I thoroughly enjoyed teaching the girls at the project. It has been challenging yet very rewarding. The volunteer program was all that I envisage d it to be and I felt I received a high level of support throughout the program. I found the first few days of the project challenging however quickly found my feet. All the projects run by Sankalp appears to be very well run and organised and I felt like I was able to make a hands on difference in the life’s of the girls I was teaching. The smallness of the organization Sankalp is also great as it has very much a family feel to it and during my stay. The support of Amita and Pranay throughout the project has been great, fixing anything that was broken immediately and even helping us plan our travel. The project has allowed me to see the real India and the opportunity for which I am very grateful. Accommodation was wonderful- clean, comfortable and we had everything we needed! The cook does a wonderful job keeping everything spotless. The food was simply delicious! It was really useful having Amita on hands to help with translating and also lesson plans, especially for the first few days. The driver was always friendly and nice. I will definitely recommend Sankalp to others. Sankalp runs an excellent volunteer program and fulfilled all that we were looking for in a project.
Sankalp Volunteer Society India
I completely fell in love with the kids. I really loved the program and I want to come back and visit as soon as possible. I had really good experience during the program. The girls that were at the house with me were super nice and friendly. The staffs were very helpful and friendly. I absolutely loved the children and the school teacher was very lovely. I thought the program was also really great and rewarding and I am so happy I did it. The community was great. I loved to experience the new culture and the people were great. The children were so sweet and friendly and I will really miss them. The house is very nice and specious. I also felt very safe being here so I really liked the accommodations. The food was really awesome. Everyday I was excited to come home and see what there was to eat. The team was really nice and helpful I really liked all of them and enjoyed being around them. I will definitely recommend the organization.
In overall, I have very much appreciated the program English teaching to the street kids was a wonderful experience. I was free to teach whatever was right and useful to the kids for their apprentice the program has a good structure. As an English teacher I try to unlock every bodies potential on my first two days I was analyzing every behaviors to know the kids better. I was teaching mainly upper class and saw lot of potential kids, I was very impressed with everyone willing to learn, willing to participate- a very good class that can be very talented. The food was very good, very tasty and huge variety of vegetarian meal was provided everyday. Accommodation as well, a very nice lounge and computer excess was very good. Staff was always here to supervise and help wherever needed, very nice people. I would recommend this program to anyone willing to give humanitarian helps. It’s a shame that I could not stay longer because 2 week is to short to really adhere and teach to the street kids with effectiveness. It was my first time in India and to visit the country I wanted to see the other contrast of the country, the side that needs help throughout.
I joined Sankalp India through their street children project in Jaipur, it was almost 2 years before. When we arrived I didn't know what to expect and I have only been pleasantly surprised. I was particularly impressed with the authenticity of the program, by this I mean that everyone and everything was a aimed towards helping the kid’s. It was refreshing to be a part of something genuine. Furthermore I really appreciated the personal touch of the team in making me feel welcome through a combination of providing homely comforts and including me in local customs and activities. In work area I was mainly with the younger class so I was teaching them basic letters and words as well as numbers. Due to their age a lot of the day was spent playing.I tried to integrate play and learning as best as I could. The children are great. The volunteer house is fantastic, it is not glamorous but it is cozy and welcoming and it really feels like home. The staff was wonderful and a lot of fun, I feel like they have become our pseudo Indian parents. They are so helpful and really give you a sense of comfort and security while you are here. We took a few of their organized excursions during our volunteer time. It is very nice to have everything planned for you; we didn't have to worry about a thing. We saw some great things on our weekend trips but overall what I the most is just the relaxed day to day life here and the chance to really live in another city. Working with the street kids is something I will never forget. They are so eager and bright they are a blast to teach. Also seeing the spirit and generosity they have towards one another is really something to be inspired by.
End of July I went for 5 weeks to India for volunteer work at a orphanage in Jaipur. It was a great experience!
My first day in the orphanage was real tough, I didn’t know what to expect. It was dirty and smelly and the women who work there aren’t that nice for the children. So I was a little bit in shock. But the children are very sweet and nice and they really loved it that you play with them.
During my stay there were about 24 till 28 children in the orphanage. The age of the children was between 0 and 6 years. There were also some disabled kids.
Every day I started to wash, dry and dress the children. After this they got something to eat like bananas or cookies and then playtime started! They really liked it to hug and play with you. They can use love and attention because nobody else gives it to them. The children don’t have anything to play with, so they climb on you and just wants your love and attention!
Sometimes we brought toys with us, like a puzzle or balloons. It was very nice to see that they are so happy with little things. We tried to learn some older kids English words, like counting and the alphabet.
It was a great experience and it really enriched my life. When I stood there I realized that I am so lucky that I was born in the Netherlands. All the problems we have in Europe are suddenly so little when you compare it with the lives of these children. Some disabled kids where just laying all day long, nobody seems to care about them. Sometimes they got some physiotherapy but they don’t get the care they really need. Although I thought it was amazing to see how full of life enjoyment these kids are with nothing.
During the volunteer project I stayed in a volunteer house with other volunteers from all over the world. It was a real nice house in a nice environment. I shared my bedroom and bathroom with 2 other girls. The rooms were basic but fine. There was a living room in the house and every day we ate together. The (Indian)food was very good prepared, real tasteful! The support from the organization was also good. I saw them almost every day and when I had questions or there were problems I could call them anytime. That was real nice to know and it gives you also a save feeling.
My stay in India was very nice. It is a very beautiful and special county and I am so glad that I decided to go! It was a experience I shall never forget!
