Volunteer Rishikesh
India has one of the oldest history of receiving volunteers from around the world. During the colonial period, Western ideologies of charity and social reform began to influence volunteer work in India. Missionaries, diplomats, and scholars engaged in various charitable activities, laying the groundwork for organized volunteer efforts.
There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer in India, but one needs to be VERY CAUTIOUS. It has turned into a shopping mall for countries other than India. You must do extensive research before making a decision about where to volunteer since there are plenty of ethical issues in volunteerism that must be addressed.
KHUSHI is an organization that supports underprivileged children. The organization aims to fulfill these children’s education and healthcare needs with several programs. There are volunteering opportunities available to volunteers who are able to match their skills to the needs of the organization. It is important to reach the organization on their website and contact Kapil to see if you would be a good fit. You need to be 20 years old and over to volunteer.
Here, Kapil,the project manager tells us about volunteering opportunities and his organization.
This is a registered NGO and a 100% of its funding depends on donations and sponsorships.
Volunteer and Giving a Helping Hand Jaipur
PRINCESS DIYA KUMARI FOUNDATION
This foundation is a nonprofit organization that was started by Princess Diya Kumari in 2013. The organization aims to empower women who are not educated and or come from low-income households in Rajasthan.
The foundation provides women with the skills to be able to make a living. Women make contemporary items using traditional techniques, such as beautiful clothing with traditional Rajasthani techniques, as well as bags, cosmetic bags, toys, and souvenirs, among others. Volunteers here are able to support the place and learn about Rajasthani culture and women’s issues.
Elephant Sanctuary
Important to know
Elephant sanctuaries provide a secure haven for animals that have been removed from their natural habitat, where they may have been mistreated or exploited. It is important to know that elephants don’t have a strong back and saddles are not good for them so
NEVER EVER RIDE AN ELEPHANT FOR FUN!!!
Supporting these sanctuaries is crucial, but it’s important to be mindful that some facilities only accept domesticated animals. Many of these creatures have suffered extreme abuse, leading to a life of misery and relentless labor that leaves them resentful, despondent, and distrustful of humans. Try to find facilities where they need help with
“My elephant trip” is the name of a visit to an elephant sanctuary located by the Delhi Highway. It is a sanctuary that is very small and it has been supported by several tuk-tuk tours and visits but they need much more help!. There are opportunities for a longer-term volunteer experience. When I visited the site, there was a group of 11 elephants that had been used and abused for work. These elephants had been rescued and were being taken care of very nicely.
When I visited I was guided throughout the sanctuary by BABBU. Babbu is a worker and volunteer who came to Jaipur to assist this place all the way from the city of Goa.
I was just asked for a voluntary donation, which is reasonable. Each time a worker or volunteer takes time to walk someone through the site, he or she is taking valuable time away from performing a task and doing a job that needs to be done. Consequently, there is truly NOTHING wrong with asking for donations. The center’s upkeep is very costly; from renting the land, to the upkeep, buying food for such large animals, and making chapati for the elephants, providing pricey veterinary care, paying utilities, etc. All of these services must come from a source, and if they are asking for donations or there is a charge to enter, it is truly justifiable if the service offered is good and the elephants are not abused. It is incredibly costly to support a place like an elephant sanctuary, and this place has no government support.
Volunteers can contribute by assisting with work in the sanctuary, besides providing a monetary donation and/or even taking sugarcane (which you can also buy on-site) for the “pups.”
