Boomers Abroad

Highlights

Community Issues Addressed by FSD in India
Gender discrimination continues to be an enormous problem within Indian society. Traditional patriarchal norms have relegated women to a secondary status within both the household and the workplace. This drastically affects womens health, financial status, education, and political involvement. Women commonly marry young, quickly become mothers, and are then burdened by stringent domestic and financial responsibilities. They are typically the last members of a household to eat and the last to receive medical attention, often-times causing them to be malnourished. Women also receive less schooling than men. On top of all this, they suffer from unfair and biased inheritance and divorce laws which prevent them from accumulating substantial financial assets. All of these issues combine to make it difficult for women to establish their own security and autonomy within Indian society.

In Rajasthan, several FSD partner NGOs have been instrumental in providing opportunities for women. These organizations build networks among women to create financial self-help groups. They introduce ideas about microfinance, allowing women to participate in management activities. Other local non-governmental organizations implement projects that export the skills of women abroad to generate significant income. Projects have enormous potential to improve the financial and social status of Rajasthani women. Organizing change at a local level and planning participatory action will help to eliminate bias and stereotypes, and generate awareness of the significant gender divide that exists in India.

Additional Programs are Available in: Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Peru, Uganda, and Kenya.

Program Work Addresses Issues in: Health, Community Development, Youth and Education, Micro-enterprise, and Environment and Conservation.

Degree Level

Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Minimum Education

High School

Intern Types

Languages

• English
• Hindi

Cost in US$:

Please visit our website for details

Cost Include Description:

Your contribution fee covers all program costs (excluding airfare) and is 100% tax deductible for U.S. residents. Included in the fee is: a one-week orientation; family homestay will all meals provided; language lessons (not available in Latin America); development trainings and workshops; group sessions; midterm retreat (9+ weeks only); final debriefing session; on-going in-country support from FSD site team and U.S. staff; USD 200 mini-grant; eligibility for additional project funding up to USD 500, medical evacuation and limited health insurance; and pick-up from the airport.

Credit Available

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

FSD supports participants who boldly wish to initiate the change they believe is necessary in the developing world. Interns are passionate about sharing their practical knowledge, heart-felt enthusiasm, and economic resources with communities abroad that suffer unnecessary hardship. They wish to gain hands-on, grassroots development experience because they believe change is most powerfully cultivated on a community level. The aim is to experientially learn how their work can empower the community toward applying sustainable development solutions, rather than increasing reliance on foreign aid. Participants choose FSD because the program structure enables them to design and implement their own sustainable projects in collaboration with their host organization. They are able to test their ideas and theories in the most direct way possible, giving them the experience and knowledge they seek. The flexibility of the host organizations allows for participants at all stages and levels of experience in international development to participate, thus opening the programs to a diverse group of capable applicants.

Age Range

18-75

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participant.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel to India

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Phone/Video Interview
• Resume
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 months

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network

Foundation for Sustainable Development's Mission Statement

Founded in 1995, the Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) supports the efforts of more than 300 grassroots, community-based partner organizations throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America. FSD's programs provide multi-faceted support that relies on active community participation to mobilize lasting solutions. FSD programs include:

• Capacity Building: Our professional field staff provides on-site training and networking opportunities to more than 300 community-based organizations worldwide.
  
  
• Training Programs Abroad: FSD provides comprehensive training and immersion programs for interns and volunteers who seek hands-on development experience.
  
  
• Grantmaking: Donations and grants given to FSD are used to support sustainable projects led by our partner organizations.
  
  
• Engaged Philanthropy: FSD Giving Circles organize groups of donors who pool their time, talent, and resources to make international grants to our partner organizations.

Year Founded

1995