Voluntary work in India

Information & guidance about volunteering projects in India

A wondrous mix of traditions, spiritual beliefs, festivals, architecture and landscapes makes voluntary work in India an experience as inspiring as it is rewarding. Landscapes as varied as its cultures means volunteering with backdrops ranging from the snow-dusted peaks of the Himalaya to the sun-splashed beaches of the tropical south, eating delicious traditions foods and experiencing the locals’ laid-back attitude in the unbelievably chaotic destination.

Where to volunteer in India

The world’s second most populous city, with over 1.3 billion citizens, India is vast, intricate and thrilling, occupying the peninsular Indian subcontinent in South Asia. With the Himalayas to the north, the Arabian Sea to the west, Indian Ocean to the south, and the Bay of Bengal in the east, wherever you turn there is something new to see, meaning you definitely don’t need to worry about a lack of options when deciding where to volunteer in India.

A landlocked city with an overwhelming population of 25 million people, the capital region of Delhi is a popular location for voluntary work in India. Located by the Yamuna River in the northwest of the country, New Delhi is a bustling and vibrant destination where the challenges of poverty, particularly in the slum areas in which people lack access to basic necessities create a need for volunteers.

Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, is home for around 18 million people, sitting on the coast of the Arabian Sea. The commercial and multicultural capital is the powerhouse of fashion, film, and finance in India, and Mumbai’s tropical climate means the beaches are definitely worth a visit. As with the capital region, volunteering in India’s second largest city is welcomed with open arms due to the poverty and wealth divide that rocks the city.

Volunteering projects in India

Voluntary work in India is primarily focused on the poverty that is rife despite the country having one of the fastest growing economies in the world; a quarter of the population resides below the international poverty line, making social services a key area where volunteers are needed. Medical volunteers in India may involve helping in dental clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, physiotherapy clinics, as volunteers assist professionals. This type of volunteering India is a great way to medical students to gain hands-on experience practicing traditional forms of medical treatment.

Voluntary work in India can also include teaching; this area of volunteering is a great way to make a positive impact on the locals, especially vulnerable children. Educational volunteer projects in India can involve teaching English to rural communities, working with street children and teaching and helping in Indian orphanages.

Much of the voluntary work in India is put in place to help local communities respond to the growing number of children in poverty, as thousands of young locals are at risk of illiteracy and malnutrition due to a lack of access to education and social services and treatments. Volunteers will bridge the gap and help provide the services these children so desperately need.