India: Community Engagement Project

Introduction

Make a difference in the world by empowering the local communities in Goa through our volunteer program. Join us in providing education and life skills to women, helping out at a disability care home, and providing social support to the elderly. Our aim is to inspire the less privileged and help the community build on their own.

At the elderly care home, you’ll spend time with its residents and engage them in different activities such as playing games, talking to them, organizing recreational evenings, and taking them to museums.

At the special needs education and care home, you’ll assist the members in learning and improving their skills as per their abilities and interests, give them a sense of value in their lives, and assist them with physical exercises.

In our women empowerment program, you’ll provide vocational training and training material for women, inspire them to start their own business, and teach basic communicative and written English. This program is aimed at making women self-reliant and financially stable in the future with their own businesses.

Join us in improving the quality of life of the local communities in Goa and make a lasting impact.

Daily Life

Immerse yourself in a life-changing experience with our volunteer program in Goa. Upon arrival, we’ll provide an orientation to help you acclimate to your new surroundings and get familiar with the program. You’ll explore a spice plantation, the local market, and supermarkets with our knowledgeable coordinators.

Your first week will involve an introduction to the local projects and programs, with an opportunity to assist existing participants. You’ll receive theoretical training from our coordinator, enabling you to understand the project’s activities.

On Wednesday through Friday, your mornings can be spent at either our Elderly Care program or Special Needs Education and Care program. In the afternoons, you’ll have the option to participate in the Women Empowerment program or continue with Special Needs Education and Care.

Our programs are flexible and tailored to your interests. You can choose to engage in activities like playing games with the elderly, teaching vocational skills, assisting residents with basic tasks, or empowering women to start their own businesses. With our guidance and support, you’ll gain valuable skills and make a meaningful contribution to the community.

Travel & Accom.

You’ll be staying in guesthouses during your stay, but the facilities each one provides might vary, depending on where your placement is. Typically, you’ll be sharing a room with two or three other adventurers, and have access to hot water 24 hours a day. All your meals will be provided during your trip, and will be local dishes.

The meals are a mix of Western and Indian food, consisting mainly of vegetarian dishes including rice and vegetables. You can expect to have a chicken dish about twice per week. You can also use the kitchen facilities to cook for yourself or eat out at any of the local restaurants.

Laundry facilities vary between our guesthouses, and you should expect to wash your clothes by hand during your stay. All our guest are expected to keep their rooms clean, and use resources like water, paper, and electricity sparingly.

Sights & Surroundings
Goa has a very long coastline with an almost unbroken sand cover. So, if you’ve come looking for sun, sand and sea without the crowds and the fuss you’ll be pleased to discover these beaches tucked away in quiet recesses where you can go to truly escape the world. Here is our list of secluded beaches to try during your Goa weekend getaways. You might have to take your own food and water as there are no eateries or accommodation near some of them. And though some of them may seem out of their way, you’ll be glad for the peace and quiet when you get there.

Butterfly Beach
Kakolem Beach
Galjibag Beach
Hollant Beach
Betul Beach
Arambol Beach
Agonda Beach
Cola Beach
Velsao Beach
Sinquerim Beach
Siridao Beach

Goa has a pleasant climate all around the year. Monsoon season is from June to September which is the rainy season for Goa. Goa gets an average rainfall of 330 cm annually which is about 90% of its annual rainfall. This season also happens to be the favourite of the travellers coming to Goa with its various celebrations happening. And from October to March it gets a very pleasant climate with clear skies and nights being busy with the festivals and sky full of fireworks. Summer starts in April and the long sandy beaches and the sunshine are so welcoming.

Requirements

• Minimum age 18.
• No previous skills are necessary, however you will need to speak English at a native or near-native level.
• Minimum 2 weeks commitment
• Necessary vaccinations.
• Necessary flights & visas.
• Full travel & medical insurance.

Costs

€400 Euros per week

* Check the latest currency conversions with xe.com
** All payments incur a 5% bank transfer fee.
*** Placements are confirmed with a 1 week deposit, minimum 2 weeks booking

What’s Included:

Project Fee includes food, accommodation, airport pickup, orientation, in-country support and project activities.

Private rooms are available for an additional €100 per week.

What’s not included:

Flights, insurance, visas (if applicable) and vaccinations. Full assistance will be provided in getting all these arranged if you choose our Premium Support.

Premium Support Upgrade

We understand there’s a great deal to plan and organise for your trip. When booking a Placement, many of our participants choose to purchase our Premium Support Upgrade to benefit from the expertise, knowledge and experience of our Project Coordinators.

We can provide the personal advice you need to ensure your trip is organised with excellence and planned with efficiency; ensuring the very best experience possible. Read more about how we can help you.