for the children.
  • You should be an active person.
  • You should be able to work as a Team and be cooperative with the local coordinator and other participants

Project Activities
Play games to provide both physical exercise and relaxation as some of them have become demoralised and really relish spending time engaged in activities

  • Teach Art and craft
  • Vocational training
  • Talking and interacting to the women

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT PROJECT
Who the Project serves:
We have recently started the “Women Empowerment Program”. The objective of this program is to make the women help themselves, to stand on their own feet and also to support their families. This program also empowers women in various ways such as financially (beginning), mentally and physically. The targeted women are from financially low background families residing in Aldona village, most of them were housewives and some were from farming communities who work in large agricultural farms during the harvesting season. We aim at teaching them skills (vocational training) so that they can be financially stable.

This project started by making simple commercial items such as candles. We provide the women group with space, machinery and raw materials at our Outreach Centre. The women participate actively along with our participants who help them and also give innovative ideas and have started making candles and now with much training and practice, they now can prepare candles of different shapes, colours, and scented candles to trade.

Working Days and Hours: Working every Monday to Friday 10:00 to 12:00
Project Purpose:

  • To improve the quality of life of the women and their families
  • To give training material for women.
  • To inspire them
  • To provide vocational training. Throughout the year there are various courses being conducted such as baking course, honey harvesting, tailoring, computer skills

HOME FOR THE AGED (Elderly Care)

Who the Project serves:

With modernisation, people are at a race for achievements, which puts the concept of the nuclear family only in focus. The concept of the extended family is diminishing. When the grown children in the family are pursuing their dream job and leave their family behind, there is no one to take care or look after the parents. Then they are placed in an Elders care home.

Our participants visit the old aged home and make them feel less lonely. They spend time with them talking, playing games, colouring and doing exercises with them. Just a visit from us makes them smile again as they have someone to spend some time with them. Someone to listen or talk to is all that they need sometimes.

Working Hours of the organisation: Monday to Friday 09.30 to 1200
Project Purpose:

  • To be a part of their happiness and sadness.
  • To engage them in different activities.
  • To play games and entertain
  • To care for residents
  • Be that ear to listen
  • Read to them and interact

Trip Accommodation

Consistently ranked among India’s top tourist destinations, Goa is the ideal place for first time travellers and adventurers alike to acclimatise to a different culture. From caves behind waterfalls to villages hidden in sandy coconut forests, there is always something more waiting to be rediscovered. The mountain ranges and spice plantations enhance the beauty of this glorious state. Apart from its natural beauty, this former capital of Portuguese India and home to various UNESCO World Heritage sites has a lot to offer in terms of architecture with churches, cathedrals and forts abounding. Put together, it is all of these aspects and more that make Goa the ultimate travel destination.

Accommodation & Food

You will be based at our volunteer house, The accommodation is standard with rooms being shared on a single gender basis, 4-6 people per room. You may also opt for a private room, this is subject to availability and at an additional cost. The house has a is a mini library, a dining room, a lounge area where you can hang out with fellow participants and a beautiful garden to relax.

Food Arrangements
The meals are a mix of Western and Indian food, consisting mainly of vegetarian dishes including rice and vegetables. You can expect to have a chicken dish about twice per week. You can also use the kitchen facilities to cook for yourself or eat out at any of the local restaurants.There is a refrigerator which you are welcome to use to store food and beverages.

Facilities
ATMs: There are ATM’s around our centers. The closest one to our residence is about a 15 minute walk from the house.

Shop: The closest local supermarket is a 15 minute walk from the centre.

Sights & Surroundings
Goa has a very long coastline with an almost unbroken sand cover. So, if you’ve come looking for sun, sand and sea without the crowds and the fuss you’ll be pleased to discover these beaches tucked away in quiet recesses where you can go to truly escape the world. Here is our list of secluded beaches to try during your Goa weekend getaways. You might have to take your own food and water as there are no eateries or accommodation near some of them. And though some of them may seem out of their way, you’ll be glad for the peace and quiet when you get there.

  • Butterfly Beach
  • Kakolem Beach
  • Galjibag Beach
  • Hollant Beach
  • Betul Beach
  • Arambol Beach
  • Agonda Beach
  • Cola Beach
  • Velsao Beach
  • Sinquerim Beach
  • Siridao Beach

Goa has a pleasant climate all around the year. Monsoon season is from June to September which is the rainy season for Goa. Goa gets an average rainfall of 330 cm annually which is about 90% of its annual rainfall. This season also happens to be the favourite of the travellers coming to Goa with its various celebrations happening. And from October to March it gets a very pleasant climate with clear skies and nights being busy with the festivals and sky full of fireworks. Summer starts in April and the long sandy beaches and the sunshine are so welcoming.

Trip Country Info

India

Capital: New Delhi
Language: Hindi, English and 22 other officially recognized languages
Currency: Indian Rupee (INR)
Time zone: UTC +5:30

India is known for its pyramid-like temples, its colorful streets and it’s crowded cities. This country represents one of the most vivid and the largest cultures in the world. From the golden triangle of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra to the coast where Ayurveda medicine was born, India offers a 360 degree journey through the most magical of lands. Known for being the second most populated country in the world, India will show you the faces of thousands of Hindu gods in its very vast collection of temples all throughout the country. The land of colors and smiles is ready to take you on your next adventure whether road tripping or helping out in local communities, this sub-continent will amaze your senses. India will shift the way you see the world.

India’s literacy rate is around 60% for women and 80% for men. The principal language is Hindi and English is also commonly used in all major cities. New Delhi, the capital of India, is what many would call the real deal when travelling through the country. It is one of the biggest and most populated cities in the whole world with up to 25 million citizens. New Delhi is known for its amazing cuisine and its new modality of “street food”, which means restaurants with every specialty you can imagine are available to you all throughout the city! Chennai is another of the biggest cities in India, known as the “Detroit of India” for its automobile industry. If you are looking for a quieter spot Kerala is the centre of lifestyle, art, architecture, language and literature in all of the country!

Gap year programs to India are enjoyed in a country with wonderful history that dates back several thousand years. In particular, one of the most incredible historical points of India is how four separate world religions originated here – Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Buddhism. Beyond this, however, India has only truly been independent as a nation since 1947, just a couple years after World War 2 concluded.

In that time, India has grown to be the eleventh largest economy in the world as well as the second most populous nation, second only to China. This isn’t particularly surprising when you consider that India has been an economic powerhouse for trade routes in the past, but it is very impressive to consider that India has almost reached the status of superpower over the course of 66 years.

The geography of India has been a target for nature lovers for many years but is finally becoming an easy place to visit and explore for foreign tourists. With the Himalayas to the north, the desert in the centre and the luxurious beaches to the west, India has a type of climate that suits the desires of just about anyone. Even if you have a soft spot for snow, you can easily embrace that love by visiting some of the northern mountains which are nearly always capped in snow and ice!

With thousands of years of history and an incredibly diverse climate, India is not a place you can simply read about and understand. You have to visit and immerse yourself within the various Indian cultures before you get an idea of just how amazing India really is. So what are you waiting for? Get in touch now to find out more about our amazing gap year volunteer programs and holidays in India or browse the latest experiences below.

Please Note TRU are not currently able to accept any volunteers in India due to the current Covid-19 pandemic. We will be sure to update you when it is safe to travel and restrictions ease in India.

Participant Criteria & Requirements

Standard Requirements

No requirements have been provided.

Additional Requirements

No requirements have been provided.

What's included

  • 24/7 support in case of emergencies
  • Accommodation
  • Airport Pick up
  • English speaking coordinator
  • Meals
  • Orientation

What's not included

  • Airport drop off
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Vaccination
  • Visa