The sun rises in India.

 

The sun rises in India. Its hot. Hotter than usual as the heat of the 2011 summer prolongs well into the monsoon season. At night, the tension between heat and humidity errupts into electrical battlefields, some nights eerily silent, others with the thunder to match the magnificent light displays. The rain comes in heavy bursts. Having a shower on the roof proves challenging. The drops fall like a thousand fists of fury and hit the skin without splashing. I conceed defeat and use the shower to rinse the soap off.

My journey to India began earlier this year. A friend was keen to do Global Xchange with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) but we discovered that he'd just missed the boat. Previously a youth programme for 18-25 year olds, VSO have reduced the upper age limit to 22. Fortunately for me another programme caught my eye. I found out about a new programme in its pilot year which was looking for Volunteer Leaders with some experience of volunteering oversas and who could guide young volunteers abroad. The International Citizenship Service is a DFiD sponsored programme involving 6 charities with a history of overseas volunteer development work. Lead by VSO, the six organisations organise three month work placements with their partner Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) in 'developing' countries for 18-22 year olds. I sent my C.V. attended interview and got a place with Skillshare International. With a beamig smile I later discovered I had been given a six month placement in Swaziland starting in January. However, as a place in India opened up starting in September, I decided I couldn't wait for the new year and swapped placements. I attended a three day training in London, where I met the two other volunteers on the same placement as me, Sharon and Melody. I flew to Dheli on the 13th September.


I have created this blog for three purposes: share experiences, record my learnings, inspire others to think globally and act locally.

Why volunteer?
I believe in volunteering as a means to break barriers between people, helping to reduce prejudice and discrimination. In a world where gobal institiutions and governments enforce macro-economic policies as standard 'development' policy, and bow to the growing wealth and power of trasnational corporations, volunteering is an important weapon against these policies, helping to faciltate change at a local level.