ANNA & HENARY, UK

Myself and my boyfriend joined the volunteer India program in June – one of the hottest months of the year in India – for a total of three weeks. After arriving in Jaipur, where we travelled to by train from Delhi, we went straight to the guesthouse that had been booked for us and had some much needed rest after the long journey. In the evening Vinod came to meet us and we had our first Hindi lesson. After getting to grips with some basic Hindi we went out for dinner and learnt a bit more about what we would be doing over the next few weeks. Vinod was very helpful and explained what was required from us in the coming weeks. We spent the next two days exploring Jaipur with our own rickshaw driver Abdul who was helpful and informative. We spent time in the bustling bazaars shopping for gifts as well as visiting the famous sights such as the Amber Fort and the City Palace.

On the fourth day of our project we drove with Vinod to the small city of Sikar two hours away from Jaipur and arrived at the beautiful Bajaj Bhawan Haveli which was to be our home for the project duration. We were welcomed by all the lovely and friendly staff and made to feel at home straight away.

Our placement was to teach the children of the Kachi Basti slum school. It was a brilliant experience but far more of a challenge than we bargained for! We had over 45 children in our class room each day ranging from 2 to 16 years but all so keen and excited to be there. We would teach for about 2 hours each day in the morning then spend the rest of the day preparing for future lessons and making up activities. After the 1st few lessons we got in to the swing of things and got to know the children and their ranging abilities better. We devised a basic structure for each lesson starting with everyone participating with teacher led vocabulary sessions. We would then go over the words learnt the previous day and introduce the new days topic. Splitting up the group allowed us to focus on the older children with the more advanced topics, and provide colouring and play time for the younger children. We purchased folders for the pupils to keep a record of their work and give us a chance to see their development.

It was a big challenge at times trying to keep everyone entertained for the duration of the lesson but when you can see them progressing and learning new words as the lessons went on it all felt worth it! At the end of the lesson we would always finish with a game or a song, ‘head shoulders knees and toes’ and ‘okeekokee’ were particular favourites!

It was a very exciting time to be volunteering with the Bajaj Trust as they were in the process of setting up a variety of new projects and developing the site to accommodate lots of new volunteers. The staff and their families are all so friendly and welcoming we felt so at home and really part of the team when we were there, and since leaving we are still in regular contact. One project that we got involved with outside of teaching was the yoga camp. They hired a yoga teacher to visit a near by village and teach yoga to all the residents each morning at sunrise. It was an amazing experience to see how the money is used locally for the people and an opportunity for me to get involved in a traditional Indian activity.

Life at the Bajaj Haveli was fairly relaxed we spent our spare time chatting to staff members planning lessons and visiting sights in Sikar. We had three delicious healthy vegetarian meals cooked for to us each day as well as copious amounts of chai tea whenever we desired!

On the weekend we visited Pushkar a touristy town with amazing temples and markets it was easy to reach by bus. We also fitted in a visit to the home of one of the staff members and met his family and shared a meal with them.

Overall our time with volunteering in India was something we will never forget we saw a totally different side and experienced things that you would never have the chance to if you were just visiting India on holiday. Although it was really challenging at times there was no better sight than the children’s eager smiling faces desperate to start lessons when we arrived in the slum area each day. We met so many people that are so passionate and dedicated to their work it was a very inspiring three weeks.

RUBAB RASOOL, PAKISTAN

My journey of volunteering with India begins from Wagha border. I travelled from Lahore to Delhi by bus. The journey was long but full of comforts. During journey we had stops and I enjoyed the scenic beauty a lot. After reaching Delhi, I immediately had to take train ticket for Jaipur. Next day I started my journey towards jaipur. It was comfortable journey but long.

As I reached the station few children were standing in a group form holding a card of my name. I greeted them and they were excited to tell me that they were my to be students.
A jeep was waiting and I was directly taken to the small city of Sikar two hours away from Jaipur and arrived at the beautiful Bajaj Bhawan Haveli which was to be my home for the project duration. I was welcomed by all the lovely and friendly staff and made to feel at home straight away.

Vinod joined me for dinner. He told me minute details of the program and all the cultural norms and values and few tricks of dealing with people. He was a very sweet and helpful soul. I enjoyed talking to him and we talked about different bazaars and different Indian cuisines. He promised me to take me to a beautiful temple in Jaipur. He told me I can enjoy next two days roaming here and there but I was enthusiastic to start off with my work and then enjoy later on. He appreciated my zeal and devotion to the cause.

Next day I met my students, who were happy to see me. They were 46 in number and belonged to different age groups. The very first day I told them to introduce themselves to me one by one. I wanted to eliminate the content of shyness from them. Then I gave them certain activities to know their potential and explore their abilities. This I did with a purpose to devise a plan for them. We used to have daily vocabulary sessions and coloring for small age students and there were some art activities. They used to enjoy the lessons. These were interactive lessons and every student used to participate.

They used to enjoy my company and I used to enjoy theirs.

We also used to meet over the weekends. And they used to be my guides.

We daily used to repeat our previous days lessons. And I taught them to make files and they decorated them. In these hand made files I kept their records of their progress and development. I regularly used to take tests from them and awarded them on their performance, this thing installed sense of motivation in them.

It was a very exciting time to be volunteering with the Bajaj Trust. The staff and their families are all so friendly and welcoming we felt so at home and really part of the team when we were there, and since leaving we are still in regular contact. At times we used to sit and talk about our life experiences and the problems we were facing.

One day I cooked my traditional food for them which they enjoyed a lot and asked me for recipes. We also arranged a picnic one weekend, and had loads of fun.

I used to go to bazaars and as I am a shopaholic, I shopped a lot and when shopkeepers used to notice that I am a foreigner they used to give me special discounts.

I got gifts for my family and friends back home.

And by the end I finally learned how to wear sari which was my biggest achievement besides the other main cause.

Working as a volunteer was my biggest experience and taught me how to interact with people and intermingle with them. I was taking a lot from this program, the satisfaction and inner peace was my biggest achievement.

The happiest moment was when I used to see sparkle and shine in my students eyes when they were done with their tasks. I used to love their eager, desperate and enthusiastic faces.

I thank every person who gave me this opportunity.

AISHA RASOOL, PAKISTAN

The moment I came to know about the Volunteering in India program, I was eager to join it. As I was very much interested in the cause that this program was holding and more then that I was interested in knowing the rich Indian culture. It was my earnest desire to visit India second time. And especially Jaipur as my last visit was of very short period.

From Delhi I chose to come to jaipur by bus, in order to see different places on my way.
Though it was a long journey but the people on bus were very nice and welcoming.

As I reached jaipur, I saw a man holding card on which my name was written. Without any difficulty I reached to him. He was Vishnu, a man Vinod appointed to drop me to the guest house. I was thankful to Vinod for the making things easy for me. My room was very spacious and with facilities, another thanks I owe to Vinod here. After some rest I met Vinod, he was I nice man and told be few basic things about the culture and program and I was having no difficulty to adopt them quickly due to my intense interest in this program. He also briefed me about the tasks I was suppose to do in coming weeks.

I was told to explore jaipur in two days. Abdul was appointed to be with me and to help me out with visiting different places. I saw Hawa Mahal, Jaigarh fort and few other places. They all were worth seeing. I shopped extensively and madly, everything was worth buying and beautiful.

On the fourth day of my project I drove with Vinod to the small city of Sikar two hours away from Jaipur and arrived at the beautiful Bajaj Bhawan Haveli which was to be my home for the project duration. I was welcomed by all the lovely and friendly staff and made to feel at home straight away.

My target was to teach the children of the Kachi Basti slum school. Children between the age of 5 to 16 years and class contained around 45 students, who were keen and eager to learn. The very first day I tried to know each of them and their capabilities and I was amazed each child was full of potential, just needed guidance and polishing. I would teach for about 2 hours each day in the morning then spend the rest of the day preparing for future lessons and making up activities. I used to teach them in very interesting way which was more like a game and learning. And with each activity done I could see a sparkle in their eyes and I could feel the satisfaction inside myself.

These were sort of interactive lessons and each child was given opportunity to express him or herself.

I devised a basic structure for each lesson starting with everyone participating with teacher led vocabulary sessions. We would then go over the words learnt the previous day and introduce the new day’s topic. Splitting up the group allowed us to focus on the older children with the more advanced topics, and provide coloring and play time for the younger children. I purchased folders for the pupils to keep a record of their work and give me a chance to see their development. And records were regularly updated. I also used to have competitions among the students and used to give prizes to them, which was one motivating factor for learning.

Sometimes I used to tell them to tell their class a story by using the words they have learnt. Sometimes I would tell them stories which I heard from my grandmother. And they used to enjoy them. With time I had the feeling I was their favorite teacher. Some of the students gave me their hand made cars saying they love me. And this was the sweetest moment for me. And I was thankful to them for their warmth and love.

It was a very exciting time to be volunteering with the Bajaj Trust as they were in the process of setting up a variety of new projects and developing the site to accommodate lots of new volunteers. The staff and their families are all so friendly and welcoming we felt so at home and really part of the team when we were there, and since leaving we are still in regular contact.  We were served with traditional meals, which were deliciously cooked. And I learned few of the recipes too like daal makhani, very delicious kheer and palak paneer. Food was mouth watering.

Over the weekends I used to visit local families and used to interact with them. I even stayed with one family and enjoyed with them. Next morning they gifted me a sari and taught me how to wear it.

Over all this was a life time experience and I would say the best holidays in my life.
This was kind of experience that you cannot find merely by visiting India for sight seeing.
The best moment was when I used to see sparkle in the eyes of the children, eager desire to learn more and the satisfaction that prevailed on their parents faces.
I was satisfied and blessed to be part of this holy cause.

ANZA RASOOL, PAKISTAN

My journey of volunteering with India begins from Wagha border. I travelled from Lahore to Delhi by bus. The journey was long but full of comforts. During journey we had stops and I enjoyed the scenic beauty a lot. After reaching Delhi, I immediately had to take train ticket for Jaipur. Next day I started my journey towards jaipur. It was comfortable journey but long.

As I reached the station few children were standing in a group form holding a card of my name. I greeted them and they were excited to tell me that they were my to be students.

A jeep was waiting and I was directly taken to the small city of Sikar two hours away from Jaipur and arrived at the beautiful Bajaj Bhawan Haveli which was to be my home for the project duration. I was welcomed by all the lovely and friendly staff and made to feel at home straight away.

Vinod joined me for dinner. He told me minute details of the program and all the cultural norms and values and few tricks of dealing with people. He was a very sweet and helpful soul. I enjoyed talking to him and we talked about different bazaars and different Indian cuisines. He promised me to take me to a beautiful temple in Jaipur. He told me I can enjoy next two days roaming here and there but I was enthusiastic to start off with my work and then enjoy later on. He appreciated my zeal and devotion to the cause.

Next day I met my students, who were happy to see me. They were 46 in number and belonged to different age groups. The very first day I told them to introduce themselves to me one by one. I wanted to eliminate the content of shyness from them. Then I gave them certain activities to know their potential and explore their abilities. This I did with a purpose to devise a plan for them. We used to have daily vocabulary sessions and coloring for small age students and there were some art activities. They used to enjoy the lessons. These were interactive lessons and every student used to participate.

They used to enjoy my company and I used to enjoy theirs.
We also used to meet over the weekends. And they used to be my guides.
We daily used to repeat our previous days lessons. And I taught them to make files and they decorated them. In these hand made files I kept their records of their progress and development. I regularly used to take tests from them and awarded them on their performance, this thing installed sense of motivation in them.

It was a very exciting time to be volunteering with the Bajaj Trust. The staff and their families are all so friendly and welcoming we felt so at home and really part of the team when we were there, and since leaving we are still in regular contact. At times we used to sit and talk about our life experiences and the problems we were facing.

One day I cooked my traditional food for them which they enjoyed a lot and asked me for recipes. We also arranged a picnic one weekend, and had loads of fun.

I used to go to bazaars and as I am a shopaholic, I shopped a lot and when shopkeepers used to notice that I am a foreigner they used to give me special discounts.

I got gifts for my family and friends back home.

And by the end I finally learned how to wear sari which was my biggest achievement besides the other main cause.

Working as a volunteer was my biggest experience and taught me how to interact with people and intermingle with them. I was taking a lot from this program, the satisfaction and inner peace was my biggest achievement.

The happiest moment was when I used to see sparkle and shine in my students eyes when they were done with their tasks. I used to love their eager, desperate and enthusiastic faces.
I thank every person who gave me this opportunity.