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CARE FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS IN MADURAI, SOUTH INDIA
A worthwhile project, working with children with mental, physical
or emotional disabilities that are in need of much love and attention.
Our care projects are based in the bustling temple town of Madurai in
Southern India. This is a challenging yet totally rewarding project and
it will be hard not to fall in love with all the beautiful children!!
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►SUMMARY
FACTFILE |
| Start Dates |
All year round - you choose your start and finish dates! (subject to
school holidays – see dates below) |
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Duration |
Minimum stay 2 weeks and up to 1 year, subject to visa
requirements |
| Requirements |
No qualifications are required for this project; just a love of children
and a desire to help out. |
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Price |
From £795 /
$1,195 for 2 weeks, ranging to £1,795 / US$2,695 for 12 weeks.
Full Price List and other
Currencies |
| What's included |
►Accommodation
►Food
►Meeting you at the Airport
►Transfer to your accommodation
►Transport to and from your
project
►Full pre-departure support
►Local in-country team support
and backup
►24-hr emergency support
►Two free T-shirts. |
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What's not included |
Flights, Insurance, Cost of Visas (We'll provide necessary documents and assistance), Return transfer to
airport. |
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Who can do this Project? |
All our projects are
open to all nationalities.
Unless otherwise stated, you need to be aged between 17 and 70+ |
Also on
this page:
PROJECT OVERVIEW
We work with a large institution
based in Madurai that cares and schools approximately 160 children
ranging from babies to the age of 45. About 130 of these students are
provided with residential care; the others are brought to the school
each day by their parents. The children mainly suffer from Downs
Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Microcephaly, Autism, Epilepsy, Deafness and
some of the children are slow learners and dyslexic. The aim of the
school is to help the children to study, build confidence and develop
essential life skills.
In January 2008, the government helped to fund an Early Intervention
Centre here for up to 50 children from babies to the age of 6. They have
a development therapy unit, speech therapy, occupational therapy and
physiotherapy units to cater for the children. The centre allows the
parents to stay with their child during school hours to gain a greater
understanding of how to care for their child.
The children are very talented and they enter many competitions, often
taking home first prize. In November 2007, the Centre hosted a Talent
Show and 20 other schools for mentally challenged children in the state
of Tamil Nadu took part. The Centre walked off with first prize in the
group dancing and solo contest along with fancy dress. No doubt the
children will be practicing for a festival or a tournament when you are
here and it will be great fun for you to get involved!
The children at the school speak very little English so at times you may
find communication hard, however they will be delighted to have you
there and you will certainly be popular throughout the whole school. Why
not book onto one of our Tamil courses to give you a head start.
WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT:
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An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into
beautiful India and it's fascinating culture.
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The enormous satisfaction of helping disadvantaged children and
knowing that you made a difference to them.
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New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding
of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional
development.
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An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head
and shoulders above most others in the job market
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And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!
"I’m
going to state the obvious and tell you that I’ve had an absolutely amazing time, I
don’t want to leave. I’ve loved Anbagam, “Hello, how-are-you-fine!” and Faisel’s
Yorkshire ‘Hallooo’ made me feel right at home, Emo boy, cute boy, Jayne’s boy,
Nandri boy, downs boy, and all of them. I’ve loved shaking their sticky hands
and made to feel really wanted! I’ve loved my evenings & weekends, freezing in
the concrete tent in Kodaikanal, catching waves in Pondicherry, candle-lit
chats. Loved it all!
Isabelle
Detscharner Vischer
WORK CONTENT:
At the Centre you will probably be working in
many different areas, so you should be flexible and adaptable. Some of the areas
where you'll be able to assist include:
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Helping with
arts and crafts
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Helping with
their hand-eye co-ordination skills
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Taking part
(or watching!) the daily yoga sessions which help the children with their
flexibility
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Helping the
children to sew and embroider
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Getting
involved with music and dance classes
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Helping the
children eat or go to the toilet
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Helping the
older children in the garden
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Assisting in
the physiotherapy department
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Playing with
the children; every day at 3pm is playtime and the children all bundle
outside for half and hour of fun! Be prepared to be in great demand at this
time!!
SCHOOL
HOLIDAYS IN THE SOUTH OF INDIA (APPROX):
Please keep in mind that school holidays can change unexpectedly with
very little notice given. Although at times this can be quite
inconvenient, most of our volunteers use the opportunity to travel
around and explore the country.
Summer Vacation: 20th April to 2nd June 2010
- First Term Vacation: 20th to 30th
September 2010
- Pooja Holiday: 27th to 28th
September 2010
- Diwali Holiday: 4th to 6th
November 2010
- Second Term Vacation: 24th
December 2010 to 3rd January 2011
- Pongal Holiday: 13th to 17th
January 2011
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES YOU CAN DO WHILE ON THIS
PROJECT:
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1-Week Intensive Tamil Language Course prior to starting your
project. Learning a little Tamil will enhance your time in India
immeasurably, as you’ll find out things about the culture and the
way of life that someone without language skills simply wouldn’t
have access to!
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Tamil Language Lessons with a private tutor taken at the same
time as your main project. Courses range in length to suit your
needs.
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Yoga
and Meditation Lessons: You have the choice of combining the two
or focussing on Yoga on its own. These courses vary in length to be
done as an optional extra to your main project. Start the day with
yoga and meditation – it’ll set you up for the day!
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Cookery Courses: Cooking is an institution in India. If you’d
like to learn how to cook some of the mouth-watering dishes this is
the perfect way to do it; you’ll be able to choose from an extensive
choice of recipes, visit the market to purchase the fresh produce
and then learn how to cook the south Indian style food with your own
private chef! Again, this activity runs concurrently with your main
project.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
OPTIONAL ADD-ONS
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