The Untold Facts Of Volunteering For Street Children In India

This is a guest post from Dronacharya Dave.

Before we begin unfolding the facts about volunteering for street children in India, let’s talk a little about volunteering abroad as a whole (for those who aren’t aware of it). In the last over a decade or so, the popularity of volunteering abroad during a gap year has shot up immensely. College and high school students, especially, are inclined towards such volunteers, to get international hands on experience and exposing to a different culture. And there are several volunteer organizations who help and provide placements to interested volunteers under the desired project.

The majority of these volunteer trips are offered in underdeveloped and developing countries. India, on the other hand, is one of the most popular volunteering destination abroad.

After speaking to several past volunteers to India and volunteer organizations providing placements in India, it was clear that it is the street children volunteer program in India that is most popular.

And, below are some of the major, common, factors that corroborate this claim;

It Shows You A Different Shade of Yourself

For many volunteers, this was more than just a plain simple volunteer trip. It was an eye opener for them. Doing volunteer work with children is no less than a challenge, and those who doubted their capabilities, soon realized how much they had it in them. Discovering the strength in keeping patient, helping others in need, adjusting with situations and resources; all this was a new shade of themselves.

It Makes You Retrospect Your Own Life Issues

The street children volunteer program is dedicated for the welfare and development of underprivileged kids. These children come from poor family backgrounds who, either, are orphans or have been left alone on streets to beg, as their parents couldn’t afford their upbringing. The mental and physical struggle that these children may have gone through, before getting to these shelter homes, is way beyond the problems we thought were the biggest of our lives. I mean, not having sleepers to wear in scorching heat is certainly a greater issue than not getting extra mayo with your cheese burger.

It Redefines The Word “Happiness” For You

And yet, these children seems to be the happiest lot amongst all. Despite the pains, the loses, the struggle they had to face, these kids manage to find joy in life. While doing volunteer work in India, volunteers get to spend a significant amount of time with the children at the placement. It gives them the opportunity to not just interact with the kids on a personal level, but also get to understand their story and learn a lot from them; especially, how to be happy even when life is not being fair to you.

It Changes Your Perception Towards The World

There is no denial to the fact that traveling is one of the most effective ways to learn something new and get rejuvenated. However, there are several different kinds of traveling, each giving a different perspective of this world. There is adventure travel that shows the daring side of the world, there is leisure travel that shows the luxuries of the world, there is holiday travel that shows you different culture and traditions in the world, and so on. Volunteer travel, on the other hand, is one way of traveling abroad that shows you all the elements of other travel types under one umbrella. Add local living to that, and it change the entire scenario altogether. The way you use to look at the world changes a lot. Something that may not be explained in words but can only be experienced.

It Introduces You To The Real India

Saving the best for the last you would say; indeed! The incredible country of India has been on the top of the bucket list of a number of travelers from across the globe. Those who’ve had the opportunity to visit this land of culture and traditions, couldn’t get enough of it in one visit. And, those who still have it in their ‘to-do’ list, can’t wait to actually see the things they’ve only been listening thus far. Volunteering for street children in India lets you, not only witness but, live a typical Indian lifestyle. Visiting the narrow lanes of old city areas, living in a local host family accommodation, learning to cook typical Indian food using typical Indian spices, etc. India is a lot more than just the Taj Mahal. Do it, to believe it.

Keeping apprehensions about something without experiencing or even taking a chance to try experience it, is nothing but falling prey to someone else’s perceptions; i count myself in that as well. So, it is only when you volunteer for street children in India yourself that you’ll understand the importance of it.

About Dronacharya Dave:

Dronacharya holds a bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering and has industry experience of more than fours years. Started with IT firm, he is now an ardent traveler and volunteer, and likes to share his travel experiences with the world. He writes for several travel and news, and volunteering websites. You can find latest updates, facts, and everything related to volunteering abroad in his articles.

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