India Conservation and Community

Sample Itinerary
  • Who? Groups of 5 – 20 school students aged 16+
  • When? Projects have flexible dates and run all year round
  • Where? Tamil Nadu, India.
Community in India
Community in India

Groups will work on our Model Farm in Tamil Nadu which is an eco-development project aimed at promoting sustainable farming and environmental conservation in and around South Indian villages. Volunteers are totally responsible for the running and maintenance of the Model Farm and you will be involved in teaching villagers about the different techniques and technologies that can benefit them and then help to implement the ideas in their communities.

Your group will learn how to produce 'vermi-compost', a natural fertilizer produced from domestic and farm waste made using earthworms, and will sell the vermi-compost at the local market. You will spend time planting trees in areas that have suffered deforestation in the past and also you’ll also learn about the medicinal properties of plants and will use our manufacturing equipment to produce medicines that are distributed throughout the local community.

Living with a local family in a Southern Indian village will give your group a unique opportunity to integrate into the community and you can choose to spend your evenings taking part in activities such as playing cricket and other games with the local children.

Tamil Nadu is an enchanting tropical state full of colourful temples, scenic national parks, wildlife reserves, relaxing mountain resorts, and deserted pristine beaches. To live in India is to participate in a lifestyle that is unlike anything you’ll experience in the West. Everything is colourful and nothing is ever predictable. Volunteering in India will immerse you in a land of beauty, spirituality and adventure.

 

Sample Itinerary

Placement: Madurai Seva AshramProject: Conservation and Community
Region: Madurai & Ullar, Tamil Nadu, India Supervisor’s: Harry Kent, Pandi and Madhan

  • First week

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    Day No.DateWeekdayTimeActivity
    101/08/2010Sunday09:05Arrival at Madurai Airport
    10:00 – 12:00Settle in to Office Accommodation
    12:00 – 13:00Lunch at Office Cafe
    13:00 – 15:00Introduction to Projects Abroad staff
    15:00 – 17:00Trip to Meenakshie Temple
    17:00 – 18:00Dinner at Office Cafe
    18:00Rest and Relax
    202/08/2010Monday9:00 – 12:00Introduction to Madurai Seva Ashram Orphanage
    12:00 – 13:00Lunch at Orphanage
    13:00 – 17:00Begin painting project at Orphanage
    17:00 – 18:00Dinner at Host Family
    18:00 – 20:00Care work with girls at Orphanage
    303/08/10Tuesday8:30 - 12:00Painting and light restructuring work
    12:00 – 13:00Lunch
    13:30 – 17:00Painting and light restructuring work
    17:00 – 18:00Dinner at Orphanage
    18:00 – 20:00Care work with girls at Orphanage
    404/08/10Wednesday8:30 – 12:00Painting and light restructuring work
    12:00 - 13:00Lunch
    13:00 – 17:00Painting and light restructuring work
    17:00 - 18:00Dinner at Orphanage
    18:00 – 21:00Trip to Local Cinema
    505/08/10Thursday8:30 – 13:00Painting and light restructuring work
    13:00 - 14:00Lunch
    14:00 - 17:00Painting and light restructuring work
    17:00 – 18:00Dinner at Orphanage
    18:00 – 20:00Care work with girls at Orphanage
    606/08/10Friday8:30 – 12:00Painting and light restructuring work
    12:00 – 13:00Lunch
    13:00 - 17:00Painting and light restructuring work
    17:00 - 19:00Dinner at Bell Hotel
    19:00Rest & Relax
    707/08/10Saturday6:00 - 10:00Depart for weekend trip to Thekkady
    10:00 – 12:30Check in at Michaels Inn Hotel
    12:30 – 13:30Lunch
    13:30 – 16:00Souvenir shopping
    16:00 – 18:00Rest and Relax
    18:00 – 19:00Dinner
    19:00 – 21:00Traditional dance show

  • Second week

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    Day No.DateWeekdayTimeActivity
    808/08/10Sunday6:00 – 10:00Boat Safari at Periyar Tiger Reserve
    10:00 - 11:00Breakfast at Hotel
    11:00 – 13:00Tour of Spice plantation
    13:00 – 14:00Lunch
    14:00 – 17:00Depart for Madurai CCD
    17:00 – 18:00Introduction to Madurai CCD
    18:00 – 19:00Dinner
    19:00Rest & Relax
    909/08/10Monday06:00 - 08:00Yoga session
    08:00 - 09:00Breakfast
    09:00 – 12:30Work in plant nursery
    12:30 - 13:30Lunch
    13:30 – 14:30Care work with girls at Orphanage
    14:30 – 16:00Teaching English
    16:00 - 18:00Local village visit
    18:00 – 19:00Dinner
    19:00 – 21:00Indian games
    1010/08/10Tuesday06:00 - 08:00Yoga session
    08:00 – 09:00Lunch
    09:00 - 12:30Working in nursery
    12:30 - 13:30Lunch
    13:30 – 15.00Travel to Rajapalayam and check into Anathas Hotel
    15:00 – 18:00Explore Rajapalayam, visit Internet café
    18:00 – 19:00Dinner at Hotel
    19:00Rest & Relax
    1111/08/10Wednesday8:30 - 11:00Introduction to Model farm
    11:00 – 13:00Prepare ground for vegetable planting
    13:00 - 14:00Lunch at local host family
    14:00 - 17:00Prepare ground for vegetable planting
    17:00 - 18:00Dinner at Hotel
    18:00Rest and Relax
    1212/08/10Thursday8:30 - 13:00Planting vegetable seeds
    13:00 – 14:00Lunch at local host family
    14:00 – 17:00Maintenance work around the farm. Including planting vegetation fence. Make educational materials for local school visits.
    17:00 – 18:00Dinner at Hotel
    18:00 – 21:00Film Night
    1313/08/10Friday8:30 - 13:30Planting vegetable seeds
    13:30 - 16:30Travel back to Madurai
    16:30 – 18:00Packing for Departure
    18:00 - 19:00Farewell meal at the Bell Hotel
    19:00Rest and Relax
    1414/08/10Saturday Departure