'Education Volunteer Program' Stars' Model School, Tiruchendur

Volunteering in South India.... ‘Education Volunteer Program’

The Southern states of India form the peninsular part of India which is rich in its cultural, language and social diversity. With unique landscapes that range from the coast to the hillside, monumental Hindu temples and typical cuisines, the region also shapes the political and development scenario of India.

Travel and Learning Center (TLC) partners with World Volunteer, Sweden cooperates with Community Based Organizations and Educational Institutions in Tamil Nadu state, Southern India where you can work as an Education Volunteer. Formal education in schools is more focused on examination based evaluations, which, in recent years, often do not encourage co-curricular activities in schools. In the case of disadvantaged poor children, access to either of the two is becoming difficult due to the cost and social status factors. TLC partners run model schools aiming at sustainable development of marginalized rural communities, by providing free and better quality education.

Stars’ Model School, Tiruchendur – ‘Education for Minority and Marginalised Children in Coastal area’

Indian Society is divided into three communities; caste, outcaste (Dalit), and indigenous (Adivasi). The caste community consists of four divides; the Brahmins (priests); Ksatriyas (rulers and warriors); the Vaisyas (business persons) and the Sudras (the labourers). “Outcaste” community is also called “untouchable,” and “Dalit”. Arunthathiyar Dalits are the most oppressed among Dalits. They live in miserable condition. Disadvantaged children of Dalit including the children from Arunthathiyar families are denied the opportunity to get good education.

Stars’ Model School has the objective of providing quality education especially for the children of Arunthathiyar. These children receive free education in this school. The Stars’ Model School is a Co-educational in nature as well as English Medium School. The school is well-equipped with all modern facilities and infrastructures needed for setting high educational standards and for the overall development of students. The aim of this school is to bring up children of both sexes - boys and girls from their young age, with a keen sense of discipline, responsibility, initiative, self-reliance, integrity and loyalty. The individual child is the core of the whole program. As a volunteer in this school you will be involved in a variety of programs and projects. If you are someone who loves being around people and wish to help children accessing education as it is their “Right”, this program is apt for you.

Sri Ramana Maharishi School, Madurai – ‘Education for Rural Children in Ethno Medical Forest area’ Sri Ramana Maharishi School at Sevaiyur, Madurai was established in the year 2005 for providing education to the rural children. This is a small rural school, with only 10 teachers serving over 200 students from 10 villages. The teachers also hail from the villages surrounding the school. The school mission is to develop rural children by/with well qualified, globally accepted, world class technically sound professionals, innovative research ideas with social commitments and highest ethical values as inner strength towards upliftment of mankind, trained through high profiled experienced faculty, career oriented classes and interactive teaching-learning process. The school is one of its kinds in this region as it offers education in English medium. It is surrounded by Ethno Medical Forests which provides conducive environment for the students. Further, volunteers from abroad spend their time with the children which make it a unique experience sharing.

Introduction Session

TLC’s local staff will lead an introduction session on the day of your arrival. You will visit some of the development projects that our partners support, participate in cultural events and explore some of the fantastic nature of the Tamil Nadu state. Volunteering Program

After the introduction session you will be placed in one of the school projects. You will be working with ambitious and educated staff. As a Volunteer you will assist the school and the teachers in a variety of activities involving teaching, social programs and outdoor activities as described below.

 Volunteers will teach the children in arts, music, spoken English, computer usage and handle any subject as per their interest.

 Primary and Middle School children’s competitions will be organised in areas such as drawing, sports, speech and quiz. Volunteers may use their skill in organizing and conducting these programs. This will help the children build confidence in extracurricular activities.

 The family system in Tamil Nadu has a long tradition of imparting “Value Education”. But, with modern developments and fast changing of the roles of parents - they do not spend quality time with children to guide and support their physical, mental and moral growth; it is not easy for the parents to impart relevant values in their wards. Now-a-days, TLC is noticing an increasing violent activities, behavioural 2

disorder and lack of unity in the Society. Volunteers are encouraged to organize/conduct street plays and use other appropriate methods to imbibe “Values”, in children. This will help to shape the children’s life as well as give them opportunity for learning mass-media skills.

 Children need to be trained on developing Science Projects (example; sustainable energy) and doing basic Science experiments. The Volunteers will enable them with this sort of skills’.

 Children are interested to learn foreign language such as English, French, and German etc., Volunteers will teach these languages.

 Volunteers with Gardening Skill will support to improve the school garden

 Students also lack the Business idea. Volunteers will teach them the skill thus, able to earn some pocket money.

Tourist attractions in Project Sites

Volunteers will get to visit places of historical, spiritual and environmental importance around the project locations. They can engage with the communities in their day-to-day livelihood activities, festivals, functions and relish delicacies specific to the regions as well.

Tiruchendur: There is a great seashore temple in Tiruchendur. The town is surrounded by arid coastal forests. Tiruchendur features with beautiful Beaches, Sand dunes and Salt marsh. Fishing is the main livelihood activity here. People collect shells from the sea and engage in salt extraction as well. Other attractions include the Kudhirai Mozhi Theri (Red sandy tracts formed by the sand dunes, locally known as “Theri”) and Kalugumalai Cave Temple.

Madurai: This city is known as Athens of the East, It is a place of great historical and cultural importance. It is the oldest city in Tamil Nadu and one of the liveliest cities in South India. Sri Meenakshi Temple is one of the most well-known places of interest in Madurai. The Thirumalai Nayak Palace represents art in the Indo-Saracenic style. Other attractions include Gandhi Museum and Azhagar Kovil. Accommodation

Tiruchendur: Our Partners arrange accommodation for volunteers during the program (Guesthouse / stay in community buildings or in a home). The participating families enjoy during the occasion. They also be compensated for their food and housing. 3

Madurai: The Volunteers, who come for Sri Ramana Maharishi School, stay at Sevaiyur village itself. Food facility is arranged there itself.

Who are eligible to apply?

English speaking school, college going students or course completed persons of both sexes, aged 18 years and above is eligible. No extra qualification is required, for applying the Program.

Starting day and duration

First Sunday of every Month; one week up to twelve weeks

Application process TLC has established a simple but effective application and screening process with the objective of arriving at best fit itinerary for the Volunteer. The steps involved in the process are as follows;

 Volunteer applies by filling an application form; by email (Application form is available on request).

 TLC and TLC partners review the application form, send a tentative schedule for the Volunteer and invitation letter within a week.

 Volunteer sends the program fee to TLC, using bank transfer (a month before the start date).

 Volunteer sends passport and visa details (a week before the start date).

 Volunteer arrives on the agreed date and the program commences after completing necessary formalities. Cost

TLC offers programs at lower cost without compromising its quality. This has been possible because; (a) TLC office is based in South India, where its overhead expenses are relatively less and (b) It works directly with Community Based Organizations and other institutions, which are functioning at the grassroots levels, in South India. The total cost depends on the project location and duration of volunteers stay. The cost includes Airport/ Railway Station/ Bus Station pickup and drop at Madurai, accommodation, introduction & concluding sessions, food (3 time meals every day), TLC administrative fee and service tax to Government, Costs not included: flight tickets, visas, insurance (travel and medical), tourism, personal shopping and alcoholic beverages.

Email to Program Coordinator, [email protected], for detailed information on application process, cost and travel guidance.

Travel for Learning and Sharing…