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Field Services and Intercultural Learning FSL-India
We are a dynamic youth organization doing social action through the international exchange of young people. We have been established in India with the support of several well-known international organizations involved in the field of international volunteer services.
We are a non-profit organization and are independent of public funding. We organize ourselves to promote Global Understanding, Inter-cultural learning and to work for togetherness encouraged on World Peace through Youth Mobility.
Being an active NGO in the field of development in general, we do not support any political or religious groups. We co-operate with a large number of NGOs and local communities in organizing our projects and, through this, we aim to offer people in India direct contact with youth from abroad. International volunteers can make a real 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 have an exciting time in India.
FSL India does volunteer projects all across India and its head office is located in Bangalore. The organization runs regional centers from where our activities are coordinated at the local level. FSL does projects that are always in co-operation with the local community, and always in a section where the international volunteers can make a real positive impact towards the local communities, by encouraging the work initiated by FSL and the volunteers.
Our Ideology We believe that the experience to live and work with people from different cultural backgrounds should create understanding and respect, something we should all work on and feel responsible for, in this world!
We are part of a network of like-minded organizations that are striving to make a difference by encouraging young people on the values of services through volunteer projects for the local communities. We send and receive young people to/from all across the globe, by giving an opportunity to every young person to make a difference in his/her own life and to take his/her destiny into his/her hands.
We hope people will think about in what environment they prefer to work and what style suits them best, learning by doing. The lifestyle may prove that with initiative, interest, open mindedness, hard work and fun, we do not need so many things we always thought we needed to be happy.
By placing volunteers throughout India and the world, into various societies, we show interest in the work and lives of people, which encourages them. We also hope to make people more aware of the world in which they live and its possibilities.
In this endeavor, it also opens the minds of local communities towards internationalism in an age of globalization; it further exchanges individual experiences and points of view among all the participants involved. It also creates awareness in the reflection on one’s own culture.
Volunteering is the heart of our work and activities, we initiate programs to work together with local communities in building a more peaceful and self-content society.
What we expect from the Volunteers
We expect all volunteers to have read and understood the information sheet and to have attended the preparation meeting organized by their sending organization.
Volunteers should:
-Co-operate with FSL by adapting to their new culture.
-Co-operate with the work camp’s team leader, who is in charge at all times of their security.
-Show responsibility towards their work.
-Adjust to the way of life in the project and camp surroundings.
-Realize that the living conditions are many times different then at home (no warm water/air-conditioning, no easy access to international phone or internet, no easy transportation at all times, mosquitoes…etc)
-Be open-minded, flexible, leave prejudice behind and show initiative.
-Understand that a lot of time will be spent with local people who do not speak English (very well). Volunteers should make an effort in trying to communicate in the local language; this shows their interest.
-Be creative. Ideas for the work, discussions, the campsite, excursions, and free time are expected to come from the group during the camp. Share your thoughts and ideas!
Moreover, most important: being with FSL means that you are part of a community of volunteers from all over the world. Their daily enthusiasm, initiative, and the will to improve the project, the lifestyle and the learning that comes with all contacts between people are expected. We learn by doing, only by taking initiatives and, therefore, sometimes making mistakes, we learn.
Only English is accepted when others are around, even if they do not join in the conversation.
Behavior and dress code should be cultural sensitive, especially while in the village or schools.
Other Details - All Camps start on a Monday.
- The info sheet will contain the general work details as per each project, information on the meeting points and other guidelines. The info sheets shall be sent latest by one month before the camp starts.
- The social contact in the camp is at least as important as the work itself and respect for the local environment is expected at all times.
- Ideas for improvement of local social and environmental situations are expected, not just for the work.
- Initiative and Creativity are expected and could give the camp the personal direction of that group, so work together with the camp leaders in creating a successful project.
- The volunteers should subscribe to their own health insurance and take care of medical vaccination needed for the area. Volunteers are expected to show proof of their insurance to the Team Leaders.
- The participation fee must be paid on the first day of the camp to the Team Leader and in the local currency.
- A full co-operation is expected by the camp leaders for the well being of the group.
- Our work camp facilitators are sometimes inexperienced, so we request volunteers to be co-operative and intiative in the work itself.
All work camps conducted by FSL India last for two or three weeks.
FSL Work Camps
Two Weeks: Rs. 7,500/-
FSL Special Work Camps
Two Weeks: Rs. 10,000/-
Three Weeks: Rs. 15,000/-
Bangalore (Teaching & Happy Hearts)
The Project:
1) Teaching:
Starting with the belief that our future society will be developed by the children of today, our dream is to give enough opportunities and confidence to the slum & street children to see them one day as responsible citizens of the future.
With the ideas and creativity of hundreds of past volunteers in India, FSL is developing the “Sunrise Model of Education”, a method of effective teaching which is practical and fun to use. The Sunrise model was designed as a helping structure to teaching anyone who has never been to a school or attended any kind of formal education. To teach a person who has never been educated in his/her life is going to be difficult, and the Sunrise Model also summarizes 12 years of conventional education with one basic structure.
The Camps in Bangalore consist in teaching English & Creative Education in a self-chosen fashion to the local children at a primary school as well as at center premises during & after school activities. Developing lesson plans and ideas in the group and passing this information through for future volunteers is part of the plan to create follow-up and long-term improvements in an educational model created with the help of hundreds of volunteers.
2) Happy Hearts:
"Have fun while you learn", is the concept of this unique project, our ongoing Happy Hearts projects exclusively for the orphan and street children. Joy or happiness is an integral part of the life inseparable that otherwise human beings would quickly die of boredom and monotony and our children are no exception to this.
Entertainment with Education is the method of these projects, for the volunteers will be taking the children out on a one-day picnic in an effort to bring some entertainment into their lives. Apart from just play and fun, the children will also be visiting places of various vocational centers like bio-farms, parks, nature clubs, museums etc, in order that the children can form ideas in their young minds which would later evolve as they grow-up to what careers they can take up in their lives and bring consciousness about the environment and the planet they are living on.
Requirements: You have to love children, as you will be surrounded with loads of them everyday. No prior experience in teaching is required, but appreciated. The volunteers should have an intermediate level of English at least.
Location: Bangalore City, South India
Bangalore is accessible by air, domestic and some international airlines fly directly to Bangalore International Airport. Trains and buses operate on an everyday basis from almost all major towns/cities in South India. The exact Meeting Point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: Will be at the FSL Home Base, in shared rooms.
Bangalore (Community Service Projects)
The Project: In this project we will work along with different organizations involved in the development of the underprivileged. The slum reality is a big issue in the entire country; our aim is to spread awareness among the people and to give them more instruments to feel confident and free to decide for their future, and for the future of a new generation. The mission of this project is to:
Ø Organize a multi-purpose project to involve the community and sensitize community/people about the Health & Hygiene problems.
Ø Educate the children to build a better and more conscious society.
Ø Spread awareness on Women rights issues and social welfare;
Ø Environmental issues.
Ø First Aid/ CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) Training.
Ø Working with other NGO’s in community service projects.
The kind of schedule and the focus of the project will be adapted to the season, the possibilities and the needs of the moment, to improve the achievements in a long-term view. Every camp will be different: the info sheets will give the full details about the particular camps.
Location: Bangalore Rural & Urban, South India
Bangalore is accessible by air, domestic and some international airlines fly directly to Bangalore International Airport. Trains and buses operate on an everyday basis from almost all major towns/cities in South India. The exact Meeting point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: The FSL Home base, in shared rooms.
Hyderabad (Social/ Kids)
Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh is a bustling 400-year-old metropolis with an urban population of 4.2 million people approximately. The city is cosmopolitan, and is richly endowed with a variety of cultures. The city presents an attractive amalgam of old world charm together with ebullience of growth and enterprise. Beautiful old edifices built in the medieval, large glass and chrome temples of commerce.
The volunteers can teach basic of English in a government School, they could involve themselves in painting and visiting the slums and train the slum women in health and hygienic way and help them in protecting their environment in the healthy way.
Accommodation: In the project site/shared rooms.
Location: Hyderabad is well connected to all major cities in India by rail, road and air.
Kundapur (Children & Environment)
The Project: Kundapur is a town situated on the west coast of Karnataka near the beach, and very close to the Western Ghats (a mountain ridge). The Western Ghats is India's prime zone for bio-diversity, known for its number of animal and plant species in this region. FSL has been developing project for many years in this region and has now formed a very strong network of local partners and local volunteers. We cooperate with a large number of schools, orphanages, institutions for special education and the local authorities to develop projects that are meaningful for the development of this rural town. Work camps will focus on rural development, environment protection and children. The volunteers will spread awareness about environment protection and solid waste management to schoolchildren. They will also be involved in activities such as creative education and Basic English teaching through games and songs with the children from the local schools, including disabled kids (physically and/or mentally). The work might include some physical work for the renovation and betterment of the schools (painting, building playground, etc.).
Location: Kundapur is situated 100 kms north of the city of Mangalore, 300 kms from Panjim (Goa), and 450 kms from Bangalore.
Kundapur is accessible by bus/train from Mangalore, Bangalore, Panjim (Goa), and Mumbai. There are international and domestic airports in Bangalore, Goa, and Mumbai. The exact meeting point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: at the FSL Home Base, in shared rooms.
Kerala -(RURAL KIDS/AYURVEDA) Ayurveda is the 5000 years old Indian health care system, widely practiced, in time with the times. "Ayur" in Sanskrit means "life", "Veda" means "science". It is a perfect Science of health and longevity. This holistic science is the knowledge of complete balance of the Body, Mind and spirit, including the emotions and psychology, on all levels. It includes in its consideration, longevity, rejuvenation and self-realization therapies through herbs, diet, exercise, yoga, massage, aromas, tantras, mantras, and meditation. According to Ayurvedic tradition health is the balance of elements air, earth, fire, and water and illness is as excess or deficiency of any particular element. Ayurveda treats illness at its source, rather than at the level of symptoms, and helps an in individual to take responsibility for their own health and well being. Ayurveda is also known as 'Ashtanga Veda' (the word literally means 'Eight branches of knowledge') as it is divided into eight specialized branches.
Yoga is a complete science of life that originated in India many thousands of years ago. It is the oldest system of personal development in the world encompassing the entire body, mind and spirit. It is the union between a person's own consciousness and the universal consciousness. The classical techniques of Yoga date back more than 5,000 years. The word Yoga means "to join or yoke together," and it brings the body and mind together into one harmonious experience.
The Project: The volunteers will be participating in learning the Basics of local Ayurveda in these two weeks of the work camp. Everyday there will be topics covered by the local ayurved master. The volunteers will be taken out for visits to identify the local medicines available in nature and topic on the relevance in the region will be discussed in the sessions, the volunteers will practice the simple remedy for common ailments which will be thought by the Guru.
Apart from which volunteers will also help at the Herbal garden in the nearby school(s). However in this camp one does not have the chance to go deeper into the subject. It is only a introduction to Yoga and Ayurveda. For deeper knowledge volunteers can join our special camp for Yoga and Ayyurveda.
Location: Trains and buses operate on an everyday basis from almost all major towns/cities in South India. The exact Meeting Point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: At the FSL Home base, in shared rooms.
Goa (SOCI/KIDS)
The Project: Situated on the west coast (Arabian Sea) lies this small tourist state of India. Goa was the former Portuguese colony in India, one of India's most cherished and prominent place for travelers since many years for its remarkable palm-fringed beaches; a travelers paradise. But Goa is also known to be a high-risk zone for HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases due to a high rate of sexual tourism. To tackle the problem of the rapid spread of these diseases FSL has been conducting an awareness program all throughout the state for several years with a local group of specialists. This year again several camps will be conducted but with different themes as well as FSL was receiving enquiries about supporting other areas as well, such social development, Awareness programs and creative education for the rural kids of that region.
In the first week of the camp, the volunteers will be visiting the schools and rural settlement of the region to present the importance of health and hygiene and need for education among the adults along with the children. Volunteers need to be very creative in designing the exclusive orientation for the people of this region. Volunteers who participate in these camps need to bring materials, ideas from the program on their arrival after which the whole group will settle on a plan of action decided by the team.
The program will be mainly in schools where the management will invite the parents and the surrounding villagers to visit and absorb the message given out through the presentation and plays.
Location: Panjim city, in Goa State. Panjim is the capital of the state of Goa.
Panjim is accessible by air, domestic and some international airlines fly directly to Panjim Airport. The nearest international airports are Mumbai and Bangalore. Trains and buses operate on a daily basis from Bombay and Bangalore. The exact meeting point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: Shared rooms at a Guesthouse in Panjim.
Moodabidri (RURAL KIDS/COMMUNITY/ RAIN WATER HARVESTING/CULT)
The Project: Moodabidri is a small town situated 40 kms from Mangalore coast in south India. It has a wonderful history of the jain community and has one of the most interesting jain temples in the region, one of them being the famous 1000 pillar temple. The area is an agricultural settlement and the region grows Paddy, Coconuts, Arecanuts, Black pepper, Vanilla, Exotic Varieties of Mangoes, Exotic varieties of Bananas and the Famous Tasty Cashew Nuts. Over a period of time the region has been facing a lot of water shortage and the region now is facing a receding agriculture practice as a result of the shortage of water.
In the Year 2003 FSL-India took an initiative to implement rain water harvesting awareness programmes in the form of trying to set up a rain water harvesting model in the region. FSL-India conducted several work-camps with the rain water harvesting theme and almost successfully completed one model in one of the villages of Moodabidri. Volunteers who participated in the work-camp dug hundreds of trenches to stand the water so that it percolates into the soil and increases the water table of the surrounding area/region. The result was beginning to show up but the project faced a sudden drop of new participants, which slowed down the project. Now from this year onwards FSL-India has decided to have a fresh start with the same project along with the idea of having awareness programmes in schools and local areas of the region. The volunteers will be mostly involved in physical work at the rain water harvesting projects and will also participate in having creative activities in the neighbouring schools of the region to revive the dying wisdom of rain water harvesting. Along with this program, this current year’s activities will involve in visiting the neighbouring villages/areas for awareness activities as well as investigating potential future programs/projects by interviewing the villagers.
Location: Moodabidri in South-India
Accomodation: In host families, Hostels, Hotels or Dormitories
Chickmangalore (Social/Kids/Envi)
The project: Chickmangalore is situated in the beautiful Kodagu region of Karnataka. It is one of the largest coffees producing regions of the state and boasts of the most extraordinary and hypnotizing landscapes in the region. Chickmangalore is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Karnataka and has one of the very interesting communities with its very own historical background.
The work camp will be focused on rural development projects in small villages around chickmangalore which have a requirement of creative educational support and general awareness in the areas of rainwater harvesting, Organic farming and health and hygiene in the low farmland holding families of the region. During the work camp, volunteers can visit the coffee plantations and also take a walk/trek in the reserve forests.
The volunteers will be involved in various activities ranging from physical work at the center, creative and entertainment activities in schools and kindergardens and awareness spreading on issues related to education, environment protection, health and hygiene.
Accomodation: In host families, Hostels, Hotels or Dormitories
B.C ROAD-(SOCIAL/KIDS/SLUM)
The project: B C Road (Bantwal Cross Road) is situated 22 kms from the Mangalore coast in south India. It has been recently identified by FSL-India through the support of the long term volunteering division that there is a huge need and requirement of volunteers to support in the rural schools and village.
The volunteers will be involved in various activities ranging from physical work at the center, creative and entertainment activities in schools and kindergardens and awareness spreading on issues related to education, environment protection, health and hygiene.
Accomodation: In host families, Hostels, Hotels or Dormitories
CHENNAI-(SOCIAL/KIDS/SLUM)
Chennai is a large commercial and industrial centre, and is known for its cultural heritage and temple architecture. Chennai is the automobile capital of India, with around forty percent of the automobile industry having a base there and with a major portion of the nation's vehicles being produced there. Chennai is also referred as the Detroit of South Asia. It is a major manufacturing centre. Chennai has also become a major center for outsourced IT and financial services from the Western world.
The Project work: The work will be Teaching the slum kids in the non-formal school, House visit and meeting slum people and giving awareness about the health, education and hygienic. And the volunteers can take the children out, inside the city like picnic, exposure visit and city walks.
Location: Chennai is reachable by Air from all over the world and train from main cities of India like Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi and Calcutta.
Accomodation:In the Project campus/Public Lodges
AHMEDHABAD (RURAL DEVELOPEMENT/CULTURE)
Ahmedabad or Ahmadabad is the largest city in Gujarat and the sixth largest city in India with a population of almost 5 million. The city is also sometimes called Karnavati, an older name and as Amdavad in colloquial Gujarati. Ahmedabad is the administrative center of Ahmedabad District, and was the former capital of Gujarat State from 1960 to 1970, when Gandhinagar replaced it.
In addition to its role as a commercial center, Ahmedabad is also an important industrial center, with chemical and textile industries. Ahmedabad is often described as the Manchester of the East, because of its once-booming textile industry. Ahmedabad is a very beautiful city. Ahmedabad is Gujarat's largest city and the headquarters of Ahmedabad district. It is located on the banks of the River Sabarmati at an elevation of 55meters (180ft).
The Project work: The work will be in rural development and teaching to the rural kids and their family like health and social awareness, water harvesting and learning about local festivals of that region.
Location: Domestic and International Airport: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport .Ahmedabad is well connected with rails and roads. The Ahmedabad railway station holds as a junction with railway lines emerging towards Mumbai, Delhi, Saurashtra and Kutch.
Accommodation: In the youth hostel/Shared rooms
Coorg (Environment / Rural Development)
The Project: Coorg or Kodagu (originally called Kodaimalenadu) means “dense forest on steep hill”. It is a rural district located near the city of Mysore (Karnataka State) amongst scenery of misty hills, lush forest, acres and acres of tea and coffee plantation, orange groves, undulating streets and breathtaking views. FSL cooperates here with several local environmental organizations to conduct camps focusing on a variety of short term projects which include environmental protection, re-forestation, tree planting, “Greening Asia” projects, working along with different NGOs to spread health and hygiene awareness among the tribal villages, and working together for the local schools in teaching English, building playgrounds, and assisting various underprivileged schools. The work will vary a lot in the camps and will always some physical work.
Location: In several villages (Guntikopa, Ponnampet, Madikeri), District of Kodagu (Coorg), Karnataka State.
Coorg is accessible from Mysore, Bangalore or Mangalore by bus. Bangalore has an international airport. The exact meeting point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: At the FSL Home base, in shared rooms.
Pondicherry (Rural Development)
The Project: Pondicherry, one the former French Colonies, is located on the East Coast of India. It is one of the most tourist places in the region and has a lot to offer to the visitor. Its laidback atmosphere and amazing beaches give it a very distinctive touch. It is also a prime location for learning yoga and meditation in one of its many ashrams. It is also the home of Auroville, the famous international community created by the Guru Sri Auro Bindo.
FSL cooperates here with our long-standing partner, the most active local NGO in the fields of rural development, education, women and minorities empowerment. In the past years our cooperation has allowed the success of many camps in which many schools and villages have benefited from the work done, including in the Tsunami-hit regions. Jointly, we are now opening a home base in a village 10 kms from the city which will become a shelter for children and old aged people in an effort to support the poorer sections of the population in the district. The volunteers will be involved in various activities ranging from physical work at the center, creative and entertainment activities in schools and kindergardens and awareness spreading on issues related to education, environment protection, health and hygiene. The idea is to tackle the burning issues that the rural populations are facing in all ways.
Location: Pondicherry is located approx. 200 kms south from Chennai (Madras), Tamil Nadu State (East Coast).
Pondicherry is accessible from Chennai and Bangalore by direct bus from both Chennai and Bangalore. There are domestic and international airports in Bangalore and Chennai. The exact meeting point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: at the center, in shared rooms.
Rajasthan- Mt ABU(Rural Development/Envi)
The Project: Rajasthan was inhabited long before 2500 BC and the Indus Valley Civilization had its foundation here in north Rajasthan itself. The Bhil and the Mina tribes were the earliest dwellers of this area.
Around 1400 BC the Aryans paid a visit and settled forever in the area. The local population was pushed down south and towards the east. Afghans, Turks, Persians and Mughals followed in mixing their blood, first in war then in peace, with the existing original inhabitants. This blending gave the martial lineage to the Rajputs.
From the times of Harsha (7 AD) to the founding of the Delhi Sultanate, Rajasthan was fragmented in competing kingdoms. Perhaps it was during this era by their influence through wealth and power the Rajputs persuaded the Brahmins to link them with the sun, the moon and the fire god.
With the passage of time they were divided into 36 royal clans. Rajasthan finally settled for a long and lasting reign under the colorful and vibrant Rajputs. and it’s a surprise that they lasted as long as they did.
The work will be Teaching the kids from poor background in the non-formal schools, House visit and meeting rural people and giving awareness about the health, education and hygienic. Volunteers can take the children out, inside the city like picnic, exposure visit and city walks.
Accomodation: In host families, Hostels, Hotels or Dormitories
Yercaud (Children/ Old Age Home/ Building)
The Project: Yercaud is a beautiful hill station in the state of Tamil Nadu with a fantastic landscape - surrounded by coffee and tea plantations.
Together with local NGO's we are conducting short-term volunteer projects for the local children and the Old Aged people and the local community. We will be working together in building a more peaceful and working environment for the local NGO. The work will be in the villages in the beautiful mountains, isolated from the rest of the world.
Location: Yercaud, Tamil Nadu. 30 kms from Salem town. South of Bangalore.
Accessibility: Accessible only by bus from Chennai (Madras), Bangalore and other small towns in Tamil Nadu. The meeting point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: At a Guesthouse, in shared rooms.
Orissa (Building/Orphan Children/Teaching)
The Project: Although the state of Orissa is famous for it's beautiful beaches, immense natural beauty and historic attractions, it is still one of the most underdeveloped states in India. More than half of its population lives under the poverty line and the illiteracy rate is alarming. In the district of Kalahandi, a tribal dominated area, FSL is supporting a local orphanage and is aiming at providing more facilities and a better accommodation and shelter to the local children. In these camps, volunteers will help with the painting and building of toilets and bathrooms, playground items and other facilities. The group should also be ready to take care of the children and organise creative and entertainment activities with the children of the orphanage.
Location: Muniguda is a small village, 40 kms from Rayagada, and the capital of Rayagada district, in Orissa State.
Muniguda is accessible by train and bus from Bhubaneshwar, Vishakapatnam, Kolkata (Calcutta), Delhi, Chennai (Madras) and Bangalore. The nearest international and domestic airport is Kolkata (Calcutta). The exact meeting point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: at the orphanage, dormitory style.
Delhi (Social Project)
The Project: FSL works with several schools in projects involved in imparting education to the under-privileged. FSL is changing that scenario with path-breaking work in several projects involving schools and other like-minded social organizations. Free education is part of FSL's agenda in order to bring more awareness to the down-trodden in society and inspire them with a sense of self-worth. This aim is accomplished with FSL's bright and caring group of social minded volunteers who work tirelessly in programs such as Happy Hearts which involve interaction with children of local schools who may not have even seen the inside of a classroom. This encourages the children to come out of their shell and free their inhibitions while asking questions and gaining more knowledge and to get more confidence with each step. Happy Hearts is all about building those essential stepping-stones of education in a child's life, while lighting the lamp of curiosity and sparking the appetite to learn more. Experimentation for a child is part of the process and each child is encouraged curiosity, test new waters and see the universe around. Formal education cannot happen without a basic infrastructure in place.
Location: New Delhi, accessible by air via Delhi international airport. The exact Meeting Point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: in a guesthouse, in shared rooms.
Pune (Social Project)
The Project: Pune may not be a cosmopolitan city as Mumbai is, but it is a pleasant getaway for all those who want to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Pune has a calm atmosphere, non-confronting people, and is certainly much more relaxed and peaceful than Mumbai. If you consider Maharashtra as a Marathi speaking state of India, then Pune can undoubtedly be called its capital, with its glorious past and high concentration of Marathi speaking people. Pune is also an internationally renowned educational center, being home to many institutions of repute like Film and Television Institute of India, Armed Forces Medical College, National Defence Academy and Symbiosis Educational Society. FSL in an attempt to improve the conditions for children has identified several schools that need to be upgraded in terms of renovation. Blackboards, the main medium for communication between a teacher and several pupils needs to be put in place in several schools. Imparting education to eager children is an extremely rewarding and fruitful challenge. Schools, which for the past fifty years haven't seen a fresh coat of paint, are being helped along the way. FSL sends volunteers who are actively involved in sharing knowledge with hungry children. All work and no play make Jack a dull boy goes the saying. Several children haven't seen playground furniture such as slides, jungle gyms, etc. FSL installs these at various playgrounds while doing up the playgrounds so that children get to release their bubbling cauldron of pent-up energies. We will do our best in trying to restore the glory and significance of some of these institutions.
Location: Pune is accessible by air with domestic airlines and all international airlines fly directly to Mumbai International Airport. Trains and buses operate on a daily basis from almost all major towns/cities in India. Meeting Point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: in a guesthouse. Calcutta-Street & Orphan Children (Happy Hearts)
The Project: A city of Joy and Love, Grandeur and Glory... Kolkata alias Calcutta is full of life and bustle, verging on the chaotic as traditional occupations rub shoulders with ultra modern industries. Kolkata is India's second largest city, the capital of West Bengal and the formerly the capital of British India (1772-1912); it is a city with a great deal of charm - its imperial monuments, strong cultural and religious flavor.
However it is also suffering from a terrible lack of hygiene, illiteracy and unemployment are rampant, and the first to suffer from these poor living conditions are the children. In an effort to bring a bit of joy back to the faces of the street and orphan children of Calcutta, FSL in co-operation with local NGO's in Mumbai will conduct a Happy Hearts Work Camp: it will consist of a series of “Happy Hearts” Sessions in which the group of volunteers will organise activities to entertain and open the minds of the children to the outside world. It might also consist in taking them out on a one day picnic or visit of local attraction.
Location: Calcutta, West Bengal.
Accessible by air; Kolkata has a domestic and an international airport. Trains and buses operate on a daily basis from many major towns/cities in India. The exact meeting Point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: in a guesthouse, in shared rooms. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FSL Special Camps
FSL is developing special camps at different locations with strategic partners all over India. The difference to the regular camps is that there are some with special topics, which are distinctive from the regular work that FSL does in other locations. These projects are planned with a long-term vision; they involve kind of work to change the lives of many people who deserve care and attention. These camps are special since the work itself will be initiated and run by FSL with a long term mission. The materials, planning and preparations cost more money.
The Project: Volunteers will be working together with many local village people in making various social projects and environmental projects.
The mission of this project is to:
Ø Organize a multi-purpose project to involve the community in all the environmental problems
Ø Educate the children to build a better and more conscious society
Ø Awareness Building Issues
Ø Health/ Hygiene & Medical Education
Working with other NGO’s in community service projects
Location: Trains and buses operate on an everyday basis from almost all major towns/cities in South India. The exact Meeting Point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: At the FSL Home base, in shared rooms.
Yoga is a complete science of life that originated in India many thousands of years ago. It is the oldest system of personal development in the world encompassing the entire body, mind and spirit. It is the union between a person's own consciousness and the universal consciousness. The classical techniques of Yoga date back more than 5,000 years. The word Yoga means "to join or yoke together," and it brings the body and mind together into one harmonious experience.
The Project: The volunteers will be participating in learning the Basics of Yoga and Ayurveda in these two weeks of the work camp. Everyday there will be topics covered by the professional master (the person in charge of yoga and ayurveda classes), which will be practiced by the volunteers. Yoga will be practiced every day. Apart from which volunteers will also help at the Herbal garden and the nearby school.
Location: Trains and buses operate on an everyday basis from almost all major towns/cities in South India. The exact Meeting Point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: At the FSL Home base, in shared rooms.
Goa (Arts/HIV/AIDS Awareness/Orphan kids)
The Project: Situated on the west coast (Arabian Sea), lies this small tourist state of India. Goa was the former Portuguese colony in India, one of India's most cherished and prominent place for travelers since many years for its remarkable palm-fringed beaches; a travelers paradise. But Goa is also known to be a high-risk zone for HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases due to a high rate of sexual tourism. To tackle the problem of the rapid spread of these diseases FSL has been conducting an awareness program all throughout the state for several years with a local group of specialists. This year again, several camps will be conducted.
In the first week of the camp, the volunteers will be given a training on the topics HIV/AIDS, STDs, and counseling. Using the information that was given in the training, they will visit local schools and conduct lectures. Furthermore to reach out to the general public, the group of volunteers will create a Street Theatre Play that will be performed in public places. In 2005 the FSL volunteers, with their own creativity, efforts and motivation created a play that won the first prize in the state theatre competition.
Location: Panjim city, in Goa State. Panjim is the capital of the state of Goa.
Panjim is accessible by air, domestic and some international airlines fly directly to Panjim Airport. The nearest international airports are Mumbai and Bangalore. Trains and buses operate on a daily basis from Bombay and Bangalore. The exact meeting point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: Shared rooms at a Guesthouse in Panjim.
Kundapur (Environment / Marine Turtles)
The Project: Kundapur is a town situated on the west coast of Karnataka near the beach, and very close to the Western Ghats (a mountain ridge). The Western Ghats is India's prime zone for bio-diversity, known for its number of animal and plant species in this region. FSL has been developing project for many years in this region and has now formed a very strong network of local partners and local volunteers. FSL started here a Marine Turtle protection project in co-operation with the Forest Department of the State of Karnataka. Over a 60-kilometer stretch of beach, surveys have been conducted and protection of the turtle nests has taken place until the hatching of the eggs. In 2005, more than 500 baby turtles reached the ocean safely thanks to the effort of our volunteers. This year again we will try to improve our performance. The Work camps will also focus on spreading awareness to the general public and to the schools about the importance of turtles in the bio-diversity.
Location: Kundapur is situated 100 kms north of the city of Mangalore, 300 kms from Panjim (Goa), and 450 kms from Bangalore.
Kundapur is accessible by bus/train from Mangalore, Bangalore, Panjim (Goa), and Mumbai. There are international and domestic airports in Bangalore, Goa, and Mumbai. The exact meeting point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: at the FSL Home Base, in shared rooms.
HUBLI-DHARWAD(RAINWATER HARVESTING/CULT/PLAYGROUND/KIDS)
The Project: Hubli-Dharwad issituated at the bottom of north-karnataka and is 133 kms from the south coast of Karwar. Hubli and Dharwad are sister cities and has a wonderful agricultural background of gorwing Chillies, Onions, Vegetables, Indian Cotton and sugarcanes. The region is culturally belonging to the wonderful Gowda community whose main source of income is through agricultural produces. It is one of the very interesting communities who have maintained their ethnic background and still practice the same way of life like their fore-fathers with a little or no change at all. The Gowdas are one of the very loving communities to experience who take pride in practicing their original way of life.
The region over the years, faced lack of support from the government towards the agricultural society, in terms of education for their offspring’s. The schools of the villages have no proper tutors and lack the basic exposure of modern world education.
FSL-India Identified the need for basic support of education and awareness. Most of the schools were noticed of not having playgrounds for the children.
The volunteers will be involved in various activities ranging from physical work, creative education and entertainment activities in schools and kindergartens and awareness spreading on issues related to education, environment protection, health and hygiene.
Accomodation: In host families, Hostels, Hotels or Dormitories
Dharamsala/Sairopa-(Environment/Tibetan Culture/Rural Development)
The Project: Valleys of the Himalayas - where the heaven meets the earth. This small paradise is home to the Dalai Lama and to a significant Tibetan settlement in India. Dharamsala is set in the backdrop of the snow-clad peaks of Dhauladhar Mountains. It is the capital of the Tibetan Government in exile and the residence of the Dalai Lama. In the first two weeks of the camp, the volunteers will get the opportunity to learn about the Tibetan culture and the different issues related to the exile of its people and the re-settlement in India. There will be cultural activities and exchange with the Tibetan Youth with the support of the Tibetan Welfare Office. The project will also include an awareness campaign for the protection of the environment and solid waste management in cooperation with the Forest Department of Himachal Pradesh. Furthermore, the volunteers will support a local school in need with simple renovation work and interaction with the children (Indian children).
Finally, the last and third week of the camp will be an environmental trek in Sai Ropa, Kullu Valley, and the Great Himalayan National Park for 5 to 6 days, with professional guides.
Location: Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, North India. 300 Kms north of Delhi.
Dharamsala is accessible by bus on a daily basis from New Delhi and other smaller cities of North India. The nearest train stations are Pathankot and Kangra Mandir. Delhi is the nearest international airport. The exact Meeting Point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: At a Guesthouse, in shared rooms.
Rajasthan- Mt ABU(Rural Development/Envi)
The Project: Rajasthan was inhabited long before 2500 BC and the Indus Valley Civilization had its foundation here in north Rajasthan itself. The Bhil and the Mina tribes were the earliest dwellers of this area.
Around 1400 BC the Aryans paid a visit and settled forever in the area. The local population was pushed down south and towards the east. Afghans, Turks, Persians and Mughals followed in mixing their blood, first in war then in peace, with the existing original inhabitants. This blending gave the martial lineage to the Rajputs.
From the times of Harsha (7 AD) to the founding of the Delhi Sultanate, Rajasthan was fragmented in competing kingdoms. Perhaps it was during this era by their influence through wealth and power the Rajputs persuaded the Brahmins to link them with the sun, the moon and the fire god.
With the passage of time they were divided into 36 royal clans. Rajasthan finally settled for a long and lasting reign under the colorful and vibrant Rajputs. and it’s a surprise that they lasted as long as they did.
Work camps here will be done with local co-operation for rural development and water shed management, environmental awareness and working together with local villages in rural development projects.
Location: Jaipur and neighboring regions, State of Rajasthan
Accessible by domestic airlines. Trains operate on an everyday basis from New Delhi and Mumbai.
Meeting Point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: At a Guesthouse.
Moodabidri (PLAYGROUND/ KIDS)
The Project: Moodabidri is a small town situated 40 kms from Mangalore coast in south India. It has a wonderful history of the jain community and has one of the most interesting jain temples in the region, one of them being the famous 1000 pillar temple. The area is an agricultural settlement and the region grows Paddy, Coconuts, Arecanuts, Black pepper, Vanilla, Exotic Varieties of Mangoes, Exotic varieties of Bananas and the Famous Tasty Cashew Nuts. Over a period of time the region has been facing a lot of water shortage and the region now is facing a receding agriculture practice as a result of the shortage of water.
In the Year 2003 FSL-India took an initiative to implement rain water harvesting awareness programmes in the form of trying to set up a rain water harvesting model in the region. FSL-India conducted several work-camps with the rain water harvesting theme and almost successfully completed one model in one of the villages of Moodabidri. Volunteers who participated in the work-camp dug hundreds of trenches to stand the water so that it percolates into the soil and increases the water table of the surrounding area/region.
Volunteers who could not participate in continuous physical work visited the neighbouring schools to meet and teach the children.
The volunteers conducted creative education programs for these children in the neighbouring schools. One of the most interesting questions from the volunteers was that it is quite surprising that most /none of the schools have a playground for the children? It was noticed that swings, slides, merry-go-round, and See-saw’s were not present for these children to play. Volunteers in their evaluations suggested whether FSL can organize camps which will ONLY have activities such as making playground or activities with kids along with the playground project. These suggestions were hanging for quite sometime on FSL India’s pending work basket and so this year it was decided that there will be a special work camp with theme Playground combined with activities for the children, provided there are satisfactory registrations for the camp.
Location: Moodabidri in South-India
Accomodation: In host families, Hostels, Hotels or Dormitories.
Hampi- (Environment/Culture) The Project: Located in the central part of the state of Karnataka, in the southern part of India, Hampi is definitely one of the most interesting travel destinations in the map of India. It is famous for its ruins belonging to the erstwhile medieval Hindu kingdom of Vijaynagar, now declared a World Heritage site. The temples of Hampi, its monolithic sculptures and monuments are breath taking. The Hindu style of architecture found at Hampi speaks of the splendor of the Vijaynagar Empire.
Work camps in Hampi will concentrate on the protection of the cultural heritage site and on creating awareness among the locals and the tourists. Where trees and plants will be planted, and grown thereby converting dry areas into beautiful spots for an eye to rest on. The work will include physical work and will require a lot of creativity and motivation from the volunteers to convey the message.
Location: Hampi, North Karnataka, 350 kms from Bangalore, and 13 km from Hospet.
Hampi Bazaar (full name of the village) is accessible by bus from Bangalore and Goa. The nearest train station is in Hospet (13 kms). The nearest international airports are Goa, Bangalore and Mumbai. The exact meeting point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: At a guesthouse, in shared rooms.
Calcutta-Street & Orphan Children (Happy Hearts)
The Project: A city of Joy and Love, Grandeur and Glory... Kolkatta alias Calcutta is full of life and bustle, verging on the chaotic as traditional occupations rub shoulders with ultra modern industries. Kolkata is India's second largest city, the capital of West Bengal and the formerly the capital of British India (1772-1912); it is a city with a great deal of charm - its imperial monuments, strong cultural and religious flavor.
However it is also suffering from a terrible lack of hygiene, illiteracy and unemployment are rampant, and the first to suffer from these poor living conditions are the children. In an effort to bring a bit of joy back to the faces of the street and orphan children of Calcutta, FSL in co-operation with local NGO's will conduct a Happy Hearts Work Camp: it will consist of a series of “HAPPY HEARTS” Sessions in which the group of volunteers will organise activities to entertain and open the minds of the children to the outside world.
Apart from the regular workcamp,which usually has only a days visit to the outside world, this year FSL-India has decided to go an extra mile with the idea of giving out to the children something special. This special workcamp will feature one week of creative education and one week of continuous special activities. In our regular programs we have a day or two day plan for the “HAPPY HEARTS” but in this camp, each day of the second week will have visit activities such as visit to the planetorium, amusement park, movies and so on. This camp is also dependant on the number of quality registration for the camp.
These activities are possible if the received participant applications is at least 12 volunteers.
Location: Calcutta, West Bengal.
Accessible by air; Kolkata has a domestic and an international airport. Trains and buses operate on a daily basis from many major towns/cities in India. The exact meeting Point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: in a guesthouse, in shared rooms.
FSL-India
Bangalore Head Office
Arshiya Manor, S-1, 2’nd floor, No.489/28, 13’Th cross, Wilson Garden, Bangalore-27, Karnataka, India
Phone: +91 (0)80 22111930, +91 (0)80 22111931
Hot Line: +919900244739
Fax +91 (0)80 22131055
E-mail: campsfslindia@gmail.com
General Website: www.fsl-india.org
Welcome
Program Year June 2008- May 2009
FSL Work Camps
Program Year 2008-2009
We are a dynamic youth organization doing social action through the international exchange of young people. We have been established in India with the support of several well-known international organizations involved in the field of international volunteer services.
We are a non-profit organization and are independent of public funding. We organize ourselves to promote Global Understanding, Inter-cultural learning and to work for togetherness encouraged on World Peace through Youth Mobility.
Being an active NGO in the field of development in general, we do not support any political or religious groups. We co-operate with a large number of NGOs and local communities in organizing our projects and, through this, we aim to offer people in India direct contact with youth from abroad. International volunteers can make a real 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 have an exciting time in India.
FSL India does volunteer projects all across India and its head office is located in Bangalore. The organization runs regional centers from where our activities are coordinated at the local level. FSL does projects that are always in co-operation with the local community, and always in a section where the international volunteers can make a real positive impact towards the local communities, by encouraging the work initiated by FSL and the volunteers.
Our Ideology We believe that the experience to live and work with people from different cultural backgrounds should create understanding and respect, something we should all work on and feel responsible for, in this world!
We are part of a network of like-minded organizations that are striving to make a difference by encouraging young people on the values of services through volunteer projects for the local communities. We send and receive young people to/from all across the globe, by giving an opportunity to every young person to make a difference in his/her own life and to take his/her destiny into his/her hands.
We hope people will think about in what environment they prefer to work and what style suits them best, learning by doing. The lifestyle may prove that with initiative, interest, open mindedness, hard work and fun, we do not need so many things we always thought we needed to be happy.
By placing volunteers throughout India and the world, into various societies, we show interest in the work and lives of people, which encourages them. We also hope to make people more aware of the world in which they live and its possibilities.
In this endeavor, it also opens the minds of local communities towards internationalism in an age of globalization; it further exchanges individual experiences and points of view among all the participants involved. It also creates awareness in the reflection on one’s own culture.
Volunteering is the heart of our work and activities, we initiate programs to work together with local communities in building a more peaceful and self-content society.
What we expect from the Volunteers
We expect all volunteers to have read and understood the information sheet and to have attended the preparation meeting organized by their sending organization.
Volunteers should:
-Co-operate with FSL by adapting to their new culture.
-Co-operate with the work camp’s team leader, who is in charge at all times of their security.
-Show responsibility towards their work.
-Adjust to the way of life in the project and camp surroundings.
-Realize that the living conditions are many times different then at home (no warm water/air-conditioning, no easy access to international phone or internet, no easy transportation at all times, mosquitoes…etc)
-Be open-minded, flexible, leave prejudice behind and show initiative.
-Understand that a lot of time will be spent with local people who do not speak English (very well). Volunteers should make an effort in trying to communicate in the local language; this shows their interest.
-Be creative. Ideas for the work, discussions, the campsite, excursions, and free time are expected to come from the group during the camp. Share your thoughts and ideas!
Moreover, most important: being with FSL means that you are part of a community of volunteers from all over the world. Their daily enthusiasm, initiative, and the will to improve the project, the lifestyle and the learning that comes with all contacts between people are expected. We learn by doing, only by taking initiatives and, therefore, sometimes making mistakes, we learn.
Only English is accepted when others are around, even if they do not join in the conversation.
Behavior and dress code should be cultural sensitive, especially while in the village or schools.
Other Details - All Camps start on a Monday.
- The info sheet will contain the general work details as per each project, information on the meeting points and other guidelines. The info sheets shall be sent latest by one month before the camp starts.
- The social contact in the camp is at least as important as the work itself and respect for the local environment is expected at all times.
- Ideas for improvement of local social and environmental situations are expected, not just for the work.
- Initiative and Creativity are expected and could give the camp the personal direction of that group, so work together with the camp leaders in creating a successful project.
- The volunteers should subscribe to their own health insurance and take care of medical vaccination needed for the area. Volunteers are expected to show proof of their insurance to the Team Leaders.
- The participation fee must be paid on the first day of the camp to the Team Leader and in the local currency.
- A full co-operation is expected by the camp leaders for the well being of the group.
- Our work camp facilitators are sometimes inexperienced, so we request volunteers to be co-operative and intiative in the work itself.
Costs
FSL India is a non –profit organization and does not have external funding. All costs of the camp are sustained through participation fees from volunteers. Therefore volunteers are expected to pay the participation fee mentioned below besides all their personal costs needed to come to India (travel/vaccinations/etc):All work camps conducted by FSL India last for two or three weeks.
FSL Work Camps
Two Weeks: Rs. 7,500/-
FSL Special Work Camps
Two Weeks: Rs. 10,000/-
Three Weeks: Rs. 15,000/-
| CODE | DATES | PLACE | THEME | |
| Jun-07 | ||||
| FSL-WC-382 | 2nd-15thJune | Bangalore | TEACH/HAPPY HEARTS | 2 weeks |
| FSL-WC-383 | 2nd-15thJune | Chennai | SLUM KIDS | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-WC-384 | 9th-22ndJune | Kundapur | SOCI/KIDS/envi | 2 weeks |
| FSL-WC-385 | 9th-22ndJune | Goa | SOCI/KIDS | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-WC-386 | 16th-29thJune | Moodabidri | KIDS/COMMUNITY/ RAIN WATER HARVESTING/CULT | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-WC-387 | 16th-29thJune | Hyderabad | SOCI/KIDS | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-SPL-66 | 2nd-15thJune | Hampi | ECO/HERITAGE CONSERVATION | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-SPL-67 | 16th-29thJune | Kolkata(calcutta) | SOCI/KIDS | 2 Weeks |
| 08-Jul | ||||
| FSL-WC-388 | 7th-20th july | Pondicherry | SOCI/KIDS | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-WC-389 | 7th-20th july | Rajasthan/Mt Abu | SOCI/COMMUNITY SERVICE | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-WC-390 | 7th-20th july | pune | STREET KIDS | 2 weeks |
| FSL-WC-391 | 14th-27th july | Kundapur | RURAL DEV/KIDS | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-WC-392 | 14th-27th July | Moodabidri | KIDS/COMMUNITY/ RAIN WATER HARVESTING/CULT | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-WC-393 | 14th -27th July | Kerala | RURAL KIDS/AYUR VEDA | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-SPL-68 | 14th-27th July | Hubli-Dharwad | RAINWATER HARVESTING/PLAYGROUND/KIDS | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-SPL-69 | 7th-27th July | Dharamsala | TIBETIAN CULT/KIDS | 3 Weeks |
| FSL-SPL-70 | 14th-27th July | Kulu/Manali | Social/community | 2 Weeks |
| Aug-08 | ||||
| FSL-WC-394 | 4th-17th August | Bangalore | SOCI/COMMUNITY SERVICE | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-WC-395 | 4th-17th August | Coorg | ENVI/KIDS/COMMUNITY | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-WC-396 | 4th-17th August | B.C.Road | SOCI/KIDS/TEACH | 2 weeks |
| FSL-WC-397 | 11th-24th August | Kundapur | SOCI/KIDS/envi | 2 weeks |
| FSL-WC-398 | 11th-24th August | CHICKMANGALORE | SOCI/AWA | 2 weeks |
| FSL-WC-399 | 11th-24th August | Chennai | TEACH/HAPPY HEARTS | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-SPL-71 | 18th-31st August | RAJASTHAN | WATER HARVESTING/CULT | 2 weeks |
| FSL-SPL-72 | 18th-31st August | Ahmedabad | RURAL/CULTURE | 2 weeks |
| FSL-SPL-73 | 18th-31st August | DELHI | SOCIAL/KIDS | 2 Weeks |
| Sep-08 | ||||
| FSL-WC-400 | 1st-14th September | Orrisa | SOCI/KIDS | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-WC-401 | 1st-14th September | Pondicherry | SOCI/KIDS | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-WC-402 | 1st-14th September | Yercad | SOCI/KIDS/ENVI | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-WC-403 | 8th-21st September | Pune | CHILD LABOUR/STREET KIDS | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-WC-404 | 8th-21st September | Kundhapur | Children/ Construction | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-WC-405 | 8th-21st September | Delhi | SOCI/KIDS/COMMUNITY | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-SPL-74 | 15th-28th September | Ahmedabad | RURAL/KIDS/COMMUNITY | 2 weeks |
| FSL-SPL-75 | 15th-28th September | Goa | HIV/AIDS Awareness | 2 Weeks |
| Oct-08 | ||||
| FSL-WC-406 | 6th-19th October | Chennai | STREET KIDS/SLUM KIDS | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-WC-407 | 6th-19th October | Moodabidri | KIDS/COMMUNITY/ RAIN WATER HARVESTING/CULT | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-WC-408 | 13th-26th October | Orrisa | SOCI/AWA/kids | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-WC-409 | 13th-26th October | Pune | TIBETIAN CULT/KIDS | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-SPL-76 | 13th-26th October | Kundhapur | SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-SPL-77 | 20th Oct-2nd Nov | Dharamsala | TIBETIAN CULT/KIDS | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-SPL-78 | 20th Oct-2nd Nov | Hampi | ECO/HERITAGE CONSERVATION | 2 Weeks |
| Nov-07 | ||||
| FSL-WC-410 | 3rd-16th November | Bangalore | SOCI/COMMUNITY SERVICE | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-WC-411 | 3rd-16th November | Orrisa | SOCI/KIDS | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-WC-412 | 3rd-16th November | Culcutta/Kolkata | SOCI/KIDS | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-WC-413 | 10th-23rd November | CHICKMANGALORE | SOCI/KIDS/ENVI | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-WC-414 | 10th-23rd November | Goa | SOCI/KIDS | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-WC-415 | 10th-23rd November | Moodabidri | KIDS/COMMUNITY/ RAIN WATER HARVESTING/CULT | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-SPL-79 | 17th-30th November | Kundhapur | SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-SPL-80 | 17th-30th November | Kerala | YOGA/AYUR VEDA | 2 Weeks |
| Dec-07 | ||||
| FSL-WC-416 | 1st-14th December | Orrisa | SOCI/KIDS | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-WC-417 | 8th-21st December | Culcutta/Kokotta | SLUM KIDS/AWARE | 2 weeks |
| FSL-WC-418 | 8th-21st December | Ahmedabad | RURAL/KIDS/COMMUNITY | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-SPL-81 | 8th-21st December | kundapur | SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION | 2 Weeks |
| Jan-09 | ||||
| FSL-WC-419 | 5th-18th January | Bangalore | TEACH/HAPPY HEARTS | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-WC-420 | 5th-18th January | Yercad | SOCI/KIDS | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-WC-421 | 5th-18th January | Delhi | SOCI/KIDS/COMMUNITY | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-SPL-82 | 12th-25th January | kundapur | SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-SPL-83 | 12th-25th January | Kerala | YOGA/AYUR VEDA | 2 Weeks |
| Feb-09 | ||||
| FSL-WC-422 | 2nd-15th February | Culcutta/Kolkotta | SOCI/KIDS | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-WC-423 | 2nd-15th February | kundapur | SOCI/KIDS | 2 weeks |
| FSL-SPL-84 | 9th-22nd February | Rajasthan | ENVI/KIDS/COMMUNITY | 2 weeks |
| FSL-SPL-85 | 9th-22nd February | Moodabidri | PLAYGROUND/KIDS | 2 Weeks |
| Mar-09 | ||||
| FSL-WC-424 | 2nd-15th March | Orrisa | COMMUNITY LIVING/KIDS/RURAL | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-WC-425 | 2nd-15th March | yercaud | ENVI/KIDS/COMMUNITY | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-WC-426 | 9'th-21'st March | Kundapur | ENVI/KIDS/COMMUNITY | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-SPL-86 | 16th-29th March | Hubli-Dharwad | RAINWATER HARVESTING/PLAYGROUND/KIDS | 2 Weeks |
| Apr-09 | ||||
| FSL-WC-427 | 6th-19th April | Coorg | ENVI/SOCI | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-WC-428 | 6th-19th April | Calcutta/Kolkotta | ORPHAN KIDS/SERVICE | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-WC-429 | 6th-19th April | Chikmangalore | ENVI/SOCI | 2 Weeks |
| FSL-SPL-87 | 13th-26th-April | yercaud | SOCI/KIDS/TEACH | 2 Weeks |
Bangalore (Teaching & Happy Hearts)
The Project:
1) Teaching:
Starting with the belief that our future society will be developed by the children of today, our dream is to give enough opportunities and confidence to the slum & street children to see them one day as responsible citizens of the future.
With the ideas and creativity of hundreds of past volunteers in India, FSL is developing the “Sunrise Model of Education”, a method of effective teaching which is practical and fun to use. The Sunrise model was designed as a helping structure to teaching anyone who has never been to a school or attended any kind of formal education. To teach a person who has never been educated in his/her life is going to be difficult, and the Sunrise Model also summarizes 12 years of conventional education with one basic structure.
The Camps in Bangalore consist in teaching English & Creative Education in a self-chosen fashion to the local children at a primary school as well as at center premises during & after school activities. Developing lesson plans and ideas in the group and passing this information through for future volunteers is part of the plan to create follow-up and long-term improvements in an educational model created with the help of hundreds of volunteers.
2) Happy Hearts:
"Have fun while you learn", is the concept of this unique project, our ongoing Happy Hearts projects exclusively for the orphan and street children. Joy or happiness is an integral part of the life inseparable that otherwise human beings would quickly die of boredom and monotony and our children are no exception to this.
Entertainment with Education is the method of these projects, for the volunteers will be taking the children out on a one-day picnic in an effort to bring some entertainment into their lives. Apart from just play and fun, the children will also be visiting places of various vocational centers like bio-farms, parks, nature clubs, museums etc, in order that the children can form ideas in their young minds which would later evolve as they grow-up to what careers they can take up in their lives and bring consciousness about the environment and the planet they are living on.
Requirements: You have to love children, as you will be surrounded with loads of them everyday. No prior experience in teaching is required, but appreciated. The volunteers should have an intermediate level of English at least.
Location: Bangalore City, South India
Bangalore is accessible by air, domestic and some international airlines fly directly to Bangalore International Airport. Trains and buses operate on an everyday basis from almost all major towns/cities in South India. The exact Meeting Point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: Will be at the FSL Home Base, in shared rooms.
Bangalore (Community Service Projects)
The Project: In this project we will work along with different organizations involved in the development of the underprivileged. The slum reality is a big issue in the entire country; our aim is to spread awareness among the people and to give them more instruments to feel confident and free to decide for their future, and for the future of a new generation. The mission of this project is to:
Ø Organize a multi-purpose project to involve the community and sensitize community/people about the Health & Hygiene problems.
Ø Educate the children to build a better and more conscious society.
Ø Spread awareness on Women rights issues and social welfare;
Ø Environmental issues.
Ø First Aid/ CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) Training.
Ø Working with other NGO’s in community service projects.
The kind of schedule and the focus of the project will be adapted to the season, the possibilities and the needs of the moment, to improve the achievements in a long-term view. Every camp will be different: the info sheets will give the full details about the particular camps.
Location: Bangalore Rural & Urban, South India
Bangalore is accessible by air, domestic and some international airlines fly directly to Bangalore International Airport. Trains and buses operate on an everyday basis from almost all major towns/cities in South India. The exact Meeting point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: The FSL Home base, in shared rooms.
Hyderabad (Social/ Kids)
Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh is a bustling 400-year-old metropolis with an urban population of 4.2 million people approximately. The city is cosmopolitan, and is richly endowed with a variety of cultures. The city presents an attractive amalgam of old world charm together with ebullience of growth and enterprise. Beautiful old edifices built in the medieval, large glass and chrome temples of commerce.
The volunteers can teach basic of English in a government School, they could involve themselves in painting and visiting the slums and train the slum women in health and hygienic way and help them in protecting their environment in the healthy way.
Accommodation: In the project site/shared rooms.
Location: Hyderabad is well connected to all major cities in India by rail, road and air.
Kundapur (Children & Environment)
The Project: Kundapur is a town situated on the west coast of Karnataka near the beach, and very close to the Western Ghats (a mountain ridge). The Western Ghats is India's prime zone for bio-diversity, known for its number of animal and plant species in this region. FSL has been developing project for many years in this region and has now formed a very strong network of local partners and local volunteers. We cooperate with a large number of schools, orphanages, institutions for special education and the local authorities to develop projects that are meaningful for the development of this rural town. Work camps will focus on rural development, environment protection and children. The volunteers will spread awareness about environment protection and solid waste management to schoolchildren. They will also be involved in activities such as creative education and Basic English teaching through games and songs with the children from the local schools, including disabled kids (physically and/or mentally). The work might include some physical work for the renovation and betterment of the schools (painting, building playground, etc.).
Location: Kundapur is situated 100 kms north of the city of Mangalore, 300 kms from Panjim (Goa), and 450 kms from Bangalore.
Kundapur is accessible by bus/train from Mangalore, Bangalore, Panjim (Goa), and Mumbai. There are international and domestic airports in Bangalore, Goa, and Mumbai. The exact meeting point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: at the FSL Home Base, in shared rooms.
Kerala -(RURAL KIDS/AYURVEDA) Ayurveda is the 5000 years old Indian health care system, widely practiced, in time with the times. "Ayur" in Sanskrit means "life", "Veda" means "science". It is a perfect Science of health and longevity. This holistic science is the knowledge of complete balance of the Body, Mind and spirit, including the emotions and psychology, on all levels. It includes in its consideration, longevity, rejuvenation and self-realization therapies through herbs, diet, exercise, yoga, massage, aromas, tantras, mantras, and meditation. According to Ayurvedic tradition health is the balance of elements air, earth, fire, and water and illness is as excess or deficiency of any particular element. Ayurveda treats illness at its source, rather than at the level of symptoms, and helps an in individual to take responsibility for their own health and well being. Ayurveda is also known as 'Ashtanga Veda' (the word literally means 'Eight branches of knowledge') as it is divided into eight specialized branches.
Yoga is a complete science of life that originated in India many thousands of years ago. It is the oldest system of personal development in the world encompassing the entire body, mind and spirit. It is the union between a person's own consciousness and the universal consciousness. The classical techniques of Yoga date back more than 5,000 years. The word Yoga means "to join or yoke together," and it brings the body and mind together into one harmonious experience.
The Project: The volunteers will be participating in learning the Basics of local Ayurveda in these two weeks of the work camp. Everyday there will be topics covered by the local ayurved master. The volunteers will be taken out for visits to identify the local medicines available in nature and topic on the relevance in the region will be discussed in the sessions, the volunteers will practice the simple remedy for common ailments which will be thought by the Guru.
Apart from which volunteers will also help at the Herbal garden in the nearby school(s). However in this camp one does not have the chance to go deeper into the subject. It is only a introduction to Yoga and Ayurveda. For deeper knowledge volunteers can join our special camp for Yoga and Ayyurveda.
Location: Trains and buses operate on an everyday basis from almost all major towns/cities in South India. The exact Meeting Point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: At the FSL Home base, in shared rooms.
Goa (SOCI/KIDS)
The Project: Situated on the west coast (Arabian Sea) lies this small tourist state of India. Goa was the former Portuguese colony in India, one of India's most cherished and prominent place for travelers since many years for its remarkable palm-fringed beaches; a travelers paradise. But Goa is also known to be a high-risk zone for HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases due to a high rate of sexual tourism. To tackle the problem of the rapid spread of these diseases FSL has been conducting an awareness program all throughout the state for several years with a local group of specialists. This year again several camps will be conducted but with different themes as well as FSL was receiving enquiries about supporting other areas as well, such social development, Awareness programs and creative education for the rural kids of that region.
In the first week of the camp, the volunteers will be visiting the schools and rural settlement of the region to present the importance of health and hygiene and need for education among the adults along with the children. Volunteers need to be very creative in designing the exclusive orientation for the people of this region. Volunteers who participate in these camps need to bring materials, ideas from the program on their arrival after which the whole group will settle on a plan of action decided by the team.
The program will be mainly in schools where the management will invite the parents and the surrounding villagers to visit and absorb the message given out through the presentation and plays.
Location: Panjim city, in Goa State. Panjim is the capital of the state of Goa.
Panjim is accessible by air, domestic and some international airlines fly directly to Panjim Airport. The nearest international airports are Mumbai and Bangalore. Trains and buses operate on a daily basis from Bombay and Bangalore. The exact meeting point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: Shared rooms at a Guesthouse in Panjim.
Moodabidri (RURAL KIDS/COMMUNITY/ RAIN WATER HARVESTING/CULT)
The Project: Moodabidri is a small town situated 40 kms from Mangalore coast in south India. It has a wonderful history of the jain community and has one of the most interesting jain temples in the region, one of them being the famous 1000 pillar temple. The area is an agricultural settlement and the region grows Paddy, Coconuts, Arecanuts, Black pepper, Vanilla, Exotic Varieties of Mangoes, Exotic varieties of Bananas and the Famous Tasty Cashew Nuts. Over a period of time the region has been facing a lot of water shortage and the region now is facing a receding agriculture practice as a result of the shortage of water.
In the Year 2003 FSL-India took an initiative to implement rain water harvesting awareness programmes in the form of trying to set up a rain water harvesting model in the region. FSL-India conducted several work-camps with the rain water harvesting theme and almost successfully completed one model in one of the villages of Moodabidri. Volunteers who participated in the work-camp dug hundreds of trenches to stand the water so that it percolates into the soil and increases the water table of the surrounding area/region. The result was beginning to show up but the project faced a sudden drop of new participants, which slowed down the project. Now from this year onwards FSL-India has decided to have a fresh start with the same project along with the idea of having awareness programmes in schools and local areas of the region. The volunteers will be mostly involved in physical work at the rain water harvesting projects and will also participate in having creative activities in the neighbouring schools of the region to revive the dying wisdom of rain water harvesting. Along with this program, this current year’s activities will involve in visiting the neighbouring villages/areas for awareness activities as well as investigating potential future programs/projects by interviewing the villagers.
Location: Moodabidri in South-India
Accomodation: In host families, Hostels, Hotels or Dormitories
Chickmangalore (Social/Kids/Envi)
The project: Chickmangalore is situated in the beautiful Kodagu region of Karnataka. It is one of the largest coffees producing regions of the state and boasts of the most extraordinary and hypnotizing landscapes in the region. Chickmangalore is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Karnataka and has one of the very interesting communities with its very own historical background.
The work camp will be focused on rural development projects in small villages around chickmangalore which have a requirement of creative educational support and general awareness in the areas of rainwater harvesting, Organic farming and health and hygiene in the low farmland holding families of the region. During the work camp, volunteers can visit the coffee plantations and also take a walk/trek in the reserve forests.
The volunteers will be involved in various activities ranging from physical work at the center, creative and entertainment activities in schools and kindergardens and awareness spreading on issues related to education, environment protection, health and hygiene.
Accomodation: In host families, Hostels, Hotels or Dormitories
B.C ROAD-(SOCIAL/KIDS/SLUM)
The project: B C Road (Bantwal Cross Road) is situated 22 kms from the Mangalore coast in south India. It has been recently identified by FSL-India through the support of the long term volunteering division that there is a huge need and requirement of volunteers to support in the rural schools and village.
The volunteers will be involved in various activities ranging from physical work at the center, creative and entertainment activities in schools and kindergardens and awareness spreading on issues related to education, environment protection, health and hygiene.
Accomodation: In host families, Hostels, Hotels or Dormitories
CHENNAI-(SOCIAL/KIDS/SLUM)
Chennai is a large commercial and industrial centre, and is known for its cultural heritage and temple architecture. Chennai is the automobile capital of India, with around forty percent of the automobile industry having a base there and with a major portion of the nation's vehicles being produced there. Chennai is also referred as the Detroit of South Asia. It is a major manufacturing centre. Chennai has also become a major center for outsourced IT and financial services from the Western world.
The Project work: The work will be Teaching the slum kids in the non-formal school, House visit and meeting slum people and giving awareness about the health, education and hygienic. And the volunteers can take the children out, inside the city like picnic, exposure visit and city walks.
Location: Chennai is reachable by Air from all over the world and train from main cities of India like Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi and Calcutta.
Accomodation:In the Project campus/Public Lodges
AHMEDHABAD (RURAL DEVELOPEMENT/CULTURE)
Ahmedabad or Ahmadabad is the largest city in Gujarat and the sixth largest city in India with a population of almost 5 million. The city is also sometimes called Karnavati, an older name and as Amdavad in colloquial Gujarati. Ahmedabad is the administrative center of Ahmedabad District, and was the former capital of Gujarat State from 1960 to 1970, when Gandhinagar replaced it.
In addition to its role as a commercial center, Ahmedabad is also an important industrial center, with chemical and textile industries. Ahmedabad is often described as the Manchester of the East, because of its once-booming textile industry. Ahmedabad is a very beautiful city. Ahmedabad is Gujarat's largest city and the headquarters of Ahmedabad district. It is located on the banks of the River Sabarmati at an elevation of 55meters (180ft).
The Project work: The work will be in rural development and teaching to the rural kids and their family like health and social awareness, water harvesting and learning about local festivals of that region.
Location: Domestic and International Airport: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport .Ahmedabad is well connected with rails and roads. The Ahmedabad railway station holds as a junction with railway lines emerging towards Mumbai, Delhi, Saurashtra and Kutch.
Accommodation: In the youth hostel/Shared rooms
Coorg (Environment / Rural Development)
The Project: Coorg or Kodagu (originally called Kodaimalenadu) means “dense forest on steep hill”. It is a rural district located near the city of Mysore (Karnataka State) amongst scenery of misty hills, lush forest, acres and acres of tea and coffee plantation, orange groves, undulating streets and breathtaking views. FSL cooperates here with several local environmental organizations to conduct camps focusing on a variety of short term projects which include environmental protection, re-forestation, tree planting, “Greening Asia” projects, working along with different NGOs to spread health and hygiene awareness among the tribal villages, and working together for the local schools in teaching English, building playgrounds, and assisting various underprivileged schools. The work will vary a lot in the camps and will always some physical work.
Location: In several villages (Guntikopa, Ponnampet, Madikeri), District of Kodagu (Coorg), Karnataka State.
Coorg is accessible from Mysore, Bangalore or Mangalore by bus. Bangalore has an international airport. The exact meeting point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: At the FSL Home base, in shared rooms.
Pondicherry (Rural Development)
The Project: Pondicherry, one the former French Colonies, is located on the East Coast of India. It is one of the most tourist places in the region and has a lot to offer to the visitor. Its laidback atmosphere and amazing beaches give it a very distinctive touch. It is also a prime location for learning yoga and meditation in one of its many ashrams. It is also the home of Auroville, the famous international community created by the Guru Sri Auro Bindo.
FSL cooperates here with our long-standing partner, the most active local NGO in the fields of rural development, education, women and minorities empowerment. In the past years our cooperation has allowed the success of many camps in which many schools and villages have benefited from the work done, including in the Tsunami-hit regions. Jointly, we are now opening a home base in a village 10 kms from the city which will become a shelter for children and old aged people in an effort to support the poorer sections of the population in the district. The volunteers will be involved in various activities ranging from physical work at the center, creative and entertainment activities in schools and kindergardens and awareness spreading on issues related to education, environment protection, health and hygiene. The idea is to tackle the burning issues that the rural populations are facing in all ways.
Location: Pondicherry is located approx. 200 kms south from Chennai (Madras), Tamil Nadu State (East Coast).
Pondicherry is accessible from Chennai and Bangalore by direct bus from both Chennai and Bangalore. There are domestic and international airports in Bangalore and Chennai. The exact meeting point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: at the center, in shared rooms.
Rajasthan- Mt ABU(Rural Development/Envi)
The Project: Rajasthan was inhabited long before 2500 BC and the Indus Valley Civilization had its foundation here in north Rajasthan itself. The Bhil and the Mina tribes were the earliest dwellers of this area.
Around 1400 BC the Aryans paid a visit and settled forever in the area. The local population was pushed down south and towards the east. Afghans, Turks, Persians and Mughals followed in mixing their blood, first in war then in peace, with the existing original inhabitants. This blending gave the martial lineage to the Rajputs.
From the times of Harsha (7 AD) to the founding of the Delhi Sultanate, Rajasthan was fragmented in competing kingdoms. Perhaps it was during this era by their influence through wealth and power the Rajputs persuaded the Brahmins to link them with the sun, the moon and the fire god.
With the passage of time they were divided into 36 royal clans. Rajasthan finally settled for a long and lasting reign under the colorful and vibrant Rajputs. and it’s a surprise that they lasted as long as they did.
The work will be Teaching the kids from poor background in the non-formal schools, House visit and meeting rural people and giving awareness about the health, education and hygienic. Volunteers can take the children out, inside the city like picnic, exposure visit and city walks.
Accomodation: In host families, Hostels, Hotels or Dormitories
Yercaud (Children/ Old Age Home/ Building)
The Project: Yercaud is a beautiful hill station in the state of Tamil Nadu with a fantastic landscape - surrounded by coffee and tea plantations.
Together with local NGO's we are conducting short-term volunteer projects for the local children and the Old Aged people and the local community. We will be working together in building a more peaceful and working environment for the local NGO. The work will be in the villages in the beautiful mountains, isolated from the rest of the world.
Location: Yercaud, Tamil Nadu. 30 kms from Salem town. South of Bangalore.
Accessibility: Accessible only by bus from Chennai (Madras), Bangalore and other small towns in Tamil Nadu. The meeting point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: At a Guesthouse, in shared rooms.
Orissa (Building/Orphan Children/Teaching)
The Project: Although the state of Orissa is famous for it's beautiful beaches, immense natural beauty and historic attractions, it is still one of the most underdeveloped states in India. More than half of its population lives under the poverty line and the illiteracy rate is alarming. In the district of Kalahandi, a tribal dominated area, FSL is supporting a local orphanage and is aiming at providing more facilities and a better accommodation and shelter to the local children. In these camps, volunteers will help with the painting and building of toilets and bathrooms, playground items and other facilities. The group should also be ready to take care of the children and organise creative and entertainment activities with the children of the orphanage.
Location: Muniguda is a small village, 40 kms from Rayagada, and the capital of Rayagada district, in Orissa State.
Muniguda is accessible by train and bus from Bhubaneshwar, Vishakapatnam, Kolkata (Calcutta), Delhi, Chennai (Madras) and Bangalore. The nearest international and domestic airport is Kolkata (Calcutta). The exact meeting point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: at the orphanage, dormitory style.
Delhi (Social Project)
The Project: FSL works with several schools in projects involved in imparting education to the under-privileged. FSL is changing that scenario with path-breaking work in several projects involving schools and other like-minded social organizations. Free education is part of FSL's agenda in order to bring more awareness to the down-trodden in society and inspire them with a sense of self-worth. This aim is accomplished with FSL's bright and caring group of social minded volunteers who work tirelessly in programs such as Happy Hearts which involve interaction with children of local schools who may not have even seen the inside of a classroom. This encourages the children to come out of their shell and free their inhibitions while asking questions and gaining more knowledge and to get more confidence with each step. Happy Hearts is all about building those essential stepping-stones of education in a child's life, while lighting the lamp of curiosity and sparking the appetite to learn more. Experimentation for a child is part of the process and each child is encouraged curiosity, test new waters and see the universe around. Formal education cannot happen without a basic infrastructure in place.
Location: New Delhi, accessible by air via Delhi international airport. The exact Meeting Point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: in a guesthouse, in shared rooms.
Pune (Social Project)
The Project: Pune may not be a cosmopolitan city as Mumbai is, but it is a pleasant getaway for all those who want to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Pune has a calm atmosphere, non-confronting people, and is certainly much more relaxed and peaceful than Mumbai. If you consider Maharashtra as a Marathi speaking state of India, then Pune can undoubtedly be called its capital, with its glorious past and high concentration of Marathi speaking people. Pune is also an internationally renowned educational center, being home to many institutions of repute like Film and Television Institute of India, Armed Forces Medical College, National Defence Academy and Symbiosis Educational Society. FSL in an attempt to improve the conditions for children has identified several schools that need to be upgraded in terms of renovation. Blackboards, the main medium for communication between a teacher and several pupils needs to be put in place in several schools. Imparting education to eager children is an extremely rewarding and fruitful challenge. Schools, which for the past fifty years haven't seen a fresh coat of paint, are being helped along the way. FSL sends volunteers who are actively involved in sharing knowledge with hungry children. All work and no play make Jack a dull boy goes the saying. Several children haven't seen playground furniture such as slides, jungle gyms, etc. FSL installs these at various playgrounds while doing up the playgrounds so that children get to release their bubbling cauldron of pent-up energies. We will do our best in trying to restore the glory and significance of some of these institutions.
Location: Pune is accessible by air with domestic airlines and all international airlines fly directly to Mumbai International Airport. Trains and buses operate on a daily basis from almost all major towns/cities in India. Meeting Point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: in a guesthouse. Calcutta-Street & Orphan Children (Happy Hearts)
The Project: A city of Joy and Love, Grandeur and Glory... Kolkata alias Calcutta is full of life and bustle, verging on the chaotic as traditional occupations rub shoulders with ultra modern industries. Kolkata is India's second largest city, the capital of West Bengal and the formerly the capital of British India (1772-1912); it is a city with a great deal of charm - its imperial monuments, strong cultural and religious flavor.
However it is also suffering from a terrible lack of hygiene, illiteracy and unemployment are rampant, and the first to suffer from these poor living conditions are the children. In an effort to bring a bit of joy back to the faces of the street and orphan children of Calcutta, FSL in co-operation with local NGO's in Mumbai will conduct a Happy Hearts Work Camp: it will consist of a series of “Happy Hearts” Sessions in which the group of volunteers will organise activities to entertain and open the minds of the children to the outside world. It might also consist in taking them out on a one day picnic or visit of local attraction.
Location: Calcutta, West Bengal.
Accessible by air; Kolkata has a domestic and an international airport. Trains and buses operate on a daily basis from many major towns/cities in India. The exact meeting Point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: in a guesthouse, in shared rooms. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FSL Special Camps
FSL is developing special camps at different locations with strategic partners all over India. The difference to the regular camps is that there are some with special topics, which are distinctive from the regular work that FSL does in other locations. These projects are planned with a long-term vision; they involve kind of work to change the lives of many people who deserve care and attention. These camps are special since the work itself will be initiated and run by FSL with a long term mission. The materials, planning and preparations cost more money.
Kerala -(Rural Development/KIDS)
The Project: Volunteers will be working together with many local village people in making various social projects and environmental projects.
The mission of this project is to:
Ø Organize a multi-purpose project to involve the community in all the environmental problems
Ø Educate the children to build a better and more conscious society
Ø Awareness Building Issues
Ø Health/ Hygiene & Medical Education
Working with other NGO’s in community service projects
Location: Trains and buses operate on an everyday basis from almost all major towns/cities in South India. The exact Meeting Point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: At the FSL Home base, in shared rooms.
Kerala -(YOGA & AYURVEDA)
Ayurveda is the 5000 years old Indian health care system, widely practiced, in time with the times. "Ayur" in Sanskrit means "life", "Veda" means "science". It is a perfect Science of health and longevity. This holistic science is the knowledge of complete balance of the Body, Mind and spirit, including the emotions and psychology, on all levels. It includes in its consideration, longevity, rejuvenation and self-realization therapies through herbs, diet, exercise, yoga, massage, aromas, tantras, mantras, and meditation. According to Ayurvedic tradition health is the balance of elements air, earth, fire, and water and illness is as excess or deficiency of any particular element. Ayurveda treats illness at its source, rather than at the level of symptoms, and helps an in individual to take responsibility for their own health and well being. Ayurveda is also known as 'Ashtanga Veda' (the word literally means 'Eight branches of knowledge') as it is divided into eight specialized branches.Yoga is a complete science of life that originated in India many thousands of years ago. It is the oldest system of personal development in the world encompassing the entire body, mind and spirit. It is the union between a person's own consciousness and the universal consciousness. The classical techniques of Yoga date back more than 5,000 years. The word Yoga means "to join or yoke together," and it brings the body and mind together into one harmonious experience.
The Project: The volunteers will be participating in learning the Basics of Yoga and Ayurveda in these two weeks of the work camp. Everyday there will be topics covered by the professional master (the person in charge of yoga and ayurveda classes), which will be practiced by the volunteers. Yoga will be practiced every day. Apart from which volunteers will also help at the Herbal garden and the nearby school.
Location: Trains and buses operate on an everyday basis from almost all major towns/cities in South India. The exact Meeting Point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: At the FSL Home base, in shared rooms.
Goa (Arts/HIV/AIDS Awareness/Orphan kids)
The Project: Situated on the west coast (Arabian Sea), lies this small tourist state of India. Goa was the former Portuguese colony in India, one of India's most cherished and prominent place for travelers since many years for its remarkable palm-fringed beaches; a travelers paradise. But Goa is also known to be a high-risk zone for HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases due to a high rate of sexual tourism. To tackle the problem of the rapid spread of these diseases FSL has been conducting an awareness program all throughout the state for several years with a local group of specialists. This year again, several camps will be conducted.
In the first week of the camp, the volunteers will be given a training on the topics HIV/AIDS, STDs, and counseling. Using the information that was given in the training, they will visit local schools and conduct lectures. Furthermore to reach out to the general public, the group of volunteers will create a Street Theatre Play that will be performed in public places. In 2005 the FSL volunteers, with their own creativity, efforts and motivation created a play that won the first prize in the state theatre competition.
Location: Panjim city, in Goa State. Panjim is the capital of the state of Goa.
Panjim is accessible by air, domestic and some international airlines fly directly to Panjim Airport. The nearest international airports are Mumbai and Bangalore. Trains and buses operate on a daily basis from Bombay and Bangalore. The exact meeting point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: Shared rooms at a Guesthouse in Panjim.
Kundapur (Environment / Marine Turtles)
The Project: Kundapur is a town situated on the west coast of Karnataka near the beach, and very close to the Western Ghats (a mountain ridge). The Western Ghats is India's prime zone for bio-diversity, known for its number of animal and plant species in this region. FSL has been developing project for many years in this region and has now formed a very strong network of local partners and local volunteers. FSL started here a Marine Turtle protection project in co-operation with the Forest Department of the State of Karnataka. Over a 60-kilometer stretch of beach, surveys have been conducted and protection of the turtle nests has taken place until the hatching of the eggs. In 2005, more than 500 baby turtles reached the ocean safely thanks to the effort of our volunteers. This year again we will try to improve our performance. The Work camps will also focus on spreading awareness to the general public and to the schools about the importance of turtles in the bio-diversity.
Location: Kundapur is situated 100 kms north of the city of Mangalore, 300 kms from Panjim (Goa), and 450 kms from Bangalore.
Kundapur is accessible by bus/train from Mangalore, Bangalore, Panjim (Goa), and Mumbai. There are international and domestic airports in Bangalore, Goa, and Mumbai. The exact meeting point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: at the FSL Home Base, in shared rooms.
HUBLI-DHARWAD(RAINWATER HARVESTING/CULT/PLAYGROUND/KIDS)
The Project: Hubli-Dharwad issituated at the bottom of north-karnataka and is 133 kms from the south coast of Karwar. Hubli and Dharwad are sister cities and has a wonderful agricultural background of gorwing Chillies, Onions, Vegetables, Indian Cotton and sugarcanes. The region is culturally belonging to the wonderful Gowda community whose main source of income is through agricultural produces. It is one of the very interesting communities who have maintained their ethnic background and still practice the same way of life like their fore-fathers with a little or no change at all. The Gowdas are one of the very loving communities to experience who take pride in practicing their original way of life.
The region over the years, faced lack of support from the government towards the agricultural society, in terms of education for their offspring’s. The schools of the villages have no proper tutors and lack the basic exposure of modern world education.
FSL-India Identified the need for basic support of education and awareness. Most of the schools were noticed of not having playgrounds for the children.
The volunteers will be involved in various activities ranging from physical work, creative education and entertainment activities in schools and kindergartens and awareness spreading on issues related to education, environment protection, health and hygiene.
Accomodation: In host families, Hostels, Hotels or Dormitories
Dharamsala/Sairopa-(Environment/Tibetan Culture/Rural Development)
The Project: Valleys of the Himalayas - where the heaven meets the earth. This small paradise is home to the Dalai Lama and to a significant Tibetan settlement in India. Dharamsala is set in the backdrop of the snow-clad peaks of Dhauladhar Mountains. It is the capital of the Tibetan Government in exile and the residence of the Dalai Lama. In the first two weeks of the camp, the volunteers will get the opportunity to learn about the Tibetan culture and the different issues related to the exile of its people and the re-settlement in India. There will be cultural activities and exchange with the Tibetan Youth with the support of the Tibetan Welfare Office. The project will also include an awareness campaign for the protection of the environment and solid waste management in cooperation with the Forest Department of Himachal Pradesh. Furthermore, the volunteers will support a local school in need with simple renovation work and interaction with the children (Indian children).
Finally, the last and third week of the camp will be an environmental trek in Sai Ropa, Kullu Valley, and the Great Himalayan National Park for 5 to 6 days, with professional guides.
Location: Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, North India. 300 Kms north of Delhi.
Dharamsala is accessible by bus on a daily basis from New Delhi and other smaller cities of North India. The nearest train stations are Pathankot and Kangra Mandir. Delhi is the nearest international airport. The exact Meeting Point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: At a Guesthouse, in shared rooms.
Rajasthan- Mt ABU(Rural Development/Envi)
The Project: Rajasthan was inhabited long before 2500 BC and the Indus Valley Civilization had its foundation here in north Rajasthan itself. The Bhil and the Mina tribes were the earliest dwellers of this area.
Around 1400 BC the Aryans paid a visit and settled forever in the area. The local population was pushed down south and towards the east. Afghans, Turks, Persians and Mughals followed in mixing their blood, first in war then in peace, with the existing original inhabitants. This blending gave the martial lineage to the Rajputs.
From the times of Harsha (7 AD) to the founding of the Delhi Sultanate, Rajasthan was fragmented in competing kingdoms. Perhaps it was during this era by their influence through wealth and power the Rajputs persuaded the Brahmins to link them with the sun, the moon and the fire god.
With the passage of time they were divided into 36 royal clans. Rajasthan finally settled for a long and lasting reign under the colorful and vibrant Rajputs. and it’s a surprise that they lasted as long as they did.
Work camps here will be done with local co-operation for rural development and water shed management, environmental awareness and working together with local villages in rural development projects.
Location: Jaipur and neighboring regions, State of Rajasthan
Accessible by domestic airlines. Trains operate on an everyday basis from New Delhi and Mumbai.
Meeting Point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: At a Guesthouse.
Moodabidri (PLAYGROUND/ KIDS)
The Project: Moodabidri is a small town situated 40 kms from Mangalore coast in south India. It has a wonderful history of the jain community and has one of the most interesting jain temples in the region, one of them being the famous 1000 pillar temple. The area is an agricultural settlement and the region grows Paddy, Coconuts, Arecanuts, Black pepper, Vanilla, Exotic Varieties of Mangoes, Exotic varieties of Bananas and the Famous Tasty Cashew Nuts. Over a period of time the region has been facing a lot of water shortage and the region now is facing a receding agriculture practice as a result of the shortage of water.
In the Year 2003 FSL-India took an initiative to implement rain water harvesting awareness programmes in the form of trying to set up a rain water harvesting model in the region. FSL-India conducted several work-camps with the rain water harvesting theme and almost successfully completed one model in one of the villages of Moodabidri. Volunteers who participated in the work-camp dug hundreds of trenches to stand the water so that it percolates into the soil and increases the water table of the surrounding area/region.
Volunteers who could not participate in continuous physical work visited the neighbouring schools to meet and teach the children.
The volunteers conducted creative education programs for these children in the neighbouring schools. One of the most interesting questions from the volunteers was that it is quite surprising that most /none of the schools have a playground for the children? It was noticed that swings, slides, merry-go-round, and See-saw’s were not present for these children to play. Volunteers in their evaluations suggested whether FSL can organize camps which will ONLY have activities such as making playground or activities with kids along with the playground project. These suggestions were hanging for quite sometime on FSL India’s pending work basket and so this year it was decided that there will be a special work camp with theme Playground combined with activities for the children, provided there are satisfactory registrations for the camp.
Location: Moodabidri in South-India
Accomodation: In host families, Hostels, Hotels or Dormitories.
Hampi- (Environment/Culture) The Project: Located in the central part of the state of Karnataka, in the southern part of India, Hampi is definitely one of the most interesting travel destinations in the map of India. It is famous for its ruins belonging to the erstwhile medieval Hindu kingdom of Vijaynagar, now declared a World Heritage site. The temples of Hampi, its monolithic sculptures and monuments are breath taking. The Hindu style of architecture found at Hampi speaks of the splendor of the Vijaynagar Empire.
Work camps in Hampi will concentrate on the protection of the cultural heritage site and on creating awareness among the locals and the tourists. Where trees and plants will be planted, and grown thereby converting dry areas into beautiful spots for an eye to rest on. The work will include physical work and will require a lot of creativity and motivation from the volunteers to convey the message.
Location: Hampi, North Karnataka, 350 kms from Bangalore, and 13 km from Hospet.
Hampi Bazaar (full name of the village) is accessible by bus from Bangalore and Goa. The nearest train station is in Hospet (13 kms). The nearest international airports are Goa, Bangalore and Mumbai. The exact meeting point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: At a guesthouse, in shared rooms.
Calcutta-Street & Orphan Children (Happy Hearts)
The Project: A city of Joy and Love, Grandeur and Glory... Kolkatta alias Calcutta is full of life and bustle, verging on the chaotic as traditional occupations rub shoulders with ultra modern industries. Kolkata is India's second largest city, the capital of West Bengal and the formerly the capital of British India (1772-1912); it is a city with a great deal of charm - its imperial monuments, strong cultural and religious flavor.
However it is also suffering from a terrible lack of hygiene, illiteracy and unemployment are rampant, and the first to suffer from these poor living conditions are the children. In an effort to bring a bit of joy back to the faces of the street and orphan children of Calcutta, FSL in co-operation with local NGO's will conduct a Happy Hearts Work Camp: it will consist of a series of “HAPPY HEARTS” Sessions in which the group of volunteers will organise activities to entertain and open the minds of the children to the outside world.
Apart from the regular workcamp,which usually has only a days visit to the outside world, this year FSL-India has decided to go an extra mile with the idea of giving out to the children something special. This special workcamp will feature one week of creative education and one week of continuous special activities. In our regular programs we have a day or two day plan for the “HAPPY HEARTS” but in this camp, each day of the second week will have visit activities such as visit to the planetorium, amusement park, movies and so on. This camp is also dependant on the number of quality registration for the camp.
These activities are possible if the received participant applications is at least 12 volunteers.
Location: Calcutta, West Bengal.
Accessible by air; Kolkata has a domestic and an international airport. Trains and buses operate on a daily basis from many major towns/cities in India. The exact meeting Point will be mentioned on the info sheets.
Accommodation: in a guesthouse, in shared rooms.
FSL-India
Bangalore Head Office
Arshiya Manor, S-1, 2’nd floor, No.489/28, 13’Th cross, Wilson Garden, Bangalore-27, Karnataka, India
Phone: +91 (0)80 22111930, +91 (0)80 22111931
Hot Line: +919900244739
Fax +91 (0)80 22131055
E-mail: campsfslindia@gmail.com
General Website: www.fsl-india.org
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