Program Photos

Hugely Rewarding Care Project for Children with Learning and Physical Disabilities in India!

Location: India

Term: Throughout the year

Program Duration: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months (includes high school academic semester abroad), 7-12 months (includes high school academic year abroad), 1-2 years

Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks

Dates: Project runs throughout year. Flexible start and finish dates.

Travellers Worldwide

http://www.travellersworldwide.com

Suite 2A, Caravelle House 17/19 Goring Road Worthing, West Sussex BN12 4AP England

Call Us

Phone: 0044 (0)1903 502 595 / 0845 3 447 585

Fax: 0044 (0)1903 708179

Description

Crucial and life-changing volunteer project helping children with mental, physical or emotional disabilities that are in need of much love and attention. This unique and much needed project is based in the bustling temple town of Madurai in Southern India. This is a challenging yet totally rewarding project and it will be hard not to fall in love with all the beautiful children!!

Project Overview:
Travellers works with two different Centres in Madurai and you'll probably assist in both of these. Our main and biggest Centre has approximately 160 children ranging from babies to the age of 45. About 130 of these students are provided with residential care; the others are brought to the school each day by their parents. The children mainly suffer from Downs Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Microcephaly, Autism, Epilepsy, Deafness and some of the children are slow learners and dyslexic. The aim of the school is to help the children to study, build confidence and develop essential life skills.

In January 2008, the government helped to fund an Early Intervention Centre here for up to 50 children from babies to the age of 6. They have a development therapy unit, speech therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy units to cater for the children. The centre allows the parents to stay with their child during school hours to gain a greater understanding of how to care for their child.

The children are very talented and they enter many competitions, often taking home first prize. In November 2007, the Centre hosted a Talent Show and 20 other schools for mentally challenged children in the state of Tamil Nadu took part. The Centre walked off with first prize in the group dancing and solo contest along with fancy dress. No doubt the children will be practicing for a festival when you are here and it will be great fun for you to get involved!

The children at the school speak very little English so at times you may find communication hard, however they will be delighted to have you there and you will certainly be popular throughout the whole school.

We also work at a smaller centre that caters for around 20 children mainly with Downs Syndrome. Some of the children however are slow learners. Alongside academic work, the children learn crafts such as basket and mat weaving, clay work, garland making, embroidering, tailoring, cooking and gardening.

Work Content:
At the Centre you will probably be working in many different areas, so you should be flexible and adaptable. Some of the areas where you'll be able to assist include:

- Helping with arts and crafts
- Helping with their hand-eye co-ordination skills
- Taking part (or watching!) the daily yoga sessions which help the children with their flexibility
- Helping the children to sew and embroider
- Getting involved with music and dance classes
- Helping the children eat or go to the toilet
- Helping the older children in the garden
- Assisting in the physiotherapy department
- Playing with the children; every day at 3pm is playtime and the children all bundle outside for half and hour of fun! Be prepared to be in great demand at this time!!

At the smaller Centre, you will be assisting the teachers with developing the children's understanding of Maths and English but you will mainly concentrate on arts, craft and drama. The children have a games period each day consisting of throw-ball and basketball.

What You'll Gain from Doing this Project:
--> An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into beautiful India and it's fascinating culture.
--> The enormous satisfaction of helping disadvantaged children and knowing that you made a difference to them.
--> New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.
--> An entry on your CV or resume that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market
--> And best of all.. an unforgettable experience!

This project can also be combined with any of our other projects in India, such as Sports or Work Experience or Teaching, giving you a varied and broad experience of life in India.

What our users say...
"I'm going to state the obvious and tell you that I've had an absolutely amazing time, I don't want to leave. I've loved Anbagam, "Hello, how-are-you-fine!" and Faisel's Yorkshire 'Hallooo' made me feel right at home, Emo boy, cute boy, Jayne's boy, Nandri boy, downs boy, and all of them. I've loved shaking their sticky hands and made to feel really wanted! I've loved my evenings and weekends, freezing in the concrete tent in Kodaikanal, catching waves in Pondicherry, candle-lit chats. Loved it all! Isabelle Detscharner Vischer

Highlights

What to do next:
Most of our team are ex Travellers volunteers and are ideally qualified to offer advice and guidance because they know what you're looking for. They'll help you find your perfect project - and then make it all happen!

If you'd like more information about this or any of our projects, please email or call us!

If you'd like to apply for this project, please go to our website and complete the application form. As soon as we receive it, we'll liaise with you and then start making your travel adventure happen.

It's as easy as that.

Location and Accommodation:
All of our schools are set in and around the small town of Madurai - some of them in incredibly scenic areas. Accommodation will be in nearby host families and hostels.

Additional You Can Do Whilst on this Project:
Add to your travel experience in India by doing some additional exciting optional extra activities.
--> Yoga and Meditation Classes: Learn or improve your Yoga skills. Kick-start your days with Yoga followed by Meditation, it'll set you up for the day!
--> 2-Hour Basic Tamil Language Course (only GBP7): You'll learn some basic phrases to kick-start your placement
--> 4-Week Tamil Language Course: (GBP49) taken at the same time as doing your main project.

Lessons are by a retired Professor of Tamil. You'll appreciate the benefits of having some Tamil during your placement.. and the locals will love you for trying to speak their language.

Degree Level

Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Qualifications

People who want to make a real difference, who want first-hand experience of real Indian culture and who have initiative. You can also learn Tamil while you're there. No qualifications or previous experience are necessary, just a good dose of enthusiasm!

Intern Types
  • Admin (Health Services)
  • Anthropology
  • Comm. Sci & Disorders
  • Counseling
  • Development
  • Education
  • Family and Home Studies
  • Health Sciences
  • Kinesiology/Exercise Science
  • Liberal Arts
  • Occupational, Envir. Health
  • Social Work
Languages
  • English

Cost in US$:

Varies depending on length of stay. Starts at 1,270 for 2 weeks

Cost Include Description:

Full support from the moment of booking and throughout your placement to your return home. There are support staff 24/7 in all our destinations worldwide and a 24 hour emergency international telephone line direct to the Head Office. All meals are provided, unless otherwise stated. Accommodation is provided (whether a rented house, a hotel/hostel, homestay, apartment or flat).

You'll be met at the nearest airport on your arrival by our in-country manager who will take you to your accommodation and give you a full induction into the area. He/she will also be on call 24/7 and you'll see them frequently.

Pre-departure you'll receive comprehensive information about every aspect of your placement and necessary preparations, ranging from what to pack, to visa information, to what to do on your weekend travel in the country. Your safety, well being and happiness throughout your placement are our primary concerns and we will keep in touch with you throughout. International flights not included.

Credit Available

no

Volunteer Types
  • Anthropology
  • Childcare/children
  • Community Centers
  • Community Development
  • Community Health
  • Community Organizing
  • Counseling
  • Education
  • Handicapped
  • Health
  • Health Care
  • Health Education
  • Hospital
  • Housing
  • Medicine
  • Social Services, Social Work
  • Volunteering
  • Youth
  • Youth Development
Typical Volunteer
This placement would suit people who want to make a real difference, want first-hand experience of a different culture and who have initiative. No qualifications or previous experience are necessary, just a good dose of enthusiasm and a love of children! Everyone is welcome on a Travellers programme, whether gap year, undergraduate, on a career break - or even retired! From 17 years old upwards, and all nationalities.
Age Range
Our projects are open to those 17-70+!!!
This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African, Worldwide Participant. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements
  • Apartment/Flat
  • Dormitory
  • Group living
  • Home-stays

Application Process Involves
  • Online Application plus Application Assessment
  • Resume
  • Written Application
Typically The Application Process Time is
within 5 working days
Post Services Include
  • Exit Debriefing Abroad
  • Re-Entry Debriefing at Home
Travellers Worldwide's Mission Statement

Travellers Worldwide organises all types of worthwhile and beneficial voluntary placements in local communities. We also provide Work Experience & Internship opportunities, as well as different types of Courses and study abroad options. We have many diverse projects, from teaching underprivileged or refugee children in schools, orphanages and care homes, to conservation and rehabilitation of endangered animals, such as orangutans, lion cubs, dolphins, elephants. Our aim is to make a difference to the communities we work in and to facilitate personal and professional growth in our volunteers. We employ local people in our destination countries and local providers of goods and services, thus ensuring we have a positive impact on the community. Our ethos encompasses mutual respect, cultural exchange, responsible travel and a beneficial outcome for all. Travellers also arranges work experience placements in Journalism, Law, Veterinary, Medicine, Tourism, Architecture, and many more. There are also opportunities to learn languages and other skills such as Capoeira in Brazil, Tango in Argentina or Flying in South Africa. These projects are unique - and tailored to suit you! Our placements are flexible (2 weeks to 1 year) and on most you can choose your own start and finish dates. No qualifications are required, just an enthusiasm to experience a new culture! Full support is provided within the country, with friendly and conscientious staff, ensuring a safe and exciting way to experience a brand new culture! Placements are also very sociable: you'll make friends with the other international volunteers and often volunteers travel together after their placement and during their free weekends. We help you to Make a Difference and have an exciting adventure travel experience!

Year Founded

1995

GoAbroad.com