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GYC1307 - Teaching or business development Country: India Cost: £1200.00 Please note: £750 - 1500 (time dependant). Cost Includes: The price includes accommodation but does not include flight, insurance, food, kit, pickup from airport or visas   Duration: 3 months Company Rep Nearby: All 0845 344 7512 or

 

	This placement would suit... This placement is ideal for career gap volunteers. Couples are welcome and receive a 15% discount (this also applies to friends travelling together). Approximately 50% of our volunteers are non-UK based, with a large number of volunteers from North America, Europe and Australia. Our volunteers have a good level of general education and are enthusiastic, culturally aware, adaptable and highly motivated. The region of Darjeeling is one of the most beautiful parts of the Himalayan foothills, with a long tradition as a 'hill station' much sought after by those living in the heat of the plains! The famous Darjeeling railway is one of the highest operating in the World, and Kalimpong itself is right on the border of Sikkim, famous for its beauty and isolation. Our volunteers are currently working in eight rural primary schools. Five of these are situated in small villages near to Kalimpong with gorgeous mountain views and the other three are closer to Darjeeling. Volunteers teach English and other subjects, depending on their interests and abilities. This could include sport, music, art or drama, which are very well received. Also volunteers can get involved with business development, helping with an organisation called Bikash. The organisation focuses on the three main inter-related areas of disability, micro-finance and health and nutrition (it was found that high levels of disability were due in part to poor nutrition during pregnancy, which is turn was due to poverty). These projects do require experience working within businesses as they are relatively hands on. There is a disabled school located on site at Bikash in Bankura as well as a nutrition and health centre, small agriculture plot and the Bikash central offices. This means that there is never a dull moment! Volunteers will primarily be focusing on the areas of organisational development, special education, gender-related issues, vocational training for challenged children and micro-finance. Our users say… "Volunteers are totally involved in the village life so you learn about other worlds. The schools really need volunteers. It gives the children a link with a bigger world as well as giving them the opportunity to learn good English" - Graham Parkinson. 0845 344 7512 MondoChallenge sends volunteers to help with development programmes in Africa, Asia and South America. The average age of our volunteers is 29. So far we have sent over 600 volunteers to nine different countries. We may not be able to promise a hot shower but we can definitely promise an unforgettable and truly rewarding experience!