Volontariat is a non-political, non-profit, non-sectarian service organisation established in 1962 by Madeleine DeBlic, a Belgian Social Worker. The organisation is involved in activities ranging from children’s education through to child sponsorship; managing an agricultural farm; providing employment and rehabilitation for leprosy patients; training and employment in carpentry, screen-printing, bead jewelry, sewing, embroidery, patchwork quilting and cross-stitching; running two homes for the elderly of the local community; managing a home for street children and maintaining a foster-care programme; financing cardiac treatment for children and the formation of women’s empowerment groups.

There are lots of opportunities for volunteers in Volontariat, and priorities change over time.  Past volunteers have been involved in: teaching English to nursery children and 11-14 year olds; working in the textile workshop and assisting with new product designs; assisting in the crèche; organising games and art activities for children on the farm; working with the women on the farm; working with elderly people at the centre; creating a database for medical patients.  Future work may well be dominated by teaching but there are still opportunities for volunteers to assist with any of the above, as well as in other areas.

Accommodation

You will be sharing a flat rented by DIA with the Sharana volunteer. The flat is in Pondicherry town centre near plenty of amenities. Pondicherry is a former French colony on the coast and combines wide, tree-lined streets with chaotic bazaars. There are a wide range of shops and restaurants, to suit all tastes.

About you

You must have a sensible and serious work ethic. It is important that you are able to use your own initiative and be pro-active as staff at the centre will be very busy, and you will need to be flexible and adaptable to fit in with the changing needs of the organisation. If you have particular skills and interests, e.g. art and design work / marketing / relief work then you should get a chance to work in these areas but must be prepared to initially demonstrate your commitment by doing teaching and other required jobs.  There may be additional costs incurred.

Some knowledge of French would be useful but not essential.