Shiga's Longitude Volunteering
Golden Week will be here before we know it. Why not spend it making a difference, building homes in a rural Indian village? Last March, Anna and I helped build houses in Gummadallapadu Village, located in the same region where we’ll be volunteering during Golden Week. We both fell in love with the villagers and the work proved so rewarding that we have been (literally) dreaming of returning ever since. We are very excited to get back to India and we would love it if you could join us! Here is an overview of what the trip entails…
Who…
·The Volunteers –Our group will likely be comprised of mostly JETs. However, last year a Japanese university student joined us and a JET’s father even flew from the U.S.A. to help. If you have others who you think would be interested, by all means, invite them along!
·The Villagers – We will be working hand-in-hand with the Dalits, formerly known as the “Untouchables.” As members of the lowest social caste, the villagers face much discrimination and receive little to no outside help, financial or otherwise.
What…
volunteering in the small Indian village of Chevuru and raising funds for the work we will do. Volunteer work can vary from laying the foundation for homes to putting the finishing touches on roofs. Last year, our group hauled cement, moved bricks, and assisted the masons with other various tasks. We also kept the village children entertained through games, song, dance, and more. Fundraising for the work camp building materials is a big part of our pre-departure responsibilities. Please share any fundraising ideas you may have!
When…
Golden Week 2010 departing from Japan on April 28th (arriving in Delhi in the early AM of April 29th) and returning on May 9th. Four days of nenkyuu are required. We will meet in Hyderabad on April 29th at a specified time (TBD).
Where…
Chevuru Village in the state of Andhra Pradesh. We will fly into Hyderabad from Delhi and stay at a hotel in Eluru, one of the larger cities in the area, for the duration of the work camp.
Why…
Becoming a Longitude volunteer lets you experience the real India and allows you to make a significant difference in the lives of the Dalit villagers. We can guarantee they will make a difference in yours, too!
How…
How much – There will be a volunteer fee that will cover all of our food, accommodation, and in-country transportation. To give you an idea, the volunteer fee for the group leaving in March is JP¥55,000yen, or US$610. You will need to purchase your international flights to Delhi and the domestic flights to Hyderabad. Last year, we were able to find domestic flights for about US$80 roundtrip. Finally, you will be in charge of your Visa. This is a bit pricey, up to JP¥11250, but worth every yen.
How to get started – Please e-mail Anna or myself, letting us know you’re interested, and we’ll send you more information.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Megan Pankratz (mepankratz@gmail.com) and Anna Radke (annaradke@yahoo.com)