Women’s empowerment project in India
In Kerala, India, help women from very disadvantaged backgrounds gain independence through English lessons, computer skills and advice on entrepreneurship.
- Where
- India
- Length
- From 2 to 12 weeks
- Minimum age
- 18 years old
- Language
- English intermediate
- Departures
- Every Sunday
from €1,185 for 2 weeks
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The project
In Kerala, this humanitarian mission for women’s rights in India aims to strengthen women’s empowerment. This includes information on their health, family planning, starting small businesses, help with managing their assets, their education in general and that of their children. These women from very disadvantaged backgrounds are often experts in crafts: making clothes, sewing, preparing henna… But they need English lessons, computer skills, etc., and your advice on entrepreneurship.
Daily Life of Volunteers in India
A typical volunteer day, Monday to Friday:
- Starts with breakfast at 8:30 AM
- Workdays are from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Afternoons from 2 PM to 3 PM in the library
- A coordinator is always present to facilitate exchanges with the local population in all our programmes.
Lunch is eaten at home or at the workplace. In the afternoon or evening, volunteers can attend classes, participate in workshops, visit the city, and have dinner.
An interpreter (English-speaking) works on each programme to assist volunteers as needed, enabling them to carry out this humanitarian mission for women’s rights in India as effectively as possible.
This project is particularly suited for compassionate volunteers who can communicate well with women. We ask that you have realistic expectations about what you can achieve in a short time and understand that the main goal is to improve these women’s English proficiency and conversation skills.
Prior teaching experience is not required to participate in this project; however, volunteers are expected to have a good command of the English language.
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 (maximum 30 people) in shared rooms with a maximum of 4 volunteers. 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 all day, and the kitchen also has a fridge for volunteers. A large balcony and a rooftop are also available for students and volunteers. The NGO office is located downstairs from the house and is open from 8 AM to 5 PM daily. There is a curfew at 10 PM.
Private rooms are available for an additional nightly fee.
Meals
Three meals are provided per day, with the exception of Sunday evening dinner.
South Indian food is flavorful and varied, and volunteers can expect to discover a myriad of local flavors and meals during their experience.
Breakfast is different each day and will be either an Indian breakfast or, on some days, eggs, bread, fruit, tea, and coffee. Lunch and dinner consist of local coconut-based curry dishes, rice, roti, or chapatti.
Meals are generally vegetarian and include potatoes, okra, brinjal, squash, carrots, beetroot, and various pulses and lentils. If you have any dietary requirements, please inform us in advance so the NGO can make the necessary arrangements on site.
If you want to eat Western meals, you can easily find them at local cafes and restaurants.
Donations
If you wish to bring something, we ask you to bring the following items that can help our projects:
Reading books, English learning activity books, toys, Blu Tack, funky art supplies, stickers, colours, 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.
To register, you will be asked for
- Women-only programme
- The online registration form.
- A copy of your passport.
- A copy of your criminal record check.
Prior teaching experience is not required to participate in this project. However, we expect volunteers to have a good command of the English language and encourage them to prepare by undertaking appropriate training, such as a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) course.
Budget
How long are you going for?
Starts every Sunday
What is included
- Assistance before departure
- Airport return transfer
- Orientation day
- Accommodation in shared room
- 3 meals per day (except Sunday evening)
- Training by the local team
- Material and equipment
- 24/7 assistance on site
Not included
- Flights
- Insurance
- Visitor 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.
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.
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