The Rajasthan region of India is dry. It’s a situation that’s been made even worse by deforestation of the sparse trees that survive in the area. Monsoon rains replenish riverbeds and groundwater wells, but that limited supply only allows farmers to grow one crop per year. Your team will improve the parched farming conditions for DWC’s WATER FOR LIFE program.
About The Trip:
You are going to make life better for subsistence farmers, their families and their communities by building a structure that will hold back monsoon water long enough for it to seep into the groundwater system and recharge wells in the area. That might not seem like much, but for these people, it will mean bigger crop yields or even the ability to grow more than one crop per year. That will make a big difference to them.
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.
You’ll be working with our in-country partner, Sahyog Sansthan, a non-profit that deals with rural villages to make improvements that empower these communities and help them move themselves forward through sustainable projects.
This is a two-week trip. As a Developing World Connections volunteer, you will work as part of a volunteer team alongside local people. If you can’t make it for the full two weeks, a shorter option is available as well. You can also extend your stay if you wish to do additional travelling after the volunteer portion is completed.
Read day-to-day experiences from our volunteers on the India Blog »
It’s Not All Work:
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 water-retention 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 with many cultural festivals. March in India is an incredible time to visit when Holi, also known as the “festival of colours”, is celebrated all across the country.
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.
Learn more about India »
The Project:
You’ll learn what it takes to build a water-retention structure that will be a huge asset for villagers who depend on monsoon rains to recharge their wells and groundwater sources. Being able to hold back some of that water long enough for it to sink into aquifers will mean more water available for more crops.
The work can involve some heavy work, like mixing concrete or hauling rocks, but it will be made lighter by the team pulling together and by the participation of the villagers themselves who appreciate the benefit the project will have for their community as a whole.
When / Itinerary:
- Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10 – Team travels to India and to Bhinder
- Monday, March 11 to Friday, May 15 – PROJECT WORK in village
- Saturday, May 16 to Sunday, May 17 – Free days for some R and R
- Monday, May 18 to Friday, March 22 – PROJECT WORK in village
- Saturday, March 23 – Travel home or continue your adventure in India
FAQs:
DWC Team Leader:
Ray Fowell
Ray was born hundreds of years ago in the UK and lived in Yorkshire. He spent most of his early life chasing the material dream. By the age of 37, he had achieved it, or so he thought. Then after a couple of life-changing events, he realized that life was not all it’s cracked up to be. Materialism was left behind and, in its place, came time to enjoy life. Ray has worked on many projects around the world. He has travelled extensively throughout Europe, Canada and America. “I take my position as a team leader very seriously and strive to give my team members the best experience both in the build up to, and the time they spend in country. I aim to build a team that will work hard and play hard together, and one that is fun loving and adventurous. I must get something right as I seem to have a lot of repeat players joining my projects.” I look for awesome ‘can do’ and ‘what I can do to help’ attitudes, and openness to, and respect for, cultural and religious diversity within the team as well as the community we will be working.”
Are You Ready To Go?
Want more information about this trip? Email DWC at [javascript protected email address].
Ready to apply? Fill out our online application. You can secure your place on this trip with a $500, non-refundable deposit that will go toward your total trip cost. After you’ve submitted your forms and deposit, our office will contact you and send you a welcome package.
We’re glad to have you join us.
Still have some questions? We’re here to help, please feel free to contact us now, or fill out the form.