El servicio de recogida a la llegada fue maravilloso; uno de los coordinadores del programa estaba esperando justo en la puerta de salida del aeropuerto de Jaipur con un enorme cartel de "Volunteering With India" y una sonrisa . El alojamiento ha sido encantador. La familia de acogida es muy dulce y acogedora. Realmente me sentí parte de la familia. Siempre estaban ahí para ayudar con cualquier cosa. Una familia muy amable y cálida. El servicio de transporte era muy fiable y siempre puntual. Shekhar y Totoram, los taxistas, siempre tienen una sonrisa y son muy amables. Me encantan todos los miembros del personal. Al instante me hicieron sentir cómodo y van más allá para ayudar. Me ponía un poco nerviosa dar clases, pero Rohit (coordinador del programa) fue genial traduciendo del inglés al hindi; Sukret estaba siempre a un mensaje de distancia si tenía alguna pregunta. Decidí ser voluntario con VWI porque he encontrado este programa en buenos precios, lugares y valores. También quería ir con una organización operada localmente. Yo calificaría este programa 10 de 10. No puedo recomendar este programa lo suficiente. Esta experiencia tendrá un impacto en mi vida de la mejor manera durante muchos años. Quería devolver algo a las mujeres y los niños, pero siento que he recibido mucho de este programa. Todos los días me trataron con respeto, amabilidad, compasión y generosidad. Todas las personas con las que tuve el placer de trabajar se quedarán en mi corazón para siempre. Voy a echar de menos ver sus caras sonrientes todos los días, pero volveré el año que viene y todos los años al 100%... Jaipur fue la mejor ciudad para explorar, con tanta cultura y diversas actividades. Ha sido una experiencia única. ¡Gracias a VWI!

I have visited India a few times as a tourist but now I wanted to feel and learn more about India’s every day.life. That is why I decided to work as a volunteer with „Volunteering with India“

Sukret, the manager welcomed me although I am already 73 years old and so I stayed in Jaipur from altogether six weeks.

For the first 2 weeks I joined the Medical Program and then 4 weeks the Project „Women’s Empowerment. And this was the project in which I was in the right place. I taught English and the contact with the young girls and women showed me so much about life in India, especially the life of women.

I had booked my own accomodation in Jaipur where I was picked up for the project and dropped off at the hotel again. Sometimes it was by Tuk Tuk and sometimes by car with the most reliable drivers, Totaram and Shekar. They took me safely through this incredible Jaipur traffic.

Rohit the coordinator was caring for me and the other volunteers, for our safety, for our well-being in the projects and for the sightseeing weekends. He was always helpful when I needed something. This could be an information any time or just 50 samosas and 50 sweets for my farewell party. Thank you Rohit.

In my opinion „Volunteering with India“ is a reliable organisation which looks after their volunteers. This was not only important for me, but it is even more important for teenagers and young adults, especially when they are away from home for the first time in a completely different culture like India.

All in all I can say, due to the good and careful organisation these 6 weeks have been a really precious experience for me.

I had an amazing time with the association and the kids. The women were so happy about our presence and give us a really warm welcome. They were really happy to learn english and math but also to show us their beauty or stitching class. The city is beautiful and the culture is also very incredible. The hospitality of the people but also how nice they were with us was super nice. If you like to travel, discover a new culture and spend time with kids this program is perfect for you. You would not be disappointed.

My wife and I volunteered for 1 week for the women empowerment program. As most of the women were learning to become tailors and / or beauticians / hairdressers, we took the opportunity to share with them our experiences working for product companies in the hair & beauty industry. The overall experience was positive and we really got the chance to interact deeply with the locals. I think having more hands on skills (like sewing, or hairdressing or skin therapy, massage or any other practical training) would have supported the group of women more. English and maths were some of the other areas, were we tried to support. The program gives you a chance to bring your own skills and knowledge to the table, which is great. However, I would have also liked to receive more direction from the organisation on how we could deliver most impact. Something to keep in mind and to ask prior to starting the program. All the staff at the organisation were very welcoming and made are stay enjoyable. However, we would have liked to learn more about how we could truly support the locals to deliver more impact. Our host family was great and really made us feel at home.