Volunteer Abroad India Chennai Volunteering Opportunities Humanitarian Trips

Chennai (formerly known as Madras) is a coastal city, located on the Bay of Bengal, with a tropical climate. Chennai is on the southeast coast of India in the northeast state of

Tamil Nadu is the capital city with over 7 million inhabitants. The majority of the population in Chennai are Tamilians and Tamil is the primary language spoken, although English is widely spoken in education, and business.

The city has a diverse cultural mix and is known for the Hindi temples and classical dance shows. There are numerous festivals celebrated throughout the year, Tamil plays; political satire, slapstick comedy, history, mythology and drama are among the popular genres and also home to the Tamil movie industry.

With the growing population, the city faces problems of water shortages, increased poverty, traffic congestion and air pollution. The city has the fourth highest population of slum dwellers among major cities in India, with about 820,000 people (18.6% of its population) living in slum conditions. The most seriously affected are the children many of whom are orphaned or living and working in the streets.

Our programs are located in Chennai and the surrounding area. For most of the year the weather is hot and humid. The hottest months are May and June, and the best time to travel is mid-December to February. January is the coolest month with temperatures in ranging in the mid 60sF (20C)

Our programs allow you to work with underprivileged children and youth in southern India.

Our programs allow you to take part in meaningful community service work, while discovering the people, sights, smells and tastes of India.

This is a great opportunity to make life-long friends, learn a new culture from the inside out and discover that one person really can make a difference.

Volunteer with us and see A Broader View of the World.

We offer the following programs in Chennai, Tamil Nadu:

Program Length: 1-8 weeks
Program Date: Flexible Start & End Date
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8 hour per day
Accommodations: Local host family
Meals: Yes, 2 meals a day
Requirements: 17 years or older, an open mind to new adventures.

Child Welfare/Teaching Projects: Work with orphan and destitute children in a primary school and local orphanage. All orphans are provided education in India, volunteers needed to assist the local teachers during the day, and at the orphanage after school. The children range in age 2yrs years and older. In addition to providing a supportive environment and meals, the main focus is educating the children so that they become self-sustaining and responsible members of society. Volunteers needed to assist the local staff with teaching English, playing games, creating arts and crafts projects, or teaching a skill such as yoga, sewing, dance or singing. Placements are located in the city and rural villages near Thivandrum. Prior experience not required, although volunteers should have a lot of patience, an open mind and a sense of compassion.

Street Children's Projects: Volunteers work at homes for the destitute and street children's shelters.

The city, for being considered economically growing, has the fourth highest population of slum dwellers among major cities in India, with about 820,000 people (18.6% of its population) living in slum conditions.

For volunteers, the most important tasks include promoting healthy living, hygiene, teaching basic English.

Prior social work experience is a plus, although not required.

Medical/Dental Care Program - Volunteers with medical experience are needed to work in local community clinics outside of Chennai. Most clinics are very busy and there is a chronic shortage of medical personnel and supplies. This program is open to medical professionals, as well as medical and nursing students. There is a wide variety of cases but disease such as malaria, HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and syphilis, as well as childbirth/maternity needs are most common. Volunteers with medical training; doctors, nurses, paramedics, lab technicians participate in direct patient care such as diagnosing, injections, IV starts and lab work.. Nursing, dental and medical students are welcome and assist with tasks like dressing wounds, record and immunization chart keeping, helping dispense medications, helping to screen and organize patients and assisting with administrative needs or seminars. *Medical volunteers must submit a copy of their credentials or nursing certificate.

HIV/Aids Awareness & Care - Volunteers work with local organizations that advocate for HIV/AIDS patients and issues, promote safer sex through education programs in villages, participate in workshops to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission, and assist with voluntary HIV counseling and testing.

There are opportunities to make home visits to patients with HIV/AIDS for support and caring. Support some of the 50 AIDS awareness camps located throughout the city and surrounding villages. Prior experience is not required. Those interested in making a difference are welcome.

Program Includes: Airport arrival transfer at Chennai International Airport (MAA), 1st night accommodation, city orientation and project briefing with our local coordinator. Transportation to volunteer project with ABV staff. Volunteers live with local host families who provide breakfast and dinner daily. 24/7 hour support by the project coordinator. Departure airport transfer at the end of the program.

Location pages:

* New Delhi
* Bangalore
* Kerala
* Chennai

1001 Dell Lane Suite B, Wyncote, PA 19095, USA
Tel: 1-215-780-1845/ Toll Free: (866)-423-3258 / Fax: 1-215-887-0915
volunteers@abroaderview.org - www.abroaderview.org - info@abroaderview.org