Youth for Change - the Parivartan Internship Program

Parivartan Foundation for Socio Economic Development click here for more info

YOUTH FOR CHANGE PARIVARTAN FOUNDATION FOR SOCIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
What Parivartan Does
The Parivartan Foundation for Socio Economic Development is a non-profit organization working in the developmental sector in India. It strives to make a sustainable difference in society by encouraging inclusive growth in community development and welfare programs. It is the brainchild of youth who dare to make a change as they dream of it.
“Be the change you want to see in the world” - Mahatma Gandhi
With these immortal words of Gandhi. Parivartan was conceptualised by a group of students who shared a common passion; that of inclusive growth. With sustainability and inclusive growth as the twin pillars of support, the Parivartan Foundation aims at grass root development using solutions which are both market based and sustainable. Our mission is “to be a partner of the people in empowering them through resources, technology and information”. Our unique work structure is complemented by the community mobilization and immersion programs which have been imperative in our rapid success in less than a year of inception. We have won the Goldman Sachs Global Leaders Program Social Entrepreneurship Fund and many other such grants from individual and corporate donors. Our success stories and felicitations can be seen at our Flickr Page and Website!
The Internship Program (Youth for Change)
The Parivartan Internship Program, as the name suggests envisions the bridging of gap between youth and young professionals who feel the need to “give back to society” in whatever capacity they desire and the backward societies which need them. This program intends to create a network of change makers who share a passion for community development initiatives using market based and entrepreneurial solutions at the grass root level. We at Parivartan Foundation aim to engage such like-minded individuals from their respective sectors in a cohesive approach to develop sustainable solutions. By getting experts from their sectors, we believe to create an inclusive growth model which is both scalable and replicable. In this regard, we aim to map the immense human resource potential in different sectors to the projects and initiatives of Parivartan Foundation.
Parivartan Foundation for Socio Economic Development Page 2
Where We Currently Work
Parivartan started its operations in the Lanka Villages in Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh. These set of 9 villages are residence to nearly 30,000 people with the primary occupation as agriculture. Nearly 70 kms from the city of Vijayawada and set in the Krishna river basin, these villages form small islands in delta region thereby giving the name “Lanka”. The Parivartan Foundation has worked 9 months in these villages and the current work happening there can be viewed at our website.
INTERNSHIP LOGISTICS
The On-Site interns shall be working in these villages. Housing and Food will be taken care of as expenses by Parivartan Foundation. However, we are not able to provide stipend or any monetary benefits at this stage. In any case, if you were interested in monetary benefits and a “corporate internship”, you would not be reading this document anyway. So read on and hopefully, you shall be as excited as we are about our work.
The benefits for On-site Interns include
* On ground experience with a Non Profit working in a rural region (Yes, that is experience worth having!)
* Community Mobilization and Immersion Experience
* Be a part of modelling and executing Innovative and Revolutionary Projects (Telemedicine and E-Commerce are some of programs!)
* Considerable Responsibility over work area (You are not a part of the big picture, YOU are the big picture!)
* Work with a completely diverse youth team (Yes, we love to gain experience first hand!)
* Housing and Food (We know you will not read beyond if we don’t provide you that and just in case you would have, well, here are some freebies!)
The benefits for Off-Site interns include
* Research on innovative initiatives like E-Commerce, E-Governance
* Get experience whatever role you think is right for you and see it make an impact to thousands of rural folk
* Develop new market based methods to solve Rural India’s most pressing needs with a passionate team
* Use your work with us to leverage yourself in the Social Media Sector (And we won’t be too far behind in reciprocating too!)
* Work whenever and wherever (Just respond to deadlines!)
Individual role benefits have been mentioned in the profiles. We have spaces which may open up soon in our core team too. Fantastic work as an intern might just get you an offer from us!
And just in case you thought we don’t provide a certificate for your hard work, we do. A nice, shiny one in fact. Maybe one of the media and design interns can design it for us!
Parivartan Foundation for Socio Economic Development Page 3
Timeline
On-Site Internship: 25th May – 15th July
Off-Site Internship : 23rd March – 15th July
Deadline for Applications – 8th March
Selection of Applicants – 15th March
Further details about the internship program will be given once selected.
Just for visual benefit, this is where we work
For some profiles, only off-site or only on-site positions are available but for some, both may be available as mentioned. For those which have both available, the applicant can apply for both of he/she chooses to.
Given below are the details of the internship profiles being offered. Please go through them carefully and see where you will fit in with us. Follow the application procedure mentioned afterwards and get ready to get immersed in experience we hope will create a sustainable change in your perceptions (and skills too hopefully!)
Best wishes for your application.
The Parivartan Team
Parivartan Foundation for Socio Economic Development Page 4
INTERNSHIP PROFILES
Social Media and Fundraising – Off-Site
Role Summary
This role is the ‘front end’ of Parivartan Foundation. It is the interface between Parivartan Foundation and its supporters and the non-profit industry. It involved using social media to actively engage people in Parivartan Foundation’s work. It also involves the exciting task of creating tie-ups for fundraising and planning for fundraising events e.g: a show in some college fest or a special movie screening, etc. This role will require wide-ranging coordination with Parivartan Foundation governing body members and on-site publicity and fundraising teams to implement the fundraising strategies.
What’s in it for the intern?
* Be a part of a dynamic team to network with non-profit industry and build contacts
* Chance to work with entertainment industry and big retail outlets for fundraising events
Principal Responsibilities
* Follow on news and blogs related to social change and social entrepreneurship
* Use twitter to interact with partners, donors and others in non-profit industry
* Use facebook page effectively
* Be the ‘blogmaster’ and update the blogs through contributions from the entire team and also get guest contributors
* Find ways to better use social media for meeting the goals of Parivartan Foundation
* Be the point of contact in Public Relations campaigns
* Find avenues for fundraising tie-ups and plan fundraising events
Experience / Skills
* Previous experience with social media engagement
* Good writing skills and ability to put across ideas concisely
* Event planning and budgeting skills
* Passion for social change
Specific Application Question
Explain the role of social media in specific in complementing the work of non-profits in not more than 350 words.
Parivartan Foundation for Socio Economic Development Page 5
Research and Project Developer – Both Off-Site and On-Site Positions Separately Available
Role Summary
This role involves the exciting task of finding solutions to real problems of real people. The Research and Project Developer will work with the team at Parivartan Foundation to understand the challenges at grassroots level and work towards finding creative ways to overcome these challenges. This involves two components. Research component involves analysis of economic scenarios and markets. It will involve interpreting data and drawing conclusions for practical applicability, e.g: studying the variation in corn prices over different months in the last five years to get to the underlying patterns in global commodity pricing. Second component of this role is the Project development component that involves studying industry wide best practices and impacts of previously attempted programs to design effective project interventions. Some of the problems that are our current focus are: ICT initiatives in rural areas, agri-markets and role of e-commerce, sanitation in rural areas, etc. This role is at the heart of our organization and drives all the projects of Parivartan Foundation.
In addition, the on-site role will include getting local data and holding focus group meetings to further refine our approach towards the various projects.
What’s in it for the intern?
* It is like a laboratory for change – this is as real as it gets. You will be working on present day’s pressing problems and can impact thousands of lives
* Get to interact and learn from some big organizations like IFMR Trust and big names in social work
* Develop the ability to understand what really works on ground and what is just ‘great on paper’
* Chance to contribute works of research as working papers to be used widely by the non-profit sector
Principal Responsibilities
* Attend conference calls with team members to understand the research and project development requirement
* Find required data and information through available resources or Parivartan Foundation’s network
* Work in a time-bound manner to make recommendations to the team on the basis of sound research
* Interact with other organizations in this sector to get a broad perspective on any topic of research
* Make working reports for further action or presentations to media or potential project partners
Parivartan Foundation for Socio Economic Development Page 6
Experience / Skills
* For on-site role, knowledge of Telugu is required
* A strong drive towards social entrepreneurship and social development sector
* Highly motivated with a willingness to leave no stone unturned in making the program successful
* Good analytical skills and ability to deduce patterns in data
* Good communication skills to connect and talk to a diverse group of people
Specific Application Question
The problem is to find out about various 'lift irrigation schemes' and what factors have contributed to failure and success of such schemes. Outline the path of your research in maximum of 800 words. (what info is needed, what can be sources, etc.)
On-Site Fundraising and Publicity – On-Site
Role Summary
This role is about linking our projects to donors and community. The idea behind doing both simultaneously in one role is to make use of the learning from marketing a project to rural communities, while raising funds with corporations or individuals. It is a challenging role which involves reaching out to communities at project locations through innovative campaigns. The intern will have to feel the pulse of the rural population and come up with advertising plans accordingly.
At the same time, the intern will be looking for what he can tell to corporations and individuals when approaching then for funds. What is the value that can be offered to donors by Parivartan Foundation in the non-profit sector? The intern will create or aid in creating media content and identify stories or case studies that can be used for fundraising.
What’s in it for the intern?
* Learn rural marketing through practical experience
* Get to understand the potential of the ‘Bottom of the Pyramid market’
* Get insights into how to provide value to donors – something you can use anytime in life
* Interact with top corporate and public opinion leaders to get funds
Principal Responsibilities
Parivartan Foundation for Socio Economic Development Page 7
* Be a part of the Outreach team at the project villages and come up with publicity campaigns to attract more people to Parivartan Foundation’s projects, e.g: how to make more people book railway tickets at the Parivartan Computer and Internet Centre
* Study the scope of providing value to donors and come up with innovative donor packages
* Identify the elements to highlight when pitching for funds, e.g: a moving success story, a case study
* Reach out to corporations and individuals to raise funds for Parivartan Foundation projects
Experience / Skills
* This is an-site role at the Lanka villages, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh and knowledge of Telugu is required
* A strong drive towards social development sector and rural marketing
* Highly motivated with a willingness to leave no stone unturned in making the program successful
* Good at dealing with digital media content like photos, videos, etc.
* Good communication skills to connect and talk to a diverse group of people
* Ability to think ‘on the feet’ and share an idea or vision with passion
Specific Application Question
Write in up to 350 words on how you plan to promote the Parivartan Computer and Internet Centre in villages to ensure that more people use it. Information about the centre can be found on our website.
English Language Teacher/Mentor – On Site
The Parivartan Direct Support to Education Program has been initiated with the primary purpose of improving the quality of education and empowering the children from the villages to dream big and achieve their goals. Under this program, we have been providing financial assistance to deserving students who have completed 10th standard and wish to pursue higher education. We are now initiating a summer workshop in English Conversation & Public Speaking to be held in May-July 2010 where in we aim to recruit high potential college graduates to teach and mentor the students. The students will be divided in 3 batches- Till 5th standard, 6th -9th standard & 10th and beyond. There will be one teacher recruited for each batch and one class will not have more than 15 students.
Parivartan Foundation for Socio Economic Development Page 8
Role Summary
The summer intern will be responsible for holding the English Conversation and Public Speaking workshop in the village school for a time period of 2 months (May-July 2010), train the students in reading, writing & most importantly speaking the language confidently. The intern will report to the Manager for the ‘Direct Support to Education’ program. Intern should keep in mind that this is a full time job and he/she would be required to stay in the villages throughout the duration of the workshop.
What’s in it for the Intern?
* On ground Teaching Experience with rural folk
* Be responsible for making an impact on the way rural folk perceive English
* Make an impact on society by expanding horizons and knowledge
* Get Insights on how you can inspire rural folk to learn a new language
Principal Responsibilities
* Design innovative lesson plans for the entire week in the TOPA format (Topic, Objective, Plan & Assessment) and send it to the manager by Saturday before the week.
* Make the best attempt to cover the syllabus which will be provided by the manager during the workshop.
* Give homework regularly, assess each student’s homework, give feedback to each student on an individual basis & maintain a register to track the progress of each student. Format to track the progress of students will be provided.
* Prepare weekly tests for the students on all lessons covered that week.
* Hold special classes, could be on a one-to-one basis for students who are lagging behind the rest of the class to bring them at par, mentor them and instil confidence.
* Maintain an Attendance register and come up with appropriate rewards for students with regular attendance.
* Devote maximum effort in making the classes engaging. For instance, recording the voices of the students in classes where they are taught to converse & making them listen to it, teaching simple English songs at the end of the class, holding an English poetry reciting or public speaking competition at end of the workshop.
* Keep a record of the expenses incurred as well as the receipts.
* Report to the manager regularly & weekly compulsorily with regard to all the points above.
Experience / Skills
* Proficiency in reading, writing and speaking English and Telegu.
Parivartan Foundation for Socio Economic Development Page 9
* A strong drive towards community service. An ability to identify his/her own success with the success if the student in being able to speak the language confidently.
* Deeply motivated with a willingness to leave no stone upturned in making the program successful.
* Strong interpersonal skills and ability to reach out to the students at their level.
* Creative bent of mind and ability to come up with innovative ways to make the classes engaging
Specific Application Question
None, but we will have an interview, telephonic, over the net or physical whichever is possible after the screening (For how screening will be done, refer to end of the Internship Profile section).
C-Language and Web-Designing Instructor – On-Site
Parivartan Foundation plans to conduct courses in C programming and Web-designing at Parivartan Computer and Internet Center in Juvvalapalem.
C Programming:
‘C’ Language is considered to be the most apt among all the computer languages for teaching the art of computer programming to beginners. Nowadays it has been made compulsory in most of the graduation courses. It is also being taught at 11th and 12th standard levels, but computer education of this sort at 11th and 12th levels is only restricted to schools in Urban areas.
Web-designing:
Parivartan Computer and Internet Center is the first step by Parivartan Foundation in the direction of connecting Rural India to the IT Revolution. Internet is the core part of the IT Revolution and Parivartan is working towards empowering rural youth to effectively use the web. This course will be the next step in that direction. It will teach basics of web development.
The course will be divided into two sessions:
· Lecture sessions
· Lab sessions
The course will be handled in two batches, based on the educational qualification of the students:
· 10th, 11th or 12th passouts
· Students pursuing graduation/ Graduates
Parivartan Foundation for Socio Economic Development Page 10
Role Summary:
The summer intern will be responsible for handling the whole course, teaching the complete syllabus and also encouraging general usage of computers and the internet. The intern will report to Head of Social Media Engagement. Intern should keep in mind that this is a full time job and he/she would be required to stay in the villages throughout the duration of the workshop.
What’s in it for the Intern?
* Teach people a skill that may provide them an occupation!
* Learn how to utilize your skills in imparting education
* Get a taste of teaching something you love real time to people who marginal need of it may be way more than yours
Principal Responsibilities:
* Design innovative lesson plans for the entire week in the TOPA format (Topic, Objective, Plan & Assessment) and send it to the Head of Social Media Engagement by Saturday before the week.
* Make the best attempt to cover the syllabus which will be provided by the Head of Social Media Engagement during the workshop.
* Give homework regularly, assess each student’s homework, give feedback to each student on an individual basis & maintain a register to track the progress of each student. Format to track the progress of students will be provided.
* Prepare weekly tests for the students on all lessons covered that week.
* Hold special classes, could be on a one-to-one basis for students who are lagging behind the rest of the class to bring them at par, mentor them and instil confidence.
* Maintain an Attendance register and come up with appropriate rewards for students with regular attendance.
* Devote maximum effort in making the classes engaging. For instance, helping students who are not well versed with using computers, encouraging students to explore other technologies and helping them understand these technologies.
* Keep a record of the expenses incurred as well as the receipts.
* Report to the Head of Social Media Engagement regularly & weekly compulsorily with regard to all the points above.
Experience / Skills:
* Proficiency in reading, writing and speaking English and Telugu.
* A strong drive towards community service. An ability to identify his/her own success with the success of the student in being able to speak the language confidently.
Parivartan Foundation for Socio Economic Development Page 11
* Deeply motivated with a willingness to leave no stone upturned in making the program successful.
* Strong interpersonal skills and ability to reach out to the students at their level.
* Creative bent of mind and ability to come up with innovative ways to make the classes engaging.
* Should have a strong knowledge in languages like C, HTML/CSS & Javascript and in image editing tools like Photoshop, GIMP, etc.
* High skill in logical/mathematical analysis of problems, and concepts of computer programming.
* Ability to interpret the concepts in a way which makes the class more engaging and easy to understand, thereby driving the students to cross the borders of the syllabus and explore new technologies.
* Should have a passion of exploring programming and new software in general.
Specific Application Question
Do you think knowledge in web development and programming would help the rural youth. If so, please explain in not more than 350 words.
Media Design and Development – Both On-Site and Off-Site Positions are available
Role Summary:
The summer intern will be responsible for handling the mass media content development for Parivartan Foundation. The intern will report to Head of Social Media Engagement. It is a full time job and the Intern will have to stay on ground to perform tasks such as video shooting and photo clicking.
What’s in it for the Intern?
* Showcase your design and creative skills
* Develop a concrete design strategy for a new social venture
* Learn how to use your creativity and passion for a real time project which has sustainable impact
* Improve skills on real time projects
Principal Responsibilities:
* Getting involved in developing Website, Videos, Posters, Flyers etc.
* Discuss with the Head of social media management and set tasks and deadlines.
Parivartan Foundation for Socio Economic Development Page 12
* Understand each of the projects from the respective managers and discuss with them about the appropriate content required for the projects.
* Regular feedback to the Head of Social Media Engagement in all the above aspects.
Experience / Skills:
* Passion towards Mass Media development and design.
* In depth knowledge of short documentary making & image editing.
* Strong skill in video editing and image editing.
* Experience in camera handling.
* Working Knowledge of Telugu is beneficial
* Knowledge of video editing software like software like Premiere, Movie Maker etc and image editing tools like Photoshop, GIMP etc. A deep understanding of technical aspects like codecs & image formats.
Specific Application Question
Explain in not more than 350 words how media and design are relevant to the work of a non-profit organization and how can they be used to their fullest potential.
Documentation – On-Site
Role Summary
The intern shall be involved in documenting the efforts of Parivartan Foundation in electronic media. This shall involve real time documentation and development of already documented materials. The intern shall be responsible for creating and modifying project reports and creating material which shall be used in publicity, marketing, PR and fundraising efforts of Parivartan.
What’s in it for the intern?
* Documenting efforts of a new social venture and innovative projects
* Getting a hands on experience in PR, marketing and documenting
* Developing Case Studies for Current and Future Projects
Principal Responsibilities
* Managing all documentation work of Parivartan Projects
Parivartan Foundation for Socio Economic Development Page 13
* Creating Case Studies of current and future Parivartan Projects
* Developing PR campaigns using documentation efforts
Experience/Skills
* Previous experience with writing (factual or creative)
* Good written skills
* If you know Telugu, its good. If you don’t, cover up by being awesome in other requirements
* Beneficial if you already have written case studies, done primary research or documented material for an event/organization
* Excellent English Skills
Specific Application Question
Write in no more than 350 word on how you feel that the developmental sector is different from what it was 10 years back. If you feel that there is no change, cook up something.
Sports Evangelist – On Site
Role Summary
The requirements of the role are very simple. You must love to play a sport and should be willing to spend your summer (or a part of it) in rural Andhra Pradesh to popularize sports and encourage youth to play some sport.
What’s in it for the intern?
* Get a chance to promote sports amongst people who may not fully know their significance and see a visible impact of that on ground
* Coaching/Teaching experience
* For the love of the game
Principal Responsibilities
* Encourage the youth of the villages to play a sport
* Coach them in multiple sports
* Get tangible impact from the promotion of sports in the villages
Experience/Skills
* Representative Experience in playing sports beyond school level (college team, district team etc)
* Ability to coach from scratch
* Passion for Sports
* Knowledge of Telugu is a must
Specific Application Question
Parivartan Foundation for Socio Economic Development Page 14
None.
Application Procedure
By 8th March, mail in to contact@parivartanfoundation.org in whatever profile you are interested in. It should contain the following
* Your updated CV
* Your specific application question to the profile of interest
* Answer in not more than 200 words on “Should market based solutions be the prime focus of any social enterprise”?
* If you are not available for the whole period, then, please mention the period for which you will be available. We recommend and prefer individuals who are available throughout the duration of internship as mentioned in this document.
We will get back to you within a week with further information.
In case you have any queries, please feel free to mail to contact@parivartanfoundation.org .
IMPORTANT – Working Knowledge of Telugu is necessary for most on-site positions. Please see individual profiles for exact details.
We are also willing to change the duration of your internship experience if you can convince us to do so without wanting to select someone else in your place.
While we do have a number in mind, we are flexible about it. If you are passionate enough, we will take you. Just convince us to do so.

Make A Difference Recruitment in Mumbai 14th Feb 2010

makeadiff

Recruitment in #Mumbai on Sunday, the 14th at Santa Cruz (W). Please contact Tanmay - 91 9833177486 for further details.

http://makeadiff.in/

National Microfinance Conference 17th and 18th of March 2010 at Ashoka Hotel, New Delhi

The conference has been uniquely designed in a way that the expectations, involvement and concerns of all the stakeholders including the government, corporate houses and the entities involved in microfinance have been factored in. The ground realities have been showcased by means of short films focuisng ont he concerns and issues of this sector. The conference is expected to have the participation of approximately 1000 delegates from diverse backgrounds including regulators, policy makers, Central and State Government Ministries, corporates, legislators, banks, insurance companies, microfinance practitioners, international experts in this field and other stakeholders of the microfinance sector.
In this regard, we would request you to block these dates i.e. the 17th and 18th of March, 2010 for our conference. The conference flier and registration form is attached for your immediate use.
If you confirm your participation on or before February 21, 2010 with your accommodation requirements if any at Delhi for the duration of the conference, Sa-Dhan will be able to assist you in getting special discounted rates for hotel accommodation in selected hotels.

For additional information, please contact:
Mr. Punit Kumar Singh, Executive, Member Development & Support Team at 91-11-47174400,Ext: 415
Click to download Conference Brochure, Registration Form and Accommmodation Details.

http://www.sa-dhan.net/Inner.aspx?Others\NationalMicrofinanceConference2010.htm

Pearls WAVE - All Womens Concert Feb 20th 2010 - Bandra

Date:	Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Time:	4:00pm - 6:00pm
Location:	Bandra, Carter Road, Mumbai

Tuesday 16th of February: WAVE March on Carter Road, Bandra

Join us as we march from Otters Club to Carter Road promenade with women from various NGO's like Sneha, Breakthrough and Point of View.

We invite women from all walks of life to come march with us to celebrate womanhood! We will have fun merchandise, Pearls Wave t-shirts, balloons, and more to show our solidarity for the cause.

Women from various NGO's will come forth to speak about their experiences. We will have them address the audience with their stories of courage and hope! Be moved, be inspired, become aware of what is going on in the world around you ...

Also, come view the exhibition of photographs taken by women who have overcome violence in their lives, provided to us by NGO Point of View! Join us to make this movement bigger, wider and stronger, as we women together raise our voice for Women Against Violence

An initiative taken by Flying Unicorn Entertainment, WAVE: The Womens Show is the first of its kind all womens concert, where we bring together women from all walks of life to be honored, entertained and celebrated on one single stage.

It is a special night for our Indian women, a night to empower our ladies as we take up the cause of “Women Against Violence” , highlighting the brave people working together to make a safer world free of abuse for women.

It is an event, by invitation only, for women, by women.

We aim to make the WAVE concert the one single platform to highlight the movement against Violence around this 100th year of International Women’s Day in India.

I Raise My Hand for Pearls WAVE : DO YOU!
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=276936026073&ref=mf
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=280664961098

anakavur weaving threads of lives for recognition in rural Tamilnadu, India

It is neither a charity work nor that is based on ‘good hearted & feel good’ help.

There are three bits to it- the social structure of the south Indian society, the development work with reference to NGOs working in this area and the broader development work from a donor and conceptual perspective.

The Anakavur initiative firmly believes that no development work can be glued to one “dominant approach” or to ‘fund-dependent’ objectives or governed by another structure created outside for the sake of running a programme; after all, my aim is not to prove the worthiness of any particular approach/method, or work for the sake of attracting funds like charity or to suit any particular interest of a donor

It is spread across all the 58 villages of the Anakavur block.
Anakavur block is made up of 58 villages. Anakavur block is in Tiruvannamalai (T.V. Malai for short) district which is one of the most backward districts of the State of Tamilnadu. Tamilnadu is one of the southern states of India.


It has a several hundred active members who also take part in this process belonging to various groups such as children’s groups, women’s groups, adolescent girl’s groups and youth groups that were formed by the volunteers.

Our work also gets support and involvement of nutrition workers and nutrition supervisors of the block, village health nurses, primary school teachers, village administrative officers, panchayat leaders, farmers, children and women - all taking part in various ways.


Many problems arise due to partial or total lack of modern scientific knowledge, traditional practices, beliefs, or taboos. Four key areas were identified by the volunteers as important areas, which needed immediate attention. They were: Health, Nutrition, Education and Environment (including Agriculture/Horticulture).

I will be glad to answer any queries you may have
Venkat (venkat@anakavur.com)
http://www.anakavur.com

Help teaching slum kids at Vivekananda Youth Forum Vile Parle west mumbai

Sandhyalaya
Vivekanda Youth Forum conducts non formal and formal education classes for children from the slums of vile parle and juhu along with nutrition support.

Require volunteers to teach the slum kids.

Disha - Chembur childrens home
little lamps - Balwadis at Sion Koliwada
Swatah child sponsorship support.
Sakwar - Rural self development for tribal boys


Contact Vidyasagar Ayyapan 9833 0210243
office 19-D
Firdaus ,4th road J.V.P.D Scheme
Mumbai - 4000 56
www.vyfngo.com

Volunteering with Akshaya Patra

Volunteering gives you an opportunity to change people's lives. If you have time, invest it in changing the world today – join one of Akshaya Patra’s projects.

You can also:

* Serve food at schools http://www.akshayapatra.org/our-kitchens
* Volunteer to spend time with the children
* Help them out in their studies
* Raise your voice in support of unlimited food for education.

http://www.akshayapatra.org/volunteering-with-ap

Bangalore: Head Office
The Akshaya Patra Foundation
H K Hill, Chord Road
Bangalore-560 010
India
Ph: 91-80-23471956, 23578346
Fax: 91-80-23578625
E-mail: infodesk@akshayapatra.org

Ahmedabad
The Akshaya Patra Foundation
703, Shapath-I,
Opp. Rajpath Club,
S. G. Road,
Ahmedabad
Gujarat
Telefax: 91-79-6605 8600/11
E-mail: hrwest@akshayapatra.org

Dignity Village Chennai

Dignity Village is a project by Rural Development Foundation for active and productive living for the senior citizen. Our Elders like you after a long dedicated hard work all through your life , hoping that someday you could put your feet up on a sunny porch and do nothing more than reading a book or chatting with equal wave length people and do nothing more than relaxing yourself

It is located on the banks of huge lake , in a village called Thiruvandavar very close to NH45 . It s located at the back side of Andal Alager Engineering collage and Pepsi Factory , distance wise it is located , 10 kms. From Chengalpat and about 60 kms. From Chennai (Madras )

Dignity Village
(Unit of NSA India Private Limited)
Old Nr 15/4 New Nr : 2/4
Soundrapandian Street
Ashok Nagar , Chennai – 600083
Phone : 044-24895810 / 044-42318459
Mobile : 9884761080 / 9962534901
Email : dignityvillage_rdf@yahoo.com
Email : dignityvillage.rdf@gmail.com
Contact Person : S. Natarajan

Direct: +91-44-24895810 / +91-44-42318459 | Email: dignityvillage_rdf@yahoo.com
http://www.mannmuqivillage.org

Shanti Kunj Home for Destitute Women Darjeeling

Individuals with interest or experience in nursing and healthcare should consider helping out at Shanti Kunj. Please read the text below and contact ashley@omprakash.org or Puran Rai at puran_rai@sancharnet.in to learn more.

Contact Persons: Puran Rai, Secretary / Timothy Chettri, Warden cum Office Assistant (part time)

Contact Details: Phone : +91-353-2574650, Mobile : +91 94343 80752/98325 47100, e mail: puran_rai@sancharnet.in or Puran_rai2000@yahoo.co.in or puranrai07@gmail.com

Corresponding Address: Shanti Kunj, Salbari, Behind Springfield School, PO Sukna, via Siliguri – 9, District Darjeeling, India

http://omprakash.org/partners/shantikunj

Parijat Academy school for underprivileged children Guwahati, Assam

Parijat Academy is a school for underprivileged children located in Pamohi in the district of Kamrup in Assam’s capital Guwahati.

Need for Volunteers:

Volunteers interested in teaching drawing and painting can stay at Parijat Academy for Parijat children playing with toysone month. Parijat Academy will provide food and lodging free of cost. Please contact us or Parijat Academy if you are interested in this exciting opportunity.

Contact willy@omprakash.org or Uttam Theron at parijatacademy03@yahoo.com if you are interested in getting involved.
http://omprakash.org/partners/parijatacademy

Rainbow Academy school for disadvantaged children Darjeeling, India

Rainbow Academy is a non-profit English-medium school for disadvantaged children living near Darjeeling, India.

Basic information for Volunteers:

1. Location: Rainbow Academy is located in a hill of Gorubathan, Darjeeling District. The school complex is surrounded by dense arecanut orchard in the village set up. Gorubathan is the meeting point of hills and foot hills surrounded by tea gardens in the foothills and arecanut orchard and agricultural field in the hills. Its correspondence address is near Neora Forest Range Office, Pandara, Ahalay – 1, Gorubathan, PO Fagu, District Darjeeling. If you search “Rainbow Academy in Darjeeling” in any website you will find a bit information about it.
2. People group: People are mostly nepali and classified as tribal and other backward category by the Govt. of India. They are agricultural marginal farmers, tea garden labours and daily wage workers by the tradition and profession. They also rear domestic animals for their supplementary income.
3. School & timing: Rainbow Academy, a newly established non-profit school runs with from class Nursery to VI. The academic year starts in Mid-January and ends in first week of December. The dress of student is lemon white shirt, wasted grey full pant/skirt, blood red tie, red belt, black shoe, blue sock and grey cardigan in winter. The school hour is from 8.45 am to 3 pm and there is 1 hour lunch break in between. The school week days Tuesday through Saturday and weekend on Sunday and Monday as there is local weekly market in Gorubathan on every Monday.
4. Telephone: There is a landline phone installed in the School, its number is +91 3552 222022. The alternate mobile number is +91 94341 94875. Network of BSNL, Airtel, Hutch and Reliance mobile are also available. The internet and e mail with Dialup facility is also available in the school.

5. Communication: There is direct public service from Siliguri, hub city for North Eastern India, Nepal and Bhutan. Siliguri is about 10 kms away from nearest Airport Bagdogra. There is direct flight service from Delhi (Capital of India) or Kolkata (Capital of West Bengal) to Bagdogra Airport (which is about 10 kms away from Siliguri City). Bus services are available from P.C. Mittal Bus Stand, 2nd Mile, Sevoke Road, Siliguri to Gorubathan (68 kms and 2 hours journey) from 7 am to 5 pm everyday and similarly public bus and jeeps are available from Kalimpong to Gorubathan via Lava and Coronation Bridge (95 kms and 3 hours journey). There is a rough jeepable road linked with main road of Gorubathan from the school complex (1 km distance). A vehicle on hire is always available for picking or dropping the volunteers either from nearest Airport Bagdogra or School.

6. Health Care: There is a Govt. Primary Health Centre located at Gorubathan (1 km distance from the School). A vehicle on hire is 24 hours available in the school premises for emergency. A Physician visits the school once in every quarter for general health check of students and teachers too.

7. Accommodation: There is well furnished 2 storied building available in the school complex for the volunteers with 24 hours water, electricity, toilet and other required facilities on rent. Boiled and safe filtered water is available for drinking. A refrigerator and washing machine are also available for the volunteers.

8. Food: Indian normal food at local level is available 3 times a day – breakfast, lunch and dinner for the volunteers.

9. Clothes, bedding materials and toiletries: Volunteers are encouraged to bring warm clothes if they plan to stay in winter season (minimum 10 degree celcius) and light clothes in summer season (maximum 35 degree celcius). Umbrella is also needed to carry in rainy season (June to August). It is advisable to have volunteer’s own bedding materials and toiletries if not comfortable with the available materials at the local level in rural area.

10. Teaching: The local teachers are not in the position to teach english, science, social studies, moral & creative skills etc using the active learning methodology and materials. The modern learning material is also not available in the school and therefore, encourages volunteers to bring the teaching and learning materials if available with them. There is no such period for the volunteers to stay and teach students. It depends upon the volunteer’s availability, capacity and also the agreement with the sending organisation.

11. Payment: Volunteers are encouraged to pay the accommodation, fooding, toiletries, telephone, internet, e mail, travel and other charges during their stay in the school whenever the facility is provided at the time of their need.

12. Contact key person for correspondence: Puran Rai, Secretary – Shanti Kunj Society and President – Rainbow Academy, Salbari, Behind Springfield Academy, PO Sukna, Via Siliguri, District Darjeeling, West Bengal – 734009, India. Phone : +91 94343 80752 (Mobile), +91 353 2574650 (Residence), +91 353 2514104 (Office), e mail : puranrai07@gmail.com
http://omprakash.org/partners/rainbowacademy

Promise World Wide helping children born in poverty kolkata

Promise World Wide is a registered non-profit organization based out of Calcutta, India that aims to help children born in poverty gain access to basic amenities and education. PWW provides education, tutoring, medical care, meals, and school supplies to disadvantaged children in their community. Their goal is to empower these children so they can break the cycle of poverty, and then have a positive influence on those around them and future generations. To learn more about PWW, you can visit their website (www.promiseworldwide.org) or email Ashley (ashley@omprakash.org) or Jaya Basu (jaya@basus.net).

http://omprakash.org/partners/pww

Mother Teresa Home for the Dying and Destitute, New Delhi

This remarkable institution is home to three-hundred mentally and physically disabled Indian men and women. Free of cost, six nuns give these residents food, shelter, and health treatment every day. Contact information and address of the residence is as follows:
Missionaries of Charity
Nirmal Hriday
Majnu-ka-tilla
1 Magazine Rd.
Delhi 110054ph.- [01191] 238 12 180
[01191] 557 31 435

http://omprakash.org/volunteer/india/north

Volunteer Springdales Public school, Mulbekh , Kargil (Ladakh),

Springdales Public school, Mulbekh is a high school situated in a remote village called Mulbekh in Distt Kargil (Ladakh), Jammu & Kashmir (India). It was founded in 1992 by few of the educated people of those times keeping in mind that EDUCATION is the only solution of our problems. Email willy@omprakash.org or norboo_secmol@yahoo.co.in to learn more.


Spring Dales Public School, Mulbekh, had recently constructed a little library for the school after getting library books from Om Prakash Foundation in June-July 2008.

http://omprakash.org/partners/springdales

Tsewang Norboo

Principal

Spring Dales Public School, Mulbekh.

Distt Kargil (Ladakh).

State- Jammu & Kashmir (India)

Pin- 194109

Email-norboosdps@ gmail.com

Norboo_secmol@ yahoo.co.in

Phone:- 9469292917(Mobile)

01985-270133(office)

01985-270021(Residence)

Also, log on to www.omprakash.org/partners

Tsewang Norboo (31) is the director of Spring Dales Public School Mulbekh. He is married and has one daughter.

Mulbekh is a small village 200 km form the city Leh on the road to Kargil, in the border area between the mostly Buddhist Ladakh and Muslim Kashmir.

Before coming back to his birth place, Norboo got a metallurgical engineering degree from the Punjab University in Chadigarh and worked for a Ladakhi non-profit organisation SECMOL in Leh for two years as a director of a volunteer training centrum.

http://modrykamen.brontosaurus.cz/krajnimeze/norboo-0
http://modrykamen.brontosaurus.cz/krajnimeze/norboo-0?q=cs/blog/37
http://himalayandialect.canalblog.com/ (french)

Strides of home - 48hr endurance run by ashanet bangalore 19th and 21st Feb 2010

This event is an effort organized by the running community of Bangalore to encourage more and more of its citizens to take up a healthy and environment friendly lifestyle. The event in itself will be a 48 hour continuous run by various runners around parks and popular roads in Bangalore. This is also an effort to raise awareness about education for the underprivileged children in India.

Through this 48 hour run, we intend to create awareness about:
- Asha and its efforts for socio-economic change in India
- The need for a healthy lifestyle and running as a sport to improve fitness of the country
- Ultra marathoners and endurance athletes who are taking up challenges in pursuit of their passion

The goal is to get the city exercising as a team for 48 hours on a relay basis !

We sincerely hope to reach out to as many runners and citizens of Bangalore. Come, walk, run or cycle with us anytime for any distance between Feb 19th, 4:00 P.M and Feb 21st, 4:00 P.M (please see the Routeap for details and timings).

It is a FREE event! In fact, the only monetary transaction will be donations and funds raised for Asha. This is the first event where the whole running community will come together to host the event without any sponsorship (donations from organizations would be accepted) or profits from organizing it. Every partner is contributing to the event pro-bono with no monetary returns gained from the event.

http://www.stridesofhope.com/

OMASHRAM TRUST

Omashram is a charitable trust formed with the main objective of providing succor and care for the old. With this objective in mind, the trust has established an old age home that provides comfortable, clean and hygienic boarding and lodging facilities with nursing and medical care. It’s an experiment in community living where every member is made to feel at home without the impersonal atmosphere of an old age home.


#850, 5th A Cross, 11th Main,
Vijaya Bank Colony,
Bilekahalli,
Bannerghatta Road,
Bangalore- 560 076
Tel: (080) 26581682/ (080) 64530629

E-mail : info@omashram.org

Geeta Shankar, Managing Trustee
geeta@omashram.org
Mohan Pai, Founder & Chairman
mohanpai@omashram.org
Prarthana Unkalkar, Trustee
prarthana@omashram.org

http://www.omashram.org/aboutus.htm

Muktangan

www.muktanganedu.org Muktangan is an educational programme that offers alternatives to orthodox educational practices. The project seeks to offer a sustainable model of quality education at www.muktanganedu.org

Muktangan is an educational programme that offers alternatives to orthodox
educational practices. The project seeks to offer a sustainable model of quality education at an affordable cost for the economically deprived sections of the society. Please visit their website www.muktanganedu.org and support generously.



To know more about Muktangan, its activities, its methodologies and management, write to us at:
Muktangan
Paragon Charitable Trust
I - 11/12 Paragon Condominium
Paragon Mills Compound,
P.B. Marg, Near TV Centre,
Worli, Mumbai 400 013.

T: +91 22 2493 8752 / 8599
F: +91 22 2493 6627

Email: partnership@muktanganedu.org

Muktangan Location Map

Nearest Railway Station is the Elphinston Railway Station
Once you are out of the Railway Station on the west, proceed along Fitwalla Road, turn left to Senapati Bapat Marg and then on to N.M. Joshi Marg, turn right at Deepak Cinema / Bombay Dyeing on to Pandurang Budhar Marg Almost at the beginning of Pandurang Budhkar Marg, on your right is the Municipal School, enter the compound. The entrance to Muktangan is on the right side of the building, come up to first floor. The Bombay Dyeing Showroom/Hard Rock Café are a little ahead of Muktangan on the same side of the P.B. road.


If you are coming to Paragon Charitable Trust office, after passing Muktangan and Bombay Dyeing/Hard Rock Cafe, proceed along the same road (Pandurang Budhkar) towards Century Mills. You will pass Kamala Mills Compound on your left, then Anti Corruption Bureau office and after that you will reach Paragon Centre on your left which is opposite Century Mills on your right. (Further ahead on the same road as Paragon Centre is Mahindra Towers.)


Enter the Paragon Centre compound and come up to the first floor to the office of Paragon Charitable Trust.


From South Mumbai
Proceed to Haji Ali. From Haji Ali to Worli Naka, from Worli Naka straight to Mahindra Towers. At Mahindra Towers turn right on to Pandurang Budhkar Marg, proceed ahead till you reach Paragon Centre on your right which is opposite Century Mills.


From North Mumbai
Come up to Worli Dr. Annie Besant Road where Glaxo Laboratories used to be located, turn left on Pandurang Budhkar Marg. From there you will pass Doordarshan (TV Tower) on the left, Mahindra Towers is on the right. After passing Mahindra Towers you reach Paragon Centre which is opposite Century Mills.


Enter the Paragon Centre compound and come up to the first floor to the office of Paragon Charitable Trust.


If you are going to Muktangan, after Paragon Centre to your right on Pandurang Budhkar Marg proceed almost to the end of the road. On the left you will pass Bombay Dyeing Showroom/Hard Rock Café and second building after the showroom on the same side is the Municipal School, enter the compound. The entrance to Muktangan is on the right side of the building, come up to first floor.

Directions to reach Muktangan Teacher Training Centre
Going from Worli Naka, go past the Atria Mall on the left.


Immediately after the Atria Mall, there is a narrow entrance with the picture of Saibaba painted on the wall. Turn into this alley and ask for the Love Grove Municipal School which is at the back.


Muktangan is on the first floor of this school.

In case of any difficulty, please call on +91 22 2493 8752 / 8599.

Tweetup Activist Circle Bengaluru session 1 Feb 6, 2010

Where?
Jaaga Near Hockey Stadium and TV9 office Bengaluru, India

Jaaga site is located on Rhenius Street, Off Richmond Road, Opposite the Hockey Association Stadium main gate, Shanthinagar.


How to get there:

1. If you are getting here via auto-rickshaw or cab:
The primary landmarks are "Opposite the Hockey Stadium near Richmond Circle in Shanthinagar"
once you get close we're "8 buildings to the right of the TV9 building, across from the Hockey Association Club main gate on Rhenius Street"

2. If you are driving:
- Get onto Richmond Road, going towards Richmond Circle (it's a one way road in the right direction)
- Take a left just before Richmond Circle at the Coffee Day (you'll be turning onto Rhenius St but the sign is hard to see)
- Just go straight and you'll pass TV9 on your left and the Hockey Stadium on your right.
Jaaga is the weird looking, 3 story building on the left, covered in Japanese ads.
http://jaaga.wikidot.com/contact

When? Feb 6, 2010 3pm - 5pm

Activist Circle (www.activistcircle.org) is a discussion & networking platform for local communities of youth interested in the development sector.

The first session of Activist Circle Bengaluru is happening this Saturday.

The agenda for the session is:

1. Activist Circle Bengaluru Kickoff (10 min)
2. Panel discussion on the topic - Building social platforms for social activists (70 min)

Moderator: Gaurav Mishra (@VoteReportIndia, @gauravonomics)
Panel: Parul Gupta (@NGOPost)
Jasmine Shah (@iJanaagraha, @jasmine441)

3. Elevator pitch - New ideas for social change (10 min)
4. Coffee & more conversations (30 min)

For more details, ping -
Keerthi Kiran (@keerthikiran)
keerthikiran@grassroutes.in
+91 900 830 2973

More Info: www.activistcircle.org

[sproutsonline] Volunteering on Feb 12 & Forest Cleanup at Tungareshwar WLS on Sat Feb 13, 2010

Dear friends,


You must be aware that as a part of our social initiatives, we regularly conduct beach and forest clean-ups, even on our regular trips and outings. However certain mass events like Ganesh or Durga Visarjan and Mahashivaratri leave our natural systems in great shock, what with lakhs of visitors thronging our beachs and forests, respectively. The government infrastructure cannot handle the huge volume of organic and inorganic material left behind by these visitors. Volunteers become crucial under such circumstances. We offer our voluntary services for during the event and post event awareness and clean-up, to prevent habitat degradation.


Mahashivratri is a festival when devotees of Lord Shiva, by the thousands, visit various Shiva temples around the country on this day, including temples inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park & Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary. The Tungareshwar temple, situated inside the Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary receives nearly 4-5lakh devotees who throw a lot of non-biodegradable garbage in the forest creating problems for the forest health and the animals that live there. This year Mahashivratri falls on Friday Feb 12, 2010. So you can either join in the awareness and crowd management activities on Feb 12 or like every year SPROUTS has planned a cleanup drive on the day after Mahashivratri, i.e. Saturday Feb 13, 2010.


Tungareshwar is winter home to many migratory birds and butterflies. The forest has good populations of drongos, orioles, woodpeckers, wagtails, barbets, sunbirds, et. al. We’ll walk through the forest to a certain point looking at the birds, butterflies and other creatures in the forest and will collect all the garbage that we can on our way back. The forest department arranges for garbage trucks which pick up the garbage from the sanctuary gate. We shall carry canvas or latex gloves to protect ourselves from any injurious materials. Any large sized, thick garbage bags as well as jute gunny bags are also welcome to bring back the rubbish created.

We hereby call upon all our SPROUTS’ members and their families to participate in the cleanup drive on this day and help us protect our environment. You would be surprised to see our ‘Kids for Kool Karma’ team of tiny tots doing their little bit in ensuring the security of our Planet Earth!!!


Confirm your participation ASAP via email or phone call to the undersigned. Meeting point is Vasai Station (East) at 7am or take an auto rickshaw costing approximately Rs. 20 per head to Tungareshwar WLS gate at 7.30am. Wear a cap/hat and carry at least 2litres of water, besides some snacks and fruit as per your needs as it can get warm by noon. Also carry some big bags, preferably non-plastic like jute/cotton bags to collect all the garbage in.


Cheers,

Pranad Patil
Educator and Research Associate, SPROUTS
+91-98194-29433

HEROES by ASAP (Bhumi Fund Raiser) Egmore, Chennai

Start Time:	Saturday, February 13, 2010 at 7:00pm
End Time:	Sunday, February 14, 2010 at 10:00pm
Location:	Museum Theatre, Egmore, Chennai

A.S.A.P. Productions & Bhumi present to you a crazy pantomime – HEROES, an epic spoof According to the Mayan prophesy the world is coming to an end in 2012. The only way the world can be saved is by using a device called the Time Extendinator. None of the world leaders seem to be interested to do anything. One ordinary man decides to take it upon himself to save the world. He forms a dream team including the likes of Superman, Shaktiman, James Bond, Harry Potter, Cinderella, Snow White, Beauty, Red Riding Hood etc. Then of course there are the evil villains, spies and the wicked witch who are trying to capture the device themselves. Who will win? Will the world be saved? Stay tuned to find out! We have everything from superheroes to super-villains to superstars to bumbling sidekicks throwing punches and punch-lines on stage. Written and Directed by Amit Singh. Dates: February 13th @ 7:00 pm February 14th @ 3:30 & 7:00 pm Venue: Museum Theatre, Egmore. Tickets: Rs.150 / 250 / 500 (Special Discount for Bhumians and Donors) For tickets call: 9894209741 To Buy Online, log onto: http://bhumichennai.org/contribute Leave denomination break up in the comments they will be couriered/delivered. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=276241867178&ref=mf Bhumi, Chennai A Chennai based Non-Profit youth volunteer organisation working for supplementary education of under-privileged children and protecting the environment.