Are you one of those who want to do something unique during your vacation? If you are the kind of person who wants to tour places and also do something useful and helpful at the same time, voluntouring is for you. Voluntourism is a relatively new concept that is quite a hit with tourists and also brings about great changes in the country where they volunteer.
India is one of the best countries to go to if you are planning to volunteer during your tour. The country is full of beautiful scenic locations and has an abundance of opportunities to volunteer in those areas. Depending on your profession, your favourite hobby, your level of physical fitness and the place you want to visit, you can choose an ideal location. Here is a selected list of voluntary organisations that provide opportunities for voluntouring in India, where you can opt for a diverse range of voluntourism services:
Vishakha Society for Protection & Care of Animals
Vishakha Society for Protection & Care of Animals is an animal-welfare organisation in Andhra Pradesh that provides shelter for rescued animals. If you are an animal lover, you should opt for this. Volunteers can help out in taking care of these abandoned animals or help out in the office work. They can also create general awareness about animal protection and care among fellow citizens.
Mango Tree Goa
Mango Tree Goa is an organisation in the beautiful tourist destination state of Goa. This organisation focuses on the health, educational and nutritional needs of local children. Volunteers get to teach, give out food, prepare food and also take care of the minor health needs of these children.
Slum Soccer
If you are a sports lover and play football, Slum Soccer is the best place to volunteer. Located in Maharashtra, this organisation trains kids in slums to play football and gives them various opportunities through the sport. Volunteers can train these children or play the role of administrators or fund raisers.
Sadhana Village
Sadhana Village is a non-profit trust that takes care of disabled children and works closely with self-help groups. It also plays a major role in the upliftment of the rural women. Located in Maharashtra, volunteering here involves teaching activities for the children and working closely with the self-help groups.
Grassroute Journeys
Grassroute Journeys is a travel agency based in Orissa that gives you the opportunity to mingle with rural tribal communities and get to know their daily routines. You can take up teaching English in one of their adopted schools or provide vocational training for women. There are opportunities to also learn farming and agriculture from villagers.
Mother’s Hope
Mother’s Hope is an organisation situated in Nagaland, which provides shelter for pregnant women and children. It focuses on women who are undergoing difficult pregnancies, girls who have been victims of abuse and orphaned infants. They give the necessary healthcare facilities to these people and also provide a comfortable stay at their centre. The orphaned children are taken care of until they are adopted by loving families. Volunteering here involves counselling mothers and baby care.
Ladli
Ladli is an organisation in Rajasthan which helps the destitute, orphaned or abused children pick up new vocational skills and help them lead a better life. The volunteers can play a role in various activities like teaching English to the children, teaching arts and crafts, and also other talents like singing, dancing and jewellery making.
Haji Public School
If you love to teach and love the mountains, then Haji Public School is meant for you. Situated in Jammu & Kashmir, this school is a non-profit venture by the Amina trust. It provides volunteers opportunities to teach either for a short term or long term depending on the volunteers. It also provides free accommodation and food for volunteers.
Spiti Ecosphere
If you are a nature enthusiast, then Spiti Ecosphere might be the right place for you. Located in Himachal Pradesh, this enterprise helps build greenhouses and lends a hand in village activities. Located amid mountains, it is an ideal place for mountain lovers.
Agumbe Rainforest Research Centre
Agumbe Rainforest Research Centre is a research centre located in Karnataka, which does research on the local fauna and flora. Volunteers can take up any job ranging from photography of the flora and fauna, maintaining records, tree planting to learning the agricultural practices in the area.
There are many more such organisations that are present all over India where you can not only see beautiful places but also turn the tour into a meaningful outing. So, next time, do plan for a voluntouring trip to India and make the best of your vacation!
Wow there are a lot of activities to volunteer! My fav probably is GrassRoute Journeys, Spiti Ecosphere and Agumbe Rainforest Research Centre ????????????
Thanks Mahika 🙂
Hi Please help me to join in Spiti ecosphere