Sewa Mandir is a school that works for the all round development of deaf and blind children situated in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. On arrival to Sewa Mandir Mr. Jain (School Principal) makes you feel instantly welcome. The school has a lovely warm atmosphere and the children as well as the staff are keen to make you feel at home. There are currently 27 hearing impaired and 7 visually impaired children. During the week a loose academic timetable is followed and Saturday is free for music and art activities. Mr. Jain is very flexible with what volunteers wish to do. Usually volunteers are assigned to a class of the younger pupils and rotate teaching within small groups. Interactive teaching methods can make learning more fun and there are lots of opportunities for creative and imaginative classes. 

Volunteers can also help out Nitin (Mr. Jain's son) with any work he needs doing such as helping develop computer CD programs for the children to work on. Other opportunities for volunteers, such as writing articles for the local newspaper, talking at function days etc. arise now and then.

Accommodation

Volunteers working at Sewa Mandir will live in a flat located about 20mins rickshaw ride from the school. The flat is also home for the two Barli volunteers.  The flat adjoins Mr. R. Mittal’s house (landlord) in the neighbourhood of Old Palaisia which is a relatively quiet residential area with a little green area with benches to sit on. Mrs. Mittal is also very friendly and welcoming, she will happily give you cooking lessons if you ask her.

Indore itself is a typical bustling Indian city with extensive markets and places to eat. It is a unique experience to be in a city untouched by tourism and to get the feel for what a fast industrialising Indian city is truly like.

About you

This placement is ideal if you are interested in working with children with disabilities using innovative teaching methods.  Activities including formal and non-formal education practices are welcomed.   Mr. Jain will encourage you to use any skills you can bring to Sewa Mandir - if you’re musical, or creative with art and craft that’s great.  Mr. Jain is very flexible and accommodating to what you wish to do. However volunteers should be aware that things often don’t run according to plan, lessons are frequently interrupted by social work groups visiting the school and hosting little ceremonies.  Not knowing sign language is not a problem if you wish to work at Sewa Mandir. The children love to teach you and it is a great way to build up relationships with them.  

Sewa Mandir is a great school and you are treated as a member of their family, which makes this placement such an enjoyable one.  There may be additional costs incurred.