About Special Education in India

Many children with special needs in India have very limited access to care facilities or schools, and the facilities that do exist often lack the resources to provide the children with the care and assistance they need. World Endeavors Special Education volunteers in India contribute in meaningful ways to the children and staff at these special education facilities. Volunteers help children with a wide range of needs and abilities, whether they face learning challenges or physical challenges such as vision, hearing, or speech impairments. Special education volunteers are involved in a variety of tasks, including teaching English or general mathematics, assisting teachers with individualized lesson plans, organizing group excursions and activities, or sharing their skills in music, art, or other creative outlets. Children with special needs benefit from the attentive care of volunteers who show them patience, compassion, and a wider perspective on their world.

A Typical Day in the Life of a Volunteer in India

World Endeavors volunteers in India can expect their days to be a combination of meaningful volunteer work, cultural experiences, and free time for relaxation and reflection.  The sample schedule below represents a typical day for a volunteer in India.  Keep in mind that when volunteering abroad, a typical day can be anything but typical!

7:30 am – 8:30 am: Breakfast at the volunteer house.  Nashta (breakfast) in India often consists of porridge, toast with jam, eggs, fresh fruit, and tea or coffee.

8:45 am: Travel by city bus or walk to your volunteer placement.

9:00 am – 12:00 pm: Work at volunteer placement.

12:15 pm – 2:00 pm:  Free time and lunch.  Lunch in Jaipur usually includes chapatti (Indian bread), beans and rice or chole (a dish with chickpeas, onions, and tomatoes), salad, and fruit.

2:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Work at volunteer placement.

4:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Free time to explore the city, hang out with new friends, go shopping, visit Jaipur’s beautiful gardens, or attend a sporting event.

7:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Dinner with fellow volunteers at the volunteer house.  Dinner in India often consists of chapatti, soup, salad, beans, rice, and curry.

8:00 pm – 10:00 pm: relax at home with your fellow volunteers, watch a Bollywood movie at the cinema, plan for the next day’s volunteering, or plan a weekend excursion to go on a tiger or camel safari, visit the Taj Mahal, or to visit Ranthambore National Park or Sariska National Park to see wildlife and historic monuments.

Project and class schedules, meals, and free time activities may vary depending on the details of your placement.

Eligibility

Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. Successful volunteers are hardworking, flexible, and open to truly immersing themselves in Indian culture.