Staff, programs, and overall experience with SHAKEHANDS and associated NGO (AEDS) all provide a chance to find your own role and get to see the real customs & cultures of Rajasthan first hand”
Reena Powell, Canada
Street Children Education Project
In and around Indian cities many communities not possessing own land and dwellings are residing in temporary tents/huts by the roadsides. These communities being forest dependent are now leading miserable lives and making their ways to major cities in hope of survival giving rise to road side dwellings. The children often roam aimlessly with or without work in the streets, therefore they are called Street Children. The ill-fated children are also forced to follow footsteps of their elders. We opened a school near one of such Basti aiming at to motivate the street dweller parents to send their wards to school run by us.
The activities you’ll be doing The organization is running schools near the localities of dwellings of these communities and working among these children under the Street Children Education Project with support of international volunteers and providing free education, educational materials, uniforms and other. The volunteers are mainly focusing on the ways needed for their upliftment. They are taught general knowledge, etiquette/norms and manners while talking, sitting, moving, eating, reading, speaking etc by teaching with the help of class teacher and the volunteers. Sports and games are conducted to develop their physical stamina, make them aware of health & hygiene tips and nutrition which is helpful for building a track ensuring them to make their living better and to rehabilitate themselves in the manner as other learned children do. Basic amenities needed to attract the street children to prepare themselves for school going are provided by the organization with support of international volunteers.
A day in the life of a volunteer On working days, volunteers usually get up and have breakfast before leaving for their Volunteer Placements. Our staff will provide transportation to and from your Volunteer Placement if required. You will probably spend about four hours at your Volunteer Placement. Evenings will be filled with opportunities to learn about the local culture and customs, field trips to places of local interest, discussions with experts on local issues and others. Evening meal-times provide another exciting chance to enjoy authentic food provided by host family/our staff cooks. The food is delicious and healthy and takes full advantage of local cooking traditions. The evenings and weekends are free time, to relax or explore the local area. Volunteers often travel to other parts of the country at weekends, and the staff who are all from the local area themselves, are always happy to make recommendations.
