Volunteering

Volunteering is one way YOU can make a difference for the world's most under-privileged people. Indian students from various Universities join RUCHI during their vacations and contribute in various areas of community development.

Not only will volunteering enhance your appreciation for the diversity and richness of other cultures, for many volunteers it will also mark the beginning of a lifelong commitment to ending poverty and hunger.

RUCHI offers 2 types of international volunteers' placement

1. TOTEM VIP (Volunteer India Programme)

2. International Work Camps

TOTEM VIP

TOTEM programme is basically designed for international volunteers. This allows foreigners with an interest in RUCHI and sustainable development work to come and visit the organization on either a short or long term basis.

The two types of placements are:

1. 3 weeks cultural experience

2. Long - term (3-6 months) work placement

International volunteering plays an important role in promoting cross-cultural understanding that helps create global awareness and provides the platform for positive change in the world.

International Work Camps

A work camp allows the volunteers get an opportunity to foster international dialogue and friendship.

During the camp

• volunteers work, live and have fun together in a simple natural environment
• volunteers can join activities in different areas of RUCHI's work.

The work that the volunteers will be undertaking is of great importance and value to the local community and directly benefits villagers. These work camps may be joined by both Indian and International volunteers.

The motivation to be a volunteer is as personal as the shape of nose - some do it for social conviction,

Some, because it is a different way to spend their holidays, some for other reasons.

All want to have fun and to go back home with good memories.

For further details on volunteering opportunities with RUCHI please visit www.volunteer-ruchi.org

Some extracts from the feedback of past volunteers

The challenges RUCHI offered me, both mentally and physically, stretched and grew me. They opened up my mind to the new possibilities into which I can extend myself, both now and in the future ... This extended my capabilities and knowledge and has given me a greater appreciation for the surrounding environment and the long- and short-term ecological impacts humans have on it. (Lee-Ann Trebilco, New Zealand)

I found that going into the field was a very interesting experience and I was able to learn a lot regarding RUCHI's work in the surrounding villages. Although my Hindi was far from good enough to comprehend what was being discussed at meetings and site visits, the RUCHI workers were very patient and thorough in telling us what was being said ... Both Laura and I enjoyed teaching at Bandh School immensely and we felt privileged to be able to teach the children. Even without any experience of teaching, we felt comfortable teaching at the school and found the atmosphere relaxing. Our lack of Hindi was not a problem either as the children and teachers had an adequate knowledge of English. (Bryan Kirkup, United Kingdom bryan_kirkup@yahoo.co.uk)

Because of the strong RUCHI focus on alleviating poverty and promoting social justice, I have found myself learning a lot about these aspects of development - a fascinating area to have had some insight into. Social mapping, promotion of gender equality, micro-economic schemes - these are things I knew nothing about before I came to RUCHI, and I am a much richer person for that knowledge. (Jinty MacTavish, New Zealand jintymactavish@gmail.com)

I have experienced: weddings, food, dance, schools, and most importantly the simple life people live here. From my experience I now will go back home with a new outlook on life that focuses on the more important things like family instead of consumerism. (Jessica Rowe, New Zealand)

Returning to RUCHI a year after the first visit, has been enormously satisfying. We have the pleasure of greeting old friends, the satisfaction of seeing the progress that a year has wrought, and the knowledge that RUCHI's hospitality will be as terrific as it always was. (Richard and Gail Spence, New Zealand dr.dick@xtra.co.nz)

Awesome !! I loved that I got to see a lot of India that I could never have experienced on my own. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all you have done for me. I hope I can return the favour one day. (Anne Swart, USA anneswart@gmail.com)