DWC’s model for COMMUNITY BUILDING improves the quality of life for impoverished neighbourhoods in the developing world. Projects that create the infrastructure for continuing education, economic development, technology, food security, sports, culture, and environmental stewardship transform local challenges into practical solutions.
A community centre, for example, can play an empowering role, functioning as a space for education seminars, training workshops, community group meetings or as a neighbourhood events facility. It can also serve relationships with NGOs and government in technical, organizational, and financial assistance.
Often, the sustainability and affordability of such projects rely on local sweat equity and donated or repurposed materials. A sense of belonging and ownership over these communal facilities is stimulated for households who participate in their neighbourhood’s development.
In recent years, Jatan has developed empowerment programs for women that contribute to their safety, well-being and productivity. This includes the construction of hygiene facilities, police and counselling facilities, as well as technical training and intervention. Jatan also works closely with migrant labourers and their families to improve their understanding of labour laws and commercial health risks. More recent DWC projects with Jatan have also begun the construction of community electronics labs and the establishment of Internet capabilities in rural communities.
You will be on a team of volunteers who are like-minded and passionate about giving others a hand up, not a hand out. And you will leave behind a solid structure that will serve the community for decades to come.
This is a two-week trip. As a Developing World Connections volunteer, you will work as part of a volunteer team alongside local people. You can extend your stay if you wish to do additional travelling after the volunteer portion is completed.
Temperatures vary between 10°C to 27°C. It can get warm, so you’ll want to pack lots of sunscreen, a water bottle and clothing that’s respectful of the local modesty standards but also light and breathable.
Bhinder is close to the village where you’ll be working alongside local people to build a structure that will help change their lives. It’s also a short drive from the cultural and tourist centre of Udaipur, a city that offers spectacular views, palaces and other historic sites that are a photographer’s dream. A sunset dinner on the rooftop restaurant of the Jaiwana Haveli hotel in Udaipur is a must.
This time of year offers an excellent view of Rajasthan. It is the peak season of tourism and is considered to be the best time to visit many cultural festivals. October in India is an incredible time to visit the many nearby sights.
If you’re sticking around India afterward, you might want to add a trip north of Bhinder to the Thar Desert or take a side trip from Delhi to Agra to see the stunning Taj Mahal.
Carbon offsets are used to compensate for the greenhouse gasses that we create through certain activities, such as flying. For every tonne of carbon released into the atmosphere, an ‘offset’ is a carefully designed project that absorbs or stores the equivalent CO2 emissions. You can choose to offset your own flight, your whole family’s, or do this as a gift for a friend.
Offset Your Carbon Footprint