(Field Services and Inter-cultural Learning - India)

Transcription

1 FSL-India (Field Services and Inter-cultural Learning - India) Long-Term and Mid-Term Volunteering (LTV/MTV) Program Profile Program Year: January - December 2015 FSL-India Bangalore Head Office No. 453, 1 st Floor, 15 th Cross, Lakkasandra Wilson Garden, Bangalore Karnataka, India Website: Blog:

2 Long-Term and Mid-Term Volunteering (LTV/MTV) Program Program Year: January to December 2015 An Overview of FSL-India FSL-India, (Field Services and Inter-cultural Learning - India) is a youth development organisation focused towards Inter-cultural Learning through Voluntary Services. It is a non-political, non-profit making voluntary organisation. FSL-India was set up to promote global understanding by providing opportunities to the youth to work in different cultural contexts to appreciate Inter-cultural learning. Thereby, reducing boundaries and bringing people to work together in harmony by understanding the Inter-cultural aspects focusing towards development of people and society through youth mobility and volunteerism. FSL-India was founded in the year 2000 and legally incorporated in 2001 as a Trust under Indian Trust Act FSL-India was formed with the support of like-minded National and International Organizations with a primary purpose to bring about global transformation, progress and growth through youth exchange programs. FSL-India is headquartered in Bangalore, with regional offices in Karnataka (Bangalore, Mysore and Kundapur), Tamil Nadu (Chennai), and Pondicherry. FSL-India is well equipped with experienced associates who support developmental activities across the country with the help of Local and Regional Partners. Annually, FSL- India mobilizes movement of 1500 youth from across the globe with the support of International Partners and local NGOs. Network and Collaborations: By virtue of its affiliation, FSL- India is a member of Network for Voluntary Development in Asia (NVDA) and Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service (CCIVS-UNESCO). Besides, FSL-India collaborates and networks with Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organizations (Alliance) and Asia Europe Foundation (ASEF) on youth volunteering and development programs. FSL- India networks with likeminded organizations across the world to promote youth mobility and Inter-cultural learning. It acts as a support structure for youth and social organizations engaged in various development programs such as: 1) Asia - Europe Young Volunteers Exchange (AEYVE), 2) European Voluntary Service (EVS), 3) World Heritage Volunteers (WHV), and 4) Weltwaerts. FSL - India works in various fields in cooperation with Archaeological Survey of India, ministry of Women and Child Welfare, Ministry of Health, Education, Forest and Wildlife Departments and Local Self-governance Bodies. FSL- India has been implementing CSR projects, titled Happy Move Global Youth Volunteers and Dream Village Project in Tamil Nadu, South India. The project is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company (HMC), South Korea. Recently, FSL-India has also developed a partnership with Samsung Electronics, South Korea in implementing their CSR project in Tamil Nadu and Delhi. Apart from this FSL-India also undertakes self-funded Projects under Home Based Projects like the Sea Turtle Conservation, Environmental Education, Eco Tourism and Eco Clubs, Tent School for Migrant community.

3 Our Programs: LTV - Long Term Volunteering (more than 3 months) MTV - Mid Term Volunteering (up to 2 months) WC - Short Term Volunteering or Work Camps (WC) (Up to 3 weeks) OB Outbound Program HBP Home Base Projects. CSR Corporate Social Responsibility IGSTUDEX Indo-German High School Student Exchange Program YDP - Youth Development Program Areas of Interest: Youth Leadership and Experiential Learning: training programs for youth; social inclusion projects; social awareness and promotion of youth leadership; Society and Culture: Tibetan Culture, Ethnic Tribal Development, Promoting and Conserving Traditional Folk, Art and Culture Rural Development: Promotion of Model Village, formation of Self Help Groups, organise women and youth for microfinance/micro-enterprise development and livelihood promotion, skill development, and employment generation. Urban Development: Slum Development, Construction and Renovation work. Medical & Health Care: Health & Hygiene, HIV/AIDS, Disability, Medical Outreach Camps, Yoga and Ayurveda Environment and Conservation: Sea Turtle Conservation, Rain Water Harvesting, Agriculture, Environment Protection, Eco-Tourism, Eco-clubs, Heritage Conservation, Water and Sanitation, Environment Education Education: creative and interactive education, teaching of English language, developing teaching and learning aids, capacity development of teaching faculty, improve learning levels and cognitive skills of children. Women & Childcare Development: Orphanages, Women Empowerment, Street Children, and Tent School Project for children of migrant workers In addition, FSL-India also works on a range of self-initiated Home Base projects. We have been engaging youth to supplement national and global efforts for attainment of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Our Vision To promote world peace, mutual respect and inter-cultural exchange by facilitating international voluntarism among youth in the field of Natural Resource Management and Socio Economic Development of local community. Our Ideology We believe that the experience of living and working with people from varied cultural backgrounds creates understanding and respect, something that we should all work on and feel responsible for, in this world!

4 Volunteering is the heart of our work and activities. We initiate our programs together with local communities in building a more peaceful and self-content society. By placing volunteers throughout India and the world in various communities, we show interest in the work and lives of people, which in turn encourages them to take up their own initiatives and find local solutions to the problems. We also hope to make people more aware of the world in which they live and its unlimited possibilities. Through this endeavour, we help open the minds of local communities towards internationalism in an age of globalization. It further encourages exchange of individual experiences and points of view among all the participants involved. It also creates awareness and reflection on one s own culture. By providing opportunities to participate in our programs, FSL- India considers that volunteers will get access to Alternative Education which includes a number of approaches to learning process other than mainstream education. Alternative education with a blend of local and global perspectives would vary widely, often emphasizing the value of close relationships between international volunteers and local communities with adequate means for inter-cultural learning and exposure. This opportunity would also enhance the global competency of international volunteers as well as local youth, who are also expected to contribute substantially to bring the global dimension to local situations and place the local issues in the global scenario. Our Approach During the last 14 years, FSL-India has grown to become one of the largest volunteer hosting organizations in the country, organising various volunteer and development projects throughout India mainly through Short Term Work camps and Long Term Volunteer (LTV) placements. Most of the projects are carried out independently, and some are undertaken in cooperation with local NGOs. This is because local NGOs are aware of the development work that needs to be undertaken in an area. We support them in their efforts to address the issues and problems of the local community. Our support sometimes consists of financial support, but quite often our support goes in terms of placing volunteers from different countries to participate in the projects where they are interested to learn, share and are willing to work together for improvement and understanding. We are part of a worldwide network of like-minded organisations that strive to make a difference by encouraging youth on the values of service through our programs for the local communities. We send and receive young people from all across the globe, by giving an opportunity to everyone to make a difference in his/her own life and in the lives of others through the field of social work. Objectives of LTV/MTV Program: To promote international understanding and cultural exchange. To encourage voluntary service as a means to encourage peace, equality and mutual respect. To spark new ideas for socio-economic development for the rural youth. To stress importance on natural resource management. To support community development and bring an inter-cultural dimension to community projects. To help and conserve our nature. To bring global issues to local community. To create self awareness and personal development among youth in particular. To facilitate Global Education through Experiential Learning.

5 What is needed to be an LTV/MTV? We welcome anybody who is interested to participate in our voluntary programs regardless of age, sex, religious belief, ethnicity or sexual orientation. Most of our programs do not require any specific skills. But as the work is development and humanitarian in nature, we encourage volunteers to be: 1. Open Minded: It is essential to be open to new ideas, situations, morals, values and ways of doing things. Things may be different from what you are used to or your existing expectations. If you remain open minded then you will have new opportunities and new avenues. Broadening one s mind is a pre-requisite and the heart of intercultural exchange. 2. Flexible: Remaining flexible to ideas, people, situations and encounters are important. While working at development projects, you will be dealing with people and different working culture. Taking a flexible approach is often the best way to deal with such situations. 3. Creative: Innovating and adopting a creative approach to your volunteer placement and work maintains motivation and prevents routine and boredom for yourself and the project. When you start to think creatively it is amazing what can be achieved. 4. Committed: As we are a voluntary organization committed in bringing international volunteers and local communities together, we understand that sometimes it will be challenging for you to adjust to the local conditions. For this reason, we expect you to realise that this requires a strong commitment towards your program. However, we also feel that by completing your program, you have a lot to gain personally in terms of experience and understanding yourself better. Structure of the Program: The LTV/MTV program at FSL-India is structured as follows: Application: Volunteers must apply to our partner organizations in their own country. Placements: We will complete the placements of volunteers within a week of receiving the application. Volunteers can apply for an LTV/MTV program for a minimum of one month. Information: FSL-India will send the required Information to the volunteers - including a pre-arrival letter, project profile, info sheet, general information and travel details. This information will be sent to the volunteers at least one month in advance. Arrivals: Volunteers arrive at Kundapur or Bangalore by the first Monday of each month. Orientation week: The program will start with a week-long orientation. Depending on where a volunteer s project is located, the Orientation will be held either in Kundapur or Bangalore. This information will be sent to the volunteer atleast one month in advance.

6 Registration: Your registration will be completed during the first week of arrival. Projects: Following the orientation week, volunteers will join their respective projects in different locations, depending on the placement. Monitoring: Each volunteer is allocated an LTV Coordinator on his/her arrival. The LTV Coordinator is a staff of FSL- India and he/she supports the volunteer in their project, and monitors the progress during their voluntary service through monitoring visits, LTV get-togethers, one to one sessions, s, phone calls, reports etc. Monthly Project visits are also made by the LTV Coordinator during the placement where ever possible. LTV Get-together: Once a month, FSL-India organizes a get-together for all volunteers to discuss their progress, share their experiences and challenges encountered. It is a great opportunity to reconnect with volunteers and to use them as a resource network on how to act within their own projects. We also have one-to-one supervision between LTV coordinators and volunteers to ensure that any challenges are tracked and dealt with at the earliest. In case the monthly monitoring visit from the LTV Coordinator does not take place, the get-together is a good opportunity for the volunteer to discuss and resolve any challenges. Final evaluation: Volunteers are expected to complete and submit a Final Feedback report and Final Evaluation report at the end of their volunteering program. This details their work, progress, problems, solutions and suggestions for future volunteers and FSL- India. This report acts as a future resource and reference documents for new volunteers and enables FSL- India to develop and improve the project. Application: In the section below, titled LTV/MTV Project Information, you will find details about the different fields of work that are available through our program. Please go through them carefully and consider what really interests you the most. We request all applicants to list out three project choices in order of preference in their application form. We also request all volunteers who are applying to write a Motivation letter that accurately describes themselves, their skills and interests, past work experience, strengths and weaknesses etc. This information assists us to match you to the project as accurately as possible. Placements: Having accepted your application from your sending organization, the placement and the projects will be organized on an individual basis, according to the preferences stated in your application form. Please be specific about your interests, experience and project choices in your application form. FSL-India will place volunteers on a first come - first serve basis and therefore some projects may get filled up. If your first project choice is full, we will offer you your second or third choice, or ask you to apply for a later date when a place is available. Please note that even though we try our best to place you in the project of your first choice, we cannot fulfil everyone's wishes always. Changes to project placements and hosting accommodation can be made only in special cases, but not before volunteers make sufficient effort to adapt and overcome initial challenges. We therefore, ask all participants to make a significant effort to stay in their assigned placement for a minimum of one month before changing to a new placement. We consider that one month is the time required to adapt to a longterm project and new surroundings.

7 Information sheet and Pre-arrival letter: Your Info sheet will contain all the information that you need to prepare for your journey and stay in India. It is very important that you read the whole info sheet at least once and understand all the contents. Your Info sheet will be sent to your sending organization one month prior to your arrival in India. The prearrival letter will include all the necessary information that will make your journey to India as smooth and trouble free as possible. Please make sure to read it carefully. Arrival: The starting date of the program is the First Monday of every month: participants should make sure that they arrive at Kundapur or Bangalore by the scheduled date. Bangalore has an International airport and Kundapur is well connected to Bangalore by train and bus. All volunteers will meet at a common meeting point, where they will be picked up. Specific information regarding your arrival will be sent to you in a pre-arrival letter. Registration: All the registration formalities will be completed in the first three days of the orientation. This will consist of understanding and signing a contract and collecting the participation fee. Please note that if you have applied for more than three months, the fee for the first three months is collected at the beginning of the project. If you have applied for less than three months, then the entire participation fee will be collected in the beginning itself. Please make sure that you have the currency converted to Indian Rupees before you arrive and make sure that you have the full amount available with you. You will have to produce two photocopies of your passport and of your visa. Orientation Week: The schedule is flexible but the Orientation week usually contains the following: The LTV Program Introduction: Topics include aims of the program, way of working, finances, Reporting and Documentation, rules and expected behaviour. India: Topics include Culture, Religion, habits, customs, history, geography, social issues etc. Language Skills: India has 18 official languages, and many more dialects and sub-dialects. We will start with teaching the local language Kannada or Tamil. Do not forget that English is widely spoken throughout the country. However, we urge you to learn and speak the local language, since this will open more doors for you. Projects: We will give you an overview of the projects of FSL-India and an explanation and presentation of your particular placement. There will also be Project visits, where you will have the opportunity to conduct activities as a group and meet current volunteers in other projects who can share their experiences. Safety: Topics include Health, Women safety, Travel guidelines, and an introduction to FSL India s Emergency Action Plan (EAP). Life in the Host Family: You will get an opportunity to meet some of our Host Families who will share their past experience of hosting volunteers and also to clarify any questions you may have about living with an Indian Host Family.

8 Information: Lots of new things will be introduced to you including some sessions on yoga, cooking and Hindu philosophy. Local sightseeing: meeting people will make you feel right at home. You will have the opportunity to visit market places, Indian homes and natural sites in groups or individually during the free time. Do's and Don ts: there are some simple rules, which can help you have a smooth integration with each other and with the local people. This will also help overcome your culture shock! Intercultural Session: Do not forget to bring items from your home (photos, music, food, handicrafts, etc.) that might help you present your country and your culture to other volunteers as well as to the local youth and your Host Family. Group games and discussions: will be the methodology adopted during the orientation week, to make the theoretical sessions as dynamic and participatory as possible. Volunteers will have to stay together in the FSL- India guest-house in Bangalore or the FSL-India Training Center in Kundapur during the Orientation week. You will stay in shared bedrooms, and will take all three vegetarian meals together. The FSL- India LTV Coordinators and team leaders will take care of all the activities and sessions for the entire orientation week. LTV Get Together: FSL- India organizes a Monthly Evaluation and reflection meeting for all volunteers. This is an occasion for volunteers to come together for a day to exchange their experiences, have fun and relax. These meetings will take place in different locations and will have different topics and activities. This offer is additional, so FSL- India will provide basic food and accommodation and travel to the chosen location. It is a very good opportunity to meet and get to know the other volunteers as well as the FSL- India staff team. There will be one-to-one sessions between the volunteer and LTV coordinator to discuss the progress and to resolve any issues and challenges faced. Final Evaluation: A Final Evaluation will be carried out at the end of the program term and a personal meeting will be held between the volunteer and the LTV Coordinator. The Final Evaluation/Report outlines the work done by the volunteer where you can share your experiences (good and bad ones!) and complete a feedback form. The Final Evaluation serves as a guideline for future volunteers and for FSL- India to improve upon the quality of its projects. FSL-India will provide each volunteer with an official Certificate of Appreciation to formally attest your international voluntary experience. It will also be the time to say goodbye to all those who have made your experience in India a memorable one. Costs Involved: FSL- India is a non-profit organisation and does not depend on public or external funding. All costs of FSL- India are sustained through the participation fees from volunteers. Therefore volunteers are expected to pay the participation fee mentioned below besides all their personal costs needed to come to India (travel / visa / vaccinations etc.). We work only with local organizations that need our support. The Participation Fee is 13,500 Indian Rupees for each month (approximately 170 Euros per month, depending on the exchange rate) Remember that the participation fee is non-refundable. Please decide the duration of your program carefully while you are applying.

9 If you have applied for more than three months, only the first three months fee is collected in the beginning. If you have applied for less than three months, the entire participation fee is collected in the beginning. The participation fee will be collected only for a full month and it is not possible to apply for half a month. The Participation fee will be collected from the volunteers during the first three days of the orientation week. The amount will be collected only in the local currency (Indian Rupees). We do not accept any payments in foreign currency. We expect volunteers to pay the first three months of the participation fee before starting the program for practical and organizational reasons. Please try to exchange your foreign currency as soon as possible. However, try not to exchange foreign currency at the airport as the rates are more disadvantageous. FSL-India staff can assist you to find a convenient place/bureau of exchange to convert your currency or travellers cheques and cash withdrawal at ATMs. What does our program participation fee cover? We are a non-profit organization, and therefore we have kept our prices as affordable as possible. FSL- India is a non-profit body registered under the Indian Trust Act. We receive absolutely no financial support from the government of India or from any other foreign agency. The main source of income available for FSL-India is the participation fee that is collected from the volunteers. Our income is spent as follows (from the most to the least expensive item): 1. Project development: this is the money that is spent to set up projects and travel to the different locations. Some projects require more investment than others. 2. Orientation week, Get-together and Evaluation for volunteers: the expenses related to food, accommodation, transportation, and activities organized during these events. 3. Volunteers hosting payments: FSL- India pays for the food, accommodation, transportation for participants, which differs from project to project. 4. Office expenses: including salaries, telephone, internet, postage, photocopy, printing, stationery, electricity, gas, food and telephone allowance for staff, and office equipment. 5. Rent: for the offices and guest-house in Bangalore, Kundapur, Mysore, Chennai and Pondicherry. 6. Scholarships for Indians sent to projects abroad: FSL-India sends Indian volunteers abroad on a sponsored voluntary program.

10 7. Support expenses: of local Indian youth trained and supported by us. 8. Donations to local social projects: apart from supporting local NGOs by the placement of volunteers and by organizing short-term work camps, FSL- India also makes occasional donations (in kind or in cash) to its partner NGOs. 9. Local transportation costs for staff to visit volunteers and projects: in order to visit their volunteers, the FSL- India LTV coordinators have to travel regularly to the locations of the projects throughout the country. 10. International travel costs to attend Conferences and international meetings: FSL- India sends representatives to statutory meetings and conferences to interact with its worldwide partners and develop its activities. 11. Participation fees for international conferences and meetings 12. International membership fees: every year, FSL-India has to pay a fee to remain a member of international networks and platforms of like-minded organizations. 13. Promotional Material and Website costs 14. Staff Trainings and Workshops for Host Families and Projects: Every year FSL India conducts workshops in different regions for our Host Families and Projects. The aim of the workshops is to sensitise Host Families and Projects on their role in facilitating a volunteer s program in India. Visa Requirements / Registration: Visa Requirements: According to the new Visa Regulations, volunteers coming to India to do voluntary service with/through a registered Indian organization need to apply for an Employment Visa (to work with NGO / Non-Profit organization). No other visa is acceptable. In order to apply for an Employment visa, you'll need proof of employment with an organization in India, such as a contract that states the terms and conditions. FSL India will provide necessary documents for your visa application on request. NOTE: Due to the strict Visa regulations by the Ministry of Home Affairs, we will not accept any volunteers in our LMTV program if they arrive on a Tourist Visa. For more information, please visit the following websites: Registration: Volunteers arriving in India with a valid Employment Visa (NGO / Non-Profit organization) need to register within 14 days of their arrival in India with the FRRO (Foreigner s Regional Registrar Office). It is important

11 to collect and keep the Residential Permit which will be issued once you register at the FRRO. This document should be produced while exiting the country during the departure once the program is over. Failure to do so will result in a penalty and possible deportation. For more information, please visit the following websites: LTV/MTV Project Information: The following section provides an overview of the LTV Projects available from January December In this section you will find details about the type of projects that you can volunteer in. Please read these carefully before applying. LTV 01 TEACHING LTV 01 A Regular Teaching LTV 01 B Orphan Children Teaching LTV 01 C Ethnic Tribes Teaching LTV 01 D Street Children Teaching LTV 01 E Kindergarten / Anganwadi Teaching LTV 01 F Speech and Hearing impaired children teaching LTV 02 ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS LTV 02 A Sea Turtle Conservation LTV 02 B Environmental Education LTV 02 C Rain Water Harvesting LTV 02 D Water and Sanitation LTV 02 E Animal Care and Conservation LTV 02 F Sustainable Agriculture / Organic Farming LTV 03 SOCIAL PROJECTS LTV 03 A Physically Handicapped and Mentally Challenged Children s Project LTV 03 B Rehabilitation Projects LTV 03 C Old Age Home/ Geriatric Care LTV 03 D Women Empowerment LTV 03 E Slum children Teaching and Development LTV 03 F Ethnic Tribal Development LTV 03 G - Prevention of Child Labour/ Promotion of Child Rights LTV 04 MEDICAL AND HEALTH LTV 04 A HIV/AIDS Awareness and Care of Support

12 LTV 04 B Rural Medication LTV 04 C Nutrition and Health LTV 05 - SPECIAL PROJECTS LTV 05 A Special teaching LTV 05 B Special learning LTV 05 C Media / PR / Research and Documentation LTV 01 TEACHING LTV 01 A Regular Teaching Education is an important tool for development. Teaching spoken English, basic Math, Health and Hygiene awareness, Environmental education and conducting co-curricular activities with local school children can be a rewarding experience. You will be working in a Kannada/Tamil Medium School, which lacks in resources and/or English teaching staff. One of the important aims of this project is to support the staff in the classroom and to bring an international dimension to learning. Your tasks will be to assist with English language learning using creative teaching methods to encourage and to develop learning levels and cognitive skills of the students. You will also assist with extra-curricular activities, inspiring children to learn new languages and learn about new cultures. Additionally, you may have to assist in the following tasks: a) - Develop teaching and learning aids with low cost or no cost locally available materials, and facilitate simulation games for the children and the teaching faculties. b) - Undertake capacity development of teaching faculty in classroom management; children s learning needs assessment. c) - Design developmentally appropriate tools and criteria for assessment of children s learning levels and cognitive skills; Individual goal setting for children with learning disability; lesson planning etc. d) - Develop teaching-learning methods and pass this information (through the Final Evaluation/Report) to future volunteers with a view to creating long-term improvements to the educational model. The volunteers should bring in creative ideas to initiate new activities in the school, for example - environmental, organizational or computer education. You have to love children, as you will be surrounded by them every day. If you have many ideas in teaching different kinds of activities such as games, songs, arts and crafts or sports and athletics to children, then this type of project is for you! You will be teaching a variety of subjects depending on your personal interests and skills. Volunteers should have a good level of spoken English, and previous experience in teaching children will be useful. Note: Please note that due to school holidays, these projects will remain closed during the following months: March until May; in the month of October; and sometimes in December. During these months, FSL India organises Summer Projects (in March/April/May) and Winter camps (in October). These camps are offered to our LTVs in 'Teaching projects which remain closed due to school holidays.

13 LTV 01 B Orphan Children Teaching Volunteers have the chance to work in orphanages, by supporting the staff in the project with the daily care of orphan children. The work is varied and so you must be flexible in tackling your work. The work could involve rehabilitation, education and supporting the orphan children to return and participate within mainstream life. The work might also include cleaning activities, cooking, gardening and playing with the children in the evening, helping with homework, teaching and singing. A creative approach to work will be useful. If you have many ideas in teaching different kinds of activities such as games, songs, arts and crafts or sports and athletics to children, then this type of project is for you! You will need to take a flexible approach to the work with and be prepared to undertake variety of tasks. The Info-sheet will have more information regarding the individual projects with schedules, and activities. LTV 01 C Ethnic Tribes Teaching There are several ethnic minorities in India. NGOs are working towards community development to prepare them to participate and compete within the mainstream society. The primary focus of NGOs is to help the tribal communities cope with issues that they are facing - such as education problems, lack of adequate medical care and isolation. Working in this field requires a high degree of flexibility, and volunteers must try get involved directly with these people and with the staff of the local project. Most projects in this field are located in rural and remote areas, near to or within the tribal communities. You will be working with tribal communities, so be prepared for bare minimum and simple living conditions. There will also be a strong language barrier which will be a challenge for anyone working in this field. Most of the development work carried out by NGOs working towards community development projects is based on education, awareness, livelihood promotion and health development. Therefore the volunteers will be required to teach in most of the projects where they will work with tribal children. So an interest in teaching and love for children is important. However, you could also be supporting the staff in the daily running of the center, when the children go to their normal school. A creative approach to work is useful and you will have the opportunity to initiate new mini projects or activities. You will have to be prepared for a flexible approach to the work and be willing to undertake a variety of tasks. If you have many ideas of teaching different kinds of activities such as games, songs, arts and crafts or sports and athletics to children, then this type of project is for you! LTV 01 D Street Children Teaching Many NGOs and local initiatives in India work for the welfare of street children or working children, and FSL-India is one of them. The aim is to take these children away from the streets and from their working place in order to give them a chance to live a decent and accepted standard of life. By placing them in centres, boarding schools and day-care shelters, the children return to the regular schooling system, where they are provided vocational education and training skills that would help them find a decent job and keep them away from exploitation. Much of the development work in street children projects is based on education known also as alternative education. Therefore, the volunteers will be required to teach in most of the projects where they work with street children. And hence an interest in teaching and love for children is essential in this project, like all teaching projects. Other work activities will involve supporting the staff in the daily running of the schools.

14 A creative approach to work and dealing with the children will be useful and you will have the opportunity to initiate new mini projects or activities. You need to have a flexible approach to work with children and be prepared to undertake a variety of tasks. In some cases the volunteer will be required to go amidst the tent community comprised of families of migrant labourers, to raise awareness of the teaching program and to motivate parents to enrol their children in schools. If you have many ideas in teaching different kinds of activities such as games, songs, arts and crafts or sports and athletics to children, then this type of project assignment is for you! LTV 01 E Kindergarten / Anganwadi Teaching An Anganwadi (meaning courtyard shelter in Hindi) is in many ways a day care centre for children below 6 years of age. Anganwadis were established around the country in 1975 as a part of the Government of India s Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS). One of their main functions is to provide non-formal, pre-school education to children between the ages of 3 to 5 years. Volunteers will be expected to teach children in this age group through various interactive activities that help improve the cognitive skills of the children. The pedagogical approach to teaching should be in accordance with standards employed in kindergartens around the world. Anganwadis were also envisioned as a part of the Indian public healthcare system. Along with providing preschool education, one of their main functions is to act as primary healthcare centres in villages and raise awareness of health and hygiene in their locality. Volunteers can also help Anganwadi workers in providing health, hygiene and nutrition education to families. This will include teaching them about family planning, educating parents on child growth and development, among others. The volunteers should bring in creative ideas to initiate new activities in the school. You have to love children, as you will be surrounded by them every day. If you have many ideas in teaching different kinds of activities such as games, songs, arts and crafts or sports and athletics to children, then this type of project is for you! You will be teaching a variety of subjects depending on your personal interests and skills. Volunteers should have a good level of spoken English, and previous experience in teaching children will be useful. Note: Please note that due to school holidays, these projects will remain closed during the following months: March until May; in the month of October; and sometimes in December. During these months, FSL India organises Summer Projects (in March/April/May) and Winter camps (in October). These camps are offered to our LTVs in 'Teaching projects which remain closed due to school holidays. LTV 01 F Speech and Hearing impaired children teaching Many NGOs and Government organizations are working to support people/children with hearing loss and speech problems. The hearing loss can affect a child s development of receptive and expressive communication skills. The language deficit causes learning problems that result in reduced academic achievement. Communication difficulties often lead to social isolation and low self-esteem. Different tools and methodologies are used by organizations to conduct formal and informal teaching and to help such children integrate into mainstream life through inclusion.

15 Work schedule for volunteers working in Speech and Hearing impaired children teaching project includes any of the following activities: Class room teaching: Spoken and written English, mathematics, geography, etc. Extra-curricular activities: Sports, games, drawing, etc. Assist in computer reporting work, photo/video documentation Impart training to children on life skills, health and personal hygiene A creative approach to work is useful and you will have the opportunity to initiate new mini projects or activities. You will have to be prepared for a flexible approach to the work and be willing to undertake a variety of tasks. If you have many ideas of teaching different kinds of activities such as games, songs, arts and crafts or sports and athletics to children, then this type of project is for you! Note: Please note that due to school holidays, these projects will remain closed during the following months: March until May; in the month of October; and sometimes in December. During these months, FSL India organises Summer Projects (in March/April/May) and Winter camps (in October). These camps are offered to our LTVs in 'Teaching projects which remain closed due to school holidays. LTV 02 ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS LTV 02 A Sea Turtle Conservation For the last 15 years, the Sea Turtle population has been under threat from fishing and egg predation by locals. Three species of the protected Sea Turtles are nesting on India s West Coast and all of them are endangered species. With an effort to protect these endangered species, FSL-India is working along a 60 kilometre stretch of the beach in the south and north of Kundapur, Karnataka state. The work is focused on sea turtle protection and conservation, by promoting awareness about the eco-system and addressing related environmental issues. The work involves surveys, data gathering and analysis, awareness generation amongst the local community and within schools, harbours and fishing communities. You will also be required to build hatcheries and temporary information centres, as well as design and create promotional material. Note: This project is seasonal and starts in August and runs until February, only for six months. The work requires high degree of motivation, interest and some knowledge in this particular field is useful. Please remember in the first month and the last month the majority of the work includes documentation. There is no guarantee that you will see sea turtles, hatchlings or eggs while working on this project. LTV 02 B Environmental Education This project has been set up by FSL-India in collaboration with local NGOs. The primary aim is to educate lower economic and social groups, the local community, youth and children about environmental issues and

16 good practices. As a volunteer in this project, you have to develop and support through creative education in nature and ecology conservation. By doing so, you will educate the local community on the economic and social benefits of environmental protection and conservation of nature and natural resources. You will have to visit schools, colleges, and youth groups and organise environmental educational workshops and disseminate information to various stakeholders on environment protection. Eco-Clubs is a governmental initiative which was introduced 5 years ago in government schools. As part of this initiative, Eco-Clubs were formed in schools and the members are comprised of school children. The aim of the Eco-Club is to introduce environmental concerns and good practices to the school children so as to make them actively involved and to be aware of the necessity to protect nature. However, most government schools lack personnel and financial means to run the Eco-clubs effectively and efficiently. As a result, Eco-clubs have been formed in most schools but do not function as they should have been. As a volunteer your task will be to design and run the Eco-club sessions in the schools with the help of other volunteers, a field assistant and teachers. You will have to be creative, innovative and love being with children, as they are the primary stakeholders of the project. You will also get the chance to work with the local community in order to organize some outdoor events for the children. There is an ample opportunity to work with the local community where our volunteers try and create model streets. The local community is introduced to Solid waste management, building of compost pits and the separation of biodegradable material. There is a lot of scope for interested volunteers who have prior experience to bring in their ideas and implement them in the project. Note: Minimum application for Environmental Education is for two months LTV 02 C Rain Water Harvesting Water resource being one of the scarce natural resources, there is a tremendous need for harvesting available rain water. With the concept of catch water where it falls, FSL-India networks with local organisations that are working for conservation and promotion of water resources through multiple approaches. Generating awareness among various sections of the local communities is an important dimension of FSL-India's programs. Volunteers can contributes to these initiatives through various creative input and participation in campaigns for promoting water literacy, documentation and research undertakings. LTV 02 D Water and Sanitation Health and sanitation is the priority area in development, both in rural and urban areas. Especially, in villages, open defecation is common, thanks to want of proper education, awareness and traditional belief systems. FSL-India is making its share of contribution through implementing Water and Sanitation based programs through multiple interventions that includes 'Dream Village Project', Environment Education Project and also through volunteer service in various locations. These projects along with other objectives, support construction of toilets in the villages and generate widespread awareness on various potential diseases due to want of proper hygiene and sanitation. Volunteer's works under water and sanitation would include construction of sanitary toilets, education and awareness generation among students and adult community in the proposed villages through innovative

17 methods. The Info-sheet will have more information regarding the individual projects with schedules, and activities. LTV 02 E Animal Care and Conservation Animals - domestic, stray or wild are often exploited and taken for granted. It is a forgotten fact that even they need food and water. Conservation and management of animals have a significant bearing on the survival of every species. It helps in promoting rational use of environment to provide a high quality of living for mankind. Without animal care and conservation, human needs cannot be properly replenished. Animal care and conservation envisages not only the protection of the existing populations of animals and their habitats, but also the breeding and farming of rare animals. As a volunteer you will be assigned to work with organisations involved in the field of impacting political and economic climate, habitat protection, breeding and farming, special wildlife projects, legislative measures, nurse ailing and injured animals. The major activities that you may be assigned are: Providing care and treatment, conducting surveys, documentation, policy advocacy, designing appropriate IEC (Information, Education and Communication) materials, community awareness and education. The Info-sheet will have more information regarding the individual projects with schedules, and activities. Note: Limited projects are available, and most require a minimum application of three months. LTV 02 F Sustainable Agriculture / Organic Farming The challenge of food security, especially in the face of rising food prices, places a serious responsibility before the country. Despite immense advances in the agriculture sector, many people still sleep hungry or live under the threat of food shortage. The degradation of natural resources is also a major concern as it severely impacts the livelihoods of poor and backward communities in rural areas. In this backdrop, sustainable agriculture is one of the most effective ways to respond to the challenges of the rural community. In essence, Sustainable Agriculture refers to a set of practices adopted for cultivation that are least harmful to the environment while also ensuring a good crop. It involves crop production methods that support sustainable natural resource management to increase crop productivity, maintain biodiversity, and also are economically viable and socially acceptable. Organic farming is generally sustainable; however, organic produce can also be cultivated on large scale industrial farms that are not sustainable. Soil and water management, organic farming, integrated pest management, and integrated nutrient management are common practices promoted under sustainable agriculture. Sustainable agricultural development, as well as employing organic farming methods, seeks food and nutritional security, improved livelihoods for our people, safe ecosystems, and sustainable economies of agriculture. Therefore, as a volunteer you will have to work with the farming community and the associated organisations who assist in sustainable agriculture and/or organic farming. Conducting community awareness on the importance of sustainable agriculture, facilitate training and capacity building on crop productivity, how to maintain biodiversity, water management, organic farming, integrated pest management, and integrated nutrient management, surveys, documentations, will be the primary responsibility for the volunteers in a Sustainable Agriculture project.

18 LTV 03 SOCIAL PROJECTS LTV 03 A Physically Handicapped and Mentally Challenged Children s Project Working with persons/children with various forms of disability can be quite a challenging task for anyone. However, the spirit of these people can bring lot of joy and a lot can be learnt from this experience. The main work will be teaching and supporting the staff in their daily activities for the care of physically and/or mentally disabled children. As a volunteer, you will be involved in Individual goal setting and planning for holistic development of children/persons with disability through home-based, community based or institutional based approach. It needs a bit of flexibility and openness to all kinds of works and activities. These children are discriminated and rejected by mainstream society and therefore volunteers are needed to participate and bring joy in their live of these children, and help the NGO to bring some structure changes in their daily lives and prepare them for adulthood. Additional work activities would involve maintenance and gardening work, preparing meals, serving them, cleaning and giving company. A creative approach to work is useful and you will have the opportunity to initiate new mini projects or activities. You will need to take a flexible approach to the work with and you should be prepared to undertake multiple tasks. The Info-sheet will have more information regarding the individual projects with schedules, and activities. LTV 03 B Rehabilitation Projects There are many NGOs working for social inclusion projects where minorities or less fortunate people have been left behind in the race and struggle for economic and social justice. FSL-India makes efforts to motivate/support them by placing interested volunteers to help them in their office, field work or to bring in new innovative ideas to their work. The work varies from project to project. Therefore, in the application volunteers must write clearly indicating why they want to work on such projects and also how they can contribute to the projects. Following are examples of the different kinds of Rehabilitation projects: Projects where working children are given vocational training ; Projects where young people are given training in various trades ; Projects where Micro-finances are given to a minority community and we help them to become economically stable; Projects where computer education is given; Projects with disabled children and/or adults, in order to give them more autonomy and to eventually reintegrate them in the mainstream of society. Volunteers can help in many ways; for example there were instances when volunteers have taken photographs of local projects and helped them build a web page. Then volunteers in a vocational training centre helped the project to make a catalogue of all their products. Volunteers have helped projects by implementing a good filing system, helped in survey and data collection. Here creativity plays a major role, and prior experience can help the project as well as the volunteer. FSL-India also helps less fortunate youth from slums or low economic backgrounds by giving them training in camp leading or office work. For example, slum boys will be recruited and given training in camp leading. After training they will work as camp leaders for a year. Then they go back to their slum and organize work camps for the next year so as to bring in development to their community. The Info-sheet will have more information regarding the individual projects with schedules, and activities. LTV 03 C Old Age Home/ Geriatric Care

19 FSL-India helps many projects by sending volunteers to old age homes where the elderly are neglected and forgotten by the mainstream of society. Geriatric care and concern for the older people is becoming more important today. Working at an Old Aged home can be quite a challenging task. The work will include interacting with the old people and basic support towards the staff in their daily routine. Volunteers will take part helping in the daily activities, medical care, special programs for physical exercise, and giving company to the elderly. This project is for those who are willing to work with old people and also for those who like this kind of work. LTV 03 D Women Empowerment Bridging the chasm of India s wide gender gap is increasingly gaining importance in the country s developmental strategies, with a greater number of NGOs and government organizations putting women at the centre of their projects. A key component of many of these strategies is building the capacity of women in financial self-management, so that they are empowered to strengthen the economic security of their own families. In recent years, the government has extensively promoted the formation of Self Help Groups or SHGs as platforms to enable micro-credit options for the economically disadvantaged. Comprised primarily of women, an SHG is, in essence, a credit and savings group: each member regularly contributes a fixed, small amount of money until enough capital is built within the SHG to begin lending. The group then collectively decides which members should be lent money, based on the needs of each member. Repayment, at a predetermined interest rate, is ensured through peer pressure. Through the years, SHGs have evolved into more than just community-driven institutions of micro-credit; they have also been crucial to mobilizing women s empowerment activities at the grassroots level. Volunteers will work extensively with SHGs and other women s groups to implement capacity building initiatives in their communities. Some of the activities they will be involved in include: 1) Teaching English 2) Building capacity in computer literacy 3) Raising awareness on health and hygiene 4) Promoting entrepreneurial initiatives and income generation activities that increase family income 5) Building the financial capacity of SHGs to actively manage their group, increase capital and fund entrepreneurial projects of their women members LTV 03 E Slum children Teaching and Development Indian cities suffer from huge urbanization problems and slums are present and growing in many cities and towns. The slum areas in the cities are clusters of houses and shacks built illegally, where all basic infrastructures are absent. Water and electricity supply and other civic amenities are scarce or non-existent, hygiene is low and outbreaks of diseases are common. The rate of unemployment is also very high. The aim of many NGOs working in the slums is to improve the basic living conditions of the large number of people living in these slums. The volunteers will have the opportunity to join hands with the local NGOs to support ongoing projects such as awareness campaigns, literacy programs, educational projects and empowerment of minorities. The volunteer s will mainly focus on teaching slum children in small shelters or in schools. In addition, with the support of the project staff, the volunteer may have to visit slum areas, interact with inhabitants, conduct awareness campaigns on health, water, sanitation, etc.

20 LTV 03 F Ethnic Tribal Development Indian society is characterized by discrimination, deprivation, exploitation, subjugation and marginalization, particularly on the basis of caste and ethnicity. The Scheduled Tribes (STs) in India suffer from exclusion, neglect and under-development due to their geographical and cultural isolation and separation from the mainstream. The greatest challenge that India has been facing since independence is the proper provision of social justice to the scheduled tribe people, by ameliorating their socio-economic conditions. Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes and de-notified tribes constitute the weakest section of India's population, from the ecological, economic and educational angles. They constitute the matrix of India's poverty. As a volunteer you will work with ethnic tribal community in partnership with community based organisations that are trying to mainstream the tribal community. Healthcare, education, livelihoods, skills training, and promotion of tribal rights will be the development intervention strategy. Conducting community awareness on various development issues of ethnic tribal community, conduct training and capacity building, network with organisations working with similar vision, participate in advocacy and campaign, conduct surveys, documentations, design project proposals for ethnic tribal development will be the assignments for a volunteer willing to work on this theme. Besides, you will have rich inter-cultural exposure with tribal community. The Info-sheet will have more information regarding the individual projects with schedules, and activities. Note: Limited projects are available, and most require a minimum application of two months. LTV 03 G - Prevention of Child Labour/ Promotion of Child Rights: Children have the right to a joyful childhood. Every child has the right to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment with protection and guidance from their guardians. Whether in the cities or in villages, at home or in schools, a child is always a child and deserves a childhood free from exploitation and abuse. Yet millions of children in India are being robbed of their childhoods every day. With an officially estimated 12.6 million children engaged in hazardous occupations (2001 Census), India has the largest number of child labourers under the age of 14 in the world. They are employed in many industries and trades, including garments, footwear, brick kilns, stainless steel, hotels, and textile shops. Many work in export-oriented hazardous industries like carpet weaving, gem polishing, glass blowing, match works, brassware, electroplating, lead mining, stone quarrying, lock making and beedi rolling (indigenous cigarette in which tobacco is rolled in a tendu leaf). There are legislations that have been enacted to prevent child labour in India. Many NGOs across the country are working for elimination of child labour and promotion child rights. Prevention strategies adopted include rescue, relief and rehabilitation interventions designed by NGOs and other actors with education, health, alternative livelihoods. As a volunteer you will be associated with a community organisation that is involved in: 1) Special health care programs for children living on the streets, 2) Exposing exploitative child labour practices, and 3) Ensuring children join residential bridge schools and vocational training programs for children above 14 years. 4) Conducting awareness, 5) Facilitating training and capacity building for the parents and community workers, 6) Prevention/rehabilitation of child labour, 7) Counselling,