INTERNATIONAL WORKCAMPS IN INDIA 2018

Every year, thousands of refugees come to India from nearby countries and go from small towns and villages to the big cities. Most of these families are living in very poor conditions in slums or on street corners. The Indian government and society are busy dealing with other issues and therefore, this matter remains unsolved. That is why our partner Smile Society has projects to help these unfortunate families and their children in different locations in and around Kolkata city. Their mission is to bring smiles on children’s faces.

We need energetic volunteers with open minds. You need to be strong and flexible. India is a beautiful country but can be challenging for some people. Local culture and people are interesting however, the weather is hot and humid in summer. Get ready to explore an amazing country full of surprises. Due to big cultural differences some volunteers might face cultural shock! Our request to all new comers is to read about India and Indian culture as much as possible before you apply for the project. If you have any queries, feel free to contact us by mail at acopia.intern@gmail.com

Please find below the descriptions of our different projects!

SMILE Street Children Welfare Project

LOCATION : MADHYAMGRAM (8 km from Kolkata Airport)

DATES : Any time. It is a permanent workcamp. 2 weeks workcamp volunteers should arrive either 1-14th or 17-30th of each month.

Duration : Min. 2 weeks; Max. 20 Weeks.

This project is all about helping children between 8-15 years old, mostly refugees, living in the streets. Daily, hundreds of children receive support at our different centers. It consists in providing basic education such as language learning (English), hygiene, basic health care for kids, playing with them, organizing entertainment programs and food distribution. Every evening, there is a workshop to prepare for lessons the next day.

Volunteers can use different ways of informal education techniques to present unique and attractive ways of learning for the kids. Most of the children speak local Bengali/Hindi language and they are very smart and intelligent. Therefore, teaching them with the support of a local coordinator will make it a little easier for volunteers through it withrequire patience. Our first and foremost goal is to “Bring Smiles Around”. We ensure that all volunteers are provided with a safe and enriching experience. Our flexible approach means that you will be given a placement to suit your needs and desired timeframe.

INTERCULTURAL & LANGUAGE EXCHANGE CAMP

LOCATION : MADHYAMGRAM (8 km from Kolkata Airport)

DATES : 2 weeks work camp from the 15th to 28th of each month

This camp is an international platform to exchange culture and language. Energetic youths from around the world are gathered together to learn about Indian culture, food, yoga and to build friendships.

India has always been famous for its culture, tradition, language and cuisine. While volunteering in this camp, you have the chance to interact with East India is (Bengali) culture and food. Volunteers and local family together exchange culture and cook food. Volunteers have a chance to learn Indian yoga & will receive basic meditation lessons in camp. This camp offers the opportunity to learn about the ethnic heritage of East Indian cuisine and tradition. It would be a great fun time for groups.

It is a fun entertainment camp where Indian families and international youths can have a platform to share each other culture and lifestyle. Camps will take place in a suburb called Madhyamgram which is just 8 km from Kolkata Airport. Transportation, electricity, shopping places are all around. The nearest rail and bus station is within 2 km. Life is very simple and peaceful around here.

INDIAN FESTIVALS CAMP

LOCATION : MADHYAMGRAM (8 km from Kolkata Airport)                                      

DATES : 

• SMILE RAKSHA BANDHAN CAMP : 17th August 2018 – 30th August 2018

• HAPPY GANESHA FESTIVAL : 10th September 2018 – 24th September 2018

• HAPPY DURGA PUJA FESTIVAL : 15th October 2018 – 28th October 2018

• DIWALI FESTIVAL CAMP : 1st November 2018 – 14th November 2018

• CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL : 17th December 2018 – 28th December 2018

Indian festivals are world famous because of their social and cultural values. Volunteers will have an exciting time with the children at the local festivals. The main purpose of the project is to bring a smile on neglected children during the festive season while witnessing the excitement of Indian festivals.

CULTURAL TRIP AND COMMUNITY WORK

LOCATION : MADHYAMGRAM (8 km from Kolkata Airport) 

DATES : 2 weeks workcamp from the 3rd to 15th of each month

Do you wish to explore India and learn about Indian culture and tradition while living at a local host family and helping to bring a smile to children living on the streets of Kolkata? This project is all about bringing a smile to all underprivileged refugee children and their mothers living in the street of Kolkata. Providing informal basic education to children, like English teaching, hygiene, basic health care, family planning alongside playing with them, organizing entertainment program and food distribution, will be the volunteer’s responsibility.

Any student group, youth group, Teen group, Senior group, Intern group or group of individuals are welcome. Minimum number should be from 6 to 30 and are welcome on any date Teen group should have at least one English speaking team leader above 18 years. 

Happy Home Project

LOCATION : MADHYAMGRAM (8 km from Kolkata Airport)

DATES : Any time. It is a permanent workcamp. 2 weeks workcamp volunteers should arrive either 1-14th or 17-30th of each month.

Duration : Min. 2 weeks & Max. 20 Weeks.

The goal of this project is to bring a smile among children between 3-7 years old (mostly refugees) and provide confidence and moral support to their mothers. Volunteers use different ways of informal education technique to present a unique and attractive way of learning for the kids. Most of the kids speak local Bengali/Hindi language and are very smart and intelligent. Therefore, teaching them with the support of a local coordinator will make it easier for the volunteer.

For mothers informal vocational training and basic English teaching would be helpful. Volunteers would also help local coordinators in other activities like food distribution, organizing drama, storytelling and entertainment games for the children.

Street GIRLS EMPOWERMENT Project

LOCATION : MADHYAMGRAM (8 km from Kolkata Airport)

DATES : Any time. It is a permanent workcamp. 2 weeks workcamp volunteers should arrive either 1-14th or 17-30th of each month.

Duration : Min. 2 weeks & Max. 20 Weeks.

This project consists in helping girls from the underprivileged community (mostly refugees) of India to get basic education, vocational and hygienic training etc. Daily more than 200+ families receive support at our different centers around.

Most important target of the project is to bring a smile among these children and provide confidence and moral support to them. Volunteers will use different ways of informal education techniques to present a unique and attractive way of learning for these kids.

Street DOGS WELFARE PROJECT

LOCATION : MADHYAMGRAM (8 km from Kolkata Airport)

DATES : Any time. It is a permanent workcamp. 2 weeks workcamp volunteers should arrive either 1-14th or 17-30th of each month.

Duration : Min. 2 weeks & Max. 20 Weeks.

Do you love dogs? Then this camp is for you. This camp is for bringing welfare service to one of the most neglected domestic animals in India; dogs. SMILE Animal shelter for Domestic Animal welfare project provides shelter for dogs. There is almost no management system from local government available for these animals.

There are long and short-term volunteering opportunities available every year for these poor needy animals. Volunteers would have an amazing time with these cute animals for sure.

Yoga Camp & Meditation learning Project

LOCATION : MADHYAMGRAM (8 km from Kolkata Airport)

DATES : Any time. It is a permanent workcamp. 2 weeks workcamp volunteers should arrive either 1-14th or 17-30th of each month.

Duration : Min. 2 weeks & Max. 20 Weeks.

Would you like to bring Enlightenment to your mind and health through Yoga and Meditation in India? India has always been famous for yoga and meditation. While volunteering in this project you can have the chance to interact with Indian culture and Yoga/Meditation.

Volunteers and local families together exchange culture. Youth volunteers have a golden chance to know about the ethnic heritage of East Indian tradition.

ART, MUSIC, LANGUAGE TEACHING

LOCATION : MADHYAMGRAM (8 km from Kolkata Airport)

DATES : Any time. It is a permanent workcamp. 2 weeks workcamp volunteers should arrive either 1-14th or 17-30th of each month.

Duration : Min. 2 weeks & Max. 20 Weeks

The most important target of this project is to bring a smile among these children and provide confidence and moral support to their mothers. Volunteers will use different ways of informal education techniques to present a unique and attractive way of learning for the kids. There is a workshop every evening for volunteers to prepare for lessons the next day.

For mothers informal vocational training and basic English teaching would be helpful. Volunteers will also help local coordinators in other activities like food distribution, organizing drama, storytelling and entertainment games for the children. Whole camp will be run under the supervision of a very experienced local project coordinator.

Online Promotion, Blogs & Content writing Assistant

LOCATION : MADHYAMGRAM (8 km from Kolkata Airport)

DATES : Any time. It is a permanent workcamp. 2 weeks workcamp volunteers should arrive either 1-14th or 17-30th of each month.

Duration : Min. 2 weeks; Max. 20 Weeks

We are looking for volunteers from different countries to help us with online promotion. Due to charity status, it is really difficult to go for paid advertising. Right now volunteers from native English speaking countries would be very appreciated but any volunteer is welcomed to join our team as a promotional assistant!

Manual Assistant

LOCATION : MADHYAMGRAM (8 km from Kolkata Airport)

DATES : Any time. It is a permanent workcamp. 2 weeks workcamp volunteers should arrive either 1-14th or 17-30th of each month.

Duration : Min. 2 weeks; Max. 20 Weeks

Would you like to help us with everyday manual work like cleaning, sweeping, shopping, odd jobs, etc? Then this project is for you. Our foremost goal is to "Bring Smiles around" We ensure that all volunteers are provided with a safe and enriching experience. Our flexible approach means that you will be given a placement to suit your needs and preferred timeframe.

PROJECTS COST AND SERVICES PROVIDED TO VOLUNTEERS

The cost depends on the intended duration of your stay. Please contact us at acopia.intern@gmail.com for more details.

Costs include:

*Airport pick-up: The meeting point is at 12 noon outside the Kolkata (international terminal gate 4A) airport arrival gate. Or as per arrival details: pickup available between 6am-6pm only (subject to prior confirmation).

*Accommodation: dormitory in host family or school building as per available on arrival during the Workcamp. Please arrange your own accommodation in case of early arrival or late departure. If you arrive early then you can have your stay in any of the different hotels available nearby the Airport, within 2 -3 km.on the road called V.I.P road.

*Food: 3 times a day, local food from host family as per available on arrival

*Laundry and water: you can use water for washing once a day. Drinking water and limited wifi are available in house. Please cooperate with the local members.

*Please do not expect any kind of special dishes (veg/non veg) or cold drinks or special living conditions or air conditioned rooms during your term. Be ready for a simple and challenging life!

*Emergency support.

Costs exclude:

*Flight ticket / Visa /Medical cost

*Weekend Trip: There are many weekend trips organized (against extra cost) by our travel partners. For more details please contact your camp in charge.

STAY TUNED FOR UPCOMING WORK CAMPS!

ACOPIA's Work Camp is a series of activities where young volunteers gather together to do rural service work. Our camp offers a slew of activities that are sure to satiate your appetite for more Korean culture. Expect to be taught how to cook traditional Korean dishes and sides like tteokbokki and gochujang. Learn how the locals fish and farm for a livelihood and form ties with the villagers. Not only can you help local Korean communities flourish, but you also gain exposure to foreign cultures and make new friends from all over the world!

There are a minimum of two ACOPIA Work Camps held in Korea every year and an irregular schedule for the Japanese camps.

For more information please send us an email at:

acopia.intern@gmail.com