partner programmes: none.
selection & Interview process: all applicants
must supply a police check, two references, a
CV, covering letter and photo. selection is via
post or email.
In-country support: there is a modern
hospital near the project and local staff are
available 24 hours for emergencies.
dakshinayan
c/o mitali Chatterjee, 2/1a mahendra road,
Kolkata 700025, India
%+91 9836 596426, +91 9934 572399
[email protected]
http://www.dakshinayan.org
this long-standing, very grass-roots
organisation works in remote communities in
India’s tribal state of jharkhand. Its emphasis
is as much on what volunteers gain as on
what they give; participants teach basic
english or maths to village children and
come away having experienced the realities
of development work first-hand. Volunteers
live within the villages in basic conditions (no
running water or electricity) and therefore
experience a very high level of cultural
immersion.
status: registered trust.
timing & length of projects: projects run
throughout the year. Volunteers can join
anytime but preferably towards the start of
the month. the minimum period of stay is 30
days, with a maximum of five months.
destinations: India.
Costs: the fee is us$300 per month,
which includes food and accommodation.
Volunteers cover all expenses to and from
the project.
eligibility: participants need to be above 18
years of age. there is no age limit, but those
who apply should be physically fit.
groups or Individuals: Volunteers can
participate individually or with a friend,
partner or family. Volunteers are usually
placed with one or two other participants.
annual no. of Volunteers: 20-30
annual projects: 2
partner programmes: dakshinayan does not
partner with any organisation in India, but
unofficially supports many.
selection & Interview process: applications
are accepted online. there will be an
interview with at least one of the trustees in
Kolkata. briefing and travel instructions are
given during this time.himalayan light foundation
gpo box 12191, baluwatar, Kathmandu, nepal
%+977 144 25393
fax +977 144 73189
[email protected]
http://www.hlf.org.np
working in the himalaya and south asia,
this small, grass-roots organisation aims to
improve the quality of life in remote villages
by introducing environmentally friendly,
renewable-energy technologies. through its
solar sisters programme (ssp), volunteers
subsidise and work with local technicians to
install solar electricity systems in community
buildings like medical clinics or schools.
during the installation, volunteers stay with a
local family. hlf also runs a number of other
projects which self-funding professionals
with appropriate skills and training can
occasionally join.
status: ngo.
timing & length of projects: solar sisters
programmes are typically 10 days long, but
volunteers can choose to stay up to five
months to support the community or other
hlf projects. projects are open year-round.
destinations: nepal, sri lanka, India and
bhutan.
Costs: the cost varies in each country; in
nepal the ssp costs us$1350 and in sri lanka
it’s us$1490. this includes accommodation,
food, an administration fee and the cost of
the solar home system that the volunteer
installs.
eligibility: the minimum age is 18. there are
no required skills or experience for ssp, but
volunteers must have sound health and
be willing and able to trek and travel to
remote areas. Volunteers must also have full
insurance coverage for health and emergency
evacuation.
groups or Individuals: Volunteers can work
individually or in a family or group of up to 15.
annual no. of Volunteers: approximately 15.
annual projects: the number of projects
depends on the demand from communities
and the number of volunteers.
partner programmes: hlf works with local,
grass-roots partners as well as south asia
regional ngo partners in sri lanka, bhutan
and India.selection & Interview process: apply via email
or telephone.
In-country support: Volunteers are
accompanied by hlf staff who are able
to provide first aid, and have access to a
24-hour contact person.Kathmandu environmental education
project (Keep)
po box 9178, thamel, jyatha,
Kathmandu, nepal
%+977 142 16775
fax +977 142 16774
[email protected]
http://www.keepnepal.org
originally established to inform travellers
and local businesses how to minimise the
negative effects of tourism, Keep now places
volunteers in nepalese communities for
an exchange of experience, culture and
knowledge. placements are mainly to teach
english, but experienced applicants can also
assist grass-roots ngos in conservation,
health, community development, orphanages
or with street children. placements are also
tailored to the interests and experience of
volunteers.
status: registered ngo.
timing & length of projects: short-term
placements are for a minimum of one week,
and teaching placements for a minimum of
two months. placements can begin at any
time of the year, however, teaching with
Keep’s annual english-language course is
from june to july and december to january.
destinations: nepal (Kathmandu or smaller
communities).
Costs: the placement fee is us$50, which
covers orientation. Volunteers must be entirely
self-funding.
eligibility: there are no age restrictions.
preference is given to volunteers with relevant
work experience or tefl qualifications.
groups or Individuals: a maximum of two
volunteers are placed on each project.
annual no. of Volunteers: 30
annual projects: Keep works with a number of
grass-roots projects.
partner programmes: some of Keep’s
placements are with local ngos.
selection & Interview process: applicants
complete a registration form and, if
successful, are interviewed once they arrive in
Kathmandu to find a suitable placement.In-country support: prior to placing
volunteers, Keep evaluates the security in
the region. placements are in areas where
Keep has strong relationships with the local
communities, and volunteers are in regular
contact with the coordinator.pina palmera
Carretera puerto angel-mazunte,
playa Zipolite, pochutla, oaxaca, mexico
%+52 9585 843147
fax +52 9585 843145
[email protected]
http://www.pinapalmera.org
for more than 20 years, pina palmera has
been working towards the social integration
and acceptance of people with disabilities,
promoting independence and encouraging
the development of their abilities. located
on the pacific coast, pina palmera works in
nearby rural and indigenous communities.
Volunteers assist in all aspects of the project:
the special care centre for teenagers with
severe disabilities; arts, sports and handicraft
projects; the garden and kitchen; and also
work within teams of therapists focusing on
community-based rehabilitation.
status: not-for-profit organisation.
timing & length of projects: placements are
for a minimum of six months, preferably from
the start of january, april, july or october.
destinations: mexico.
Costs: Volunteers must be self-funding.
accommodation and board are provided for
a nominal cost of us$15 per month.
eligibility: the minimum age is 19 and
volunteers need to be flexible, open-minded,
willing to integrate into the community and
sensitive to the topic of disabilities in rural
areas. applications from disabled volunteers
are welcome, but while the project has good
wheelchair access, the surrounding towns
and area do not.
groups or Individuals: Volunteers are
integrated individually within the project; it’s
possible to volunteer with a friend or family,
but it’s unlikely that you would work together.
annual no. of Volunteers: 30
annual projects: a number of local,
community-based projects.
partner programmes: 4
selection & Interview process: Interested
volunteers should read the website and then
send an introductory email. the organisation
then determines the candidate’s suitability.06: Structured & Self-Funding Volunteer Programmes:Development Placements