Volunteering Solutions Delhi & Palampur

I started my program with a language and orientation week in Delhi. I really recommend doing the orientation week as you become really close with the other volunteers and learn a lot about local customs. If you choose to do it you get to stay with Rajiv and Prya who are the nicest people in the world. Rajiv will teach you basic Hindi, which is very helpful when you work with the kids. The living accomodation with them in Delhi is more hostel like with bunkbeds in a room, but it is fun to hang out with everyone. Rajiv loves explaining Indian culture and will ask any question you ask him.

I was able to do the street children program in Delhi for a couple of days. I really enjoyed how much the boys in the street children program viewed you like a big sister. They would get so excited to see us everyday. On our way back to the volunteer house I would stop and see couple of local sites at night.

I also loved the children in the Palampur program. It is daycare like location that is more of an outdoor environment. There is also a local tea garden there that any volunteer can go to in the afternoon the kids there were extremely poor and happy to receive any attention.

Palampur was amazing. The home is beautiful and you will live with Bobby's family. In Palampur I had my own bedroom and shared a bathroom. Palampur is obviously a lot more remote and scenic. I enjoyed the fast pace life of Delhi, but it was also nice to get away to a peaceful setting. From Palampur there are many weekend trip options which I highly recommend. I got to go to Mcleod Ganj where the Dalai Lama lives and to Amritsar.

Overall I loved the program. I felt like we made a difference as volunteers and also had time to see India sites on the weekends. I feel blessed to still be close to the other volunteers I was there with as well.