The Rural Women Program

Location: Delhi/Faridabad, Alwar (close to Jaipur)
Duration: 1-12 weeks
Hours: 25-40 hours per week
Food: (3 times a day)
Room: Host family or hostel

Project Summary
Women living in rural areas face discrimination due to superstitious beliefs in India that have left many young women outcasts and poverty stricken. Most of these women are divorced, uneducated, or widowed…all looked down upon in these rural areas in India. These young women have been taken in my several NGOs and have been given a chance to become self-sufficient by learning skills (jewelry making) that will allow the women to support themselves while building self esteem! (Volunteers will also have a chance to buy unique Indian jewelry made by the girls themselves helping them become financially independent.)

Volunteer responsibilities
Volunteers contribute in varying activities from teaching English, to learning how to make Indian jewelry. This is a great place for volunteers who are particularly interested in jewelry making, stitching, sewing, embroidery, crochet, stitching, tailoring, however not mandatory. Aside from helping directly with jewelry making volunteers can plan games (singing, dancing, and art projects) to break up the monotony allowing the girls to laugh and play and indirectly aiding in the building of self esteem!

Skill/Qualifications
There are no specific requirements in educational experience or jewelry making to participate in the Rural Women Program. However, since this program is unlike a structured orphanage volunteers have a lot more freedom here to design the days in any way they would like. This is a great match for patient, flexible volunteers who have a passion for helping victimized women.

Room & Board:
Volunteering Love arranges room, board and food (3 meals a day) from the beginning of your stay to the completion of your project. Volunteers will stay with a host family/hostel with accommodations including a separate bedroom area specified for volunteers as well as a communal bathroom setting. Volunteering Love employs a local staff near the projects (Delhi, Faridabad, Gurgaon) allowing a staff member to meet volunteers whenever necessary. Volunteers will have the telephone number to the in-country coordinator as well should any further assistance be needed.