India
is a country of immense cultural riches and widespread deprivation.
One half of the population of one billion lives in poverty, according to Indian government figures.
AidCamps International |
Short Term Volunteer Work Overseas on Third World Development Aid Projects
Independent AidCamps
IndiaSocial Change and Development Based in |  |
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Our partner organisation in India, Social Change and Development (SCAD), works for the benefit of the poorest of the poor amongst the low caste dalits ("untouchables"), such as gypsies, snake catchers, and saltpan workers in southern Tamil Nadu.
While its offices are in the town of Tirunelveli, about 65kms (40 miles) north of the southernmost point of India, SCAD has two campuses, one just outside the nearby town of Cheranmahadevi and the other near Tuticorin.
Both campuses have a boarding school that provides education and health care for children affected by polio, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and other disabilities. The campuses also contain a number of commercial further education colleges that provide income for SCAD's charitable work. The volunteering possibilities are all at the Cheranmahadevi campus.
Main fields of operation
Children with disabilities, elderly, health, education, water, saltpan workers, gypsies, lepers, and other dalits, women's credit unions, rural development.
Regularly needs independent volunteers for:
Children with disabilities. You'll be working in SCAD's school for physically handicapped and mentally challenged children, mostly teaching English and any other primary level subjects you have an aptitude for, and also assisting with the children's day-to-day care, including helping the polio affected children with their physiotherapy.
Conversational English. The students at SCAD's further education colleges study in English, but very few have ever had the chance to talk with a native English speaker, and are keen for the opportunity to engage in conversational English sessions.
Nurse assistant trainers. SCAD runs a nurse assistants' college which, as well as teaching ward skills, promotes the students' personal and occupational development, and would welcome guest teachers from relevant professions.
Vocational training. The further education colleges teach a wide range of subjects, from diesel engine maintenance to printing to engineering to degree level computer science and would welcome any guest teachers with appropriate experience.
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Arrival and Departure ~£25 each way |
Click on any amount to convert it to other currencies at today's rates |
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Accommodation possibilities Partner's Guesthouse: ~£30 per week, food included |
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Local cuisine Predominantly vegetarian and spicy. No alcohol on campus. |
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| Health | Malaria uncommon but present |
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| Languages | Tamil, Telagu, English | ||
| Airport | Trivandrum (TRV) | ||
| Visa (UK) | 6 months £30 | ||
| Currency | Rs, Indian Rupee (INR) | ||
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Costs shown are based on £1 = ~Rs85 Group AidCamps are usually held in |
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Main regional attractions
Keralan backwaters, Sri Meenakshi temple at Madurai, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Gandhi memorial at Kanyakumari. Southern Tamil Nadu is very much "real" India and western tourists are extremely rare.
Also see
| What's Involved | information relevant to all Independent AidCamps |
| Matching Service | information about our Volunteer Matching Service |
| Volunteering | how to volunteer and what happens then |
| Application | apply for a Independent AidCamp, either online or by post |
| Independent AidCamps | back to the list of Independent AidCamp countries |
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