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About FSL-India

FSL India (Field Services & Inter-Cultural Learning) was established in India with the support of various international organizations in the year 2001. FSL India is registered under the Indian Trust Act.
 
FSL India is a non-profit, charitable, social and independent Non-Governmental-Organization (NGO) with the main objective of promoting Global Understanding/Inter-cultural learning and to work for togetherness encouraged by World Peace through Youth Mobility. FSL-India is a member of the Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service (CCIVS-UNESCO), and co-operates with the Youth Action for Peace (YAP) and the Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organizations. Apart from this FSL India is a member of NVDA (Network for Voluntary Development in Asia).

FSL-India is not inclined to any political or religious groups and is structured by a constituency-based network. It acts as a support structure for other Youth and Social Organizations. It co-operates with a large number of NGO's all across India in coordinating the International exchange of volunteers and in supporting the volunteer structure in India. We send and receive young people to/from all across the globe, by giving an opportunity to everyone to make a difference in his/her own life by sharing responsibilities and to shape his/her destiny into his/her hands.

FSL India supports volunteer projects all across India with its head office located in Bangalore. The LTV Center is located in Kundapur, Karnataka. FSL-India runs regional centres in different states where our activities are coordinated at a local level.

FSL India works with projects that are in co-operation with the local community, and always where international volunteers can make a real positive impact towards the local communities. Through volunteering, FSL-India aims to offer Indian youth, women, children, farmers, fishermen and other vulnerable sections of society direct contact with youth from abroad. International volunteers can make a positive impact towards the local communities, by encouraging them to continue the work initiated by FSL and the volunteers. It also works in a reciprocal way for international participants to experience an exciting time in India.

Our Ideology

We believe in giving an opportunity to every person to make a difference in his/her own life and in the life of others that he/she comes across through the field of social work.

The thought behind placing volunteers throughout India and also throughout the world, signifies our interest in the work and lives of people. By doing so we hope to make people more aware of the world in which they live and its possibilities.

The volunteer work that we promote is a type of informal education; gaining skills through practical experience, by meeting new people, facing and overcoming new challenges that arise during the programme. Volunteering does not require any specific skills but we encourage those interested in volunteering to be open and respectful of different cultural practices, and to participate in  the project in all possible ways.

Volunteering in an inter-cultural setting is not necessarily a straightforward process and can be difficult and complex especially when working in sensitive social projects. However, participation within such a process can be incredibly rewarding, leading to a great sense of achievement and growth - technically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

The volunteering opportunities available at FSL-India are considerably vast and include many different activities, which gives volunteers the opportunity to choose their own special area of interest. FSL works primarily with existing organisations, NGO's and partners to meet the need of the communities. FSL also has a number of self-funded and self-directed projects, which have been set up to meet the needs of the local community, that is not being met through other means.

Involving international volunteers in local community development activities adds an interesting perspective to the existing work - it provides opportunities to learn about other cultural practices and also stimulates discussions about internationalism in an age of increasing globalisation.  

We believe that the experience to live and work with people from different cultural backgrounds contributes to mutual understanding and respect - something we should all work towards and feel responsible for in this world!

Millions of volunteers contribute to our society worldwide every single day.

Our Activities

 During the last few years, FSL-India has grown to become the largest volunteer hosting organization in the country, organising various volunteer and social projects throughout India mainly through Short Term Workcamps and Long Term Volunteer placements. Most of the projects are carried out independently, as previously mentioned, and some in co-operation with local NGO's. This is because local NGOs are aware of the development work that needs to be done in an area, and we support them in these efforts.

 Our support sometimes consists of financial support, but mostly our support consists of placing volunteers from different countries to participate in projects where they are interested to learn, share and are willing to work together for improvement and understanding.

The LTV Program

LTV Program Objectives:

* Promote international understanding and cultural exchange
* Encourage voluntary service as a means to contribute to peace, equality and democracy
* Support community development and bring an inter-cultural dimension to community projects
* To conserve and protect our nature
* To bring global issues to local communities    
* Facilitate and support the personal development and self-awareness of volunteers.

 What is needed to be an LTV!

We welcome anybody who is interested to participate in our voluntary programs regardless of age, sex, religious belief, ethnicity or sexual orientation. Most of our programmes do not require any specific skills. But as the work is humanitarian in nature, we encourage volunteers to be:

* Open Minded: It is essential to be open to new ideas, situations, morals, values and ways of doing things. Things may be different from what you are used to or your existing expectations. If you remain "open minded" then you will be flooded with new opportunities. Broadening the mind is at the heart of inter-cultural exchange.

* Flexible: Remaining flexible to ideas, people, situations and encounters is important. While working at social projects, you will be dealing with people - and people are unpredictable. Taking a flexible approach is often the best way to deal with such situations.

* Creative: Taking a creative approach to your volunteer placement and work maintains motivation and, prevents routine and boredom for yourself and the project. When you start to think creatively it is amazing what can be achieved.

Structure of the Program

The LTV program at FSL-India is structured as follows:

* Application:  Volunteers must apply to our partner organizations in their own country.

* Placements: We will try and complete the placements of volunteers to projects as early as possible. Volunteers can apply to a LTV program for a minimum of one month.

* Information: FSL-India will send the required Information to the volunteers - including a pre-arrival letter, project profile, general information and travel details

* Arrivals: Volunteers arrive in Kundapur by the first Monday of each month.

* Orientation week: The program will start with a week long orientation.

* Registration:  Your registration will be completed during the first week of arrival.

* Projects: Following the Orientation week, volunteers will join their respective projects in different locations, depending on the placement.

* Monitoring: Each volunteer is allocated a LTV Coordinator on his/her arrival. The LTV Coordinator supports the volunteer and monitors the progress during their voluntary service through Monthly reports, LTV get-togethers, one to one sessions, emails, phone calls, visits etc. Monthly Project visits are also made by the LTV coordinator during their placement, where it is possible.

* LTV Get together: Once a month all volunteers get together to discuss their progress, share their experiences and challenges faced. It is a great opportunity to reconnect with volunteers and to use them as a resource network on how to act within their own projects. We also have 1-1 (one-to-one) supervision between LTV coordinators and volunteers to ensure that any challenges are tracked and dealt with at the earliest.

* Final evaluation: Volunteers are expected to complete and submit a Final project report and evaluation. This details their work, progress, problems, solutions and suggestions for future volunteers and FSL-India.  This report acts as a future resource for new volunteers and enables FSL to develop and improve the project.

 
Application:

In the section titled "LTV Project Information", you will find details about the different fields of work that are available through our program. Please go through them carefully and consider what interests you the most. We request all applicants to list three project choices in order of preference in their application form. We also request all volunteers who are applying to write a Motivation letter that accurately describes themselves, their skills and interests, past work experience, strengths etc. This information assists us to match you to the project as accurately as possible.

Placements:

After we accept your application from your hosting organization, the placement and the projects will be organized on an individual basis, according to the preferences stated in your application form. Please be specific about your interests, experience and project choices in your application form. We will place volunteers on a "first come first serve" basis and therefore some projects may be full. If your first project choice is full, we will offer you your second or third choice, or ask you to come later when the place is available.

Please note that even though we try our best to place you in the project of your first choice, we cannot fulfil everyone's wishes always.

Changes to project placements and hosting accommodation can be made only in special cases, but not before volunteers make sufficient effort to adapt and overcome initial challenges. We therefore ask all participants to make a significant effort to stay in their assigned placement for a minimum of one month before changing to a new placement. We consider that one month is the time required to adapt to a long-term project and new surroundings. In our experience we have seen many volunteers who have been successful in coping after the initial challenges.

Information sheet and Pre-arrival letter:

Your Info sheet will contain all the information that you need to prepare for your journey and stay in India. It is very important that you read the whole info sheet at least once and understand all the contents. Your info sheet will be sent to your sending organization one month before your arrival in India.

The pre-arrival letter will include all the necessary information that will make your journey to the LTV centre (Kundapur) as smooth and trouble free as possible. Please make sure to read it carefully.  

 Arrival:

The starting date of the program is the First Monday of Every Month: Participants should make sure that they arrive in Kundapur by that date. Kundapur is well connected by train and bus. All volunteers will meet at a common meeting point, where they will be picked up. Specific information regarding your arrival will be sent to you in a pre-arrival letter.

 Registration:

All the registration formalities will be done in the first three days of the orientation. This will consist of understanding and signing a contract ; collecting the participation fee. Please note that the first three months fee is collected in the beginning, if you have applied for more than three months. If you have applied for less then three months, then the entire participation fee is collected in the beginning. Please make sure that you have the amount converted to Indian Rupees before your registration.

You will need two photocopies of your passport and of your visa.

 Orientation Week:

The Orientation Week will take place at FSL-India's Centre at Kundapur. The Orientation week will prepare you for your program and introduce you to Indian culture and people. This will be the time to ask any questions about the program, the organization, the country, the culture, etc.
 
The schedule is flexible but the Orientation week usually contains the following:

* The LTV Program introduction: Topics include Aims of the program ; way of working ;  finances ; rules and expected behaviour.

* India: Topics include Culture, Religion, habits, customs, history, geography, social issues etc

* Language Skills: India has 18 official languages, and many more dialects and sub-dialects. We will start with teaching the local language, Kannada. Do not forget that English is widely spoken throughout the country. However we urge you to learn and speak the local language, since this will open more doors for you.

* Projects: We will give you an overview of the projects of FSL-India and an explanation and presentation of your particular placement. There will also be Project visits, where you will have the opportunity to meet current volunteers in the project who can share their experiences.

* Information: Lots of new things will be introduced to you including some sessions on yoga, cooking and Hindu philosophy

* Local sight seeing and meeting people will make you feel right at home. You will have the opportunity to visit market places, Indian homes and natural sites in groups or individually during the free time.

* Do's and Don'ts: there are some simple rules, which can help you have a smooth integration with each other and with the local people. This will also help to overcome your culture shock!

* Intercultural Session: Do not forget to bring items from your home (photos, music, food, handicrafts, etc) that may help you present your country and your culture to other volunteers as well as to the local youth.

* Group games and discussions: will be the methodology adopted during the orientation week, to make the theoretical sessions as dynamic as possible.

Volunteers will stay together in the FSL centre at Kundapur in shared bedrooms, and will take all three vegetarian meals together. The FSL Coordinators and team leaders will be taking care of all the activities and sessions for the entire orientation week.

 LTV Get Together:

FSL-India organises a Monthly Evaluation and reflection meeting for all volunteers. This is an occasion for volunteers to come together for a day to exchange experiences, have fun and relax. These meetings will take place in different locations and will have different topics and activities. This offer is additional, so FSL will provide basic food and accommodation and travel to the chosen location. It is a very good opportunity to meet and get to know the other volunteers as well as the FSL staff team. There will be one-to-one sessions between the volunteer and LTV coordinator to discuss the progress and to resolve any challenges faced.

 Final Evaluation:

A Final Evaluation will be carried out at the end of the program term and a personal meeting  between the volunteer and the LTV Coordinator will be held at the Kundapur centre. The Final Evaluation/Report outlines the work done by the volunteer where you can share your experiences (good and bad ones!) and complete a feedback form. The Final Evaluation serves as a guideline for future volunteers and for FSL-India to improve upon the quality of its projects. FSL India will provide each volunteer with an official Certificate of Appreciation to formally attest your international voluntary experience. It will also be the time to say good-bye to all those who have made your experience in India a memorable one.  
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Costs:

FSL India is a non-profit organization and does not depend on external funding. All costs of FSL- India are sustained through the participation fees from volunteers. We work only with local organizations that need our support.

Participation Fee - RS. 10,000/- for each month*

Remember that the participation fee is non refundable. Please decide the duration of your program carefully while you are applying.

If you have applied for more than three months, then the first three months fee is collected in the beginning.

If you have applied for less then three months, then the entire participation fee is collected in the beginning.

The participation fee will be collected only for a full month and it is not possible to apply for half a month.

The participation fee will be collected from the volunteers during the first three days of the orientation week. The amount will be collected only in the local currency (Indian Rupees). We do not accept any payments in foreign currency.

We expect volunteers to pay the first three months of the participation fee before starting the program for practical and organizational reasons.

The Participation fee is non-refundable.

Please try to exchange your foreign currency as soon as possible. However, try not to exchange foreign currency at the airport as the rates are more disadvantageous. FSL staff can assist you to find a convenient place for the exchange of currency and cash withdrawal at ATMs.

 What does your program participation fee cover

We are a non-profit organization, so we have kept our participation fee as affordable as possible. FSL-India is a non-profit body registered under the Indian Trust Act. We receive absolutely no financial support from the government of India or from any other foreign agency. The main source of income available for FSL-India is the participation fee that is collected from the volunteers.

Our expenses are as follows :
- Project development: this is the money that is spent to set up projects and travel to the different locations. Some projects require more investment than others.
- Orientation and Evaluation weeks for volunteers/participants: the expenses related to food, accommodation, transportation, and activities organized during this first week.
- Volunteers hosting payments: FSL-India pays for the food, accommodation, transportation for participants, which differs from project to project.
- Office expenses including salaries, telephone, internet, postage, photocopy, printing, stationery, electricity, gas, food (meals are provided to some staff), and equipment.
- Rent: for the accommodation of its international staff members (Interns) in Bangalore and Kundapur.
- Scholarships for Indians sent to projects abroad: FSL-India sends volunteers from India abroad on a sponsored program.
- Scholarships for Interns from abroad: FSL-India provides food, accommodation, pocket money and half the air ticket expenses for the Interns from abroad.
- Support expenses of local Indian youth trained and supported by us.
- Donations to local social projects: Apart from supporting local NGOs by the placement of volunteers and by organizing short-term work camps, FSL-India also makes occasional donations (in kind or in cash) to its partner NGOs.
- Local transportation costs for staff to visit volunteers and projects: in order to visit their volunteers, the FSL-India LTV coordinators have to travel regularly to the locations of the projects throughout the country.
- International travel costs to attend Conferences and international meetings: FSL-India sends representatives to statutory meetings and conferences to interact with its worldwide partners and develop its activities.
- Participation fees to international conferences and meetings
- International membership fees: FSL-India has to pay a fee to remain a member of international networks and platforms of like-minded organizations.     
- Promotional Material & Web Site costs.
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The following section provides an overview of the Projects available from June 2010- May 2011.

In this section you will find details about the type of projects that you can volunteer in. Please read these carefully before applying.

LTV O1  - TEACHING

LTV O1 A - Regular Teaching

LTV O1 B - Orphan Children Teaching

LTV O1 C - Ethnic Tribes Teaching
    
LTV O1 D - Street Children Teaching

LTV O2 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS

LTV O2 A - Sea Turtle Conservation

LTV O2 B - Environmental Education

LTV O2 C - Eco-Tourism

LTV O2 D - Eco-Clubs

LTV O3 - SOCIAL PROJECTS

LTV O3 A - Physically Handicapped and Mentally Challenged                         Children's Project

LTV O3 B - Rehabilitation Projects

LTV O3 C - Old Age Home

LTV O3 D - Women Empowerment

LTV O3 E - Slum Development

LTV O4 - MEDICAL AND HEALTH

LTV O4  A - HIV and AIDS Awareness and Care of Support

LTV O4  B - Rural Medication

LTV O4  C- Rural Mid wife

LTV O5 - SPECIAL PROJECTS

LTV O5 A - Special teaching

LTV O5 B - Special learning

LTV O6 - BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION

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LTV 01 - TEACHING

LTV O1 A - Regular Teaching

Education is an important tool in development. Teaching spoken English, basic Maths, Health and Hygiene awareness, Environmental education and conducting extra curricular activities with local school children can be a very rewarding experience.

You will be working in a Kannada Medium School, which is lacking in resources and/or English teaching staff.  One of the important aims of this project is to support the staff in the classroom and to bring an international dimension to learning. Your tasks will be to assist with English language learning using creative teaching methods to encourage and to develop learning skills in the students. You will also assist with extra-curricular activities, inspiring children to learn new languages and learn about new cultures.

You will be developing teaching methods and passing this information (through the Final Evaluation/Report) to future volunteers with a view to create long-term improvements to the educational model.

The volunteers should bring creative ideas to initiate new activities in the school, for example, environmental, organizational or computer education. You have to love children, as you will be surrounded by them everyday. If you have many ideas in teaching different kinds of activities such as games, songs, arts and crafts or sports and athletics to children then this type of project is for you! You will be teaching a variety of subjects depending on your personal interests and skills. Volunteers should have a good level of spoken English and some knowledge in teaching children will be useful.

Note: Please note that the project will not run between the Months of March until May.  Three weeks in October are winter holidays and depending on the school there are also holidays in December. During these months, volunteers are encouraged to take part in a summer and/or a winter holiday camp.

LTV O1 B - Orphan Children Teaching

Volunteers have the chance to work in orphanages, by supporting the staff in the project with the daily care of orphan children. The work is varied and so you must be flexible in tackling your work. The work could involve rehabilitation, education and supporting the orphan children to return and participate within mainstream life.

The work might also include cleaning activities, cooking, gardening, playing with the children in the evening, helping with homework, teaching and singing.

A creative approach to work will be useful - If you have many ideas in teaching different kinds of activities such as games, songs, arts and crafts or sports and athletics to children, then this type of project is for you! You will need to take a flexible approach to the work and you should be prepared to undertake a variety of tasks.

The Info sheet will have more information regarding the individual projects with schedules, and activities.

LTV O1 C - Ethnic Tribes Teaching

There are several ethnic minorities in India. NGOs are working towards community development to prepare them to participate and compete within mainstream society. The primary focus of NGOs is to help the tribal communities cope with issues they are facing - such as education problems, lack of adequate medical care and isolation. Working in this field requires a high grade of flexibility, and volunteers must try get involved directly with these people and with the staff of the local project.

Most projects in this field are located in rural and remote areas, near to or within the tribal communities. You will be working with tribal communities and so you should be prepared for very basic living conditions. There will also be a strong language barrier which will be a challenge for any one working in this field.

A prior experience or a good knowledge of these kinds of situations is appreciated.

Most of the development work carried out by NGOs working towards community development projects is based on education and awareness. Therefore the volunteers will be required to teach in most of the projects where they work with tribal children. So an interest in teaching and a love for children is important. However, you could also be supporting the staff in the daily running of the orphanage, when the children go to their normal school.

A creative approach to work is useful and you will have the opportunity to initiate new mini projects or activities. You will need to take a flexible approach to the work and you should be prepared to undertake a variety of tasks.

If you have many ideas of teaching different kinds of activities such as games, songs, arts and crafts or sports and athletics to children, then this type of project is for you!

LTV O1 D - Street Children Teaching

Many NGO's and local initiatives in India work for the welfare of street children or "working children", and FSL-India is one of them. The aim is to take these children away from the streets and from their working place in order to give them a chance to live a decent and balanced life. By placing them in centres, boarding schools and or day-care shelters, the children return to the regular schooling system and/or to train them in vocational activities to give them skills that will help them to find a decent job and keep them away from exploitation.

Much of the development work in street children projects is based on education known also as alternative education. Therefore the volunteers will be required to teach in most of the projects where they work with street children. So an interest in teaching and a love for children is essential in this project, like all teaching projects. Other work activities will involve supporting the staff in the daily running of the schools.

A creative approach to work will be useful and you will have the opportunity to initiate new mini projects or activities. You will need to take a flexible approach to the work and you should be prepared to undertake a variety of tasks.

In some cases the volunteer will be required to go amidst the "tent" community to raise awareness of the teaching program, gain interest and collect children. The "Tent community" is a community of migrant labourers who take up construction jobs in the area.

If you have many ideas in teaching different kinds of activities such as games, songs, arts and crafts or sports and athletics to children, then this type of project is for you!

Note: These projects are running all year long

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LTV O2 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS

LTV O2 A - Sea Turtle Conservation

For the last 15 years, the Sea Turtle population has been under threat from fishing and egg predation by locals. Three species of the protected Sea turtle are nesting on India's West coast and all of them are endangered species. As part of this project, FSL-India is working along a 60 kilometre stretch of beach in the south and north of Kundapur, Karnataka. The work is focused on sea turtle protection and conservation. The work involves surveys, data gathering and analysis, awareness raising amongst the local community and within schools, harbours and fishing communities. You will also be required to build hatcheries and temporary information centres,  as well as design and create  promotional material.

Please note: This project is seasonal and starts in August and runs until February, only for six months. The work requires high motivation and some knowledge in this particular field is useful. Please remember in the first month and the last month the majority of the work is preparation and report making.

There is NO guarantee you will see sea turtles, hatchlings or eggs whilst working on this project.

LTV O2 B - Environmental Education

This project has been set up by FSL-India in association with local NGOs. The aim is to educate lower economic and social groups, the local community, youth and children about environmental concerns, good practices and present situations. This project is usually run in rural areas where there has not been much development.

As a volunteer in this project, you have to develop and support creative education in nature conservation and to educate the local community on the economic and social benefits of environmental protection and nature conservation. You will be visiting schools, colleges, and youth groups and organizing environmental educational workshops.

There is also a chance to work with the local community where our volunteers, together with field assistants, try and create model streets. The local community is introduced to Solid waste management, the building of compost pits and the separation of biodegradable material. There is a lot of scope for interested volunteers who have prior experience to bring in their ideas and develop them within the project.

*Please note minimum application for Environmental Education is for four months

LTV O2 C - Eco Tourism

Ecotourism involves two major themes: Nature and Culture. Ecotourism is a form of responsible travel which contributes to the protection of the environment in natural areas, and the preservation of culture in local communities. It also provides conscious travellers with unique experiences which cannot be provided by mass tourism.

This is a new project initiated by FSL, which means there is still a lot to be done!

The volunteers will start by getting to know the village, neighbourhood and villagers in order to work together with them and see the different aspects of their lives. Educating the locals about the problems and exploring possibilities with Eco-tourism is an important aspect of the work.

Volunteers have to develop a working methodology that taps into local resources. Volunteers will develop a way of working, drawing local potential, introducing and setting up structures, such as:

· Creating a database of information of the surrounding areas
· Training and working with the local community in order to involve them in active participation.  
· Raising environmental and cultural preservation awareness
· Setting up and running the Eco Tourism project
· Making a web site and promoting Eco tourism as a form of livelihood for the local community.

The main fields of work are: art, traditional life, sights, environmental awareness, food, agriculture, industry, medicine, landscape, outdoor activities, religion, and spiritual experience. Each of those fields is divided into more sub fields. You will be working in a small team or individually to complete the database. The work will include site-based research - hence the ability to research and write reports is appreciated.

*Please note minimum application is for four months.

LTV O2 D - Eco-Clubs

Eco-clubs is a initiative by the Education Board of Karnataka, which was introduced 5 years ago in government schools. As part of this initiative, Eco-clubs were formed in schools and the members are comprised of school children. The aim of Eco-clubs is to introduce   environmental concerns and good practices to the school children, in order to make them actively involved and to be aware of the need to protect nature. However, most government schools lack personnel and financial means to run the Eco-clubs efficiently. As a result, Eco-clubs have been formed in most schools but they do not function.

Hence, the FSL-Eco-Clubs projects were initiated with the objective of supporting schools, the children and the teachers. Since August 2008, volunteers have run a 5-sessions programme in different schools in the surrounding areas of Kundapur for the children in the 8th standard. These sessions combine theoretical and practical learning methods. The children who have been trained this year, will train the next batch of children to run the Eco clubs. At the moment we have a potential of about 200 children ready to pursue our work.

As a volunteer your task will be to design and run the sessions in the schools, with the help of other volunteers, a field assistant and teachers. You'll need to be creative and have a love for children, as they are the main concern of the project. You will also get the chance to work with the local community in order to organize some out door events for the children.

Volunteers applying for this project need to have some experience and knowledge about the Environmental issues or teaching methods.

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LTV 03 - SOCIAL PROJECTS

LTV O3 A - Physically Handicapped and Mentally Challenged Children's Project

These children are rejected by mainstream society and so volunteers are needed to participate and bring joy in the lives of these children, and help the NGO to bring some structure in their daily lives and prepare them for adulthood.

Working with disabled people can be quite a challenging task for anyone. However, the spirit of these people can bring a lot of joy and a lot can be learnt. The main work will be teaching and supporting the staff in their daily activities for the care of physically and/or mentally disabled children. In the home or project it is essential that the volunteer is part of the group ; help has to be done wherever necessary and so you should be flexible and open to all kinds of work and activities.

Additional work activities involve maintenance and gardening work, preparing meals, serving them, cleaning and giving company.

A creative approach to work is useful and you will have the opportunity to initiate new mini projects or activities. You will need to take a flexible approach to the work and you should be prepared to undertake a variety of tasks.

LTV O3 B - Rehabilitation Projects

There are many NGO's working for social inclusion projects where minorities or less fortunate people have been left behind in the race for economic and social reform. FSL India tries to motivate/support them by placing interested volunteers to help them in their office, field work or to bring new creative ideas to their work. The work varies from project to project. So, in the application the volunteers must write clearly why they want such a project and also how they can contribute to the project.

Following are examples of the different kinds of projects:
* projects where working children are given vocational training ;
* projects where young people are given training in various trades ;
* projects where Micro-finances are given to a minority community and we help them to become economically stable.
* projects where computer education is given.
* projects with disabled children and/or adults, in order to give them more autonomy and to eventually reintegrate them in mainstream society.

Volunteers can help in many ways; for example there were instances when volunteers have taken photographs of local projects and helped them build a web page. Then volunteers in a vocational training centre helped the project to make a catalogue of all their products. Volunteers have helped projects by implementing a good filing system and helping in survey data collection. Here creativity plays a major role, and prior experience can help the project as well as the volunteer.

FSL India also helps less fortunate youth from slums or low economic backgrounds by giving them training in camp leading or office work. For example, slum boys will be recruited and given training in camp leading. After training they will work as camp leaders for a year. Then they go back to their slum and organize work camps for the next year so as to bring in development to their community.

LTV O3 C - Old Age Home

FSL-India helps many projects by sending volunteers to old age homes where the elderly are neglected and forgotten by the mainstream society.

Working at an Old Aged home can be quite a challenge. The work will include interacting with the old people and basic support towards the staff in their daily routine. The volunteers will take part helping in the daily activities, medical care, special programs for physical exercise, and simply giving company to the elderly.

This project is for those who are willing to work with old people and also for those who like this kind of work.

LTV O3 D - Women Empowerment

Many NGOs and government organizations are increasingly putting women at the centre of their projects and are working out programs and strategies in which they support the socially and economically disadvantaged women of India. Empowering women and educating them on their constitutional rights, and the law,  works towards the achievement of social and economical security of women.

Since most of the women you are going to work with come from an underprivileged background, they speak very little or no English. Be ready to find creative and alternative ways of communication. Please note the work mainly involves working in the office with the NGO as well as field work.

LTV O3 E - Slum Development

Indian cities suffer from huge urbanization problems and slums are present and growing in many places. These areas of the cities are clusters of houses and shacks built illegally, where all basic infrastructures are absent. Water and electricity supply are scarce or non existent, hygiene is low and outbreaks of diseases are common. The rate of unemployment is very high.

The aim of many NGOs working in the slums is to improve the basic living conditions of the large number of people living in these slums. The volunteers will have the opportunity to join hands with the local NGO to support ongoing projects such as awareness campaigns, literacy programs, educational projects and empowerment of minorities.

A prior experience and/or a good knowledge of the situation are appreciated. Working and living conditions can be hard.

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LTV O4 - MEDICAL AND HEALTH

LTV O4  A - HIV and AIDS Awareness and Care of Support
 
HIV and AIDS related issues are a world wide problem which is threatening the entire human population. There are many NGO's taking up this issue and working to tackle this problem. Each NGO adapts different methods; some work in promoting awareness whereas other NGOs work directly with  HIV/AIDS affected people. The volunteers applying for this field must have some prior experience or some medical background.

The work is varied and will involve assisting the NGO's in their programs. The work will predominantly be awareness raising and not practical work with AIDS patients. In these organizations, volunteers will be required to help give counselling, to work in hospitals or homes by treating patients, participating in daily care and also to provide education and social activities.

LTV O4 B - Rural Medication

The regional medical colleges and government institutes conduct rural health check ups and rural medication as part of health legislations. There is always a lack of staff support.
The volunteers will work and serve as medical assistants and help the rural medical team as a team member. Volunteers applying for this program must have medical back ground.

LTV O4  C - Rural Mid wife

Standards of safe practice are required to reassure women who plan to deliver their babies in rural settings. Sadly, government hospitals are severely under staffed and over worked, thus, medical and professional assistants are severely needed in these settings. Volunteers applying for this program must be trained in a medical background. The volunteers will work and serve as medical assistants and help the rural medical team as a team member, within villages and government hospitals.
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LTV O5 - SPECIAL PROJECTS

LTV O5  A - Special teaching

Do you have any vocational or special skills other than what is mentioned in our project information section above? For example, are you a musician? A carpenter? An Electrician? Or do you have skills in sewing? Are you a qualified teacher in Math's or IT/Computing, website design?  

If so, we welcome you to contact us as we can consider special projects for you in which you could use your special skills to benefit and serve an underprivileged community.

LTV O5 B - Special learning

As FSL India works towards cultural understanding, we are in touch with many local institutes, schools, individual groups who are working to keep the local art, music, culture, traditions alive. We also have an option for placing volunteers who are interested in this field, to help these mini projects by involving themselves in these art forms to learn and to give performances to spread it to others.

The different fields are:

Dance
Music             
Wood Carving           
Stone Carving       
Yoga         
Massage
Eco Farming
Puppetry

Please note during free time the volunteers are also expected to do some social work like teaching in the local schools or helping other volunteers in other projects.

For these projects, you have to pay an extra charge of approximatively Rupees 2,000 - 3,000  per month for your own living expenses or program fee of the institution, etc.
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LTV O6 - BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION

Depending on the time of the year, volunteers who apply for "Building and Construction" projects could be placed in any of the following:

1- Flood Relief in North Karnataka:
In October 2009, incessant rains has caused floods in the regions of North Karnataka, where these areas are usually dry and receive less rainfall. An estimated 18 million people have been affected by the recent floods. Floods followed the drought, thus farmers could not sow their crops. Those who managed to sow their crop have lost it due to floods. As a result 1.5 million flood victims are facing food scarcity in the area. The floods have also damaged property and houses, due to which a lot of people are displaced and have been left homeless. FSL-India would like to participate in the flood relief measures in this region by contributing through construction and renovation activities. Volunteers would be involved in the repair and construction of houses, community halls, schools etc.

2-  Model Village Project in Chennai:
Since July 2008, FSL-India has been involved in a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) project with Hyundai Motors in Chennai. As part of this project, FSL-India will work towards transforming 8 villages into a Model Village. Volunteers would help by implementing the following: Community Development ; Renovation and construction ; improving basic infrastructure in schools ; building community halls etc.

3- School Construction:
FSL-India has been working closely with an NGO in Shimoga, Karnataka called Mathru Chaya. This NGO undertakes construction and renovation works of schools in the remote villages. Volunteers will help in the construction and renovation of schools and temples along with the help of local villagers.

4- Sanitation Programme:
In the five decades since independence, India has witnessed a significant improvement in the field of Sanitation. However India is still far behind other developing nations in terms of achieving basic social and economic development indicators especially in the rural areas. 65% of the people in the rural areas are without sanitation facility. Due to lack of education, awareness and financial constraints, open defecation is common in rural areas.

The village of Trasi is an example. The people who are living in this village mostly belong to the fishermen community who do not have toilet facilities, So, they use the beach side for defecation. Even though the Government has conducted many campaigns under the "Total Sanitation project", the people do not come forward and participate in the construction of toilets because of the above said reasons.

FSL intends to improve community sanitation by constructing Indian style toilets and spreading awareness about health and hygiene through out the community. This will be partly funded by Government and FSL India.

Volunteers will be involved in the following activities:
Promote awareness among villagers regarding the importance of Sanitation. This can be done through plays, dramas, mural paintings, music etc.
Construction of  toilets with the help of local villagers.  

This is an on going work, so, volunteers can join as and when needed. 

Accommodation for Volunteers:

Accommodation for volunteers can either be at the project, in a local host family or in a hostel - depending on the project, location and availability.
 
 Living with a Host Family

You could be staying with local families near to the project. You could be sharing rooms with 2-3 volunteers or staying on your own.

What is it like to live with a host family?
The people who host volunteers are of all kinds - couples with or without children, joint families, single parents, single people etc. Host families provide accommodation, food, emotional and moral support, and guidance. A routine day in a host family is the behind-the-screen look into the culture of the hosting country and gives an insight into the customs of a family, which is an experience like no other for anyone who wants to learn about another culture. Not only learning, but the volunteer also develops an understanding of why the culture is the way it is. Host families help you to interact with the local community, which increases your chances of making friends and contacts.

An Indian host family requires that the volunteer who lives in their home should be willing to become part of his/her host family with the same rights, that he/she should be prepared to help with the daily household chores (clean his/her room, help to prepare meals or to clean the dishes etc.). We also expect all the volunteers to make an honest effort to share the daily life of the family he/she is living with. The volunteer is required to participate in family activities, show interest in the family functions and activities, help in the kitchen and play with the children. You are also requested to respect the timings, refrain from smoking and consuming alcohol in the house unless permitted by the family.

Volunteers should be prepared for basic accommodation and basic Indian food three times a day. As part of the community living experience, volunteers are expected to adjust to shared bedrooms and bathrooms, strict timings for meals, house rules, and dress code.

Living at the Project

Sometimes, projects provide accommodation for the volunteers. The project will provide a room that is shared by other volunteers or with the staff of the project. You must respect the living conditions of the project, and respect for the local environment is expected at all times. For example, there will be a designated smoking area. Volunteers also should be ready for basic accommodation and basic Indian food three times a day. As part of the community living experience, volunteers are expected to adjust to shared bedrooms and bathrooms, strict timings for meals, house rules, and dress code.
    
 What happens if I am unhappy with my project or hosting facilities?

Changes of placement and hosting facilities can be made only for very special reasons, but not before the volunteer displays an attempt to adjust and overcome the challenges that are present. We kindly ask all participants to stay in their assigned placement for a minimum of one month, as we encourage volunteers to try and adapt to the new environment.

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EXPECTATIONS

 "Your Expectations are your worst enemy!"

What do you expect from your volunteering experience?
* To learn about a new culture?
* To eat good food?
* To take part in a political and/or humanitarian act?
* To receive support and to help others?
* To work within a dynamic team?
* To change the world?
* Or simply to have fun?

If these expectations are not met, how will this make you feel? Disappointed? Frustrated? Useless? Let down?

Imagine having NO expectations, meeting your new experience with an open-mind.... Will this enhance and enrich your experience?  YES! It will give you the freedom to be open to all new possibilities and opportunities. It will give you the chance to discover new things and for you to enjoy your wonderful personal experience, by accepting and enjoying everything that you come across.

What FSL provides for you:

* A comprehensive Orientation week
* A LTV Coordinator/mentor at FSL to support you in any case
* A contact person to assist you in your project
* Access to reports and project information that could be useful for your project
* Transportation reimbursement from accommodation to your project.
* Basic accommodation and food
* Evaluation Meetings and LTV Get-togethers
* An experience Certificate at the end of the Program term to formally attest your participation
* An opportunity to engage within a programme that can be rewarding, fulfilling, educational and a lot of fun!

Please consider the following

You have a responsibility to read and understand this profile and to have attended the preparation meeting organized by your sending organization. You must also read the Information Sheet carefully before your arrival.

We also expect you to participate in the programme, and therefore we ask you to stay for the entire length of the placement. SO PLEASE PLAN ALL THE PERSONAL TRAVELLING THAT TAKES LONGER THAN THE WEEKEND, AFTER OR BEFORE YOUR PLACEMENT. Quitting your project before the end of the program term can cause a lot of inconvenience to the project and the people involved in it.

Please remember the following:

* Your actions will directly or indirectly affect the reputation and image of the organization.
* It is important to respect the local culture/values and traditions and the religious beliefs of the local people.
* Realize that the living conditions are many times different than at home (no warm water/air-conditioning, no easy access to international phone or internet, no easy transportation at all times, mosquitoes...etc)
* To make a serious effort in integrating into the local community.
* That it is easy to de-motivate other volunteers through careless complaining. You can avoid this by expressing yourself to your LTV coordinator.
* It is important to support FSL in our programs and projects.
* To be committed and show responsibility
* That inter cultural exchange is a complex process but highly rewarding
* To have a good time!

Please consider all these points before you apply for a long term volunteering project at FSL-India.

Thank You !!!!!