Rural women in Asia are among the most disadvantaged people in the world in terms of decision making power and access to development opportunities. Education is the most influential tool to raise the status of women in developing countries, and once a woman perceives herself as belonging to a group – of students or workers (outside the family) she starts to see herself as a worthy and valuable contributor in society. This increases self-worth and paves the way for the eradication of gender inequalities.
iSpiice promotes educational and training activities for women and adolescent girls in the villages of Dharamsala. English teaching, computer classes and job-skills training open doors and increase employment prospects while classes offer a platform for network building and social interaction.
Whether you are teaching English language, email writing or interview skills your time spent with the women will be some of your most enjoyable moments in India. Classes are thoroughly enjoyed and not only do the women learn from volunteers but volunteers learn so much about their daily lives and Indian culture, forming mutual understandings, friendships and fond memories.
Typical day
Volunteers typically work from Monday to Friday for a total of four to five hours per day, on two or three different placements.Volunteers work two hours in the morning at one placement and two hours after lunch at another placement. You will have time for taking breaks in between for lunch, chai and lesson preparation at the iSpiice volunteer house.
DAILY SCHEDULE
During the week your days at iSpiice will for the most parts, follow this schedule
- 7:30am - Wake up and enjoy a chai.
- 7:45am - Yoga class (60 minutes)
- 9:00am - Breakfast and work preparation.
- 10:30am - Program 1 (2 hours).
- 12:45pm - Break for lunch and work preparation.
- 2:00pm - Program 2 (2 hours).
- 4:30pm - Afternoon chai and work preparation.
- 7:00pm - Dinner.
- 7:30pm - Relax, go shopping, prepare for tomorrow's Programs.
iSpiice volunteers will have weekends free and time available to participate in Add On Tours.
Details on Arrival
If you are flying to Dharamsala you can arrive any day of the week,
we’re flexible. We have however found it’s easier for our volunteers and
community if you arrive on the weekend and start work on a Monday.
For
all volunteers being collected in Delhi, they must arrive on the
designated Sunday start dates. Here they will be met at the airport and
travel by overnight bus or train to Dharamsala, with an iSpiice staff
member.
Free-time activities
Weekends and evenings are at your disposal to explore the local area and
pursue personal hobbies. There are many activities to enjoy in the area
such as yoga, meditation, temple visits and shopping. Program offers four Add On Tours at the weekend as an additional extra,
visiting the Jaipur & Taj Mahal in Agra, the Golden Temple in Amritsar, adventure
trip to Manali and trekking in the Himalayan mountains.
If you are continuing travel in India after your
Placement ends iSpiice can assist with onward travel, offering advice
for itineraries and travel bookings.
Opera
Meditation
Program Requirements
We are looking for people who are outgoing and friendly with a good sense of fun and who will be able to fully immerse themselves into daily life in the various work areas and the community. It is important that you are able to work off your own initiative when required. An enthusiastic and positive attitude for all volunteers is a must.
Included Services
Before your journey
On-site services
- Food & Accommodation at the project site.
- Meet & Greet at New Delhi Airport, transfer to, and one night stay at the Hotel in Delhi.
- Pre Departure Information Kit, which has all information regarding your program, work area information, things to bring, immunizations details and welcome details in Delhi Airport.
- Transfer by bus or train from Delhi to Dharamsala, with an iSpiice staff member.
- Program briefing and Hindi lessons on arrival at the iSpiice house.
- Daily private car transfers (to and from work placements) by iSpiice’s drivers.
- Morning or Evening yoga classes (in English) by a local yoga instructor, 2 times per week.
- Visit to the local tourist sights including tickets– India’s oldest fort, Norbulinga Buddhist Monastery and Kangra Tea Gardens.
- Use of iSpiice computer and internet for work preparation and leisure. (Wi-Fi)
- Material required for volunteer work such as teacher’s workbooks, pens, paper and children’s stories – you may wish to bring educational supplies from your home country.
- Assistance with booking a return trip to Delhi, if you are not doing the Taj Mahal tour or Jaipur tour which includes drop off in Delhi airport.
- Certificate of service as a reference for your future volunteer programs.
- Friendship from the wonderful iSpiice team, fellow volunteers and the local community.
- 24 hour support from the iSpiice team for all kinds of enquiries, questions and onward travel plans.
- And most importantly – a donation to the community for educational supplies, basic food supplies, school renovation supplies and help iSpiice sponsor local children to get an education
There are generally three flights per day from Delhi to Dharamsala. The
iSpiice house is only 30 minutes from the airport and one of our staff
members will pick you up and drop you off. You will need to book the
flight at your own expense and inform us of your flight details.
We will provide a $50 discount to those that choose to fly directly to Dharamsala.
We provide accommodation at the iSpiice
volunteer house, a large house in rural Dharamsala, with separate male
and female bedrooms and bathrooms. The house is comfortable and the
location is beautiful with access to all local amenities. Accommodation
is very communal – food is eaten together and bathrooms and living
spaces are shared. The number of people you will share with depends
entirely on the number of volunteers we have in the house, but the
maximum number of people in a room is 4. And in case you were wondering
we have western toilets and hot water.
We do have wifi at the
iSpiice Volunteer House. You can prepare for your lessons or stay in touch with your
friends and family back home.
As
with most Indian homes, there is no washing machine at the iSpiice
house. You will have to get used to the Indian way of washing your
clothes by hand and drying when the sun is out.
Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner prepared freshly and hygienically by iSpiice’s talented Indian chefs. Filtered purified water is also supplied at the volunteer house. We have fabulous cook that make authentic home style Indian food for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day (all of which are included in your Placement Fees). We mainly serve vegetarian food (lentils, vegetable curries, eggs, rice, and Indian breads) but can cater to any dietary requirements if you give us some warning. Our volunteers miss the iSpiice food when they’re back in their home countries.
Program Fees
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