Project No.: RC-MTV-ENV-1/16: Environmental Education January – December 2016

Rural Centre for Human Interests

Volunteer India program

LMTV (2016)

About RUCHI

Rural Centre for Human Interests (RUCHI) is a community development organization with ever increasing focus on youth development and intercultural learning through voluntary service. RUCHI got registered in 1983, under Indian Societies Registration Act as a non-political, non-profit making voluntary organization.

RUCHI was established keeping in mind the problems and restrictions that a remote community faces on day to day basis. These could be due to poverty, lack of knowledge, poor infrastructure or at times difficult terrain. As a result RUCHI has always implemented its project with people centered approach and gave priority to community development. With 32 years in this field, RUCHI has accumulated extensive knowledge in community development with project area ranging from semi-urban background to extremely remote communities requiring two days of walk certain time of the year.

Over time RUCHI has also developed and successfully implemented low cost technologies. We are now acting as a resource organization for Indian Government and other NGO’s pursuing community development.

Our Approach

For past 32years RUCHI has committed its efforts and resources towards rural development. All our projects have a people centered approach and ongoing commitment with our projects and partners. Our workcamp offer a unique opportunity to gain global perspective for volunteer and local youth increasing their professional competencies. Voluntary service not only helps community projects but also provide a much needed overview and technical support.

Network and collaboration

RUCHI is affiliated with international and national voluntary service networks. Recently it got elected in Executive Committee of Network of Voluntary Development in Asia (NVDA), It is also member of Coordinating Committee of International Voluntary Service (CCIVS). RUCHI also partners with Alliance of European Voluntary service Organization (ALLIANCE).

Besides international networks RUCHI also affiliates with national organizations like Institute of Rural Management (IRMA), Delhi School of Social Works, Tata Institute of Social Science, Xavier Institute of Social Science (XISS) and students from University of Delhi, Kurukshetra, Allahabad etc. RUCHI hosts students from these institutes and facilitates their rural management studies.

Our Volunteer Program

• Short Term Workcamp, STW (14days)
• Long - Medium Term Volunteer, LMTV (1-12months)
• Group/Bilateral Workcamp. 10+ vols. (14days)
• Family work camp, Home based camps.
• Internship.

Areas of Interests

• Construction, Renovation and maintenance.
• Environment and conservation.
• Non formal education.
• Community development.
• Culture exposure.
• Children with disability
• Creative arts and crafts

RUCHI INDIA - LMTV Programme 2016 - Summary

Description of Middle & Long Term Projects:

General:

· RUCHI involves volunteers in its humanitarian activities to facilitate cross culture exchanges & promote international solidarity.

· Our LMTV projects are ongoing and are executed across Nth. India. We accept volunteers each month (preferably 1^st Monday) check dates when applying. Volunteers can stay as long as they want up to a maximum of one year. The minimum period of staying is Three month.

· Volunteers will have to follow the organization rules and culture and work with other staff as a team.

§ No special skills are required, except dedication and commitment to a social cause to help rural communities.

§ Volunteers have to take care of their own leisure travel costs and all personal expenses during free time. Project related travel expenses using public transport shall be reimbursed within a fixed cap.

· Volunteers have to be 18 years or older, bearing good moral character and respect local as well other culture.

· Alcohol drinking and smoking is not encouraged in public and villages.

§ Living conditions will be simple. Volunteers must be prepared to live in harmony with others and work as a team. Medical/Personal Insurance is the responsibility of the volunteers themselves.

· Volunteer behavior will directly reflect RUCHI image within community therefore good work ethics are highly desired and expected.

LMTV Programme:

We encourage volunteers to apply and contribute to international youth exchange and community development through Medium and Long term placements of durations varying between 4 weeks to 24 weeks. The volunteers under this programme are placed in on-going humanitarian projects in rural or semi-urban areas. A good understanding of grassroots situation is required for such placements.

In contrast to short term workcamps, the pace of work here is slow. Therefore, matching expectations of volunteers is a constant challenge. One has to realize that they cannot change the world in such a short time but the placement certainly provides satisfaction and contentment to have really contributed to a cause with some visible results.

We offer flexibility to join our programs, but to regulate and better coordinate project activities we expect volunteer to join on first Monday of each month. Initial orientation to volunteers will be provided at RUCHI office, desired project outcomes and volunteer’s role and responsibility shall be shared on arrival.

PARTICIPATION FEE:The participation fees are as follows:

1. For one/first month stay - Euro 350
2. For each additional month - Euro 300

The participants are required to pay the fee in cash on the first day of their arrival at site, Bank transfer service available upon request. The contribution covers all basic expenses, e.g. accommodation, gas, water, electricity, food, staff salaries and for materials used in projects/activities. Alcoholic drinks are not included. Alcohol drinking and smoking is not encouraged in public and villages.

Project related travel expenses shall be reimbursed to volunteer each month with a maximum cap of rupees 500. Leisure travel and personal expenses during free time are not covered in participation fee.

Why the extra fee?

RUCHI with other NGO’s in India is not financially supported by government to host projects related to IVS. Hence all projects are self funded with a participation fee. Given the remote location and various complexities we have tried our best to make it as affordable as possible for volunteers. Being a non-profit organization we emphasize on transparency, below is how we spend collected participation fee.

• Food, accommodation and logistics of volunteer during workcamp.
• Project setup costs. (material and logistics cost)
• Running the camp. (wages of professional like mason, carpenter, plumber etc and training local youth supported by us.)
• Office running/admin expenses. (Internet, photocopy, stationary, electricity, phone, salaries, office equipments, tools and rent etc.)
• Supporting small community project.
• International travel costs to annual global conferences and membership fee for networking.

Visa:

All volunteers are required to get Indian visa to enter the country. As per the new regulations an employment visa is required for their placement with Indian NGOs. For details kindly refer to www.indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa. RUCHI will be happy to assist you with required documents.

(Though volunteers are welcome to join us any time of the year in the ongoing projects of RUCHI, a few period specific projects for MLTVs are described below to choose from)

Project No.: RC-MTV-ENV-1/16: Environmental Education January – December 2016

Age: 18+

Location: Solan- Rural and Slum Communities around Baddi township

Placement: Placement is offered for 3 months to up to 6 months.

Joining dates: Volunteers can join from any Monday during the project cycle.

Background: Baddi is an industrial area. Economically poor people migrated to the area in search of jobs and established their temporary settlements. These settlements are devoid of even basic amenities and hence called “slums”. Industries and increased human population is pressurizing the already depleting natural resources and causing a serious environmental, health & sanitation problem.

Work: This project aims to protect our environment using creative education. Local community and environment are inter-related and depend on each other for survival. Therefore education of local community towards social and economic benefit of environment is vital for their coexistence.

Based in rural environment volunteers will familiarize themselves with local environment and life. They shall be visiting local schools, SHG’s, local community gathering and even organise an environmental workshop to disseminate environmental awareness and good practices. Working closely with local youth following tasks shall be undertaken:

1. Using creative art as a medium to disseminate environmental awareness.

2. Working with eco clubs in local schools by assisting and coordinating their activities.

3. Mobilising youth towards environmental protection.

4. Educate people on environmental concerns like Global warming, climate change, depletion of natural resources, etc.

We believe, innovation is key to success therefore volunteers with prior experience in related work are welcome to bring in new ideas.

Accommodation: Accommodation is on sharing basis with common toilets and bath.

Food:Food offered will be simple authentic Indian vegetarian and freshly cooked. Three meals a day will be served/provided. Assistance while cooking is desired of volunteers. Volunteers are free to cook meals of their country choice on every Sunday.

Date: 2016-04-22; view: 904