Volunteering Solutions offers an exciting opportunity to do a 2 week volunteer trip along with weekend excursions during the winter vacations for the volunteers with a combination of volunteer programs and weekend excursions to Dharamshala and the world famous Golden Temple in Amritsar.

This program is especially suitable for volunteers who do not have time to commit to a month or more of volunteering abroad but would like to make some contribution and also travel along with other volunteers on the weekends to one of the most spectacular places in northern India.

The program is based in Palampur which is located 550 Km North of New Delhi in the State of Himachal Pradesh.  Palampur is located in District Kangra at an elevation of 4500 Ft above sea level. The area is very well known for its beautiful Tea gardens.

 Different tourist attractions  such as Dharamshala are located in close proximity to Palampur. Dharamshala is the hometown of The Dalai Lama and provides immense tourist and learning opportunities.

Palampur is also close to the start up points of very Interesting trekking routes through the Dhauladhar Mountain Ranges which are snow Capped Mountains with ample scenic sites. Palampur is blessed with natural water streams flowing from the mountains besides thick forest cover.

The beauty of the climate of this area during winters is that the days are nice and sunny and the nights are cool. The winters are not very harsh and ideal for travelers.

Duration: 2 weeks

Dates: Monday – 20th December 2010 – 02nd January 2011 (2 weeks)
           Monday - 03rd January 2011 – 16th January 2011 (2 weeks)  
             
Working Days: Monday – Friday – 5 days a week

Weekends: Travel / Sightseeing included in Cost


Program detail

Volunteers in this program work in local day care centers or “Anganwadis” as they are locally called, located in and around Palampur. Since the area is a semi rural area, there are not many qualified and well trained caretakers for the children. Our volunteers play a significant role by providing the children with the much needed attention, love and care. Volunteers provide one on one attention to each and every child and help in the overall holistic development of the children. Volunteers also help the day care centre staff by helping in daily jobs, such as feeding, cleaning, clothing, teaching and playing games with the children.
Since the inception of this volunteer program, we have seen a gradual change and development in the working of the day care centers in the area of Palampur. Volunteers have played a big role in their development by lending a helping and caring hand.

Typical volunteer activities include:

 » Ensuring attendance by the children of the area to these centers.
 » Help, prepare and, serve nutritious meals for the children every day with the help of a local worker.
 » Create a fun, colorful, “Play Way” environment for the children through games, stories and other creative activities.
 » Decorating and painting the day care center with charts, colors , papers to make it look attractive and inviting for more children to join these centers.


Program Itinerary
Sunday (Day before Program start date) – Arrive in Palampur by taking a flight from Delhi to Dharamshala or by bus. 
 
Day 1: –Orientation Session- Welcome to India, introduction to the program in Palampur, safety issues and basic culture of India. Also learn about your program schedule and tour program to follow. Volunteers will also be taken to their respective project placements by the coordinators.

Day 2: –Volunteer starts the work in field. Daily schedule will be as follows:-

Breakfast: - 08:30am
Departure to work area: 9:30am
Lunch – 1:30pm to 2pm
Field work preparation - 4pm onwardsDinner: - 7:00pm

Excursions and Trips (included in the Program Cost)

A) Trip to Amritsar ( Golden Temple) – Weekend One< On the first weekend, volunteers will be going to Amritsar to visit the world famous Golden Temple, which is also the spiritual and cultural center of the Sikh religion. It is considered to be the holiest shrine by Sikhs. An active place of worship for Sikhs, the Golden Temple is also one of India's major tourist destinations.

Other places that will be visited include:- Wagah Border – Change of Guards ceremony The Wagah border, often called the "Berlin wall of Asia", is a ceremonial border on the India–Pakistan Border where each evening there is a retreat ceremony called 'lowering of the flags'. At that time there is an energetic parade by the Border Security Force (B.S.F) of India and the Pakistan Rangerssoldiers. Troops of each country put on a show in their uniforms with their colorful turbans. Border officials from the two countries sometimes walk over to the offices on the other side for day to day affairs.

Accommodation & Food 
Volunteers will be staying in the volunteer house during the program. During the weekend trips accommodation will be provided in hotels with all meals included. The volunteer house is located 4km from the city limit right in the scenic mountains to accommodate volunteers on a twin-sharing basis. All bed linens are provided and the house is fully equipped with all the comforts of home. The rooms are spacious with attached bathroom and basic amenities such as hot water, in house kitchen, and phone to make your stay as comfortable as possible.
Program Fee for a single person – USD 599 per person  
Please note: An application fee of $200/£140 is charged over and above the program fee.

Special Discounts are available for Groups of Four or more people travelling together

What are you Paying For ?
» 24 hrs Assistance and support from VS Staff
» Hotel accommodation during tours
» Transfers during tours
» Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
» Airport / Bus Station Pickup from Palampur or Dharamshala
» Orientation
» Food – 3 meals a day
» Accommodation
» Medical Insurance 

What's NOT Included ?
» Drinks during tour
» Airfare
» Visa and Vaccinations
» Airport drop
»Local transportation
» Any personal expenses (You would need around $40 per week for your personal expenses)