Volunteer In India

The Global Volunteer Network currently has opportunities to work with disadvantaged communities in Kolkata, India. Volunteers can work in a variety of projects around the city.

The Program

Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. It is located in eastern India on the east bank of the River Hooghly. The city has a population of almost 5 million, with an extended metropolitan population of over 14 million, making it the third-largest urban agglomeration and the fourth-largest city in India.

There is a one month minimum set for the program. The program starts on the first of the month so you will need to arrive in Kolkata before this date. Due to the nature of the situation, projects will start and end at different times so there will be general guidelines about your project until you actually begin volunteering. An orientation and training will take place upon arrival and you will be placed according to the current needs and requirements, with consideration of your skills and background.

The types of programs you could be involved with include:

Children: Working in a local slum school, assisting teachers, developing new lessons and strategies, working one on one with students in a tutoring type setting, etc. Additionally, there is another school which is specifically for disabled children where you would be working one on one with high need youth. Another option is to work in a tutoring program mainly English instruction.
Health and Care-giving: Volunteer work is available in a hospice. The work varies from patient care and home visits to research on the topic of diseases such as HIV. Additionally volunteers can work in a home for the aged and the dying where care-giving is the primary focus.
Women: Volunteers are needed to work on various projects with women from the red-light district. Desired volunteers can either volunteer through teaching English to the women as well as their children, in computer training, or teaching business skills to small women's groups forming their own businesses. Additionally volunteers with web design, photography, or jewelry making skills are needed to work with women in the fair-trade market.

Program Location

The program is located in Kolkata, India. Volunteers will need to take a taxi from the airport (at their own expense) which usually costs around US$20 (two-way travel, parking, and the coordinator's entry to the airport). You will be met by a member of our partner organization and taken to the guest house. Volunteers are accommodated in shared rooms and will need to use public transport to get to the various placement sites.

Program Requirements

As a volunteer in India you must:

• be at least 18 years of age - the upper age limit is 60
• be in good health
• be a native speaker of English (fluent)
• be enthusiastic
• have cultural sensitivity and respect

* You will need to be proactive and able to work independently as your work schedules and projects will not be planned for you.

Program Schedule

Volunteers will begin their program on the 1st of the month. We recommend arriving a day early so that you are prepared to start the orientation and training program the next day. Please note that it can take up to one week before you settle into a regular work schedule.

Program Cost

A US$350 application fee will secure your place on the program, with your program fee due for payment eight weeks before you begin your placement. You only pay your application fee once and then you can access any of GVN's volunteer programs over the next 5 years.

Your application fee includes the following benefits:

• Personal Staff Support
• Your India Program Guide
• Your Fundraising Guide and Software
• Access to Your Own Online Journal
• Online Video - Preparing For Your Trip

Once your application fee is paid the remainder of the cost for your time in the India program is:

• Cost for 4 weeks - US $747
• Cost for 6 weeks - US $1022
• Cost for 8 weeks - US $1297
• Cost for 10 weeks - US $1572
• Cost for 12 weeks - US $1847

To see the cost in your local currency, we recommend you .

The in-country fee covers your daily breakfast, your accommodation, orientation program, placement arrangement, and supervision. The other costs you will need to meet are your flights, tourist visa, travel to/from the airport to the placement, lunches and dinners, travel to work each day, vaccinations, travel insurance and departure tax. You will also need to cater for other expenses like bottled water, personal costs, beverages, and entertainment.

Your program fee includes the following benefits:

• Your In-Country Fee
• In-Country Support
• 24hr Emergency Line
• Membership To The Change Makers Club
• All Safe Travel Alert Service
• Letter Of Completion

Apply for the India Program

Your application process is free and seamless and if you are successful we will provide you with a choice of application fee payment options that include a secure online service. We also are one of the few organizations that offer a money back guarantee on your application fee up to two calendar months before the month your placement begins.
Click here to apply for the India program.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have put together the following page, which answers the majority of questions people have.
Click here

Volunteer Journals

If you would like to read about the experiences of some of our volunteers who are currently volunteering, you can do so here. This journal service is provided free to all our volunteers.
Click here

Application Process

All applicants will be notified by email as to whether their application has been successful.

(1) Complete the Application Form: Fill out the application form below. Upon receipt of the form we will assess your suitability for the program within two working days.

(2) Contact You: If you are successful we will then email you a letter of acceptance.

(3) Decision Point: Once you have read through the letter of acceptance and we have answered any questions or concerns that you might have, it is time to pay your US $350 application fee to secure your place on the program. Please note that we will refund your application fee if you decide not to go (refer to our Terms of Service for details on the refund policy).

(4) Confirmation: Once the application fee is paid, our volunteer partner will contact you to ensure everything is organized. We will also send you the link to our program guide which covers topics such as country information, travel links, visa application process, fundraising ideas and much more!

(5) Communication & Support: Throughout the application process, we are committed to working with you to answer any of your questions or concerns. During your placement we are also available as a form of support to you as a volunteer and will email you while in country to discuss how the program is going.

To apply for this program, click here