Background
For these projects we scout for vulnerable schools, centers, clinics in Jaipur which need renovation and beautification. We organise our creative volunteers to “save” the building with their beautification or renovation skills. The project is available full year round and upon renovation, we seek for another building that needs our help, thus projects never repeat. For bigger groups and teams we also have construction project opportunities where you can help us build toilets for girls, classrooms, shelters, playgrounds etc.
Challenge
Public funds are scarce in India for construction and renovation projects for clinics, schools, hospitals and community centres in India. The government focuses its funds on building schools for the education of people living below the poverty line and slum areas. People don’t want to go or send their children to run-down looking schools, clinics or community centres.In fact, it has been proven by research that poor infrastructure impacts on the direct environment and overall well-being of the beneficiaries.
SBB Intervention
STEP Beyond Borders believes that in order to have good education, recreation or healthcare systems only content is not enough. The buildings where all these services are provided: schools, hospitals, cultural centres and more need to attract young people so that they become more educated. With this project we are sure to bring happiness and hope to the young generation in Jaipur communities as each volunteer can contribute with their bright thoughts and ideas to be implemented.
Main tasks of the volunteers:
- Identify the community needs (what they need? construction, renovation, what they expect as a result?)
- Identify if the needed materials are good enough and get advice from the local coordinator about the work
- In case of groups do task division (for solo volunteers beautification is available)
- Split into groups and perform with hard work and dedication to renovate, reconstruct specific building
- Don’t forget to take “before” and “after” photos to see the tremendous changes brought to the community
- Even with your smallest creativity you can make the local community smile when they see the new look of the building that was old and unattractive for many years.
- You are encouraged to connect with the local community and engage with the students or parents into the work done, hereby the cultural exchange is more rewarding
- Program Base: Jaipur
- Project duration: 1-3 Weeks
- Joining dates:
- Arrival date: Saturday or Sunday are preferable, if not weekdays will be managed
- Arrival airport : Jaipur
- Beneficiaries: Local communities
- Working days: Monday to Friday, Weekends are off
- Total volunteer hours: 09:00 AM – 01:00 PM OR 1:00 PM – 06:00 PM
- Weekends: Free to do sightseeing or travel
- Requirements: Basic English, 18+
- Pre-arrival assistance
- Detailed pre-arrival orientation and cultural awareness info
- Pick-up from Jaipur International Airport
- A detailed orientation about India, project, cultural responsibility and things to remember in India, SIM card assistance
- Accommodation with host family (single or dual occupancy) or volunteer house
- All meals (Authentic Indian meals) Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Resource materials to use on project
- Weekly market visit to shop for your necessities
- Cultural workshops: 1 Hindi class, 1 Indian dress workshop, 1 professional Yoga class, 1 cooking class
- Airport drop at Jaipur International Airport
- Logistics & program assistance if required
- Emergency support
Host family: Indian local family which is ready to receive you like a family member, share food and space with you. Chances of having single or dual occupancy are there as we don’t keep more than 3 people in one room in host families. Host family accommodation is best to discover the local culture and to enjoy tasty home-made Indian food. Food includes breakfast, lunch and dinner made by the host and includes vegetarian authentic dishes like chapatis, daal, vegetables.
Facilities include:
- Shared bedroom (max 2 people)
- Western washroom with toilet & shower
- Hot & cold water
- Filtered water
- Common Fridge
- Common semi-automatic washing machine
- Kitchen access to cook food if wished so
- Wi-Fi or internet Data access
- Family environment
- Comfortable & safe stay option
Volunteer House: This is a common accommodation for our foreign participants to share and experience each other’s culture as we have participants from all over the globe. To ensure understanding and security in this accommodation we have some basic rules to follow to make sure everyone is convenient here. Rules are no smoking inside the accommodation, no night outs, no outsiders allowed. Food in the volunteer house includes breakfast which is self-service (make your own coffee or tea, toast, oats), lunch and dinner are ordered by our coordinator staff with delivery from hygienic and decent restaurants or chefs. Food is vegetarian authentic meals like chapatis, daal, vegetables.
Facilities include:
- Gender based division of participants
- Rooms with max 4 people in
- Western toilets
- Shower
- Kitchen to cook
- Hot & cold water facilities
- Wi-Fi facility
- Semi-automatic washing machine
- Fridge
- Filtered water
- Hindi class
- Indian saree workshop
- Professional Yoga class
- Indian cooking class
- Air fare
- Visa
- Insurance
- Local transportation (mostly on walking distance or support from coordinators)
- SIM card
- Personal expenses
For costs and further details please contact us on info@stepbeyondborders.org