International Visiting and Volunteering

(India Trip)

Inner journey:

• Studying the essence of Indian thought.
• Visiting places and people of cultural/spiritual significance
• Yoga practice
• Meditation
• Maintaining self-awareness, and examining our own responses to Indian culture
• Writing a self-reflection paper

Outer journey:

• Appreciative enquiry into various themes related to health and non-health topics. As in previous trips, this process involves village visits, in depth conversations with people involved in the provision of health services and a study of existing health facilities. Students have studied topics such as mother and child health, adolescent health, traditional medicine and school health. Students prepare a presentation for the Voluntary organization/NGO that they are working with, to which village people and local leaders are also invited.
• Action:
  1. Completion of a small project which can contribute to Samagra efforts in Canada. For Example, a picture book/video/ audio to highlight the various dimensions of India experience for future participants.
  2. According to the needs identified by the villagers themselves, a Shram Dan (manual work) project may be undertaken which could include such work as:
  • Tree planting
  • Repairing the village trails and paths
  • Assisting in a village school
  • Supporting the evolution of Samagra, a centre for integral development. A detailed document about this emerging organization is available for participants to read.

Core module (30 days):

Counting the day of students' arrival as day 1:

Travel from Delhi to Vikasnagar

Orientation and getting familiar with the town of Vikasnagar

Local day trips to places of cultural importance- Haridwar, Dehradun, Rishikesh, and Mussoorie

Samagra workshop along with orientation for further work in mountains

Visiting and learning about Himalayan villages, people, their unique culture and doing voluntary work

Travel back to Vikasnagar. Reflection, sharing, conclusion and travel back to Delhi or wherever participant wants to go.

Optional Eco-Trek Module

Seven days eco-trek, in middle Himalayas can be arranged (with advance information) through a reliable trekking- tour agency.