WORK DESCRIPTION:
You'll assist a teacher in the class for up to a week, then, once you have gained confidence and feel comfortable in the classroom, you will be able to become involved in lesson planning and take classes on your own. We provide you with a Teaching Suggestions Guide with tips on inexpensive resources you may want to take with you. You can teach a range of subjects in combination, or teach English or Art only. The choice is yours.
The children are always fascinated with volunteers and want to learn as much as possible about you. They love to hear stories about you, your family and where you are from, so it is ideal to take pictures, maps, magazine articles and photos of your family and friends with you. You can also use these as excellent resources for a lesson to promote discussion and interest. Teaching Art subjects is an excellent way of engaging children’s imaginations and encourages them to communicate with few constraints. You may also have the opportunity to teach sport for an hour each day at one of our larger schools. The sports on offer are badminton, volleyball, throw ball, football, cricket and even swimming.
ACCOMMODATION:
You'll either live with a host family or in our volunteer flat, depending on which project you’re doing and the number of volunteers there at the same time as you.. In either accommodation you may share a room with another volunteer. If you have a preference for either a host family or staying in a flat, we will do our best to accommodate you.
Host Family
For a complete Indian experience we'll arrange for you to stay with a wonderful host family. All of our hosts are very welcoming and not only will be made to feel part of the family you’ll also gain a great insight into Indian culture and customs. Many of our volunteers remain friends with their host families long after they leave India.
You may share a room with one other volunteer; and you may have an en-suite Western-style bathroom. Most of the showers in our host accommodation are cold water only – however your hosts will boil water for you. All of our host family houses are close together and just a few minutes’ walk away from internet cafes, banks and snack shops and just a short auto ride into the centre of town. Our staff in Madurai also live close-by.
Food:
Breakfast and dinner will be provided and prepared for you by the family and is mainly local fare, allowing you to taste a varied selection of delicious south Indian dishes and exotic fruits. You will need to make provision for your own lunch.
Volunteer Flat
Our volunteer flat is situated close to all our host families. This option gives you the chance to live within the local community whilst at the same time retaining your independence. The flat is very modern, spacious, light and airy. It has a well kitted-out kitchen and large lounge area with satellite TV, DVD and a good selection of DVDs for your entertainment. There is also a balcony on which to relax with a cool drink and a book. It gets a wonderfully refreshing evening breeze to keep you cool! You will be provided with a food budget giving you the option to either cook for yourself or sample the local restaurants. Eating out is extremely cheap in Madurai. There are two supermarkets within walking distance of the flat, selling everything from groceries to clothes and also a well stocked fruit and vegetable department. Many of the hotels in town have roof top restaurants offering incredible views across the town with the dramatic Sri Meenakshi Temple silhouetted on the skyline. Most restaurants are good quality and you can sample North Indian as well as South Indian dishes along with a small selection of Western food. Vegetarian food is plentiful.
