Volunteer in Mumbai, India

When choosing a volunteering program, it's important to consider where your strengths and skills lie, so you can be a genuine asset to an organization, rather than a further drain on limited resources. Taking volunteers on board can be quite an investment of time, especially for small charities, so choose wisely and you'll be able to do the most good.

Human Rights & Trafficking

Mumbai is a center of trafficking in women and children from around India and Nepal, and many end up in sex work. There are several organizations working to end trafficking, raise awareness about it, rehabilitate women who have left, and care for/educate children growing up in the red-light district.

Slum Charities, Community Building & Microenterprise

Mumbai has the dubious honor of being home to the largest slum in the world, Dharavi. While worthy life and enterprises take place here, it is undeniably an unhealthy and insecure place to live, and many charities work with slum dwellers to improve their lives and access to facilities. Projects that volunteers can get involved in include schools and clinics, as well as microenterprise organizations.

Early Childhood Education

Not all of Mumbai's children have the same access to education, and without education, many kids from low-income families risk being unable to pull themselves out of poverty. If you have teaching skills, there are opportunities in Mumbai to work with children in pre-schools and after-school centers.

Visas to India

Depending on your nationality, getting an Indian visa can be quite a long and involved process. Citizens of select countries can get tourist visas on arrival after pre-registering online; citizens of certain other countries (the U.K.) have to pay a much higher fee than others; and some people will need to apply in person at their nearest Indian embassy (or by mail). Make sure to check the requirements for your citizenship well in advance of your travel date so you aren't caught by surprise.

Although you'd need a work visa to work in India, volunteer work is usually short-term, so it's advisable to simply apply for a tourist visa.

Cost of living

Mumbai is the most expensive city in India, and although you're still likely to find things like eating out and transport to be good value, don't expect to get cheap accommodation or nights out, as you might elsewhere in India.

Housing & Accommodation

Many organizations expect you to cover the cost of housing yourself, as it would be a drain on their resources to provide these for you. However, many will be able to help with locating appropriate places to stay.

Mumbai is full of hotels and guesthouses that cater to every budget (although good cheap places are quite hard to come by). The YMCA and YWCA guesthouses offer safe, no-frills accommodation (usually with breakfast included), which can be a better option for a long-term stay than a hotel. Individual organizations may be able to help you find a homestay.