Jaipur offers a wide range of volunteering opportunities, varying from volunteering for child care, women empowerment programs, old age homes, orphanage work, gender equality, teaching programs, health programs, street children programs, elephant care, theatre workshops, etc. Volunteering in the rural as well as urban areas of Jaipur is a great opportunity to explore the city’s well-kept culture, traditions and heritage and to experience its incredible beauty and mouth-watering delicacies.
There are websites like Volunteer in India, Sankalp Volunteer and Volunteering With India that offer diverse volunteering programs in Jaipur. Some programs are located within the city limits while some are located in the outskirts of the city. Another way to find wonderful volunteering opportunities is to look for the best NGOs operating in the city and try working with them. Some of the reputed NGOs in the city include Make A Wish Foundation India, Akshaya Patra Foundation that runs lunch programs for children, Rays Aasha Ki Ek Kiran, Udaan Youth Organization and Faith-Aalingan Home that works for children suffering from HIV.
Most volunteer programs offer volunteer houses to stay in. Volunteers are asked to work for some 4-5 hours. Some volunteering programs also provide transportation to and from the work site. The time you get post your volunteer placement work can be utilized in exploring the local culture and area or in trying out authentic Rajasthani cuisines. Weekends or even evenings can be well-spent by visiting the beautiful forts and palaces and other tourist attractions.
The people are good and soft-spoken. This means you’ll feel a different level of comfort while volunteering in Jaipur. Volunteering here is a wonderful experience for most people including both nationals and foreigners. What makes this city a popular destination for volunteer work is its vibrant culture, well-preserved heritage and people with a good heart, who actually want to do good work for the society. Some volunteering programs also provide meals prepared by their local chefs to let you taste area-specific food. The organizers are very particular about the safety and security of their volunteers.
If you are enthusiastic and willing to work for the society, Jaipur is a great place, even for beginners. Choose from a list of projects, depending on what best suits your interest and get going!