Aasara is a fantastic organization that works with street children in Thane, near Mumbai.  Founded by a Catholic priest ten years ago, the organization keeps expanding to meet the needs of its clients and operates a policy of never turning a child away.  It partners with Childline India to find homeless and exposed children and has an emergency shelter for boys and one for girls in Thane and Neral.  It also has several ‘drop-in centers’ and crèches within congested communities, a program for drug users, and does advocacy work on issues pertaining to street children. 

Accommodation

Female volunteers will be staying at Suraksha Shelter for Girls in Neral.  Volunteers will have a room for themselves with ensuite bathroom and will eat meals with the staff and girls at the shelter.  The shelter is surrounded by fields and is a ten minute walk from Neral train station.
Aasara can't currently accept male volunteers because there is no accommodation for them.  however a centre for male street children is planned for Neral and this will be able to house male volunteers in the future.
Neral: A small town about three hours from Mumbai by train.  It has one main shopping street  which consists of market stalls selling local Indian produce.  It is a great place in which to get a real insight into traditional Indian ways of living and customs.  Also, there is a toy train which connects Neral with Matheran, a hill resort which is known for its beautiful views and cool weather. 

About you

Female volunteers will mostly be working at the shelter for girls in Neral (about 2 hours from Mumbai) and male volunteers will be at the center for boys in Thane.  Volunteers will primarily be teaching and assisting with pastoral care of the children though long term volunteers will also have an opportunity to see Assara’s advocacy work and other projects.  Volunteers with Aasara will be working with vulnerable and abused youths.  They will need to have a mature and responsible attitude and be comfortable acting as role-model for the children.  You will be living and working at the shelter so this is quite an intense, though very rewarding placement.  Volunteers should be pro-active and capable of living within Indian cultural norms.  There may be additional costs incurred.