India may be beautiful, rich in culture and history, but poverty and hardship are the harsh reality for many people. Many travellers want to try to do something to help, and charities and aid organisations across the country welcome committed volunteers.
Choose an organisation that can specifically benefit from your abilities and skills.
How much time you can devote to a project? You’re more likely to be of help if you commit for at least a month, ideally more.
Giving your time for free is only part of the story; most organisations expect volunteers to cover their accommodation, food and transport.
Make sure you understand what you are signing up for; many organisations expect volunteers to work full-time, five days a week.
Ensure that the organisation you choose is reputable and transparent about how it spends its money. Where possible, get feedback from former volunteers.
There are numerous opportunities for volunteers in India. It may be possible to find a placement after you arrive, but charities and nongovernment organisations (NGOs) generally prefer volunteers who have applied in advance and been approved for the kind of work involved. Reputable organisations may insist on a criminal background check for working with children. Ethical Volunteering (www.ethicalvolunteering.org) provides useful guidelines for choosing an ethical sending agency.
As well as international organisations, local charities and NGOs often have opportunities, though it can be harder to assess the work that these organisations are doing. For listings of local agencies, check www.ngosindia.com or contact the Delhi-based Concern India Foundation ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %011-64598584; www.concernindiafoundation.org; A-52 Amar Colony, Lajpat Nagar IV; mLajpat Nagar).
The following programs are just some of many that may have opportunities for volunteers; contact them in advance to arrange a placement. Note that Lonely Planet does not endorse any organisations that we do not work with directly, so it is essential that you do your own thorough research before agreeing to volunteer with any organisation.
If you have medical experience, there are numerous opportunities to provide health care and support for the most vulnerable in Indian society.
Missionaries of Charity St Teresa's charity (Mother Theresa's Motherhouse) places volunteers in hospitals and homes for impoverished children and adults.
Calcutta Rescue ( GOOGLE MAP ; %033-22175675; www.calcuttarescue.org; 4th fl, 85 Collin St) Placements for medical and health professionals in Kolkata and other parts of West Bengal.
Sadhana Village ( GOOGLE MAP ; %020-25380792; www.sadhana-village.org; 1, Priyankit, Lokmanya Colony, Paud Rd) Pune residence for disabled adults; has a minimum commitment of two months for volunteers.
Marwar Medical & Relief Society (%0291-2545210; www.mandore.com; Dadwari Lane, c/o Mandore Guesthouse) NGO running educational, health, environmental and other projects in villages in the Jodhpur district. Short- or long-term volunteers are welcome.
Many community volunteer projects work to provide health care and education to villages.
Root Institute for Wisdom Culture Occasional placements to train local Bodhgaya health workers.
Hope Project A broad-based community project, welcoming short- or long-term volunteers who can offer childcare, medical, ELT, IT or other skills.
Kishkinda Trust Volunteers needed to assist with sustainable community development; in Hampi.
Orchha Home-Stay Offers volunteer placements in varied roles to help rural villagers; Orchha.
Slum Aid (www.slumaid.org) Working in Mumbai slums to improve lives; placements from two weeks to six months.
URMUL Trust ( GOOGLE MAP ; %0151-2523093; www.urmul.org; Ganganagar Rd, Urmul Bhawan, Bikaner) Provides primary health care and education to desert dwellers in arid western Rajasthan. Volunteer placements (minimum one month) are available in English teaching, health care and other work.
Seva Mandir (%0294-2451041; www.sevamandir.org; Old Fatehpura, Udaipur) NGO working in southern Rajasthan on projects including afforestation, water resources, health, education, and empowerment of women and village institutions.
Lha Arranges placements at a host of projects with the Tibetan community, including for language teachers and healthcare or IT professionals; in McLeod Ganj.
Human Wave (%033-26854904; www.humanwaveindia.org; Mankundu) Short-term placements on community development and health schemes around West Bengal.
Makaibari Tea Estate Kurseong-based; volunteers assist with primary school teaching, health work and organic farming.
Since 1959, more than 100,000 Tibetan refugees have fled to India to escape persecution. Newly arrived refugees require extensive support and there are often volunteering opportunities in McLeod Ganj, and other areas with large Tibetan populations.
Many Buddhist schools need teachers of English for long-term placements; enquire locally in Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Ladakh. Teaching experience is preferred. Ask questions if organisations do not require safety checks for adults working with children.
Learning & Ideas for Tibet Based in McLeod Ganj; current needs are for teachers of English, French, German, Mandarin, Japanese and computer skills, to work with Tibetan refugees.
Hayden Hall Offers minimum two-month opportunities for volunteers with medical, teaching and business experience; in Darjeeling.
Druk Padma Karpo School Buddhist monastery school in Ladakh (Shey) with long-term placements (May to September only) for English teachers.
Phuktal Gompa Accepts short-term EFL teaching volunteers; Zanskar.
Csoma's Room This Hungarian outfit takes teachers (as well as restorers) in Zangla.
Various charities provide support for disadvantaged children. Travellers should ask questions if organisations do not require safety checks for adults working with children.
Salaam Baalak Trust Volunteer English teachers, doctors, counsellors and computer experts provide education and support for street children.
Reality Tours & Travel Slum education projects; volunteers should have relevant professional or academic qualifications. Minimum three months.
Torch ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; torchdelhi.wixsite.com/torch; 30D Nizamuddin Basti, Nizamuddin West; mJLN Stadium) Works with homeless children, and looks for volunteers who can help with art activities, music and writing.
Mango Tree Goa Opportunities in Mapusa for volunteer nurses and teaching assistants to help impoverished children.
El Shaddai Placements helping impoverished and homeless children; one-month minimum commitment; Assagao.
Learn for Life Society Volunteer opportunities at a small Varanasi school for disadvantaged children.
Kullu Project Places volunteers in schools, orphanages and other organisations working with disadvantaged kids in the Kullu Valley.
Rogpa ( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; %9857973026; www.tibetrogpa.org; Mithanala Rd, off Bhagsu Rd; h9am-5pm Mon-Sat) Volunteers provide childcare for Tibetan families; McLeod Ganj.
India has a range of local charities working to empower and educate women.
Sambhali Trust In Jodhpur; volunteers needed to teach and help organise workshops for disadvantaged women.
RIDE Works to empower village women and welcomes volunteers; Kanchipuram.
International volunteering agencies abound, and it can be tricky trying to assess which ones are worthwhile. Agencies offering the chance to do whatever you want, wherever you want, are almost always tailoring projects to the volunteer rather than finding the right volunteer for the work that needs to be done. Look for projects that will derive real benefits from your skills. To find agencies in your area, read Lonely Planet’s Volunteer: A Traveller’s Guide.
Himalayan Education Lifeline Programme (HELP; www.help-education.org) British-based charity organising placements for volunteer teachers at schools in Sikkim.
Indicorps (www.indicorps.org) Matches volunteers to projects across India, particularly in social development.
Jamyang Foundation (www.jamyang.org) Arranges volunteer placements for experienced teachers in Buddhist nunneries in Zanskar and Himachal Pradesh.
Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO; www.vso.org.uk) British organisation offering long-term professional placements in India and worldwide.
Workaway (www.workaway.info) Connects people with hotels, guesthouses, organic farms, restaurants and more, where they will get free accommodation and food in return for working five days a week.
To help with environmental education and sustainable development, there are a range of local organisations.
ANET Volunteers assist with environmental activities from field projects to general maintenance.
Reef Watch Marine Conservation Marine conservation non-profit organisation accepts volunteers for anything from beach clean-ups to fish surveys. Contact them directly to discuss possibilities.
Ecosphere This multifaceted sustainable-development NGO in Kaza has openings for short- and long-term volunteers including clean-energy projects and cafe work.
Kullu Project (%9418102083; www.kulluproject.org) Places volunteers with Great Himalayan National Park community groups developing organic farming and local products.
Rainforest Retreat Organic farming, sustainable agriculture and waste management are catchphrases at this lush hideway amid spice plantations; check the website for volunteering options; in Coorg.
Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute (%02166-220945; www.nariphaltan.org; Phaltan-Lonand Rd, Tambmal, Phaltan) Offers internships in sustainable agriculture lasting two to six months for agriculture, engineering and science graduates; Phaltan.
Keystone Foundation Kotagiri-based, offers occasional opportunities to help improve environmental conditions, working with Indigenous communities.
Seeing all those stray dogs can make you want to help out: you're in luck, opportunities for animal lovers are plentiful.
Blue Cross of Hyderabad A shelter with more than 1300 animals; volunteers help care for animals or work in the office.
International Animal Rescue Rescues and looks after dogs, cats and other animals; volunteers are welcome, but must have evidence of rabies vaccination.
Welfare of Stray Dogs ( GOOGLE MAP ; %022-64222838; www.wsdindia.org; Yeshwant Chambers, B Bharucha Marg, Kala Ghoda) Volunteers can work with the animals, manage stores or educate kids in school programs.
Animal Aid Unlimited In Udaipur, accepts volunteers to help injured, abandoned or stray animals.
Madras Crocodile Bank A reptile conservation centre in Vadanemmeli with openings for volunteers (minimum two weeks).
Arunachala Animal Sanctuary Travellers are welcome to help; just show up. Potential openings for longer-term volunteers; in Tiruvannamalai.
There are various places where those with architectural and building skills can help.
ArcHeS Aims to preserve the architectural and cultural heritage of Chettinadu; openings for historians, geographers and architects, usually for around three to four months; Kothamangalam.
Csoma's Room (http://csomasroom.kibu.hu) Volunteers restore and preserve traditional architecture in Zanskar.