Open from February 2011 to January 2012

18+

Bag-Pathia village (Solan)

Placement is offered from 1 to 6 months.

Any time during the project cycle.

This village is water scarce. RUCHI has been successful in raising funds from Rotary International, New Zealand to make this village a model Rain Water Village and use all possible ways to harvest every drop of water. Administratively, the project will commence from January 2011 for a period of 12 months but the educational and organizational aspects with back up support from RUCHI will continue for at least 2 years. The volunteers will be involved in environmental education in the village, train them in use and maintenance of built up structures. Volunteer with environmental or civil engineering background is preferable but not essential.

This will be simple and shared by 1-2 volunteers. Toilets are not available in the villages and hence they will be staying in RUCHI complex accommodation with basic amenities. The project area is 9 kms from the office and public transport will be used for accessibility. We shall provide mattresses but the volunteers are required to bring their own bed sheets, sleeping bags and personal toiletries.

Food offered will be simple authentic Indian vegetarian and freshly cooked. Three meals a day will be served. Cooking will be done jointly by volunteers. Volunteers are free to cook meals of their country choice on every Sunday.

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. From our past experience we have realized that majority of volunteers have opted for a placement of 12 weeks at RUCHI. 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. Initial orientation to volunteers will be provided at RUCHI office.

The participation fees are as follows...

a. For one/first month stay - 18,000 Indian rupees.
b. For each additional month - 15,000 Indian rupees.

The fee will be used for living expenses (accommodation, gas, water, electricity, food), staff salaries and for materials used in projects/activities. Also some part of the fee will be used for administration and support. The travelling costs to field areas is not covered under the fee.

Open from April 2011 to April 2012

18+

Jadla Panchayat (Solan)

is offered from 3 months to up to one year.

5th of Every Month

Both the volunteers will be involved in environmental education in the same area and work with youth workers and community leaders to develop activities for the development and management of natural resources. They will work on raising awareness on various environmental issues and wherever possible in seeking solutions as well. This is a mountain area where people are purely dependent on agriculture for a living. However, due to shortage of water and small terraces on sloppy land do not allow for enough production for their round the year sustainability. The project was designed to work on these issues and volunteers are required to work with RUCHI team and local people to address some of them.

The project where both volunteers will be placed is a 36 months project and we shall be happy to have continuity from volunteers. That means once a batch of volunteers leave the other batch can join the project where previous volunteers left and continue with actions.

This will be simple and shared by 2-3 volunteers. Toilets are not available in the villages and hence they will be staying in RUCHI complex accommodation with basic amenities. The project area is 15 kms from the office and public transport will be used for accessibility. We shall provide mattresses but the volunteers are required to bring their own bed sheets, sleeping bags and personal toiletries.

Food offered will be simple authentic Indian vegetarian and freshly cooked. Three meals a day will be served. Cooking will be done jointly by volunteers. Volunteers are free to cook meals of their country choice on every Sunday.

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. From our past experience we have realized that majority of volunteers have opted for a placement of 12 weeks at RUCHI. 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. Initial orientation to volunteers will be provided at RUCHI office.

The participation fees are as follows...

a. For one/first month stay - 18,000 Indian rupees.
b. For each additional month - 15,000 Indian rupees.

The fee will be used for living expenses (accommodation, gas, water, electricity, food), staff salaries and for materials used in projects/activities. Also some part of the fee will be used for administration and support. The travelling costs to field areas is not covered under the fee.

Eco Tourism involves two major themes, Nature and Culture. Eco Tourism is a form of responsible travel which contributes to the protection of the environment in natural areas, and the preservation of culture in local communities. It also provides conscious travellers with unique experiences which cannot be provided by mass tourism.

This is a new project initiated by FSL, which means there is still a lot to be done! The volunteers will start by getting to know the village, neighbourhood and villagers in order to work together with them and see the different aspects of their lives. Educating the locals about the problems and exploring possibilities with Eco Tourism is an important aspect of the work. Volunteers have to develop a working methodology that taps into local resources. Volunteers will develop a way of working, drawing local potential, introducing and setting up structures, such as...

• Creating a database of information of the surrounding areas.
• Training and working with the local community in order to involve them in active participation.
• Raising environmental and cultural preservation awareness.
• Setting up and running the Eco Tourism project.
• Making a web site and promoting Eco Tourism as a form of livelihood for the local community.

The main fields of work are art, traditional life, sights, environmental awareness, food, agriculture, industry, medicine, landscape, outdoor activities, religion, and spiritual experience. Each of those fields is divided into more sub-fields. You will be working in a small team or individually to complete the database. The work will include site-based research, hence the ability to research and write reports is appreciated.

This is an ongoing project. Please note that the minimum period of stay is of four months.

Your Info sheet will contain all the information that you need to prepare for your journey and stay in India. It is very important that you read the whole info sheet at least once and understand all the contents. Your info sheet will be sent to your sending organization one month before your arrival in India.
The pre-arrival letter will include all the necessary information that will make your journey to the LTV centre (Kundapur) as smooth and trouble free as possible. Please make sure to read it carefully.

Participants should make sure that they arrive in Kundapur by that date. Kundapur is well connected by train and bus. All volunteers will meet at a common meeting point, where they will be picked up. Specific information regarding your arrival will be sent to you in a pre-arrival letter.

All the registration formalities will be done in the first three days of the orientation. This will consist of understanding and signing a contract; collecting the participation fee. Please note that the first three months fee is collected in the beginning, if you have applied for more than three months. If you have applied for less then three months, then the entire participation fee is collected in the beginning. Please make sure that you have the amount converted to Indian Rupees before your registration. You will need two photocopies of your passport and of your visa.

The Orientation Week will take place at FSL India's Centre at Kundapur. The Orientation week will prepare you for your program and introduce you to Indian culture and people. This will be the time to ask any questions about the program, the organization, the country, the culture, etc.

FSL-India organises a Monthly Evaluation and reflection meeting for all volunteers. This is an occasion for volunteers to come together for a day to exchange experiences, have fun and relax. These meetings will take place in different locations and will have different topics and activities. This offer is additional, so FSL will provide basic food and accommodation and travel to the chosen location. It is a very good opportunity to meet
and get to know the other volunteers as well as the FSL staff team. There will be one-toone sessions between the volunteer and LTV coordinator to discuss the progress and to resolve any challenges faced.

A Final Evaluation will be carried out at the end of the program term and a personal meeting between the volunteer and the LTV Coordinator will be held at the Kundapur centre. The Final Evaluation/Report outlines the work done by the volunteer where you can share your experiences (good and bad ones!) and complete a feedback form. The Final Evaluation serves as a guideline for future volunteers and for FSL-India to improve upon the quality of its projects. FSL India will provide each volunteer with an official Certificate of Appreciation to formally attest your international voluntary experience. It will also be the time to say good-bye to all those who have made your experience in India a memorable one.

Accommodation for volunteers can either be at the project, in a local host family or in a hostel - depending on the project, location and availability.

You could be staying with local families near to the project. You could be sharing rooms with 2-3 volunteers or staying on your own.
The people who host volunteers are of all kinds - couples with or without children, joint families, single parents, single people etc. Host families provide accommodation, food, emotional and moral support, and guidance. A routine day in a host family is the behind the screen look into the culture of the hosting country and gives an insight into the
customs of a family, which is an experience like no other for anyone who wants to learn about another culture. Not only learning, but the volunteer also develops an understanding of why the culture is the way it is. Host families help you to interact with the local community, which increases your chances of making friends and contacts.
An Indian host family requires that the volunteer who lives in their home should be willing to become part of his/her host family with the same rights, that he/she should be prepared to help with the daily household chores (clean his/her room, help to prepare meals or to clean the dishes etc.). We also expect all the volunteers to make an honest
effort to share the daily life of the family he/she is living with. The volunteer is required to participate in family activities, show interest in the family functions and activities, help in the kitchen and play with the children. You are also requested to respect the timings, refrain from smoking and consuming alcohol in the house unless permitted by
the family.
Volunteers should be prepared for basic accommodation and basic Indian food three times a day. As part of the community living experience, volunteers are expected to adjust to shared bedrooms and bathrooms, strict timings for meals, house rules, and dress code.

Sometimes, projects provide accommodation for the volunteers. The project will provide a room that is shared by other volunteers or with the staff of the project. You must respect the living conditions of the project, and respect for the local environment is expected at all times. For example, there will be a designated smoking area.
Volunteers also should be ready for basic accommodation and basic Indian food three times a day. As part of the community living experience, volunteers are expected to adjust to shared bedrooms and bathrooms, strict timings for meals, house rules, and dress code.

What happens if I am unhappy with my project or hosting facilities?:
Changes of placement and hosting facilities can be made only for very special reasons, but not before the volunteer displays an attempt to adjust and overcome the challenges that are present. We kindly ask all participants to stay in their assigned placement for a minimum of one month, as we encourage volunteers to try and adapt to the new
environment.

"Your Expectations are your worst enemy!" -

What do you expect from your volunteering experience?

• To learn about a new culture?
• To eat good food?
• To take part in a political and/or humanitarian act?
• To receive support and to help others?
• To work within a dynamic team?
• To change the world?
• Or simply to have fun?

If these expectations are not met, how will this make you feel? Disappointed? Frustrated? Useless? Let down?
Imagine having NO expectations, meeting your new experience with an open-mind. Will this enhance and enrich your experience? YES! It will give you the freedom to be open to all new possibilities and opportunities. It will give you the chance to discover new things and for you to enjoy your wonderful personal experience, by accepting and enjoying everything that you come across.

FSL India is a non–profit organization and does not depend on external funding. All costs of FSL India are sustained through the participation fees from volunteers. We work only with local organizations that need our support.

Participation Fee – RS. 12,500/- for each month.

Remember that the participation fee is non refundable. Please decide the duration of your program carefully while you are applying.
If you have applied for more than three months, then the first three months fee is collected in the beginning. If you have applied for less then three months, then the entire participation fee is collected in the beginning. The participation fee will be collected only for a full month and it is not possible to apply for half a month. The participation fee will be collected from the volunteers during the first three days of the orientation week. The amount will be collected only in the local currency (Indian Rupees). We do not accept any payments in foreign currency. We expect volunteers to pay the first three months of the participation fee before starting the program for practical and organizational reasons.

The Participation fee is non-refundable.

Please try to exchange your foreign currency as soon as possible. However, try not to exchange foreign currency at the airport as the rates are more disadvantageous. FSL staff can assist you to find a convenient place for the exchange of currency and cash withdrawal at ATMs.

What does your program participation fee cover?:
We are a non-profit organization, so we have kept our participation fee as affordable as possible. FSL-India is a non-profit body registered under the Indian Trust Act. We receive absolutely no financial support from the government of India or from any other foreign agency. The main source of income available for FSL-India is the participation fee that is collected from the volunteers.

FSL India requires that volunteers interested in applying for their project fill a different application form from our regular VEF. Therefore if you are interested to apply for this project please contact VAP so that we can email you the form.

This project has been set up by FSL India in association with local NGOs. The aim is to educate lower economic and social groups, the local community, youth and children about environmental concerns, good practices and present situations. This project is usually run in rural areas where
there has not been much development.

As a volunteer in this project, you have to develop and support creative education in nature conservation and to educate the local community on the economic and social benefits of environmental protection and nature conservation. You will be visiting schools, colleges, and youth groups and organizing environmental educational workshops. There is also a chance to work with the local community where our volunteers, together with field assistants, try and create model streets. The local community is introduced to solid waste management, the building of compost pits and the separation of biodegradable material. There is a lot of scope for interested volunteers who have prior experience to bring in their ideas and develop them within the project.

This is an ongoing project. Please note that the minimum stay at the Environmental Education project is of four months.

Your Info sheet will contain all the information that you need to prepare for your journey and stay in India. It is very important that you read the whole info sheet at least once and understand all the contents. Your info sheet will be sent to your sending organization one month before your arrival in India.
The pre-arrival letter will include all the necessary information that will make your journey to the LTV centre (Kundapur) as smooth and trouble free as possible. Please make sure to read it carefully.

Participants should make sure that they arrive in Kundapur by that date. Kundapur is well connected by train and bus. All volunteers will meet at a common meeting point, where they will be picked up. Specific information regarding your arrival will be sent to you in a pre-arrival letter.

All the registration formalities will be done in the first three days of the orientation. This will consist of understanding and signing a contract; collecting the participation fee. Please note that the first three months fee is collected in the beginning, if you have applied for more than three months. If you have applied for less then three months, then the entire participation fee is collected in the beginning. Please make sure that you have the amount converted to Indian Rupees before your registration. You will need two photocopies of your passport and of your visa.

The Orientation Week will take place at FSL India's Centre at Kundapur. The Orientation week will prepare you for your program and introduce you to Indian culture and people. This will be the time to ask any questions about the program, the organization, the country, the culture, etc.

FSL-India organises a Monthly Evaluation and reflection meeting for all volunteers. This is an occasion for volunteers to come together for a day to exchange experiences, have fun and relax. These meetings will take place in different locations and will have different topics and activities. This offer is additional, so FSL will provide basic food and accommodation and travel to the chosen location. It is a very good opportunity to meet
and get to know the other volunteers as well as the FSL staff team. There will be one-toone sessions between the volunteer and LTV coordinator to discuss the progress and to resolve any challenges faced.

A Final Evaluation will be carried out at the end of the program term and a personal meeting between the volunteer and the LTV Coordinator will be held at the Kundapur centre. The Final Evaluation/Report outlines the work done by the volunteer where you can share your experiences (good and bad ones!) and complete a feedback form. The Final Evaluation serves as a guideline for future volunteers and for FSL-India to improve upon the quality of its projects. FSL India will provide each volunteer with an official Certificate of Appreciation to formally attest your international voluntary experience. It will also be the time to say good-bye to all those who have made your experience in India a memorable one.

Accommodation for volunteers can either be at the project, in a local host family or in a hostel - depending on the project, location and availability.

You could be staying with local families near to the project. You could be sharing rooms with 2-3 volunteers or staying on your own.
The people who host volunteers are of all kinds - couples with or without children, joint families, single parents, single people etc. Host families provide accommodation, food, emotional and moral support, and guidance. A routine day in a host family is the behind the screen look into the culture of the hosting country and gives an insight into the
customs of a family, which is an experience like no other for anyone who wants to learn about another culture. Not only learning, but the volunteer also develops an understanding of why the culture is the way it is. Host families help you to interact with the local community, which increases your chances of making friends and contacts.
An Indian host family requires that the volunteer who lives in their home should be willing to become part of his/her host family with the same rights, that he/she should be prepared to help with the daily household chores (clean his/her room, help to prepare meals or to clean the dishes etc.). We also expect all the volunteers to make an honest
effort to share the daily life of the family he/she is living with. The volunteer is required to participate in family activities, show interest in the family functions and activities, help in the kitchen and play with the children. You are also requested to respect the timings, refrain from smoking and consuming alcohol in the house unless permitted by
the family.
Volunteers should be prepared for basic accommodation and basic Indian food three times a day. As part of the community living experience, volunteers are expected to adjust to shared bedrooms and bathrooms, strict timings for meals, house rules, and dress code.

Sometimes, projects provide accommodation for the volunteers. The project will provide a room that is shared by other volunteers or with the staff of the project. You must respect the living conditions of the project, and respect for the local environment is expected at all times. For example, there will be a designated smoking area.
Volunteers also should be ready for basic accommodation and basic Indian food three times a day. As part of the community living experience, volunteers are expected to adjust to shared bedrooms and bathrooms, strict timings for meals, house rules, and dress code.

What happens if I am unhappy with my project or hosting facilities?:
Changes of placement and hosting facilities can be made only for very special reasons, but not before the volunteer displays an attempt to adjust and overcome the challenges that are present. We kindly ask all participants to stay in their assigned placement for a minimum of one month, as we encourage volunteers to try and adapt to the new
environment.

"Your Expectations are your worst enemy!" -

What do you expect from your volunteering experience?

• To learn about a new culture?
• To eat good food?
• To take part in a political and/or humanitarian act?
• To receive support and to help others?
• To work within a dynamic team?
• To change the world?
• Or simply to have fun?

If these expectations are not met, how will this make you feel? Disappointed? Frustrated? Useless? Let down?
Imagine having NO expectations, meeting your new experience with an open-mind. Will this enhance and enrich your experience? YES! It will give you the freedom to be open to all new possibilities and opportunities. It will give you the chance to discover new things and for you to enjoy your wonderful personal experience, by accepting and enjoying everything that you come across.

FSL India is a non–profit organization and does not depend on external funding. All costs of FSL India are sustained through the participation fees from volunteers. We work only with local organizations that need our support.

Participation Fee – RS. 12,500/- for each month.

Remember that the participation fee is non refundable. Please decide the duration of your program carefully while you are applying.
If you have applied for more than three months, then the first three months fee is collected in the beginning. If you have applied for less then three months, then the entire participation fee is collected in the beginning. The participation fee will be collected only for a full month and it is not possible to apply for half a month. The participation fee will be collected from the volunteers during the first three days of the orientation week. The amount will be collected only in the local currency (Indian Rupees). We do not accept any payments in foreign currency. We expect volunteers to pay the first three months of the participation fee before starting the program for practical and organizational reasons.

The Participation fee is non-refundable.

Please try to exchange your foreign currency as soon as possible. However, try not to exchange foreign currency at the airport as the rates are more disadvantageous. FSL staff can assist you to find a convenient place for the exchange of currency and cash withdrawal at ATMs.

What does your program participation fee cover?:
We are a non-profit organization, so we have kept our participation fee as affordable as possible. FSL-India is a non-profit body registered under the Indian Trust Act. We receive absolutely no financial support from the government of India or from any other foreign agency. The main source of income available for FSL-India is the participation fee that is collected from the volunteers.

FSL India requires that volunteers interested in applying for their project fill a different application form from our regular VEF. Therefore if you are interested to apply for this project please contact VAP so that we can email you the form.

Eco-Clubs is an initiative by the Education Board of Karnataka, which was introduced 5 years ago in government schools. As part of this initiative, Eco-Clubs were formed in schools and the members are comprised of school children. The aim of these Eco-Clubs is to introduce environmental concerns and good practices to the school children, in order to make them actively involved and to be aware of the need to protect nature. However, most government schools lack personnel and financial means to run the Eco-Clubs efficiently. As a result, Eco-Clubs have been formed in most schools but they do not function. Hence, the FSL-Eco-Clubs projects were initiated with the objective of supporting schools, the children and the teachers.

Since August 2008, volunteers have run a 5 sessions programme in different schools in the surrounding areas of Kundapur for the children in the 8th standard. These sessions combine theoretical and practical learning methods. The children who have been trained this year, will train the next batch of children to run the Eco-Clubs. At the moment we have a potential of about 200 children ready to pursue our work.

As a volunteer your task will be to design and run the sessions in the schools, with the help of other volunteers, a field assistant and teachers. You'll need to be creative and have a love for children, as they are the main concern of the project. You will also get the chance to work with the local community in order to organize some outdoor events for the children.

Volunteers applying for this project need to have some experience and knowledge about Environmental issues or teaching methods.

Your Info sheet will contain all the information that you need to prepare for your journey and stay in India. It is very important that you read the whole info sheet at least once and understand all the contents. Your info sheet will be sent to your sending organization one month before your arrival in India.
The pre-arrival letter will include all the necessary information that will make your journey to the LTV centre (Kundapur) as smooth and trouble free as possible. Please make sure to read it carefully.

Participants should make sure that they arrive in Kundapur by that date. Kundapur is well connected by train and bus. All volunteers will meet at a common meeting point, where they will be picked up. Specific information regarding your arrival will be sent to you in a pre-arrival letter.

All the registration formalities will be done in the first three days of the orientation. This will consist of understanding and signing a contract; collecting the participation fee. Please note that the first three months fee is collected in the beginning, if you have applied for more than three months. If you have applied for less then three months, then the entire participation fee is collected in the beginning. Please make sure that you have the amount converted to Indian Rupees before your registration. You will need two photocopies of your passport and of your visa.

The Orientation Week will take place at FSL India's Centre at Kundapur. The Orientation week will prepare you for your program and introduce you to Indian culture and people. This will be the time to ask any questions about the program, the organization, the country, the culture, etc.

FSL-India organises a Monthly Evaluation and reflection meeting for all volunteers. This is an occasion for volunteers to come together for a day to exchange experiences, have fun and relax. These meetings will take place in different locations and will have different topics and activities. This offer is additional, so FSL will provide basic food and accommodation and travel to the chosen location. It is a very good opportunity to meet
and get to know the other volunteers as well as the FSL staff team. There will be one-toone sessions between the volunteer and LTV coordinator to discuss the progress and to resolve any challenges faced.

A Final Evaluation will be carried out at the end of the program term and a personal meeting between the volunteer and the LTV Coordinator will be held at the Kundapur centre. The Final Evaluation/Report outlines the work done by the volunteer where you can share your experiences (good and bad ones!) and complete a feedback form. The Final Evaluation serves as a guideline for future volunteers and for FSL-India to improve upon the quality of its projects. FSL India will provide each volunteer with an official Certificate of Appreciation to formally attest your international voluntary experience. It will also be the time to say good-bye to all those who have made your experience in India a memorable one.

Accommodation for volunteers can either be at the project, in a local host family or in a hostel - depending on the project, location and availability.

You could be staying with local families near to the project. You could be sharing rooms with 2-3 volunteers or staying on your own.
The people who host volunteers are of all kinds - couples with or without children, joint families, single parents, single people etc. Host families provide accommodation, food, emotional and moral support, and guidance. A routine day in a host family is the behind the screen look into the culture of the hosting country and gives an insight into the
customs of a family, which is an experience like no other for anyone who wants to learn about another culture. Not only learning, but the volunteer also develops an understanding of why the culture is the way it is. Host families help you to interact with the local community, which increases your chances of making friends and contacts.
An Indian host family requires that the volunteer who lives in their home should be willing to become part of his/her host family with the same rights, that he/she should be prepared to help with the daily household chores (clean his/her room, help to prepare meals or to clean the dishes etc.). We also expect all the volunteers to make an honest
effort to share the daily life of the family he/she is living with. The volunteer is required to participate in family activities, show interest in the family functions and activities, help in the kitchen and play with the children. You are also requested to respect the timings, refrain from smoking and consuming alcohol in the house unless permitted by
the family.
Volunteers should be prepared for basic accommodation and basic Indian food three times a day. As part of the community living experience, volunteers are expected to adjust to shared bedrooms and bathrooms, strict timings for meals, house rules, and dress code.

Sometimes, projects provide accommodation for the volunteers. The project will provide a room that is shared by other volunteers or with the staff of the project. You must respect the living conditions of the project, and respect for the local environment is expected at all times. For example, there will be a designated smoking area.
Volunteers also should be ready for basic accommodation and basic Indian food three times a day. As part of the community living experience, volunteers are expected to adjust to shared bedrooms and bathrooms, strict timings for meals, house rules, and dress code.

What happens if I am unhappy with my project or hosting facilities?:
Changes of placement and hosting facilities can be made only for very special reasons, but not before the volunteer displays an attempt to adjust and overcome the challenges that are present. We kindly ask all participants to stay in their assigned placement for a minimum of one month, as we encourage volunteers to try and adapt to the new
environment.

"Your Expectations are your worst enemy!" -

What do you expect from your volunteering experience?

• To learn about a new culture?
• To eat good food?
• To take part in a political and/or humanitarian act?
• To receive support and to help others?
• To work within a dynamic team?
• To change the world?
• Or simply to have fun?

If these expectations are not met, how will this make you feel? Disappointed? Frustrated? Useless? Let down?
Imagine having NO expectations, meeting your new experience with an open-mind. Will this enhance and enrich your experience? YES! It will give you the freedom to be open to all new possibilities and opportunities. It will give you the chance to discover new things and for you to enjoy your wonderful personal experience, by accepting and enjoying everything that you come across.

FSL India is a non–profit organization and does not depend on external funding. All costs of FSL India are sustained through the participation fees from volunteers. We work only with local organizations that need our support.

Participation Fee – RS. 12,500/- for each month.

Remember that the participation fee is non refundable. Please decide the duration of your program carefully while you are applying.
If you have applied for more than three months, then the first three months fee is collected in the beginning. If you have applied for less then three months, then the entire participation fee is collected in the beginning. The participation fee will be collected only for a full month and it is not possible to apply for half a month. The participation fee will be collected from the volunteers during the first three days of the orientation week. The amount will be collected only in the local currency (Indian Rupees). We do not accept any payments in foreign currency. We expect volunteers to pay the first three months of the participation fee before starting the program for practical and organizational reasons.

The Participation fee is non-refundable.

Please try to exchange your foreign currency as soon as possible. However, try not to exchange foreign currency at the airport as the rates are more disadvantageous. FSL staff can assist you to find a convenient place for the exchange of currency and cash withdrawal at ATMs.

What does your program participation fee cover?:
We are a non-profit organization, so we have kept our participation fee as affordable as possible. FSL-India is a non-profit body registered under the Indian Trust Act. We receive absolutely no financial support from the government of India or from any other foreign agency. The main source of income available for FSL-India is the participation fee that is collected from the volunteers.

FSL India requires that volunteers interested in applying for their project fill a different application form from our regular VEF. Therefore if you are interested to apply for this project please contact VAP so that we can email you the form.

For the last 15 years, the Sea Turtle population has been under threat from fishing and egg predation by locals. Three species of the protected Sea Turtle are nesting on India's West coast and all of them are endangered species. As part of this project, FSL India is working along a 60 kilometres stretch of beach in the South and North of Kundapur, Karnataka.

The work is focused on Sea Turtle protection and conservation. The work involves surveys, data gathering and analysis, awareness raising amongst the local community and within schools, harbours and fishing communities. You will also be required to build hatcheries and temporary information centres, as well as design and create promotional material.

This project is seasonal and starts in August and runs until February, only for six months. The work requires high motivation and some knowledge in this particular field is useful. Please remember in the first month and the last month the majority of the work is preparation and report making.

There is NO guarantee you will see sea turtles, hatchlings or eggs whilst working on this project.

Your Info sheet will contain all the information that you need to prepare for your journey and stay in India. It is very important that you read the whole info sheet at least once and understand all the contents. Your info sheet will be sent to your sending organization one month before your arrival in India.
The pre-arrival letter will include all the necessary information that will make your journey to the LTV centre (Kundapur) as smooth and trouble free as possible. Please make sure to read it carefully.

Participants should make sure that they arrive in Kundapur by that date. Kundapur is well connected by train and bus. All volunteers will meet at a common meeting point, where they will be picked up. Specific information regarding your arrival will be sent to you in a pre-arrival letter.

All the registration formalities will be done in the first three days of the orientation. This will consist of understanding and signing a contract; collecting the participation fee. Please note that the first three months fee is collected in the beginning, if you have applied for more than three months. If you have applied for less then three months, then the entire participation fee is collected in the beginning. Please make sure that you have the amount converted to Indian Rupees before your registration. You will need two photocopies of your passport and of your visa.

The Orientation Week will take place at FSL India's Centre at Kundapur. The Orientation week will prepare you for your program and introduce you to Indian culture and people. This will be the time to ask any questions about the program, the organization, the country, the culture, etc.

FSL-India organises a Monthly Evaluation and reflection meeting for all volunteers. This is an occasion for volunteers to come together for a day to exchange experiences, have fun and relax. These meetings will take place in different locations and will have different topics and activities. This offer is additional, so FSL will provide basic food and accommodation and travel to the chosen location. It is a very good opportunity to meet
and get to know the other volunteers as well as the FSL staff team. There will be one-toone sessions between the volunteer and LTV coordinator to discuss the progress and to resolve any challenges faced.

A Final Evaluation will be carried out at the end of the program term and a personal meeting between the volunteer and the LTV Coordinator will be held at the Kundapur centre. The Final Evaluation/Report outlines the work done by the volunteer where you can share your experiences (good and bad ones!) and complete a feedback form. The Final Evaluation serves as a guideline for future volunteers and for FSL-India to improve upon the quality of its projects. FSL India will provide each volunteer with an official Certificate of Appreciation to formally attest your international voluntary experience. It will also be the time to say good-bye to all those who have made your experience in India a memorable one.

Accommodation for volunteers can either be at the project, in a local host family or in a hostel - depending on the project, location and availability.

You could be staying with local families near to the project. You could be sharing rooms with 2-3 volunteers or staying on your own.
The people who host volunteers are of all kinds - couples with or without children, joint families, single parents, single people etc. Host families provide accommodation, food, emotional and moral support, and guidance. A routine day in a host family is the behind the screen look into the culture of the hosting country and gives an insight into the
customs of a family, which is an experience like no other for anyone who wants to learn about another culture. Not only learning, but the volunteer also develops an understanding of why the culture is the way it is. Host families help you to interact with the local community, which increases your chances of making friends and contacts.
An Indian host family requires that the volunteer who lives in their home should be willing to become part of his/her host family with the same rights, that he/she should be prepared to help with the daily household chores (clean his/her room, help to prepare meals or to clean the dishes etc.). We also expect all the volunteers to make an honest
effort to share the daily life of the family he/she is living with. The volunteer is required to participate in family activities, show interest in the family functions and activities, help in the kitchen and play with the children. You are also requested to respect the timings, refrain from smoking and consuming alcohol in the house unless permitted by
the family.
Volunteers should be prepared for basic accommodation and basic Indian food three times a day. As part of the community living experience, volunteers are expected to adjust to shared bedrooms and bathrooms, strict timings for meals, house rules, and dress code.

Sometimes, projects provide accommodation for the volunteers. The project will provide a room that is shared by other volunteers or with the staff of the project. You must respect the living conditions of the project, and respect for the local environment is expected at all times. For example, there will be a designated smoking area.
Volunteers also should be ready for basic accommodation and basic Indian food three times a day. As part of the community living experience, volunteers are expected to adjust to shared bedrooms and bathrooms, strict timings for meals, house rules, and dress code.

What happens if I am unhappy with my project or hosting facilities?:
Changes of placement and hosting facilities can be made only for very special reasons, but not before the volunteer displays an attempt to adjust and overcome the challenges that are present. We kindly ask all participants to stay in their assigned placement for a minimum of one month, as we encourage volunteers to try and adapt to the new
environment.

"Your Expectations are your worst enemy!" -

What do you expect from your volunteering experience?

• To learn about a new culture?
• To eat good food?
• To take part in a political and/or humanitarian act?
• To receive support and to help others?
• To work within a dynamic team?
• To change the world?
• Or simply to have fun?

If these expectations are not met, how will this make you feel? Disappointed? Frustrated? Useless? Let down?
Imagine having NO expectations, meeting your new experience with an open-mind. Will this enhance and enrich your experience? YES! It will give you the freedom to be open to all new possibilities and opportunities. It will give you the chance to discover new things and for you to enjoy your wonderful personal experience, by accepting and enjoying everything that you come across.

FSL India is a non–profit organization and does not depend on external funding. All costs of FSL India are sustained through the participation fees from volunteers. We work only with local organizations that need our support.

Participation Fee – RS. 12,500/- for each month.

Remember that the participation fee is non refundable. Please decide the duration of your program carefully while you are applying.
If you have applied for more than three months, then the first three months fee is collected in the beginning. If you have applied for less then three months, then the entire participation fee is collected in the beginning. The participation fee will be collected only for a full month and it is not possible to apply for half a month. The participation fee will be collected from the volunteers during the first three days of the orientation week. The amount will be collected only in the local currency (Indian Rupees). We do not accept any payments in foreign currency. We expect volunteers to pay the first three months of the participation fee before starting the program for practical and organizational reasons.

The Participation fee is non-refundable.

Please try to exchange your foreign currency as soon as possible. However, try not to exchange foreign currency at the airport as the rates are more disadvantageous. FSL staff can assist you to find a convenient place for the exchange of currency and cash withdrawal at ATMs.

What does your program participation fee cover?:
We are a non-profit organization, so we have kept our participation fee as affordable as possible. FSL-India is a non-profit body registered under the Indian Trust Act. We receive absolutely no financial support from the government of India or from any other foreign agency. The main source of income available for FSL-India is the participation fee that is collected from the volunteers.

FSL India requires that volunteers interested in applying for their project fill a different application form from our regular VEF. Therefore if you are interested to apply for this project please contact VAP so that we can email you the form.

Water resource being one of the most scarce natural resources, there is a tremendous need for harvesting available rain water. FSL-India networks with local organisations that are working for conservation and promotion of water resources through multiple approaches.
Generating awareness among various sections of the local communities are also part of FSL-India's programmes. Volunteers can contributes to these initiatives through various creative inputs and participation in campaigns for promoting water literacy, documentation and research etc.

Your Info sheet will contain all the information that you need to prepare for your journey and stay in India. It is very important that you read the whole info sheet at least once and understand all the contents. Your info sheet will be sent to your sending organization one month before your arrival in India.
The pre-arrival letter will include all the necessary information that will make your journey to the LTV centre (Kundapur) as smooth and trouble free as possible. Please make sure to read it carefully.

Participants should make sure that they arrive in Kundapur by that date. Kundapur is well connected by train and bus. All volunteers will meet at a common meeting point, where they will be picked up. Specific information regarding your arrival will be sent to you in a pre-arrival letter.

All the registration formalities will be done in the first three days of the orientation. This will consist of understanding and signing a contract; collecting the participation fee. Please note that the first three months fee is collected in the beginning, if you have applied for more than three months. If you have applied for less then three months, then the entire participation fee is collected in the beginning. Please make sure that you have the amount converted to Indian Rupees before your registration. You will need two photocopies of your passport and of your visa.

The Orientation Week will take place at FSL India's Centre at Kundapur. The Orientation week will prepare you for your program and introduce you to Indian culture and people. This will be the time to ask any questions about the program, the organization, the country, the culture, etc.

FSL-India organises a Monthly Evaluation and reflection meeting for all volunteers. This is an occasion for volunteers to come together for a day to exchange experiences, have fun and relax. These meetings will take place in different locations and will have different topics and activities. This offer is additional, so FSL will provide basic food and accommodation and travel to the chosen location. It is a very good opportunity to meet
and get to know the other volunteers as well as the FSL staff team. There will be one-toone sessions between the volunteer and LTV coordinator to discuss the progress and to resolve any challenges faced.

A Final Evaluation will be carried out at the end of the program term and a personal meeting between the volunteer and the LTV Coordinator will be held at the Kundapur centre. The Final Evaluation/Report outlines the work done by the volunteer where you can share your experiences (good and bad ones!) and complete a feedback form. The Final Evaluation serves as a guideline for future volunteers and for FSL-India to improve upon the quality of its projects. FSL India will provide each volunteer with an official Certificate of Appreciation to formally attest your international voluntary experience. It will also be the time to say good-bye to all those who have made your experience in India a memorable one.

Accommodation for volunteers can either be at the project, in a local host family or in a hostel - depending on the project, location and availability.

You could be staying with local families near to the project. You could be sharing rooms with 2-3 volunteers or staying on your own.
The people who host volunteers are of all kinds - couples with or without children, joint families, single parents, single people etc. Host families provide accommodation, food, emotional and moral support, and guidance. A routine day in a host family is the behind the screen look into the culture of the hosting country and gives an insight into the
customs of a family, which is an experience like no other for anyone who wants to learn about another culture. Not only learning, but the volunteer also develops an understanding of why the culture is the way it is. Host families help you to interact with the local community, which increases your chances of making friends and contacts.
An Indian host family requires that the volunteer who lives in their home should be willing to become part of his/her host family with the same rights, that he/she should be prepared to help with the daily household chores (clean his/her room, help to prepare meals or to clean the dishes etc.). We also expect all the volunteers to make an honest
effort to share the daily life of the family he/she is living with. The volunteer is required to participate in family activities, show interest in the family functions and activities, help in the kitchen and play with the children. You are also requested to respect the timings, refrain from smoking and consuming alcohol in the house unless permitted by
the family.
Volunteers should be prepared for basic accommodation and basic Indian food three times a day. As part of the community living experience, volunteers are expected to adjust to shared bedrooms and bathrooms, strict timings for meals, house rules, and dress code.

Sometimes, projects provide accommodation for the volunteers. The project will provide a room that is shared by other volunteers or with the staff of the project. You must respect the living conditions of the project, and respect for the local environment is expected at all times. For example, there will be a designated smoking area.
Volunteers also should be ready for basic accommodation and basic Indian food three times a day. As part of the community living experience, volunteers are expected to adjust to shared bedrooms and bathrooms, strict timings for meals, house rules, and dress code.

What happens if I am unhappy with my project or hosting facilities?:
Changes of placement and hosting facilities can be made only for very special reasons, but not before the volunteer displays an attempt to adjust and overcome the challenges that are present. We kindly ask all participants to stay in their assigned placement for a minimum of one month, as we encourage volunteers to try and adapt to the new
environment.

"Your Expectations are your worst enemy!" -

What do you expect from your volunteering experience?

• To learn about a new culture?
• To eat good food?
• To take part in a political and/or humanitarian act?
• To receive support and to help others?
• To work within a dynamic team?
• To change the world?
• Or simply to have fun?

If these expectations are not met, how will this make you feel? Disappointed? Frustrated? Useless? Let down?
Imagine having NO expectations, meeting your new experience with an open-mind. Will this enhance and enrich your experience? YES! It will give you the freedom to be open to all new possibilities and opportunities. It will give you the chance to discover new things and for you to enjoy your wonderful personal experience, by accepting and enjoying everything that you come across.

FSL India is a non–profit organization and does not depend on external funding. All costs of FSL India are sustained through the participation fees from volunteers. We work only with local organizations that need our support.

Participation Fee – RS. 12,500/- for each month.

Remember that the participation fee is non refundable. Please decide the duration of your program carefully while you are applying.
If you have applied for more than three months, then the first three months fee is collected in the beginning. If you have applied for less then three months, then the entire participation fee is collected in the beginning. The participation fee will be collected only for a full month and it is not possible to apply for half a month. The participation fee will be collected from the volunteers during the first three days of the orientation week. The amount will be collected only in the local currency (Indian Rupees). We do not accept any payments in foreign currency. We expect volunteers to pay the first three months of the participation fee before starting the program for practical and organizational reasons.

The Participation fee is non-refundable.

Please try to exchange your foreign currency as soon as possible. However, try not to exchange foreign currency at the airport as the rates are more disadvantageous. FSL staff can assist you to find a convenient place for the exchange of currency and cash withdrawal at ATMs.

What does your program participation fee cover?:
We are a non-profit organization, so we have kept our participation fee as affordable as possible. FSL-India is a non-profit body registered under the Indian Trust Act. We receive absolutely no financial support from the government of India or from any other foreign agency. The main source of income available for FSL-India is the participation fee that is collected from the volunteers.

FSL India requires that volunteers interested in applying for their project fill a different application form from our regular VEF. Therefore if you are interested to apply for this project please contact VAP so that we can email you the form.