Volunteer in Delhi

Delhi is a city that makes you feel like time traveling is possible. As the capital city of India, Delhi offers everything from traditional areas and most stunning temples to modern buildings such as skyscrapers and glamorous malls. It is referred to as a city that is continuously reborn and in constant change without losing its traditional characteristics. Are you interested in experiencing the city yourself and become a part of this amazing place while at the same time doing something for the greater good? Keep on reading and you will see that volunteer opportunities in Delhi are suitable for anyone!

Facts & Figures about this city

There are a number of myths and interesting facts about the city that you will learn about in the following:

• City name: It is not quite sure where the city got its name from. One myth is that Delhi derives from the name Dhillu or Dilu, a king who is said to have built a city at this location 50 BC and named it after himself. Another legend says that the city got its name from the word Dilli which means ‘gateway’.
• Green City: Did you know that it is one of the greenest cities in the world? It is almost impossible to imagine but its landmass is covered with up to 20% by forests and parks. In total, the city has about 20.000 small, medium and big public parks and gardens. Pretty impressive for a metropolis that is home to almost 19 million people.
• Language: Delhi has a great variety of languages reaching from the city’s official language Hindi to English of which almost all inhabitants are familiar with. So you do not need to worry about communicating with the locals during your time volunteering in Delhi.
• Toilet Museum: Yes, you have just read the words Toilet and Museum. Next to many fascinating museums, housing artifacts and other kinds of treasures about the county’s history, Delhi also has a museum dedicated to something rather mundane, namely the toilet. Not that it is a must to go there, but it’s more than funny to know that there is a place that holds on to examples of every kind of toilet existing.
• Spices: Khari Baoli is a street located in an older partand, since the 17th century, is home to Asia’s biggest spice market where you can buy all kinds of spices, herbs, dried fruits, but also products such as rice and tea. It’s a great place to wander around, to try different dishes and to get an idea of the Indian cuisine.

If you are thinking of becoming a volunteer in Delhi in the field of women empowerment you do not need to be a native speaker of English. Most often, women attending these projects are not able to speak English themselves and can understand little or none. Thus, as a volunteer in Delhi, it is sufficient if your English skills are basic.

How to Volunteer for an Orphanage in Delhi?

In India 17% of all children are orphans. Resulting from poverty and missing resources many families are not able to take care of their children. Thus, it is of high importance that these children have safe places, where they receive the support they need. There are different orphanages for you to volunteer at and every institution is more than thankful for your help. The children are usually between 7 and 15 years old, depending on the orphanage you will be working at. As an orphange volunteer in Delhi, you will have different tasks during your stay such as:

• Looking after and playing with the children
• Helping the children with homework
• Teaching English and other skills

Before you decide to volunteer in Delhi at an orphanage, make sure you are prepared for your task and understand what to expect. While working with orphans might sound noble at first, it is important to realize that more than 80% of children living in orphanages are not orphans. They are separated from their families because they are poor, disabled, from an ethnic minority or because they are suffering from other exclusion factors.

Many of these children have experienced violence or abuse and are traumatized. For this reason, it is essential that volunteers MUST have appropriate skills. If not, you could be putting yourself and the children at risk. Therefore, if you wish to work and volunteer at an orphanage, you should meet at least one of the following requirements:

• experience in working with traumatized children
• training as a child caretaker
• training as a psychologist
• training as a social worker

Things to know before you volunteer in Delhi

Before you start to pack your bags for the most exciting time of your life, there are a few things you should inform yourself about. To make sure that you have nothing to worry about during your time volunteering in Delhi, keep on reading and you will find some important information and tips about this city.

Culture & religion

Delhi is culturally diverse. Even though almost 85% of the inhabitants are Hindu, religions such as the Islam, Christianity or the Aryan culture are accepted as well. When you plan to visit religious buildings, such as temples, make sure to behave appropriately as taking off shoes and covering the head and body might be mandatory.

Health advice

Before you start volunteering in Delhi, make sure you have the right vaccinations. These should be checked ideally 4-6 weeks before your trips. The US-based health protection agency CDC recommends getting the following vaccines before starting volunteer work in Delhi: Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Also make sure to think of the following points:

• Eat and drink safely: Don't eat undercooked food, avoid eating street food and don't drink water from the tap!
• Also, wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• Plan for how you will get health care during your stay. Get a travel insurance and bring medicine with you, especially if you need special medication.
• Prevent bug bites: You might want to cover exposed skin, use an insect repellent, and use a bed net.