In just a few weeks time I will be leaving to work as a Voluteer in Udaipur, Southern Rajasthan, India. I will spend 6 months with an NGO called Seva Mandir. http://www.sevamandir.org, working in one of the worlds poorest regions, where people live on an average of USD 0.35 a day.
Seva Mandir’s approach focuses on helping communities traditionally divided by caste, class and gender to establish village forums in which all members, not least women, can contribute to the process of designing solutions to local challenges. These include protecting and developing natural resources, helping farmers grow enough food, improving access to, and quality of, education, providing clean drinking water, sanitation and strengthening health care. Seva Mandir helps the community to create a village fund! which is managed by a locally elected body and other self help groups.
I will be living in a room provided by the organisation, with a shared kitchen and shower. As far as I know (watch this space), I’ll be working about 7 hours a day, Monday to Friday. Some of my time will be spent at the office but I will also be involved with field work, working with the dessert tribes. I’ve yet to decide on the area of work I would like to be involved with, better to arrive and see where I’ll best fit in. Choices will be, mother and baby health care, education, empowering women, environmental issues, farming and animal husbandry.
At weekends I’ll be free to discover Udaipur and the surrounding area, Udaipur is a stunning city, said to be the most beautiful and romantic city on the continent! I am able to take time out, within reason, for more long distant travel during my stay. Jaipur, Pushkar, Bundi and hopefully a desert safari from Bikaner are on my list, that’s just Rajasthan!
Its going to be hot, very hot, can be 45-50c! July will be monsoon time, I may have chosen the worst time of year to go! But, I’m open to a challenge, don’t mind getting my feet dirty and a cold bucket shower will be both refreshing and cooling!
This is my first ever Blog, I’m writing it because many friends and family have suggested I do so they can read about my experience. It will also be a diary for me. I’m proud of the fact that I have managed to get this far! I hope to improve as time goes on, please be patient!
Why am I going to India? To learn about another culture, to spend time with people who have nothing, to understand, to help where I can, to learn about myself, take on a new challenge, do something that will test me, make me stronger. I’m prepared to work hard and do anything ask of me.
I hope….. to meditate every day, to practise yoga, learn about Hindi culture and learn the language.
My fear….I have non
If not now, when? ……
