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 INDE  2008 

 FSL India     + 20 ans

Frais complémentaires:  de 150 à 200euros

    Le programme 2008  est désormais disponible. 
Attention, les chantiers FSL sont destinés à des volontaires très expérimentés, ayant déjà l'expérience de voyager seul hors Europe.
   Pour plus d'information, contactez la centrale d'inscription.

 About US

FSL India (Field Services & Inter-Cultural Learning) was established in India with the support of various international organizations. 
It is a non-profit, charitable, social and independent Non Governmental Organization (NGO) with the main objective of promoting Global Understanding/Inter-cultural learning and to work for togetherness encouraged on World Peace through Youth Mobility.

FSL India is registered under the Indian Trust Act and is not inclined to any political or religious groups and it is structured with a constituency-based network. It acts as a support structure for other Youth Organizations by organizing meetings and workshops. It co-operates with a large number of NGO’s all across India in coordinating the International exchange of volunteers and in supporting the volunteer structure in India.

FSL India does volunteer projects all across India and its head office is located in the dynamic city of Bangalore, South India. FSL is a membership organization and is open to receiving committed members irrespective of any social backgrounds.

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 them to continue 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.

The volunteer work which we promote is a kind of non-formal education, wherein, access is attained to a section, which is rather unavailable on the labor market this requiring no formal skills, fundamental education on practical experience. Further, the individual is under no obligation to work, therefore youth exchange in a way initiates and facilitates this wholesome and unique experience.

The comprehensive working field is considerably vast and expanding scopes various activities. This field does not limit your choice, but gives you the satisfaction of choosing your own special area of interest to volunteer your services to a needy organization. However, volunteerism is also an imperative, complex, responsible and caring order of work where the individual and the social project jointly invest in the upliftment of a particular community.

If it were only about getting helping hands, the local community would be more than happy to contribute, but the need and demand of these projects go way beyond the local community. Therefore, we have various youth exchange organizations which co-ordinate and collaborate with each other to motivate people into taking a more personal profound and active role for the success of volunteers and the concept of volunteerism. 

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.

 
Millions of volunteers contribute to our society worldwide every single day. Something everyone should think about…. 

Our Activities

FSL India organizes various volunteer and social projects throughout India. Most of the projects are done independently and some are done in co-operation with local NGO’s of the region.

The local NGO knows what work needs to be done and we support them in their work. FSL works together with a large number of other NGO’s all across the country in supporting the volunteer and social structure.

Our support consists of social and sometimes financial support as well and bringing active volunteers from different countries that are interested to learn, share and are willing to work together for improvement and understanding! Our projects are carefully organized where there really is a need for the local community to require the support of international volunteers.

Besides the many local communities and NGO’s we work with by the placement of volunteers (camps and individually, long and short term) we have our own home bases in India from where all activities are organized.

We organize voluntary work where we see the need in a community for one.

Volunteering is the heart of our work and activities, we initiate programs to work together with local communities in building and more peaceful and self-content society.

What we expect from Volunteers

We expect all volunteers to have read and understood the information sheet and to have attended the preparation meet organized by their sending organization. 

Volunteers should:

-Co-operate with FSL by adapting to their new culture.

-Co-operate with the work camp in charge (team leader) at all times for their own security.

-Show responsibility towards their work.

-Adjust to the way of life of the project and camp surroundings.

-Realize that the living conditions are many times different then at home (no warm water/air-conditioning/easy access to international phone or internet/ 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 on the conversation.

Behavior and dress code should be cultural sensitive, especially while in the village or schools.

Other Details

-All Camps start on Monday.

-The info sheet will contain the exact work details as per each project, information on the meeting points and other guidelines. The info sheets shall be sent one month before the camp starts, at latest. 

-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.

-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.

Regular Work Camps:  

Two Weeks: Rs. 7,500/- (160 US Dollars / 140 Euros Approx.)

Three Weeks: Rs. 10,000/- (210 Us Dollars / 185 Euros Approx.) 

PROGRAMME :  

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 55 meters (180 ft).

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, bei