I like the combination of volunteering and visiting sites during the weekend. The children at the school are very friendly and love to get attention. Nice to volunteer during the morning and do something different with other volunteers during the afternoon. I have enjoyed my month in India a lot! The people living in the locality are friendly towards us. Children at the school are very friendly indeed. Food and accommodation are good. The house is well suited for the volunteers. Love the food. The staff was really helpful. All the trips were fun. Good balance between sightseeing and free time. I enjoyed the trips a lot. Transportation during the travel was good. No complaints. All the hotels provided during the travel were very good.  I would recommend this programme to others.

- Alouette Van Hove, Netherlands
Work and Travel, 10/ March/2011 – 7/April/2011

Sankalp has been a wonderful experience. The work and travel program was a great introduction to the Rajasthan area and I enjoyed all the trips very much. Festival Holi was so much fun. I’m glad to have been able to take part in such a fun and interesting festival. Also I enjoyed the Camel Safari and the opportunity to sleep under the stars in the desert that is an experience I will never forget! The Children have a wonderful attitude; I found it very refreshing that they want to know the volunteers and interact with us as much as possible. The house is very nice. The food is wonderful. Sankalp team was absolutely fabulous. The staff at the school helps with any conflict or communication problems. Traveling with Sankalp was probably my favorite part of this experience. Overnight train was such an experience. I’m glad we got to do that. I felt safe and taken care of during all my trips which was very important to me! Transportation is wonderful, and the diver to Agra was very sweet when I was sick. The hotels were very nice.  I will recommend this program to others. And I wish I could have stayed longer.

- Quinci Montosa Boyd, USA
Work & Travel, 18/mar/2011 – 7/April/2011

I found this program to be an enchanting way in which to see India. I felt very safe with the staff looking out for the volunteers. This made me able to fully enjoy my experiences volunteering, traveling and around Jaipur. The Staff helped me become familiar with Indian traditions and cultures. I have really enjoyed my time with Sankalp Work and travel. The food was always good. The accommodation was fine. My travel experiences with Sankalp were very fun. It was a great experience to see more India. Travels were well planned and very enjoyable. All the hotels during the travel were great and even the drivers were also awesome. We all loved them. So funny, helpful and easy going. I’m looking forward to returning to India someday. Thank You!

- Rebecca Owen, USA
Work and travel, 24/ mar/2011 – 11/April/2011

I loved working in the orphanage, the babies were adorable and the older children were also so fun and adorable. I could definitely stay way longer two week just wasn’t enough and I wanted to spend longer with the adorable children. There is nothing to be complaint about, the whole experience including the other volunteers was amazing; and I hope to come again. The community was absolutely adorable. Accommodation and food was prefect! I love the cook. The Sankalp team was really kind and helpful. I will recommend Sankalp to other for great experience.

- Alexandra Kinde, UK
Orphanage, 3/Mar/2011 – 19/Mar/2011

I had a really great time working at the orphanage. The other volunteers were great and I have enjoyed visiting Jaipur. Working at the orphanage met all of my expectations and hopefully I may be able to return in the future! I felt the program was run really well and I have felt very comfortable. I will miss all of the children who were great. The children were amazing and the community was friendly, comfortable and safe. Food was too good. The rooms were comfortable and clean and the house so spacious. In Sankalp team everyone was very friendly and helpful. I will recommend this program to everyone who is looking for volunteer program in India.

- Charolte Hutehson , UK
Orphanage, 3/Mar/2011 – 19/Mar/2011

Joined Work and Travel program with the Street Children & have loved the time I have spent here. Found everyone to be lovely & very helpful and found the street children program very rewarding. Everyone has been really nice and welcoming. Great food & accommodation- exceeded my expectations of the program. Had a great time getting to know everyone I think the staff all worked very hard to make it a happy enjoyable experience. Travel Experience- Had a great time seeing some of the attractions of India. Transportation has been always good. Drivers were always very nice, friendly & helpful. Hotels were always amazing. Definitely! I will recommend Sankalp to others.

- Erika Gardener, Australia
Work & Travel, 26/ Feb/2011 – 4/April/2011

I have been involved with the Women Empowerment program and have gained a lot of insight into India and the way things work in this country. I believe that the basic English that we taught did help the girls a little. I think the girls benefited from our interactions over the two week and we formed bonds and hopefully encouraged them to feel good about themselves. I have experienced many emotions during the last two weeks anger, frustration, sadness, happiness, gratitude. The food has been great! Great volunteers, it has been lovely meeting other vollies! The staff is trying hard to make everything runs smoothly. I would recommend this program to others

- Sarah Ah Loy, Australia
Women Empowerment, 28/ Jan/ 2011 – 13/ Feb/2011

The teaching program was very rewarding. The students were very exicted to have a foreigner come and teach them English. I’ve had a great experience. The opportunities and experiences with this program have been very rewarding and eye-opening. I have made great new friends that have also enjoyed their stay here. The children at the school were pretty good. They are very friendly and they love the acknowledgement I gave them when they did great work. The food was always delicious and prepared in a timely manner. And the accommodation was also great. I will definitely recommend Sankalp to other people. It’s a great organization that gives volunteers the feeling that they’ve made a big difference in their volunteer community.

- Jennifer Wang, USA
Teaching Program & Orphange, 24/Jan/2011 – 11/Feb/2011

I have enjoyed my time here immensely. It has been wonderful experience getting to know the other volunteers, the staff and all the children. Everyone was extremely welcoming and helpful. This experience has been an eye opener I know we are here to teach the children but they have taught me so much as well so I think I got just as much out of the experience as they did. It was really nice watching the team members interact with the children. They clearly care a lot about the kids and the programs. If I have to describe my experience during the program it was emotional. Community was fun, friendly, clean and most of all very comforting and safe. The children were outgoing, fun and pure sweethearts. It was not easy saying Good Bye. Food was delicious!! Accommodation was clean and comfortable. The Staff was easy to work with and very helpful and friendly. I definitely loved the experience. It was very feasible and a wonderful experience. I recommend this to anyone and everyone that’s up for a new exiting challenge. Do it!!

- Aileen Holder, Canada
Street kids, 23/01/2011 – 4/Feb/2011

Organization and the staff are doing wonderful things for the young people of India. I wish them best of luck and all the success in the future. Thank you for a wonderful opportunity. Initially I was overwhelmed with the different attention spans and levels of education amongst the students but after dividing the kids into groups it become much easier. Spending time with the students was also helpful to determine how individuals learn best. The community and the children were amazing just like any child; the street children enjoy fun, love and affection. The accommodation and food were ideal and our separate apartment allows us to have our own space but the common area allowed us to socialite as well. My follow volunteers were amazing. The Sankalp team was amazing. I would love to recommend Sankalp to others.

- Felicia mark, Canada
Street kids Project, 23/Jan/2011 – 4/Feb/2011

I really liked my time here. Sankalp is a good organization that helps the peoples instead of making money. The work at the orphanage was good, it felt good to spend time with the children, and it feels like you really make a difference in their lives. The people from Sankalp where all very kind and helpful. It has been a great experience for me! India is an opposite of my country so I’ve learn, and seen a lot of things this passed two weeks. It’s a pity that was such a short time; I really want to come back, to get more experience. The accommodation was very good. It’s a nice neighborhood and the people are very kind. The food is also good, its delicious Indian food. I would recommend Sankalp to others.

- Manel van Nieuwland, Netherlands
Orphanage, 21/Jan/2011 – 4/feb/2011

I enjoyed the teaching program immensely; the staff both at the school and the volunteer home was extremely helpful. If I needed some advice about transportation in Jaipur or different teaching methods the staff would always level their hands. The community and the children were welcoming. The children were willing to learn and better themselves. Although I did not speak the local language they would try to understand and communicate to me. Accommodation and food both were great. Food sometimes little spicy, but I should expect that in India. The Sankalp team was great. I will recommend Sankalp to others.

- Thomas Beatie, Australia
Teaching 17/jan/2011 - 28/jan/2011

I have worked for two months with Sankalp and thoroughly enjoyed my experience!
My first month was spent working at the orphanage which was a very interesting experience and an insight into Indian culture. On my first day I wasn’t sure what to expect, however the children were so cute and love playing and attention and affection so much, I found it easy to fit in and try and make their lives happier and more full of love. My second month was spent teaching the street kids maths and English. I found this programme very different to working at the orphanage as you had to be more prepared and have and actual lesson plan. My first couple of days I found this to be quite difficult as I have never taught before but soon I become used to it and really enjoyed thinking of new ways to teach them. Some time it was challenging when the children wouldn’t want to work or listen after you had spent time preparing and idea, what the days when the children did make progress made it all worthwhile! I was lucky enough to teach all the age groups and it was interesting to see what a difference Sankalp does make to these children and how happy they are to come and learn everyday. Having Pranay there to help control on things and translate was also very helpful! I love the way the children come running up to greet you every morning with “ Good Morning Didi” and I very much to hope to one day return and see how the children at street kids and the orphanage have progressed. I thought the community where we live were very friendly and the children at the street and orphanage were so sweet and easy to grow attached to! The food was always delicious. I was always very hungry coming in from work and was never disappointed! I love having an Indian person live with us and having real freshly cooked Indian food every day as that way. The accommodation was so nice + big. I enjoyed sharing the room as its much more friendly than a room by yourself. I got on really well with everyone in my work area and feel lucky to have met such great people who also shared an interest in traveling at weekends! I would defiantly recommend Sankalp to other people as I really feel that the programs offered make a big difference and that the program fee we pay is not only very reasonable but obvious that the money goes to extremely worthwhile causes. I like the fact Sankalp is about helping the community and not about making a profit and I really hope to one day return.

- Leonie Wright, UK
Orphanage & Street Kids, 10/Jan/2011 – 5/March/2011

I have greatly enjoyed my time at the volunteer program. At first I was a bit nervous, coming to a country so far away from home, I had no idea what to expect. I can honestly say the program and accommodation and everything exceeded my expectations! I always felt safe and taken care of and treated well here I thing the street children program is fantastic. I truly hope that what my self and other volunteers are doing will make a positive difference in these children lives. I believe that it will help them. It was nice to have the staff around so much; the time to time meetings were helpful during the program. I felt if I had any problems (even though I didn’t) I would have been able to discus openly and that are solution would have been found. I was great to be able to have so much free time after my program. I felt like I really got to explore Jaipur as well as other cities around it. I had great experiences with everyone at Sankalp as well as the other volunteers. I feel like I got to experience Indian culture on a better level then I would have if for example I stayed in a hotel. I only have positive things to say about the Indian culture and Indian people I met! It was a lot of fun working with other volunteers at the school, everyone always got along well together. Pranay was very helpful with the children, translating for us, them as well as disciplining them. You can tell he really cares about them a lot which is nice to see. I’ll defiantly recommend this program to other. I think it is very well run and well organized and you can see the money goes to the children. I found that I was very comfortable working with children. They are all wonderful and made the volunteer work special and motivating for me. It was interesting to get to know all of their different personalities and abilities. I really had a great time with them and leant a lot. The accommodation was really amazing! I found the bad really comfortable, the TV and film were also great as well as the board games. I found the food to be amazing.

- Kristina Mahler, Canada
Street Kids, 15/Jan/2011 – 10/ March/2011

The program is fantastic it offers its volunteers such a safe and comfortable place to live and staff will do whatever they can to help when you ask. They are always around so any question and query can always be asked. I did two of the programs on offer, the orphanage and the street children school. Both I love. Both programs are so rewarding and rally makes a difference. At the orphanage I felt like each minute I was there I was making a difference, the children was so eager for a hug, or to be tickled or to play. The moment to see you walk through the door their faces like up and they come running towards you shouting “Didi…Didi!” I’ll nave forget them. Similarly, the street children greet us every morning with the hand shake and “Good morning Di”. They’re so polite and adorable. The community seems to appreciate and accept us. The children are fantastic most of the time make a really effort to learn. The accommodation was very good and everyone have their own space, also lots of communal areas to do stuff together, the food is fantastic always testy and flavorsome. The staff was very nice and friendly. I’ll defiantly recommend Sankalp to my friends; it is a fantastic organization doing fantastic work.

- Catherine Brady, UK
Orphanage & Street Kids, 10/Jan/2011 – 5/March/2011

The program is very well organized and wonderful. Teaching the children has been tremendous & lovely learning experience for me. The children have pure hearts and beautiful smile & I am touched by their willingness to learn & openness to the volunteers. My experience during the program was phenomenal. I have been touched in my heart & will leave to go home carrying this time in my mind and heart forever. I realize it doesn’t take much to be happy. The Children taught me this. The community is very friendly & open to the volunteers. The staff at Sankalp from Cook, Driver, and everyone was very helpful and great. The food and accommodation was great. I look forward to every meal. Absolutely I will recommend this volunteer program. I would like to come back one day with my family.

- Afshan Haq, Canada
Street children Program 4/jan/2011 - 11/jan/2011

I think the program is very important to the development of the children. It’s good to teach them school lessons, but it’s important to teach them that they are valued and cared about. Sankalp provides the attention these kids need; the school interaction that will shape their lives for the better. The kids are incredibly smart. They learn with the limited supplies they have. They are enthusiastic about learning and make every day new experience. My experiences during the program were great. I saw many wonderful aspects of India – the bazaars, the Taj, etc. I had a lot of fun teaching and a lot of fun in my off time. The children are full of life and have a good sense of resiliency. The food and accommodation were good. The accommodation was comfortable. The team and the staff were very helpful. I recommend Sankalp to others who are looking for a way to teach a little and learn a lot more.

- Julie Anderson, USA
Teaching Govt School, 18/Dec/2010 - 1/Jan/2011

Working with the children at the orphanage was a novel and challenging experience for me. I think at the end I’ve got a bit more understanding of the children needs and behavior. Children were wonderful and I couldn’t help making some favorites. Working with disabled children in practical was very insightful; the experience totally changes my view on disability. In general, I have experienced what I wanted to experience. Food was wonderful. Living arrangements were safe and comfortable; I do appreciate the extra efforts of the staff during Christmas, New Year and Kite Festival. I would like to say thank you to the staff for making my stay very comfortable. Yes, I will recommend Sankalp to others.

- Nelli Horrigan,  Australia
Orphanage volunteer work, 5/dec/2010 – 16/ jan/2011

I thank you for providing this service for it allows us to come to a foreign country feeling safe, and to get to know a little about the country, people before sitting out on our own. I had a few very emotional moments and near the end I felt good that I was able to bring a little joy and comfort to one or two babies. Overall I enjoyed my time and I will do it again somewhere, sometime. The community men and women exchanged greetings easily and most with a smile. Children were friendly, polite and engaging. Accommodation was satisfactory and the food delicious and always there was more than enough. The team was polite and respectful to me. I will definitely recommend Sankalp to everyone.

- Jadwiga Jakubiak, Canada
Orphanage 3/dec/2010 - 31/dec/2010

I really enjoyed my time with Sankalp- both volunteering with the women’s empowerment program and living at the volunteer home. As alone female traveler, I found it a fantastic place to meet other tourists/volunteers and safe and fun way to start my trip in India. I am so pleased that I chose to volunteer with Sankalp. It is a safe and comfortable environment in which to start a trip in India, and makes the culture shock a lot easier to take! I found the volunteer home very comfortable and well equipped, and I think the support given to the volunteers by the staff has been great. The community was wonderful. Everyone in the village was very friendly and I had a lot of fun getting to know the children. Food was superb! Accommodation was very comfortable and clean. The staff was very helpful and reliable. I always felt I could ask the staff for help and assistance, and the volunteering is very well organized. Definitelyi will recommend this program to others.

- Hannah James, UK
Women Empowerment, 29/Oct/2010 – 26/Nov/2010

For the most part I enjoyed the volunteer programs. My experience was mostly very positive and rewarding. They were at times frustrating, challenging and very charismatic. The community and girls at the women empowerment were welcoming and enthusiastic. The children at the orphanage were fantastic. The food at the volunteer home was fantastic. The accommodation was also very good. I found all the organization staff very helpful. I would recommend this volunteer program to other.

- Jennifer Jones, USA
Orphanage & Women Empowerment, 2/Oct/2010 – 26/Nov/2010

Overall, I am extremely impressed with my time at Sankalp and I find myself truly sad to leave. I feel the program is an excellent choice for my volunteering stint and have greatly enjoyed both my work and the setup of Sankalp. The work I was doing was very fulfilling and I always felt I had an adequate support system here. I have always felt safe and taken care of, which is great thing for me coming alone to India, for so long. I came here to volunteer and teach and have an awesome experience, and it has more than exceeded my hopes. My experience was wonderful, and very important to me. Work with street children was incredible, I learn as much from them as I taught. I have had the opportunity to learn little Hindi a lot about India, both of which are things are likely wouldn’t have learnt as a regular tourist. The children were increasable, and I am so sad to be leaving them! They have taught me that even kids with next to nothing can still be happy and friendly and love you as much as any batter of childhood, something I knew but not had experienced they also love school and are so intelligent. The accommodation is nice and comfortable and the food was also good. The staff was very helpful and friendly. I would defiantly Sankalp to anyone looking for a serious and a life challenging opportunities in India.

- Alexandra Brinker, USA
Street Children, 4/June/2010 – 10/Dec/2010

Shake hands India Volunteer Program has been a wonderful experience. I have spent one month here working with the street children program. It was amazing; all the kids were a delight to teach. The coolest part about it was watching the children interact with each other. The children were so helpful to one another it was priceless. Though you only teach for about 4 hours a day, it is very draining. Not being able to speak a word of Hindi was a bit of a challenge. I wish I could stay here longer, but I have to move on. I would love to come back in a few years to see how children are doing. The staff a shake hands are also a delight. We had some really fun times just hangout out after dinner talking about nothing in particular. I would recommend this program to anyone who wanted to take apart in a volunteer program in India.

- Zoe Fallis, Canada

I volunteered with Sankalp through their Street Children program in Jaipur. When we arrived I didn't know what to expect and I have only been pleasantly surprised. The volunteer house is fantastic, it is not glamorous but it is cozy and welcoming and it really feels like home. Amita and Pranay are wonderful and a lot of fun, I feel like they have become our pseudo Indian parents. They are so helpful and really give you a sense of comfort and security while you are here. We took a few of their organized excursions during our volunteer time. It is very nice to have everything planned for you; we didn't have to worry about a thing. We saw some great things on our weekend trips but overall what I the most is just the relaxed day to day life here and the chance to really live in another city. Working with the street kids is something I will never forget. They are so eager and bright they are a blast to teach. Also seeing the spirit and generosity they have towards one another is really something to be inspired by.

- Bryanne, Canada

Even though I’ve stayed here only for 2 weeks. I got a lot of unforgettable memories and met friendly people. I think this volunteer program is well organized. It helped me to get along with children without any problem. I’ve learned lots of things from the program. It’s so rewarding to feel children are improving. The kids are positive, outgoing and enthusiastic. I am glad to teach them. The accommodation is satisfying. Everything is neat and clean. I’ve had many kinds of Indian food. Every meal is delicious. The staffs are hospitable and welcoming. We spend free time together with playing games, watching movies etc. They give me a lot of information on India and willingly help me.

- Myoung Park, Korea

I enjoyed this program completely. The children are wonderful, motivated. The experience was very positive- teaching students, creating teaching materials, experiencing Indian culture. The accommodation was safe, clean and comfortable. Food was also excellent. Shake hands staff was excellent. They responded to question and helped to solve problems. They were warm and hospitable, appreciative. 

- Millard, USA

Overall was impressed. I felt welcomed, appreciated and that I had a contribution that was valued. The program was well organized; yet I felt I could do what t thought was necessary. The children are very bright and responsive. They made my time go very quickly and happily. Program was very good for me…I enjoyed being part of a family life here in Jaipur and being able to participate in some festivals. Accommodation and food was good. The staff was “always there” for me ….friendly, helpful, cordial and made the experience very easy. And at the end I would like to say thanks for a great 2 weeks!

- Bonnie, USA

It was a life changing experience. I have gone through emotional highs and lows during this experience as I have dealt with my emotions working with children without parents. Accommodation was great- very safe and clean. The food was delicious. The team are warm hearted with the volunteers but also very professional. I will highly recommend this volunteer organization to friends and family and to those who are interested in volunteering. 

- Amelia, USA

 It is a good program. Liked the concept and approach as well as. The children have shown interest all through the program with time and teaching, I am sure they will fully utilize the facilities they have. The accommodation and food was very good. There was no discomfort of any sort, and Mr. and Mrs. Thakurji have made sure that everything was in place “always”. The food was delicious and I totally loved the “pranthas” and the “saag”. The staff was very helpful. I am very happy with the work done here during my stay at Dharamshala. I would definitely recommend this to my friends.

- Shwetha, India

It is a good program that helps the kids that need it. This is an excellent program and really enjoyed it. Our only problem is our stay is bit short but we will come back. People and children are very nice. Good place to work and stay. We enjoyed the food and accommodation was very nice. Shake hands staff was very nice and welcoming. We will definitely come back to visit.

- Shaun and Shernat, South Africa

The program has been amazing. This program has made my time in India fun, exciting interesting and truly memorable. Looking back over the past nine week so much has happened, so many memories to recall. The children at the orphanage are absolutely wonderful. I love the volunteer’s home. It really becomes my home for the past months. It is comfortable and homely and I feel very safe here. The living room is great and comfortable. I love Indian food and Baiji’s cooking was wonderful. The staff was welcoming and helpful, assisting me in anything I needed and answering all my questions concerning the program, India or anything. Shake Hands become my family during my stay.

- Elena, USA

I felt overall that Sankalp were very well organized and welcoming. My Experience during the program was very emotional. The children at the orphanage are absolutely beautiful. Accommodation was very comfortable and homely. The food was excellent. Sankalp- extremely welcoming, helpful, and friendly I felt right at home with them. I found this program very rewarding. Whilst it was challenging at times I thoroughly enjoyed working with the orphans and hopefully able to bring some joy to their lives. I would definitely recommend other people to volunteer in such like program.

- Neha, Australia

I thought this program was wonderful, it was well run, organized and enjoyed myself very much. Working with the children was very rewarding although definitely tiring. I had a great experience with Sankalp. Accommodation and food was wonderful. The food was delicious and there was always enough. I liked having a conman room where we could relax and watch Bollywood movies! The staff was great. Everyone was very helpful and friendly. I had a great time, a perfect combination of work and unwinding time. I would highly recommend this program to friends. I hope I can come back soon and stay for much longer! Thank you so much. I really enjoyed my time in Jaipur.

- Rachel, UK

I think this program was fantastic and will encourage people back home to participate if they get a chance to come home to India. It’s a great way to see the country, and feel useful to the people as opposed to just being a tourist. I really enjoyed the program from the very beginning- attending an authentic Indian wedding, to working with the children and getting to know other volunteers to exploring Jaipur and other parts of India. I was surprised at how enthusiastic the children and community were in welcoming us and not treating as outsiders. The children really seem motivated to learn. The accommodation was very nice. I found the accommodation and food even better than I’d hoped. The staff was really wonderful. This program was even better than I’d hoped. I really want to do what I can to continue supporting this program. Thanks for everything.

- Karen, USA

I have a lot of admiration for both intend and reality of this program. It is very admirable and clever to try to help and expose disadvantaged kids to other language and culture while simultaneously giving foreigners a different, detailed view of India instead of typical tourism. I feel grateful to have had the chance to see a part of India very close up to have learned a lot I wouldn’t have otherwise. The children are very friendly, much friendlier than I expected. Accommodation was wonderful. It was very comfortable place to relax. Food was all Indian of course but all very delicious and I kept increasing my portion over our time here. Everyone was great and very helpful, especially with getting the kids to behave or translating so that they would understand.

- Michael, USA

Good program. I really enjoyed working with kids. Kids are really sweet and it is so easy to make than smile. “The world’s happiness is in a children smile”. Ambabari is a very beautiful place to stay. Cook is very good. Everything is good. Staff was also nice. The team is taking good care of volunteers. The overall impression of the program was great.

- Kerin, Germany

I come to Sankalp to open my heart and develop more compassion. I found that and more. The staff was very caring and compassionate and made sure my experience was comfortable and taken care of. The children were so sweet and eager to learn and the other volunteers are exceptional people and it was fun to hang out with them. I volunteered with the street kids for two weeks. I taught ABC’s, 123’s in English, shapes and colors. They were a joy to work with eager to learn and have fun. Accommodation and food was wonderful. Baiji is fantastic and the food delicious. House is nice and I love the social space. The team makes a great experience for everyone. I had wonderful time – thank you.  

- Kristin, USA

My overall impression of the program is that it is very well organized by Sankalp team. They clearly put lot of work and efforts into ensuring the programs run smoothly and that the volunteers have a good, worthwhile experience. The volunteer’s home was very comfortable and homely. I liked the fact that we had a nice big recreation area where we could relax and hang out with other volunteers. The food was excellent and varied. The Sankalp were very welcoming and hospitable and seemed very committed to their work and also to making the volunteer stay comfortable and enjoyable. They were very supportive. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the orphanage and would definitely recommend this program to my friends.

- Corina, UK

The project is inspiring. It is so good to be able to have the chance to work with street children doing something worth while. The balance of support and responsibility giving from the Sankalp team worked well as I felt I had a challenging and rewarding experience. The volunteer’s home was well set up. It has a big recreation area, great for relaxing and promoting social activities. The food was also very good, always freshly cooked and tasty. The team was commendable, very helpful, approachable and thoughtful. They worked hard to make sure the volunteers were having a good experience. Overall the program has given me a very positive experience. I have felt safe and comfortable and my contribution valued. I am thankful to have discovered the program and have been a part of it. The program offers an individual opportunity for volunteers and I would highly recommend it.

- Alison, UK

It was a well organized program with very nice and helpful staff. There was always lots of time for relaxing and recreation. The work with the street children was always interesting. I have seen how hard it is sometimes to convince children and their family that school and education is a good thing. The children were nice and friendly. The work with them was good. Accommodation and food have been great. The accommodation is situated in very nice and peaceful area. The staff was very helpful: giving tips and stepping in when the kids were too loud and translating question and instructions. It was all organized very well. The transportation was good. Staff and host family helped so much with everything!

- Linda, Germany

This volunteer program makes the volunteer participants feel very safe in terms of travel and stay. After the work, we had enough time to participate in the cultural activities and for travel. At first, the experience was very difficult: travel time, interacting with students and language barrier, but in the end the experience was very profound and humbling. I would like to do this again. The students were very welcoming. They were great. Great accommodation and food was delicious. Overall staff was great. I really liked the project a lot. 

- Cindy, USA

I taught class 9th and 10th girls how to use the computer and visited homes of a wide variety of women. The community in/ near palampur has been very welcoming to me! During the home visit the women seemed to enjoy our company and wanted to share their stories with us. The accommodation was a nice, clean home where I had plenty of space and good facilities. My home family was welcoming and accommodating. I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to do Yoga with my host family in the morning. The food was delicious and filling and not to spicy. The Shake Hands team was friendly and helpful. I felt like I could ask them any questions and I would always taken care of. Even before coming they were very responsive and helpful. The Shake Hands program is run well by a group of young, enthusiastic men and women who truly want all of the volunteers to succeed and to have a good time during their stay in India. Though the program is small, it is very well run and I think the size of it help to make it more authentic experience in India.

- Barbara, USA

During this program has been very rewarding for me. Having to teach with minimum of material has challenged me as a teacher and working with street children has really touched me in many ways. I will never forget. I found the kids to be very open, happy and willing to learn. Accommodation has been good I think safe, quite area and very nice food. Staff was extremely helpful, friendly and informative. I admire the work they do both the amount/ hours put into it and how thorough they are. I have really enjoyed the whole experience of it. Living in a local community, the teaching and taking the kids to the school. Being a part of such a mile stone in a child life is very rewarding. I found the program well organized.

- Marit, Norway

I have very much enjoyed the street children education programme and have found it extremely rewarding. Teaching the children and seem make progress was very rewarding. I enjoy the life style, food, culture, walking every day and living more simply then I assumed to I enjoyed getting to know the other volunteers and working with them and spending my free time with them. The children were fantastic, very well mannered, polite, enthusiastic, cut and friendly. The accommodation was very decent with everything that I required. The food was always delicious. The  team were fantastic. Very friendly, welcoming and helpful and always willing to do their best to help the volunteers in any way they could which I very much appreciated. I would recommend this programme to anyone.

- Sanjay, UK

Great program and great people. I felt I was doing something good for an important goal. I am convinced that in the long run the program will have beneficial results. It was an important experience for me. The children and the program helped me a lot. Street kids are very hard to teach. But they are trying and everyday they seem happy for me this is important. Food was great as well as the accommodation simple but amazing. Staff helped us with everything what ever query we had. I would recommend it to anyone that wants to volunteer. I am very pleased about what the goals of the program and the people that I’ve met. My impression is nothing less than perfect.

- Marios, Cyprus

Sankalp's Shake Hands Volunteer Program have provided me with an excellent, enjoyable highly rewarding and memorable experience. The program was very well organized and structured. The volunteering experience, besides being rewarding by itself was also culturally rewarding. The community was welcoming. Most of the children were enthuastic and very pleasant to teach, always smiling.  Accommodation is basic and simple. Comfortable and it felt safe. The area is nice and quiet. The food was excellent, very tasty. I looked forward to it each time. The team was very supportive and helpful, a pleasure to work with. They would help us with everything we required, even for organizing our trips after we would finish volunteering. It is important for them that we were happy and satisfied with the program. I would recommend it to any one interested in doing something that is fun, that is educational and that aspires to help the less fortunate. An experience that is truly substantial to the heart.

- Peter, Cyprus

I thoroughly enjoyed the activities. I was involved with being the Pre School and the football. The kids were fun to work with and all on all, it was a pleasant experience. The children were full of energy and sometime they were bit naughty. The accommodation and food was fine. I had no problem with either. The staff was nice and it made experience nice and helped me in everything.

- David, USA

I joined the women empowerment program. I think this will truly be an unforgettable experience of my life. The community especially the girls turned out to be the most loving and caring people. I have ever met in my entire life. The accommodation was absolutely amazing. Sankalp and the staff were generally very nice. Overall I would say that I was satisfied with the program.

- Rekha, USA

It is a good program. I really enjoyed working with the children at the orphanage. Accommodation was fine and the food was also good. Staff was very friendly and helpful. They were very nice. The cook was very good in making Indian food. Overall impression is that the program is making a good effort in helping the volunteers achieve their goal and interests with the orphanage.

- Shabina, USA

I wish I could stay longer as 4 weeks doesn’t seem enough! I have had an incredible experience and this is primarily due to the help and generosity of the staff. Working at the orphanage was something I looked forward to everyday; the children were always enthusiastic, smiling and keen to learn. I wish them and Sanaklp every success and hank them for my unforgettable stay. 

- Emma, UK

Shake Hands - India Volunteer Program has been the perfect introduction to India thanks to the amazing hospitality and the friendly staff. Working with the children put a smile to my face and I was amazed by the speed in which they warmed tours and how eager they were to learn. It is going to be a hard place to say goodbye to! Shake Hands is dang a fantastic job and I would undoubtedly recommended this experience to anyone of any age.

- Milly, UK