Slum Teaching Volunteer Program in India - Delhi
Interested in being a volunteer Slum Teacher in India - Delhi? International Volunteer HQ’s Slum Teaching project empowers volunteers to provide education to vulnerable children who would usually be working on the streets of Delhi. Volunteers gain teaching experience while helping these disadvantaged children gain basic education, expand their horizons and develop life and social skills that can have a meaningful, positive impact on their lives and futures.
Highlights:
- Programs start every first and third Monday of the month
- Affordable fees from $275 for 1 week
- Includes accommodation, meals, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
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Give disadvantaged children vital opportunities for learning and growth
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Discover the diverse communities of India
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Stay in a safe apartment with other volunteers
Key information
This program is ideal for:
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
For many children in India, school is not an option. It is estimated that there are more than 11 million marginalized and vulnerable street children in India. Many of these children work on the streets with their parents selling goods, foraging and performing to make a living.
Slum Teaching volunteers play an important role in providing these children with access to basic education along with new opportunities they would otherwise have missed out on. This project is greatly valued by the local community, due to the new perspectives and lessons that international volunteers bring.
As a Slum Teacher, you’ll be leading classes of around 30 students generally aged between 5 and 11 years old. You will teach independently with limited supervision from local staff. Slum Teaching duties will include:
- Taking English or other lessons
- Facilitating games and entertainment
- Introducing the children to new activities
- Planning lessons
Why do Slum Teaching volunteering in Delhi with IVHQ?
When you volunteer to teach in slums in India, you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Improving access to education for marginalized children
- Helping students develop life skills in a safe place
- Learning Hindi
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining teaching experience
- Immersing yourself in Indian culture
- Discovering the neighbourhoods of Delhi
Volunteer requirements
- Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program
- All volunteers aged 13+ are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure. Those aged 13-17, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead
- All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
- All volunteers must speak fluent English.
Are you eligible to volunteer?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
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Academic course credit
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
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Recommended online TEFL course
We encourage volunteers on IVHQ’s Teaching and Childcare projects to come prepared by completing some relevant training, such as a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) course. Although formal teaching qualifications are not required on these projects as volunteers are supported by local staff, taking a TEFL course enables you to gain more from the experience. Visit our Online TEFL Course page to learn how to gain an internationally recognized TEFL certification at a discounted rate.
Get TEFL certified online”I greatly appreciated the structure of the program and the requirement to complete relevant trainings and checklists. The local team were amazing hosts, the volunteer accommodation was so comfortable and an enjoyable place to stay. They made sure we felt safe and were very attentive to all students. The food was delicious, and beds very comfortable. Enjoyed ...” read more
Isabel, American, 28
Read reviews from Slum Teaching volunteers in Delhi
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Location
Delhi is home to India’s capital city, New Delhi. The city and surrounding National Capital Region are home to 46 million people in a number of cities and towns. One of these is Faridabad, where many of IVHQ’s India - Delhi projects are based. With more than 1.4 million people, Faridabad is the biggest city in the state of Haryana and part of one of the fastest growing places in the world. This means lower-income communities and slums are becoming more overcrowded and resources more stretched. Volunteers can help local initiatives that aim to address some of these issues, making life better for the people who live there.
If you’re planning to volunteer in India over the summer between April and July, it is important to consider the climate in Delhi. You’ll be in your element if you like it hot, but some past volunteers have found the heat and humidity were more extreme than they were expecting and often there is no air conditioning at placements. If you are looking for a more temperate destination, the IVHQ India - Kerala volunteer program is a great option. Located in southern India, volunteers can expect a more tropical climate throughout the year.
Arrival and orientation
The program orientation begins on the first and third Monday of each month, and volunteers need to arrive in Delhi on the Sunday before orientation.
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at the New Delhi International Airport (DEL). Your airport pick-up is included in your program fee.
When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the volunteer accommodation in Faridabad, on the southern outskirts of Delhi. Your accommodation is covered by your program fee and includes the night before your program orientation.
If you are traveling in India prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up in Delhi on the day before your program orientation.
There are two options for orientation in India:
Half-day Orientation:
This covers everything you need to know for your volunteer project and stay in India. You will have an introduction to the IVHQ India - Delhi program, your project and the local staff, Indian customs, rules, expectations, and safety.
1-week Language and Introduction Week:
A week-long orientation which not only teaches you everything you need to know for your volunteer project, but also gives you detailed information about life in India, basic Hindi language lessons, tours, entertainment and sightseeing including the chance to visit the Taj Mahal. This week is popular with volunteers and is a great way to settle the culture shock you can face when arriving in India.
The fee for this longer orientation is $220 and takes place in the first week of your program. Accommodation and three meals per day are covered during this time. The Taj Mahal Tour costs an extra $100. If you want to join the 1-week Language and Introduction Week, please indicate this on your application form.
Volunteer schedule example
First day
On your first day of volunteering, you will be escorted to your placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff you will be working with.
Weekdays
Work and hours are dependent on the project and placement that the volunteer is working at, but a typical volunteer day would be:
| 7:00 AM | Breakfast at the volunteer accommodation |
| 8:00 AM | Volunteers leave home and travel to their placements. |
| 12:00 - 2:00 PM | Lunch break either at the placement or the volunteer accommodation. |
| 2:00 - 4:00 PM | Work at the placement usually ends. Volunteers are free to travel back to the volunteer accommodation, go sightseeing, or do some shopping. |
| 7:00 - 9:00 PM | Dinner at the volunteer accommodation. |
Weekends
During the weekends, volunteers have spare time to relax or take the opportunity to explore Delhi’s numerous street markets, malls and museums, or discover ancient temples, important religious sites and beautifully curated gardens. You can also travel further afield to destinations such as Agra, where you can see the Taj Mahal; or admire the rose-hued buildings in the Pink City of Jaipur. Volunteers can make travel arrangements after arriving in Delhi, however if you are planning a long weekend trip during your time in India, it is a good idea to look into train tickets in advance and visit a travel agent to discuss travel options.
Accommodation and WiFi
You’ll stay in a volunteer house outside of central Delhi, in Faridabad, where you can expect to share a room with one to three other volunteers of the same gender. While bedding is provided, it is recommended that volunteers bring their own sleeping bag for the winter months of November through February.
Living is comfortable and all accommodation has electricity, WiFi, fans, shared western toilets and running water. The volunteer house has heated water for showers, a dining area and kitchen facilities. It is located in a gated apartment block within Faridabad and volunteers are provided with transport to and from their placement and accommodation each day.
Volunteers may request homestay accommodation or a private room within the volunteer house and both options are dependent on availability at the time. There is an additional fee of $91 (approximately $91) per week for a private room which can be booked and paid for via your Pre-departure Checklist once you have registered. Families will typically be accommodated in homestays, and on some placements on the Medical project volunteers may also be in a homestay.
Meals
Volunteers on the India - Delhi program are provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner, which are all served at the volunteer accommodation.
Toast, eggs, spreads, fruit and tea are served for breakfast. Typical Indian food served for lunch and dinner include chapati, a flat wheat bread; dahl, a lentil soup; curry; paneer; vegetables and salads. Meat is rarely eaten in India, except on festive occasions so you can expect all meals to be vegetarian.
India is home to a great variety of teas and you are sure to be served an authentic home brew of chai tea during your stay. Bottled water is readily available in India and volunteers should budget approximately $5 per week for 2 liters per day.
If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know when you apply so as we can discuss this with you further. As you will be living and volunteering abroad, you should not expect to eat as you normally do at home; however, the local team will do their best to ensure you are well taken care of. It’s important that you come to India with an open mind and understand that there is a need to be flexible when it comes to meals. If you wish to supplement some of your meals with home comforts, there are basic kitchen facilities available to use.
Pricing
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 1 week | $275 Equivalent to $39/day |
| 2 weeks | $345 Equivalent to $25/day |
| 3 weeks | $465 Equivalent to $22/day |
| 4 weeks | $585 Equivalent to $21/day |
| 5 weeks | $705 Equivalent to $20/day |
| 6 weeks | $825 Equivalent to $20/day |
| 8 weeks | $1,065 Equivalent to $19/day |
| 10 weeks | $1,305 Equivalent to $19/day |
| 12 weeks | $1,545 Equivalent to $18/day |
| 16 weeks | $2,025 Equivalent to $18/day |
| 20 weeks | $2,505 Equivalent to $18/day |
| 24 weeks | $2,985 Equivalent to $18/day |
- Accommodation
- Meals
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Airport pick-up
- Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Discounts on travel and tour add-ons
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately $329) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Additional things to budget for include: Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check, return transport to the airport when your program finishes.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Delhi generally find US$50 - US$100 to be sufficient for basic weekly expenses.
Recommended activity & tour add-ons
Here are just a few of the India add-ons we offer:
Is visiting India’s capital and seeing the iconic Taj Mahal on your bucket list? You can arrange this epic day tour directly with your IVHQ Program Manager before you depart. This is a perfect way to spend your free time while volunteering on the IVHQ India - Delhi program.
Delhi is a must-visit destination if you are in India and during the tour you will get to experience both the ancient feel of old Delhi and modern marvels of New Delhi.
You will be responsible for:
- Entrance fees to Taj Mahal
- Drinks
- Personal expenses
Your itinerary:
You will leave the volunteer program and will be transported to the city Agra, which tips the scales with 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and was the capital of the Mughal Emperors from 1526 to 1628. Breakfast is on the way.
Once arrived, your visit to the Taj Mahal begins and you will learn the rich history from an English-speaking guide.
After your visit has ended, you will then have lunch in a nice restaurant in Agra before having some free-time to see the markets in Agra and will then return to the volunteer program by 7pm.
How to book IVHQ’s recommended add-ons:
When you apply for an IVHQ volunteer program, make a note of which tours and add-ons you’re interested in on your application form so we can check availability and prices for you.
Once you’ve paid your registration fee, your Program Manager will be able to book your place on the tour(s) you have chosen and help you organize your trip.
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Safety and support
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
- All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
- All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
- All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
- All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Essential country information
| Capital | New Delhi |
| Population | 1.366 billion |
| Languages | Hindi, English |
| Currency | Indian Rupee (INR) |
| Time zone | UTC+05:30 |
Weather and climate
India is subject to six different climates and can be loosely characterized by four seasons; winter, summer, monsoon, and a post-monsoon period. Delhi experiences intense heat during the summer months (April to June) and temperatures can reach 45°C (114°F) during heat waves from the south. Dust storms are common during summer months. Following the dry summer, there is a period of monsoon weather from late June until September bringing heavy rain and average temperatures of 29°C (85°F). As winds from the Himalayas descend from November, winter in Delhi begins and average temperatures will sit around 12°C to 13°C (54°F to 55°F) until February. Heavy fog is typical during the winter.
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