Women Empowerment through Education

The Program

This essential program plays an important role in helping women who have been disenfranchised and discriminated against, even in this day and age. Sadly, there are countless women in India who have experienced physical, sexual or emotional abuse. Living in a male-dominated ‘classist’ society, many women in India (especially those of ‘lower social status’) are illiterate and lack the opportunities to develop this and other fundamental skills. However, the fight for equality starts with support and education.

Love Volunteers works with several non-governmental organizations in Delhi to provide work opportunities for international volunteers to help support these women with informal training in skills such as written and spoken English, beauty therapy, computing, sewing, embroidery and knitting (as applicable to volunteer’s skills and experience). Love Volunteers will help women gain the kind of exposure and independence they need.

Volunteers work in various centers set up by local non-governmental organizations working for women’s development, focusing on the development of women and young girls living in the poorer urban areas (the slums) in Delhi and surrounding areas. These centers provide counseling and help women by providing adult literacy classes, computer and IT training, and guidance on income generating activities.

Goals of this Project:

• Provide essential teaching and support to vulnerable girls and women
• Improve the future prospects of young women and girls who have been discriminated against
• Give impoverished women and girls a quality education, compassion and a sense of hope
• Enable inter-cultural exchange which benefits both locals and international volunteers alike.

How you can help

Volunteers work alongside the women and local staff in these centres and offer their services in whichever activity is most suited to their skills and experience. Please note that unless volunteers have practical skills and experience in beauty therapy, computing, sewing, embroidery or knitting, they will be teaching English as a second language. This is most suited to volunteers who have some experience in either general teaching or teaching English as a second language, as they will need to develop and deliver classes to women with varying levels of ability in English. The facilities at the projects are generally very basic, and there may only be a blackboard and chalk available to use. Volunteers are encouraged to prepare for this and bring relevant materials for the classes.

Volunteers will contribute in a number of ways on this program and can expect to undertake the following tasks:

• Teach and enhance the participants knowledge of the English language
• Improve their English listening, reading, writing and speaking skills
• Teach participants about computers and how to operate them
• Organize activities and provide skill-based training
• Teach participants about the world, cultures, food and general knowledge
• Teach students about basic personal hygiene
• Volunteers may also enhance their skill and confidence with other fun creative activities

Orientation Week (Optional Extra – US$250):

This one week program allows new arrivals to gain knowledge about the culture, traditions, customs and language of India. Participants are given Hindi language and history lessons, introduced to the famous Indian cuisine and also get to experience a Bollywood movie!

Below is an sample itinerary.

Day 1 - Welcome to India, introduction to the program in Delhi, safety briefing, basic culture and history about India. In the afternoon, volunteers can explore the local market with their new friends. Welcome dinner at a local Indian restaurant is a perfect chance to interact with each other and the local team.  

Day 2 - Start to explore Delhi by visiting Birla Mandir and get a street view of India Gate, President Estate and Parliament house. Lunch at a local restaurant and go on to see Akshardham Temple – the world’s largest Hindu temple.

Day 3 – In-House Session: Volunteers have an interactive session with the local coordinator on cultural topics such as the arranged marriage and joint family systems. In the afternoon volunteers are given a Hindi Language session in which they can learn the basic Hindi words.

Day 4 – Second Hindi language class for 3 hours, covering more words and vocabulary to help you in daily use. In the evening watch a Bollywood movie – in Hindi! 
 

Day 5 - Discover Delhi - Go on a guided tour to Delhi's most visited tourist spots. This would be a full day tour of New Delhi including a lunch at a local restaurant.

Day 6 – (Optional – US$100) - Visit India’s most famous landmark – the Taj Mahal!

This program is highly recommended for volunteers planning on joining us in Delhi and provides a perfect start to a volunteering placement!

A volunteer’s work day on this project will generally last between 4 and 5 hours and while we ask all volunteers to be flexible in this regard, a typical daily schedule is likely to go something like this:

8:30am Breakfast at the volunteer house

9:30am Travel to the project site

Placements are located within a 15 - 30 minute commute from the volunteer house using local transport. Volunteers will be shown the transport options during their orientation and can choose the one that suits them best (bus, metro or rickshaw). Some placements are within walking distance.

9:50am Pre-start meeting with the project supervisor

10:00am VOLUNTEERING DUTIES START

Lunch can be taken at nearby cafes and restaurants which the local team will point out during the orientation session.

3:00pm VOLUNTEERING DUTIES END

3:10pm Debrief with project supervisor

3:30pm Free time before dinner to spend either in the volunteer house or out in the city

6:00pm Dinner at the volunteer house

Evening Free time to spend exploring the city or relaxing in the comfort of the volunteer house.