India
Program or Partner
Site coordinators Rev. Thomas John and Betty Thomas with their great YAV family. Photo courtesy of Thomas John.
Church of South India
Program Description
The major objective of this program is to help the volunteers to rediscover the meaning of their Christian faith in the context of micro- and macro-level injustices in the world. The volunteers are placed in the state of Kerala in south India, an area where there is a strong Christian history and presence. Placements are seen more as entry points into the larger cultural and socioeconomic realities of India. The program provides structured educational exposures to the issues of Dalit, tribal, fish-workers, poor women and other such marginalized communities. Language training will be extended over the period of one year service of the volunteer assisted by a language tutor in their respective sites. In most work situations, the volunteers can manage with English, but they learn language depending on the demands of the work and motivation.
Placement Opportunities
The volunteers will be placed in educational institutions, destitute homes (caring for those who cannot take care of themselves), institutions for the education and rehabilitation of the physically and mentally challenged, and hospitals and orphanages run by Christian ecumenical organizations. They will also have opportunities relate to a worshiping community. Teaching conversational English, assisting in extracurricular activities, preparation of a newsletter, updating a Web site, and developing and involvment in clubs and societies are some of the activities the volunteers can engage in with sufficient flexibility. Eventuality it is a task of finding one’s niche in the life of an institution where one’s gifts can be put to maximum use with personal satisfaction.
Housing
Catherine Rabenstine and her placement supervisor in India. Photo by Shannon Langley
The volunteers will be provided with a private room with an attached bath and toilet inside a campus where others also live as part of a community and eat food from a common dining place. Thus, while enjoying privacy and protection, it also demands sharing in the obligations of living in a community.
Intentional Community Aspects
The volunteers meet once in every month with the coordinator for a retreat, and they jointly undertake many activities that will build a strong sense of community and system of support.
Requirements
Age: 21
Education: College Degree or equivalent
Other: The ability and desire to learn another language; ability to work independently, often in isolated areas; general office skills are needed for some positions