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India
Contact
indiasva@yahoo.co.uk
In
brief
The
SVA India project is located in Bangalore,
India,
where volunteers with be working with the Parikrma
Humanity Foundation, an NGO focused on improving the lives of young people
from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The
children
The
850 children studying at Parikrma come from 3 orphanages
and 26 different communities across Kormangala, Jayanagar, Sahakaranagar and Yeshwanthpur, but have diverse histories. Backgrounds
of neglect, complete lack of medical care, alcoholic parents and various
sorts of abuse are common stories. Perhaps, what is most alarming is that
sometimes these children don’t even get a meal each day. Despite the fact that the Indian Constitution sees
elementary education for all children aged 6-14 years as a Fundamental
Right that should be free and compulsory; many children still do not have a
place in state schools. Without charities like Parikrma
these children would have no other option for their education and there are
many children who, as a result, still don’t receive a basic education.
The
Project
The project supports approximately ten
volunteers, and lasts for roughly ten weeks in the summer. Volunteers are
spread out across the four Parikrma Schools,
where they will be working with children aged 5 to 18. The main focus is on
improving the English and Maths skills of
remedial children, however, all other skills and subjects are welcome since
Parikrma is very flexible and always open to new
ideas. Extra time in the schools can be spent doing many things, from extra
science lessons to cultural exchange, such as ceilidh
dancing.
Parikrma also does a lot of work for the families
of the children, and this year we hope to expand the program by
offering free lessons to parents during school hours. If you feel
confident about a subject you think will benefit the community, and
consequently the future of these children, you could help us make a
difference which could equip people with skills needed to escape these poor
living conditions. This could be anything from Math’s and English to
Business skills or even sports to promote positive relationships with in
the community.
In addition to working with Parikrma, volunteers are also encouraged to work with a
local children’s home; Living
Hope Home
for Boys and Girls, where the main focus is non academic. The organization offers
education and accommodation to orphaned children and children of migrant
workers. In the past we have volunteered and a fundraising football
tournament and supervised the children at a visit to a local theme park. We
would also regularly teach the children songs and games and help them with
their English homework.
So,
if you’re looking for a positive and exciting way to spend your summer, and
if all of the above gets you interested, then apply for the SVA India
project in Bangalore
for the summer of 2011!
Costs
Each
volunteer is expected to fundraise £600, which will be done as a group. Approximately
75% of the money raised will go directly to Parikrma
as a donation, the further 25% goes to the Living
Hope Children’s Home. Volunteers will live together in basic flats
provided for by Parikrma. Although accommodation
costs are covered, volunteers will have to pay for own flights,
vaccinations and other living expenses.
NGO Contact Details:
Parikrma Humanity Foundation
1846,
3rd Main, Block 'C'
Sahakaranagar
Bangalore 560 092
India
T: 91-80-2363 5225 / 5782
F: 91-80-2363 5781
E: info@parikrmafoundation.org
India
profiles
http://www.incredibleindia.org/index.html
(good for cultural background, geographical and tourist information)
http://india.gov.in/default.php (the
official government website for India, gives details on tourist
information, the legal and political system and recent news)
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