I had the opportunity to spend 4 weeks with the association, working in two different settings. First, I worked in a school, where I provided academic support to teenagers. Then, I joined a beauty school where women were training for careers in aesthetics.
Personally, this experience was enriching. However, I’m not an English teacher but rather a business and marketing trainer, I was still able to share my expertise with some women
On the other hand, I want to highlight the quality of the association’s hospitality, as well as the weekend excursion offerings and the comfort of the guest house. These aspects undoubtedly contributed to making my stay enjoyable.

I chose the women’s empowerment programme because I wanted to come into contact with Indian girls and women – especially from the slums of Jaipur – and understand more about their world, their lives, their expectations, their difficulties and their dreams. The two weeks I worked in the programme were very enriching for me. The girls who attend the six-month course at the NGO Veeneta Society are trained to become dress makers and/or beauticians. I attended their practical lessons, helping where needed, and I was their teacher in the English lessons. With a great dedication the girls made me the beauty treatments they had learnt in their course. Despite the language barriers between us (there was always a Hindi-English language mediator with me, to help in case of any misunderstanding) we shared bits and pieces of our lives. I also had the honour of handing diplomas to the girls who had completed the six-month course. The festive moments were unforgettable for me, the girls performed traditional Rajasthan dances. All in all, I highly recommend this experience.

My volunteer program lasted 4 weeks in Jaipur, India. I spent 2 weeks in the women’s support program and 2 weeks in the hospital.
Both were very enriching experiences for me.
The girls and women were incredibly open-minded and inquisitive. They were interested in and implemented everything that was offered to them. First and foremost, they want to learn English. Any form of teaching is welcome, whether role-playing, singing and translating English songs or face-to-face at the blackboard.
It was a lot of fun to see how quickly they learn.
In return, I got traditional make-up, beautiful braided hairstyles or henna tattoos on my hands and feet. It was a very warm and unforgettable time.
The work in the hospital was very touching, as people came with problems and pain and needed help.
The doctor’s idealistic commitment means that even the poor population can receive very good treatment. They couldn’t afford a normal hospital.
So they only pay a small fee and only those who can afford it pay. The doctor works on a voluntary basis.
The treatments mostly consisted of infusions, acupuncture with electrotherapy, cupping treatments, stretching and the administration of medication. The doctor also makes his own Ayurvedic medicine.
I was very impressed by his efficiency and was able to learn a lot.
As a physiotherapist, I was able to alleviate the pain in some patients.
All of this left a lasting, deep impression on me.
Perhaps it was a start for me to further projects of this kind.
I would like to thank the organization again for making this possible for me. Sukret, my local coordinator, responded immediately when there were questions or problems. They were solved immediately.
Shekhar, my driver and “bodyguard”, drove me everywhere extremely reliably, picked me up again and showed me a bit of the area.
Perhaps it is still possible to get a small handout about the work in the projects beforehand so that you can prepare better.
However, I was integrated quickly.

My accommodation at Boby Mansion Homestay was a blessing because, as a woman travelling alone, I enjoyed family contact with all the care that comes with it. I felt very safe and secure in a foreign world.

During August I volunteered for three weeks with the Women’s Empowerment Program and the School Program. Volunteering for an extended period of time meant I was able to build strong relationships with the women and children. Most of the time was spent teaching English, however, the programs are flexible which means you can contribute knowledge and skills based upon your own background and strengths. I was able to draw upon my own resources (nutrition, yoga) and I would encourage this for future volunteers – if you have teaching resources/activities/games from your home country, bring them with you! The home stay accomodation was AMAZING. The family treated me as one of their own, sharing safe, local advice and including me in activities such as visiting the temple, the cinema and a theme park! My favourite part of the stay was playing with the children and helping cook meals. I recommend Volunteering with India for those who want to experience an authentic Indian lifestyle.

Volunteering with India is a really good organization. I applied for women empowerment project and I had my best time. The organization helps you a lot before and during your stay. Sukret is very patient and answers your questions quickly. The girls are very kind and sociable and welcomed me with enthusiasm. During the project, I talked with them taking part in sewing and beautician classes, as well as giving English lessons.
I lived for two weeks with an Indian family at the Prity guest house. They are really nice people, the food was great and the room very clean.
I am really happy to have done this experience with volunteering with india, and i will surely miss the girls so much!

This is such a fulfilling program and I recommend it to anyone looking to help equip disadvantaged women / children with the skills and information they need to get by in the world.
The females in the program very eager and excited to learn from the volunteers, which makes the experience all the more fun and uplifting! The staff / program coordinators also make you feel very welcome and comfortable.
Jaipur is a wonderful city and there was so much to see during my off time – it was a great experience!

This is unlike anything I have ever done before. I volunteered for one week with my adult daughter and we had a great time. India is so vibrant and colorful. The girls we met on the project were lovely and welcomed us into the group. Some of the things I really enjoyed were the henna, yoga, teaching a women’s health class (I was so surprised at what they didn’t know) and the meals at the guest house. The family at the guest house were so friendly and helpful as were the project organisers. They responded to WhatsApp messages quickly and answered any questions we had. Although the accommodation was basic, there were comfortable beds, clean sheets and air conditioning in the room. I would recommend this to anyone and encourage you to take every opportunity that is offered to allow yourself a truly immersive experience where you get to see the real India!

This experience was definitely worth it, as a person that lives in europe, the lifestyle is completely different but very interesting. Working with the women was awesome, they always wanted to learn new things and were really happy to spend some time with us. The other part of this experience was to discover a new culture and visit some temple or cities like Delhi or Agra with the Taj Mahal that was wonderful. I am really happy about this experience it definitely changed me as a person. I am really glad about it.

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.

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.

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.

Le projet sur les femmes est extrêmement utile et très amusant. Bien qu'il soit parfois difficile de communiquer avec des personnes dont l'anglais est limité, cela peut être surmonté. Je recommande vivement ce projet à toute personne désireuse de faire bouger les choses. J'avais prévu de me rendre à Jaipur avec deux de mes amis. Nous avons recherché de nombreuses agences en ligne, mais VWI était la meilleure dans la région. Le service d'hébergement était bon et la nourriture très agréable. Les membres de l'équipe du projet sont très serviables et heureux de rendre service. Je donnerais 10 sur 9.

J'étais heureuse qu'on vienne me chercher à l'aéroport et que je n'aie pas à chercher mon chemin. Le coordinateur du projet est arrivé peu après l'atterrissage de mon vol. Le logement, la nourriture et la famille d'accueil étaient bons et très utiles. Le service de transport était incroyable et le chauffeur était très gentil et toujours à l'heure. Les membres de l'équipe ont toujours été très faciles à contacter lorsque j'avais des questions. J'aimerais donner 10 sur 9 pour ma satisfaction générale et mon expérience. J'ai passé une semaine à Jaipur dans le cadre du projet Éléphant et une semaine dans le cadre du projet Femmes. Ces deux projets sont merveilleux et donnent un sens à mon séjour dans la communauté. Le projet sur les éléphants était très agréable et j'ai aimé travailler avec les cornacs. Le programme pour les femmes a été difficile les deux premiers jours car il y avait beaucoup de femmes de niveaux différents, mais au fur et à mesure que les cours avançaient, cela devenait plus facile. Les cours pour enfants étaient formidables. Ils sont adorables et c'est amusant de travailler avec eux.

Le service à l'arrivée était parfait ! Sukret est venu me chercher et m'a fait sentir très bien accueillie. L'hébergement et la nourriture dans la famille d'accueil étaient incroyables ! Dès mon arrivée, j'ai eu l'impression de faire partie de la famille. Le séjour chez eux a été l'un des points forts de toute l'expérience. La nourriture était toujours délicieuse et pas trop épicée pour moi. Le service de transport était excellent. Le chauffeur de taxi, Toto, est mon héros. Les membres de l'équipe du projet sont extraordinaires. Govind, le coordinateur du projet, m'a aidé à toutes les étapes. Sans lui, l'enseignement serait beaucoup plus difficile. Je me sens très chanceux d'avoir été ici pour le festival de Diwali. Merci à VWI pour tout.

Séjourner dans la famille était génial et participer aux projets était extraordinaire, car ils font du bon travail. J'aimerais attribuer une note de 10 sur 9 à VWI. Les membres de l'équipe du projet ont été très utiles pour les traductions et les indications. Le service d'accueil à l'arrivée était excellent ; la voiture et le membre de l'équipe nous attendaient à notre arrivée. L'hébergement et la nourriture étaient délicieux. Le Tuk-tuk est le meilleur moyen de transport pour se rendre chaque jour sur le site du projet. Vous pouvez explorer beaucoup de choses sur la route si vous voyagez en Tuk-Tuk. Je recommande définitivement à tout le monde de participer au programme.

C'était génial de voir quelqu'un de l'équipe de VWI dès que je suis descendu du bus. La famille d'accueil était vraiment géniale. Si nous avions besoin de quoi que ce soit, il suffisait de le demander. Le service de transport était le meilleur. Le comportement amical du chauffeur de taxi a rendu le voyage plus agréable. Les membres de l'équipe du projet ont été très utiles. Le coordinateur du projet est toujours là pour traduire et aider. J'ai décidé de faire du volontariat avec VWI car Volunteering With India semblait être le meilleur programme parce que le site Internet était clair. La communication était excellente et nous n'avons pas eu à payer avant d'arriver. Le volontariat en Inde est l'une des meilleures expériences que j'ai vécues. J'ai rencontré tellement de gens et j'ai vécu l'Inde de la meilleure façon possible.

Le service d'accueil à l'arrivée était bon. Mon hébergement dans une famille d'accueil indienne était extraordinaire ! La nourriture était délicieuse et la chambre très confortable. Les services de transport pendant mon programme d'une semaine étaient excellents et les chauffeurs de taxi conduisaient prudemment. J'ai décidé de faire du volontariat en Inde car je voulais faire du volontariat à l'étranger pendant les vacances de printemps et ce programme offrait le plus grand nombre d'options et les meilleurs prix. J'aimerais donner 10 sur 10 à Volunteering With India. Nous avons été bien accueillis. Les membres du personnel nous ont aidés à planifier des activités pour l'après-midi et les week-ends. Ce programme offre de nombreuses options et je peux dire que ma présence dans le centre pour femmes a été utile. Je n'ai choisi qu'une semaine, mais c'est peu pour faire toutes les activités avec eux ; j'aimerais revenir bientôt et m'inscrire pour au moins 4 semaines. J'ai pu voir le Taj Mahal et beaucoup d'autres endroits magnifiques lors de mon week-end à Jaipur.