This project is based in a school for underprivileged children aged 5 - 16 in
Chennai. Many of them are from poor fishing families who have been displaced following the December 2004 tsunami.
Located in large spacious grounds, away from the hustle and bustle of normal
Chennai life, the school is non fee-paying and children are provided with a uniform, a nutritional breakfast and lunch, books and medical services. There are separate rooms for arts and crafts plus a language lab and a library.
Your Role: You will work in classes alongside teachers. As a teaching assistant you'll provide extra support, particularly in English and other standard academic subjects. Volunteers in this role would be expected to give three months.
However, the school is also open to the possibility that volunteers with special skills in areas like sewing, silk screen printing, carpentry, art, music, dance, drama or sport could stay for as little as a month.
You could also be asked to help run workshops to help some of the teachers improve their English, and you may be required to help with resources and training in other locals schools this organisation supports.
What you Gain: This is a great opportunity to get involved in life of a school and really make a contribution to these children's education.
If tranquility, purposeful order and worthwhile work appeal to you and you're happy to respect the guiding principles of the community, you will gain a lot from this placement.