India, Kochi5/5 (2 reviews)
Renovation of schools in India
In the Kochi region of South India, renovate schools, paint educational murals and get involved in school life in local communities.
- Where
- Kochi, India
- Length
- 2 weeks
- Minimum age
- 16 years old
- Language
- English intermediate
- Departures
- Every Sunday
from €1,275 for 2 weeks
Check availabilityTalk to the teamNo commitment. Anaëlle, Amélie or Maëlia will reply.
The project
In India, construction projects are tailored for groups of 8 people or more as part of a humanitarian construction trip. The local NGO organizes projects that the group can undertake from start to finish, involving team-based initiatives that can span between 4 and 16-20 weeks, depending on the duration of the internship and mission.
“Family” projects are suitable for children aged 4 and up. Our advisors will provide personalized recommendations based on your children’s age, the destination, and the type of mission.
Construction Volunteer Programme: Tasks
For individuals or groups, the focus will primarily be on renovating schools or carrying out small beautification tasks such as painting and gardening within the local communities in the Kochi region of South India. This humanitarian mission in India offers a cultural immersion experience while participating in sustainable development projects. It is also possible to combine the educational project with the construction project in India.
For engineering or construction-related students in fields such as architecture, design, and other construction sectors, you can visit the RealStep website for specialized internships on major construction sites.
School Renovation Mission
This project aims to improve classroom facilities to meet basic health and safety standards and enhance the overall appearance of the school. With your involvement, rustic buildings can be transformed into pleasant and conducive learning environments. Tasks may include repairing ceilings, floors, roofs, windows, and doors, as well as painting fun and educational murals. During your free time, you can also engage in the school community by teaching English, conducting hygiene sessions, or organizing sports activities.
A project we follow
Projects chosen with care and followed through regular visits on site.
Accommodation and meals
Volunteers are accommodated in the volunteer house in shared rooms with a maximum of 4 volunteers. The windows are equipped with mosquito nets. The house has European-style toilets, cold water showers, and Wi-Fi in common areas. Coffee, tea, and fresh water are available throughout the day, and the kitchen also has a refrigerator for volunteers. A large balcony and a rooftop are also available for students and volunteers. The NGO office is located on the ground floor of the house and is open from 8 am to 5 pm every day.
Private rooms are available at an additional cost of $25 per night.
Free time and activities
Your weekends will be filled with memorable moments, allowing you to explore the surroundings of Cochin. You can discover Fort Cochin, renowned for its cultural heritage. Enjoy a relaxing backwater cruise, witness elephants bathing, visit waterfalls, take Indian cooking classes, and experience traditional Kathakali dance performances.
Other tourist suggestions include:
- Enjoying the beaches in Goa.
- Surfing on the beaches of Kovalam or Varkala.
- Embarking on an adventure in Munnar, such as kayaking in the backwaters, or trekking.
- Visiting the backwaters, a natural treasure of Kerala.
- Indulging in an Ayurvedic massage.
If you’re seeking another NGO mission in Asia as part of a humanitarian construction trip, you can explore our educational programme in Sri Lanka.
Additional information
Meals
Three meals are provided per day, except for Sunday evening dinner.
South Indian food is tasty and diverse, and volunteers can expect to experience a myriad of flavors and local meals during their stay.
Breakfast is different every day and will either be an Indian breakfast or, on some days, include eggs, bread, fruits, tea, and coffee. Lunch and dinner consist of local curry-based dishes with coconut, rice, roti, or chapatti.
Meals are generally vegetarian and include potatoes, okra, brinjal, squash, carrots, beets, and various legumes and lentils. If you have dietary requirements, please inform us in advance so that the NGO can make necessary arrangements on-site.
If you wish to have Western meals, you can easily find them at cafes and restaurants in the neighborhood.
Donations
If you would like to bring something, we kindly ask you to bring the following items that can help our projects:
- Storybooks
- English learning activity books
- toys
- Blu Tac
- funky art materials
- stickers, colors
- puppets
- educational games
- flashcards
- used laptops and iPads
English and grammar books are always highly appreciated.
We also ask you to bring your laptops or iPads as you can use them to plan your lessons.
Budget
Length of stay
Arrivals every Sunday
What is included
- Airport transfers
- Orientation session
- Safe and clean accommodation
- Breakfasts, lunches, dinners (except Sunday evening)
- Training by supervisors
- Equipment and materials
- 24-hour on-site assistance
- Wifi in the common areas of the house
Not included
- Flight tickets
- Travel and repatriation insurance
- Visa
- Local transport
Where your money goes
Donations are reinvested in full and directly into the local associations. How the costs break down
See the budget week by week
| Length | Total programme budget |
|---|
Getting ready to leave
Your application
An up-to-date CV and a cover letter describing your background and what brings you here.
Conditions to take part
- Minimum age of 16 years to travel alone; in a family, children take part accompanied by their parents.
- Basic level of English (understanding instructions, being able to communicate).
Insurance
For any project abroad, Freepackers requires travel insurance covering accidents, illness, repatriation and third-party liability. With Chapka Cap Student, you get 5% off.
Online language lessons
With Clic Campus: video lessons and an e-learning platform, from home.
Questions
What kind of accommodation is provided for a family?
You stay together, in private rooms, shared houses or comfortable local guesthouses.
Is it a safe trip for children?
Our projects are selected with safety in mind. Families get a reassuring setting and supervised activities. The days are designed to include young and old alike, with a flexible pace and time to discover things together.
Can you join a project as a family?
Yes. For families who want to travel together, we offer programmes designed to welcome children from the age of 4, 10 or 15 depending on the project. Our programme pages say whether they are open to families; otherwise, contact our team to find out more.
Another question? Ask the team, and someone who knows the project will answer.
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