Work

We had constructed a check dam on Shilli stream during 2008 which conserves water and recharges a natural spring underneath. This natural spring is a source of drinking water for Bandh village and RUCHI campus. In hills, the water run off is very high especially during monsoon season resulting in silting of this dam every 4-5 years thereby reducing its catchment, water seepage capacity and damaging flood control measures. Volunteers will assist in renovation of dam, removing fresh water spring, filter and tank. It involves 3-5 hours silt, putting dry stone wall for protection, Cleaning of hard physical work every day

Partner

RUCHI - an NGO committed to sustainable development since 1983

Location

Shilli stream near Bandh village. Ruchi campus is located near Bandh village. It is 30 km from Kalka and 60 km from Chandigarh. Bandh village is small and hilly located in interior mountainous area and the volunteers will have a unique opportunity to live with nature in a peaceful environment. Self organized city tours and excursions. Old Sikh and Hindu temples in the near vicinity can be visited. Nearby Chandigarh city with internationally known Rock Garden is a tourist attraction. A visit to Shimla will offer an opportunity to see high Himalayan Mountains.

Accomodation

Volunteers will stay at RUCHI campus on twin/triple sharing basis. Bed and beddings are provided. Simple basic amenities will be available, bringing personal sleeping bag is desirable. Asian squat type toilet & English WC with hot and cold showers are available. Our cook will serve authentic Indian vegetarian meals.

Requirements

Volunteers who do not mind getting their hands dirty for an environmental cause are more than welcome.

Notes:

Work

During 1st week volunteers would join us in our headquarter which is based at a rural location where they have opportunity to live & experience a typical mountain village culture, their lifestyle and during process join our ongoing initiatives like NFE, women empowerment, NRM (Protection of fresh water sources), organic farming etc. During 2nd week the group would move to Mcloedganj in Dharamshala which is a touristic town and also Secretariat of Tibetan Government in exile. Over here they would visit Tibetan, monasteries, museum, schools and join language classes with Tibetan people. There is a likelihood that we may take up some cleanliness work or some other activity.

Partner

RUCHI - an NGO committed to sustainable development since 1983

Location

(1st week) RUCHI Campus at village, Bandh of Solan district and (2nd week) in the town of Mcloedganj in Dharamshala, a tourist hub. The volunteers will have opportunity to visit the seat of spiritual leader, the Dalia Lama and other historical Hindu temples. Opportunities will be there for short and long treks in the mountains. After the camp, if they like, volunteers may visit Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab. In the first week, Nearby Kasauli town is a major attraction. A visit to Shimla will offer an opportunity to see high Himalayan Mountains and British architecture.

Accomodation

Volunteers will live in shared accommodation in both places. The minimum basic amenities will be available. Vegetarian food will be served but in the town you will have access to non-vegetarian meals as well. A cook will be there but volunteers are expected to help him and occasionally cook their own meals and self-management is required. Sleeping bags are not necessary but required for personal hygiene and additional comfort.

Requirements

Interest in working with communities and intercultural exchanges

Notes:

Work

You would work with our long term volunteers and visit schools 3-5 days a week to organise activities and sessions with kids according to age group. Volunteers will be creating activities to build up life skills among kids and further share their views and experiences about various issues like growing up, biological changes during adolescence, drug abuse, violence, vices, social media, freedom of speech and expression, career guidance, social norms like Living Alone, Relationships, Independence, social life, personality development, communication skills, talent and creative interests. Since these children will become adults soon volunteers can discuss and educate about different aspects through creative ways like using charts, games, outdoor activities, speech, debates, Group discussion, drama, plays, theatre acts, films, videos, advertisements, books, poetry, literature and other methods in schools. Volunteers can help Young minds be aware about globalisation, technology and help open their minds to new ideas and thoughts.

Partner

RUCHI and NFE Centre - both NGOs

Location

Ruchi campus which is located near Bandh village. It is 30 km from Kalka town and 60 km from Chandigarh city. The area offers a unique opportunity to live with nature in a peaceful environment. Self organized city tours and excursions. Old Sikh and Hindu temples in the near vicinity can be visited. Nearby Kasauli town is another hill station as a tourist attraction. A visit to Shimla will offer an opportunity to see high Himalayan Mountains.

Accomodation

Volunteers will stay at RUCHI campus on twin/triple sharing basis. Bed and beddings are provided. Simple basic amenities will be available, bringing personal sleeping bag is desirable. Asian squat type toilet & English WC with hot and cold showers are available. Our cook will serve authentic Indian vegetarian meals. Personal management required.

Requirements

Interest in sharing knowledge, discussing issues and open to understanding and learning new ideas.. People with mobility even having disability are welcome.

Notes:

Work

Working closely with local communities we have mobilized women self help groups in villages. Through these groups we have nurtured and supported women entrepreneurship initiatives to economically support their families. We also work with teenage girls in public schools where we assist in development of their soft skills. The volunteer is expected to better understand the role a typical woman has in our society and join them in their economic activity. Volunteers are expected to be creative and skillful so they can implement need based workshop for girls about adolescence education, personality development, career counseling etc. They will also be attending meetings of Self-help Groups (SHGs) and interact with women to better understand their plight and assist them to be economically independent. Additional activities will include learning of various developmental issues and solutions. They will visit various humanitarian projects and interact with the villagers.

Partner

RUCHI - an NGO committed to sustainable development since 1983

Location

Ruchi campus which is located near Bandh village. It is 30 km from Kalka town and 60 km from Chandigarh city. The area offers a unique opportunity to live with nature in a peaceful environment. Self organized city tours and excursions. Old Sikh and Hindu temples in the near vicinity can be visited. Nearby Kasauli town, a hill station, is a major tourist attraction. A visit to Shimla, the state capital, will offer an opportunity to see high Himalayan Mountains and British architecture.

Accomodation

Volunteers will stay at RUCHI campus on twin/triple sharing basis. Bed and beddings are provided. Simple basic amenities will be available, bringing personal sleeping bag is desirable. Asian squat type toilet & English WC with hot and cold showers are available. Our cook will serve authentic Indian vegetarian meals.

Requirements

Interest in gender related work and issues with a sharing and learning ability, High motivation.

Notes:

Work

Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami, Dasara, or Dashain) is a Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil. It is a gazetted holiday in India, which is marked on the 10th day of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the month of Ashvin (Ashwayuja), according to the Hindu calendar. During 2020, the main festival falls on 25th October and followed by 4-day long local fair. The festivities of Dussehra are celebrated for ten days. The preceding nine days to Dussehra are collectively known as 'Navratri' and are dedicated to the worship of Mother Goddess, Shakti. Dussehra is the culmination of the Navaratri festival. A short version of the epic Ramayana in the form of Raamlila is also performed for 9 days before this festival in Northern India.

Partner

RUCHI with local village council - both NGOs

Location

Baddi is a fast growing largest industrial hub in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh. It is 30 km north of Chandigarh city and 100 kms from Shimla town. Baddi offers a number of treks to tourists and a good majestic view of Kasauli range of mountains. The economy of the area depends on agriculture and industries. The volunteers will have opportunity to visit Hanuman Temple in Shimla, the Naldehra Golf Club and a local zoo or the Rock Garden in Chandigarh.

Accomodation

Volunteers will stay at RUCHI campus on twin/triple sharing basis. Bed and beddings are provided. Simple basic amenities will be available, bringing personal sleeping bag is desirable. Asian squat type toilet & English WC with hot and cold showers are available. Our cook will serve authentic Indian vegetarian meals.

Notes: