Education & Empowerment for vulnerable children

location
4 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 17 - 50+

rating  Fantastic 4.5  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Good response rate

Highlights

  • Pick up & drop off from Dharamsala airport by an iSpiice staff member.
  • iSpiice Volunteer programs are accessible to everyone who wants to make a difference, through low fees and high-impact projects. Contribute your ideas and share your expertise.
  • Teach & create a vibrant and playful environment through interactive games, rhyme, fun activities etc. Volunteers are required to give special attention, care and love to children.
  • Make a positive, long-term impact on a local community that greatly needs your assistance & meet like-minded people from around the globe and build lifetime friendships.
  • Decorate the day-care centers with colors, papers and crafts to make it look more beautiful.


Especially good for

Age 17+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+
Wheel Chairs

About the program

Educate & empower vulnerable children through various programs and initiatives. Volunteers work to support Children, provide love & care.

The attention and love given in the early years of a child’s life, directly impacts the health and happiness of the child. Help us assisting in the care of Dharamsala’s children and encourage brighter smiles and futures. Make learning exciting and fun for them from a young age and build ...

About the program

The attention and love given in the early years of a child’s life, directly impacts the health and happiness of the child. Help us assisting in the care of Dharamsala’s children and encourage brighter smiles and futures. Make learning exciting and fun for them from a young age and build inquisitive minds and a thirst for knowledge that will last a lifetime.

Child Care volunteers work in village day care centers alongside local staff. Assist staff in providing a safe environment for preschool children to play and learn. Set up games, sing songs and develop arts activities to enhance social skills and creativity.

Make each day fun and whether you’re teaching ABC’s, nursery rhymes or numbers create a colorful and positive learning environment. Just as energies are running low from a morning of play assist staff in serving nutritious meals to refuel the children, and then, let the fun recommence!

Volunteer Role & Responsibilities:

  1. Teach English alphabets and Organizing fun activities.
  2. Volunteers are required to give special attention, care and love to children.
  3. Teach and create a vibrant and playful environment through interactive games, poems, fun activities etc.
  4. Encourage more children to come and join the centers.
  5. Cultural activity with kids.
  6. Volunteers can teach music, dancing, clay toys etc.
  7. Become a volunteer and inspire kids in India.
  8. Help us to provide them food, education and many activities which a child needs for his growth.
  9. Make a vital contribution to the education system in India and make a real difference in the lives of children.
  10. Teaching children good hygiene and life skills.



Typical day

Volunteers typically work from Monday to Friday for a total of four to five hours per day, on two different placements.Volunteers work two hours in the morning at one placement and two hours after lunch at another placement. You will have time for taking breaks in between for lunch, chai and ...

Typical day

Volunteers typically work from Monday to Friday for a total of four to five hours per day, on two different placements.Volunteers work two hours in the morning at one placement and two hours after lunch at another placement. You will have time for taking breaks in between for lunch, chai and lesson preparation at the iSpiice volunteer house.

DAILY SCHEDULE

During the week your days at iSpiice will for the most parts, follow this schedule


  • 08:00 AM – Breakfast at volunteer house.
  • 09:30 AM – Prepare for volunteer class.
  • 10:00 AM – Travel to work areas.
  • 10:30 AM – Volunteer work.
  • 12:30 PM – Return to volunteer house.
  • 01:00 PM – Lunch.
  • 02:00 PM – Travel to afternoon work area.
  • 04:30 PM – Work at the placement usually ends. Volunteers are free to travel back to volunteer house or do some shopping.
  • 07:00 PM – Dinner.


Free-time activities

Weekends and evenings are at your disposal to explore the local area and pursue personal hobbies. There are many activities to enjoy in the area such as yoga, meditation, temple visits and shopping. 

Program also offers below optional trips while doing volunteering.

  • Two days trip to Trekking in the ...

Free-time activities

Weekends and evenings are at your disposal to explore the local area and pursue personal hobbies. There are many activities to enjoy in the area such as yoga, meditation, temple visits and shopping. 

Program also offers below optional trips while doing volunteering.

  • Two days trip to Trekking in the Himalayas & visit the Mini -Tibet of India – McLeodGanj.
  • Two days trip to Amritsar, visit world famous the Golden Temple & wagha border ceremony. The Golden temple is famous for its full golden dome, it is one of the most sacred pilgrim spots for Sikhs, surrounded by pool of Nectar.
  • Visit the iconic Taj Mahal—India's most stunning homage to love. Agra is most known for containing one of the seven wonders of the modern world - the Taj Mahal. This finest example of Mughal architecture attracts thousands of tourists and visitors, who admire its magnificence and beauty. 
  • Visit the pink city and admire the beauty of Amber Fort, city palace, wind palace, water palace.
  • Sightseeing of Varanasi. On the tour, you will visit some top tourist attractions of Varanasi like River Ganges, Annapurna Temple, Vishwanath Temple, Sankat Mochan (Hanuman Temple), Bharat Mata Temple. 
  • Explore City palace in Udaipur. This majestic palace is the largest palace complex in India.
  • Explore Jodhpur Known as the Blue City, visit one of the most preserved and largest fort of India, Mehrangarh Fort.
  • Visit Chittorgarh Fort – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of bravery.


Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 17 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 17 years old on the program start date.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (intermediate level)

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

Volunteers should be patient, compassionate, committed and willing to learn and help.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

What's Included

What's Included

Services by iSpiice

  • Pick-up & drop-off from Dharamsala airport by an iSpiice team member.
  • Pre Departure Information Kit, which has all information regarding your program, work area information, things to bring, immunizations details and welcome details.
  • Program briefing on arrival at the iSpiice house.
  • Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner prepared freshly and hygienically by iSpiice’s talented Indian chef.
  • Filtered purified water.
  • Accommodation at the iSpiice volunteer house with wi-fi & electricity.
  • Separate male and female bedrooms and bathrooms (with hot water showers 24*7 and western toilets).
  • Daily private car transfers (to and from work placements) by iSpiice’s drivers.
  • Visit to the local tourist sights including Kangra Fort and Tea Gardens including tickets.
  • Material required for volunteer work such as teacher’s workbooks, pens, pencils, paper and children’s stories – you may wish to bring educational supplies from your home country.
  • Market visit on arrival.
  • Project placement & onsite supervision.
  • Certificate of service as a reference for your future volunteer programs.
  • Visa support and advice.
  • Friendship from the wonderful iSpiice team, fellow volunteers and the local community.
  • 24/7 assistance by in-country coordinator.
  • And most importantly – a donation to the community for educational supplies, basic food supplies, school renovation supplies and help iSpiice sponsor local children to get an education.
  • iSpiice cater to vegetarian and vegan diets. Please let us know in advance if you have any allergies to particular foods.

Airport Pickup at Gaggal Airport

There are generally three flights per day from Delhi to Dharamsala. You will need to book the flight at your own expense and inform us of your flight details.

Accommodation

→ Volunteer House is large, clean, comfortable and communal. We have western comforts (electricity, hot running showers, wi-fi, fans, filtered water for drinking and western toilets). You can expect to share a room with one to three other volunteers of the same gender. Volunteers enjoy the shared environment of the Volunteer House – large bedrooms (separate male and female), bathrooms, large living areas for enjoying meals, relaxing and preparing lessons.

As with most Indian homes, there is no washing machine at the iSpiice house. You will have to get used to the Indian way of washing your clothes by hand and drying.

Food & Beverages

Three delicious, hygienic and healthy meals are provided each day at the iSpiice Volunteer House. Generally main meals will consist of traditional Indian food like vegetables, rice, Dal (lentils), roti (Indian bread), salad, Paratha, Jam, Butter, eggs, Porridge, Bread, Tea (chai) and filtered water is provided in the volunteer house.

There are small shops nearby to buy soft drinks, snack food, washing powder and basic toiletries. iSpiice cater to vegetarian and vegan diets. Please let us know in advance if you have any allergies to particular foods.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Gaggal Airport (DHM) in Dharamsala. We assist you to find cheap flights to India. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for India provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in India you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for India. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

Our programs starts every Sunday. If you are flying to Dharamsala you can arrive any day of the week, we’re flexible. We have however found it’s easier for our volunteers and community if you arrive on the weekend and start work on a Monday.

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

4 weeks (min. stay) 944€
5 weeks 1,174€
6 weeks 1,405€
7 weeks 1,634€
8 weeks 1,864€
9 weeks 2,094€
12 weeks (max. stay) 2,784€
Average fees 234€/week

Program fees

234€ per week 4 - 12 weeks Age 17 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

4 - 12 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with iSpiice during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

iSpiice

Fantastic 4.5 rating (58 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 2010

Verified by Volunteer World

  Good response rate

Coordinated by

Varun

About the project

Join us to spend your gap year in the Himalayas or to combine amazing volunteer programs with travelling in India and visit stunning places like the Taj Mahal.

Meet your organization

iSpiice – Integrated Social Programs in Indian Child Education is set up to improve the lives of Indian families especially women and children in rural villages of India in Dharamsala.

iSpiice is a humanitarian organization supported by volunteers across the world that builds partnerships between international volunteers and Indian communities. iSpiice provides safe and affordable travel volunteer programs in India. Given the beauty, serenity and spiritual atmosphere of the area, his Holiness the Dalai Lama holds residency in Dharamsala. Our volunteers also appreciate the peacefulness of our location for their volunteer India Placement.

Join iSpiice and combine volunteer travel in India on a 2 day tour of the Taj Mahal, a two day guided Himalayan Trekking tour, a two day adventure tour in Manali and a two day tour of Punjab state visiting the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the Wagha border ceremony and the jallianwala Bagh gardens.

58 reviews · rating4.5

10 out of 10! I had an amazing time, more so than I expected. The staff were super friendly, super generous and made me feel comfortable at all times. I loved the kids, what you expect out of volunteering your time and so much more. You get a family with the iSpiice staff and amazing bonds with the ...
Volunteering for iSpiice was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. From the moment you step out of the airport everything is looked after and the staff at iSpiice make sure you are comfortable every step of the way. Volunteering with the kids and the community classes was an immensely ...
Travelling alone for the first time, it required a big leap of faith, a sprinkling of courage, and a lot of trust to hand myself over to something completely different and new, into the hands of people I had never met before, with the exception of a few emails. But never before has that leap of ...
Well, how do I put four weeks of enriching experience in a few lines? I would not deny the fact that it was a challenging experience (taking care of the children at the daycare centre and brainstorming ideas of what to teach the students at the high school) but it indeed helped me to see the world ...
I honestly am not able to fault iSpiice as a volunteer organisation, the staff worked extremely hard to ensure all my comforts were met and experiences were positive. The Indian women and children I worked with were absolutely beautiful, they were all so warm and welcoming and I feel in just two ...
Emily Kindelspire rating4.4

2017 at Education & Empowerment for vulnerable children

iSpiice allows volunteers to see a side of India that is often hidden by tour books and guides. It offers a glimpse inside the daily lives of Indians as you work side by side – teaching, playing and eating. My highlights were painting/renovating the Child Care Centres and playing with the local ...

Location

Asia > Southern Asia > India > Dharamsala

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