Trivandrum School and Orphanage (South India)
How would you like to do something to really make a difference and enjoy
the beauty of nature at the same time? If yes, then our two small
schools with 4 resident orphans in Trivandrum may be just the place for
you.
Environment
Our Muthathara and Palkulangra Schools are located 20 minutes apart in
residential areas of Trivandrum, a beautiful town in southern Kerala
which is famous for its backwaters - salt water rivers that run into the
sea, flanked by picturesque villages.
Muthathara School is only 15 minutes drive from the airport and beach,
and it is lovely to go down there in the evening for a walk along the
shore near the fishermen's huts. With many beautiful beaches nearby and
Kanya Kumari, the famous rock in the sea, only a couple of hours drive
away, Trivandrum is a great place to be. Two of our volunteers even
managed a two hour elephant ride in their free time!
Project Director Under management
Young and enthusiastic, Didi Manojaya, our Muthathara school
principal, is extremely vivacious. Her sparkling personality, warmth and
generous hospitality will capture your heart. Hardly older than most
volunteers, she will be a very charming companion to care for you and
guide you on all your adventures.
Volunteer
Coordinator
Malati is originally from England, but has been working in
India for over 15 years, learning about the culture, the languages and
about the people. Ten years ago she started a programme to help provide
infrastructure to struggling village schools and has since arranged
funds for many schools to help them to become self-sufficient.
Accommodation
Female volunteers can be accommodated free at our Muthathara School
while couples can rent a beautiful room with private bathroom in front
of the school for around US $ 55 per month. The room owner's family are
also extremely welcoming and will want to take you around everywhere if
you give them the chance
Cost
First month:
Rs.18,000 (approx. Euro 300)
Subsequent months:
Rs.6000 (approx. Euro 100)
Who do we need?
We prefer female volunteers or a couple. You must have a good, moral
character and respect the local culture.
How
you can help
When you stay with us, you will become a member of our small family for
the time you are there, sharing our joys and sorrows, learning about our
culture and teaching us about yours. We will give you a place in
our hearts, and when you leave us, we will never forget you and will
request you to come back year after year.
In India rote learning is the norm and children learn to read and write
English but not speak it. So both schools would like you to teach spoken
English to their children, as well as songs, games, drama and share any
other skills you have. After school you may be requested to help with
homework and teach the orphans more English.
If you wish, you can learn to cook Indian style and help out in the kitchen when you are free, or take the orphans out on an occasional excursion...they will love that! If you can help with fundraising for the development of the two schools, your efforts will also be deeply appreciated. In return we will teach you Indian dance, songs and yoga too, if you wish to learn.
What to expect
You will be asked to teach at both schools on different days of the
week. Palkulangra School has around 70 children and is located in a
rented building that is really basic - it used to be a horse stable and
is in need of lots of repairs. The schoolchildren belong to poor
families such as rickshaw pullers, taxi drivers, and market sellers.
Two of the orphans live at the school with Didi Samshuddha, the school
principal, while the other two live at Muthathara. Muthathara School has
around 90 children and is located in a building owned by the
school. However, facilities are really basic there too and the school is
also in need of repair and painting.
The only school materials are a blackboard, some charts and the school
course books. Palkulangra School also boasts a single, somewhat worn,
computer.
Other Projects accepting volunteers: Uma Nivas, Shillong, Jaipur
To learn more about our volunteer programme
Email: info at poor.org.in
Read more stories of our volunteers
Meet our volunteers who spent time at the Trivandrum Schools
Raphaela
We did try to teach as often as possible, but it is quite hard with the
younger ones because of language barriers until you develop some kind of
sign language everybody understands. It is quite fun, though, and the students
are absolutely lovely and so cute! Once Alice and me did some drawing with
all the year 1-4s, and because they enjoyed it so much, they did some Indian
Dancing and Singing for us at lunch break. It was just so fluttering! (more
about Raphaela).
Zoe
Zoe is a young volunteer from Canada who helped at our two Trivandrum schools
for three weeks in August of 2007. She taught English to the children and
helped paint one of the schools. Zoe lent an artistic hand when we livened
up a very drab partition wall by painting it with cartoons. Zoe is back
in Canada with some creative fundraising plans (more
about Zoe).
Jesse
I remember when Zoe, my friend whom I met at York University in International
Development Studies first invited me on this trip. It was somewhat spontaneous;
she was already going anyway and figured she would probably have to drag
one of her less enthusiastic girlfriends with her. I was already looking
to volunteer overseas... (more about Jesse).
To learn more about our volunteer programme
Email: info at poor.org.in
Read more stories of our volunteers