Volunteer in festivals of India Camps- volunteer work in kolkata

***Holi Festival (Festival of Colours volunteer work in  kolkata

Dates:7-17th March 2020

Details :- Holi is a Hindu spring festivals of india also known as the festival of colours or the festival of sharing love.The festival signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter, and for many a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships, and is also celebrated as a thanksgiving for a good harvest.It lasts for two days starting on the Purnima (Full Moon day) falling in the Bikram Sambat Hindu Calendar month of Falgun, which falls somewhere between the end of February and the middle of March.

Holi celebrations start on the night before Holi with a Holika bonfire where people gather, do religious rituals in front of the bonfire, and pray that their internal evil should be destroyed as the bonfire starts. The next morning is celebrated as Rangwali Holi - a free-for-all carnival of colours, where participants play, chase and colour each other with dry powder and coloured water, with some carrying water guns and coloured water-filled balloons for their water fight.

Anyone and everyone is fair game, friend or stranger, rich or poor, man or woman, children and elders. - ( Source :Wikipedia ). Work: Organic farming in urban areas through Green House and alternative methods are the main target of the camp. International youth have chance to work together with SMILE local volunteers in the project.A complete cultural exchange platform would be there while working in a family type environment.

SMILE Society ( Situational Management & Inter Learning Establishment Society) is a registered NGO & NPO working in the field of International volunteering from India. On August 31, 2003, a team of family and friends leaded by Mr. Debabrata Chakraborty, formed Smile Society. SMILE believes in family type of environment. Our mission is to provide volunteers with a customised program (workcamp, short term, long term) that will enable them to make an important contribution to the poor and needy kids of India. In the past several years, we have placed many volunteers around various parts of India within different projects SMILE foremost goal is to Bring Smile around; We ensure that all volunteers are provided with a safe and enriching experience. Our flexible approach means that you will be given a placement to suit your needs and time scale. All international students are also welcome to take part in our Internship Programme. Our unique placements could become the trip of a lifetime

Work:-Encourage Urban organic farming among city dwellers. Details: Exciting project at Smile ,India !! Save the mother planet !!!Green House construction project in support of Rain water harvesting  to grow vegetable for our street children everyday food requirement and to aware city dwellers how to grow vegetable even living in small apartment or lawn or even on the roof!! Recently we just completed the first phase of Rain water harvesting project where Rain water being stored for further use. Now we are going to start Roof top Green House project at our Building to Grow vegetables to help daily need of our Children at different projects . Group with motivated youth are welcome !!

First we will construct the Green House and go for plantation there after. This project can help to grow organic vegetable and fruit . lets help us to bring revolution in horticulture and floriculture at our place . International volunteer would have learn how to grow vegetable in urban area where open space not available.Through organic way of green house farming how farming can be possible in backyard /roof/lawn or any other place available in any urban house . This project could resolve the food problem among urban based poor and lower middle class people. Even a person living on street can grow enough vegetable for him . Even this project can bring down environmental pollution level in cities if we can spread it around . There would be painting activities as well as cultural exchange programme as well !! Energetic youth group required. Your volunteers as individuals or groups welcome.

*** Camp Name: Community  Festival

Date :18-31 Oct 2020

Do you like to celebrate the most famous Cultural and Hindu Spiritual festival in India ? Join us during Durga puja festival time!  Do you like to help SMILE NGO to bring a smile to the most neglected children living around  of kolkata ,India.This project is all about bringing smile to all underprivileged refugee children & their mother from neglected families  of kolkata.Providing informal basic education like english teaching ,hygiene,basic health care,family planning education,playing, organising entertainment program ,food distribution for these children of this downtrodden community would be the main target of the volunteers in this camp.

SMILE Society ( Situational Management & Inter Learning Establishment Society) is a registered Non profit working for these underprivileged communities around the state of West Bengal since 2003 . SMILE mission is to provide volunteers with a customised program (workcamp, short term, long term) that will enable them to make an important contribution to these poor and needy kids from the street. Our foremost goal is to "Bring Smile around"

We ensure that all volunteers are provided with a safe and enriching experience. Our flexible approach means that you will be given a placement to suit your needs and time scale. All international students are also welcome to take part in our ProgramS. Our unique placements could become the trip of a lifetime. OUR community service activities are merged with volunteer organization festival camps.

History :- Durga Puja ,listen: About this sound listen , "Worship of Durga"), also referred to as Dussahara, Durgot listen: , "Festival of Durga") or Sharadotsav is an annual Hindu festival in South Asia that celebrates worship of the Hindu goddess Durga. It refers to all the six days observed as Mahalaya, Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Navami and Vijayadashami. Durga Puja festival is celebrated from the sixth to tenth day of bright lunar fortnight (shukla paksha) in the Bikram Sambat Calendar month of Ashwin.[3] This period falls in the fortnight corresponding to the festival is called Devi Paksha, "Fortnight of the Goddess"). Devi Paksha is preceded by Mahalaya, the last day of the previous fortnight Pitri Paksha, "Fortnight of the Forefathers).- ( Source :Wikipedia ).

Work:- India is always been famous for its culture ,tradition,language and food cuisine . Different culture ,dress code ,language and cooking style made the country like a continent ! While volunteering in this camps youth can have chance to interact with the East Indian ( Bengali ) culture and food . Volunteers and local family together exchange the culture and cook food . Youth volunteers have golden chance to know about the ethnic heritage of East Indian cuisine and tradition . It would a great fun filled time for groups. In this camp volunteers from round the world would have chance to exchange culture,language,food etc. Local cooking lesson, local language class. It would be fun fill entertainment camp where Indian family and international youth can have a platform to each other culture and life style. Camp would take place in the suburb call Madhyamgram which is just 8 km from Kolkata Airport .Transportation, electricity,shopping places are all around.Nearest rail and bus station is with in 2 km .Life is very simple and peaceful around Field service.

Work Hour: 3-4 hr./day ( Monday to Friday early morning Work shop: 2 hrs per day ( afternoon Cultural exchange : Evening.  

*** Camp Name:Diwali Festival ( Festival of Light)

Date : 1-14th Nov 2020

Do you like to celebrate the most famous Hindu Spiritual festival ( festival of light) in India ? Join us during Diwali  festival camp!  Do you like to help SMILE NGO to bring a smile to the most neglected children living around  of kolkata ,India.This project is all about bringing smile to all underprivileged refugee children & their mother from neglected families  of kolkata.Providing informal basic education like english teaching ,hygiene,basic health care,family planning education,playing, organising entertainment program ,food distribution for these children of this downtrodden community would be the main target of the volunteers in this camp.

SMILE Society ( Situational Management & Inter Learning Establishment Society) is a registered Non profit working for these underprivileged communities around the state of West Bengal since 2003 .

SMILE mission is to provide volunteers with a customised program (workcamp, short term, long term) that will enable them to make an important contribution to these poor and needy kids from the street. Our foremost goal is to "Bring Smile around" We ensure that all volunteers are provided with a safe and enriching experience. Our flexible approach means that you will be given a placement to suit your needs and time scale. All international students are also welcome to take part in our Programme. Our unique placements could become the trip of a lifetime History :- Diwali or Deepavali is the Hindu festival of lights celebrated every year in autumn in the northern hemisphere (spring in southern hemisphere).It is an official holiday in Fiji, Guyana, India, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and recently Sindh Province in Pakistan. One of the major festivals of Hinduism, it spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair.Its celebration includes millions of lights shining on housetops, outside doors and windows, around temples and other buildings in the communities and countries where it is observed. The festival preparations and rituals typically extend over a five-day period, but the main festival night of Diwali coincides with the darkest, new moon night of the Hindu Lunisolar month Kartika in Bikram Sambat calendar. In the Gregorian calendar, Diwali night falls between mid-October and mid-November. Before Diwali night, people clean, renovate, and decorate their homes and offices.On Diwali night, people dress up in new clothes or their best outfit, light up diyas (lamps and candles) inside and outside their home, participate in family puja (prayers) typically to Lakshmi – the goddess of fertility and prosperity. After puja, fireworks follow, then a family feast including mithai (sweets), and an exchange of gifts between family members and close friends. Deepavali also marks a major shopping period in nations where it is celebrated.- ( Source :Wikipedia). India is always been famous for its culture ,tradition,language and food cuisine . Different culture ,dress code ,language and cooking style made the country like a continent ! While volunteering in this camps youth can have chance to interact with the East Indian ( Bengali ) culture and food . Volunteers and local family together exchange the culture and cook food . Youth volunteers have golden chance to know about the ethnic heritage of East Indian cuisine and tradition . It would a great fun filled time for groups In this camp volunteers from round the world would have chance to exchange culture,language,food etc. Local cooking lesson, local language class. It would be fun fill entertainment camp where Indian family and international youth can have a platform to each other culture and life style. Camp would take place in the suburb call Madhyamgram which is just 8 km from Kolkata Airport .Transportation, electricity,shopping places are all around.Nearest rail and bus station is with in 2 km .Life is very simple and peaceful around Field service

Work Hour: 3-4 hr./day ( Monday to Friday early morning)

Work shop: 2 hrs per day ( afternoon Cultural exchange : Evening

*** Camp Name: Merry Christmas Camp

Date : 17th Dec -31th Dec 2020

Do you like to celebrate the Christmas and New year with our Kids in India ? Join us during this festive camp time!  Do you like to help SMILE NGO to bring a smile to the most neglected children living around  of kolkata ,India.This project is all about bringing smile to all underprivileged refugee children & their mother from neglected families  of kolkata.Providing informal basic education like english teaching ,hygiene,basic health care,family planning education,playing, organising entertainment program ,food distribution for these children of this downtrodden community would be the main target of the volunteers in this camp.

SMILE Society ( Situational Management & Inter Learning Establishment Society) is a registered Non profit working for these underprivileged communities around the state of West Bengal since 2003 . SMILE mission is to provide volunteers with a customised program (workcamp, short term, long term) that will enable them to make an important contribution to these poor and needy kids from the street. Our foremost goal is to "Bring Smile around" We ensure that all volunteers are provided with a safe and enriching experience. Our flexible approach means that you will be given a placement to suit your needs and time scale. All international students are also welcome to take part in our Programme. Our unique placements could become the trip of a lifetime. History :- Christmas or Christmas Day (Old English: CrÄ«stesmæsse, meaning "Christ's Mass") is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ,observed most commonly on December  as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world. A feast central to the Christian liturgical year, it is prepared for by the season of Advent or the Nativity Fast and initiates the season of Christmastide, which historically in the West lasts twelve days and culminates on Twelfth Night; in some traditions, Christmastide includes an Octave. The traditional Christmas narrative, the Nativity of Jesus, delineated in the New Testament says that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in accordance with messianic prophecies; when Joseph and Mary arrived in the city, the inn had no room and so they were offered a stable where the Christ Child was soon born, with angels proclaiming this news to shepherds who then disseminated the message furthermore. Christmas Day is a public holiday in many of the world nations, is celebrated religiously by the vast majority of Christians, as well as culturally by a number of non-Christian people, and is an integral part of the holiday season, while some Christian groups reject the celebration. In several countries, celebrating Christmas Eve on December 24 has the main focus rather than December 25, with gift-giving and sharing a traditional meal with the family- ( Source :Wikipedia ).

Work:- Target Group for these camps is to help Street children around and Helping Children aund their mother/sister from the street( mostly refugees) of India to get basic education,vocational and hygienic training etc. Daily more than 100 families receives support at our different centres around Project Back ground :- India having uncountable numbers of street and slum dwellers . There are thousands of poor refugees coming every year from nearby countries and from different small towns and villages to the big cities and most of these families are living in a very poorly condition at slums or on street corners like insects. Normal societies are so busy to deal with their personal daily problems, so have little time for these unfortunate people. With every such family Grownup girls and married women (mother of the children) always have to face the problem in their daily life. Often these families bring their children to help them in begging ,household work ,rag picking activities, even some girls been forcibly thrown to the dark life of prostitution. So it is really a shame of the so called civilised societies. We have got our few projects for these unfortunate street children at the different locations of big cities. Now there are opportunities available to help and support these unfortunate girls and mothers of the street children in and around Kolkata (ccu) city.our target to bring smile on ever mother too with their children.Kolkata ,the city of joy was known before as Calcutta since the colonial time. This ancient city was used to be the capital of British colonial period. This city has full of heart ,people are basically belongs to the middle class . There are also rich and poor people all around .

City Kolkata is know for its busy traffic ,huge population ,warm welcome and poverty around the street corners! It is a great place to visit for every tourist coming to India Workcamp Activities :- Most important target of the project is to bring smile among these children and provide confidence and moral support to their mother .Volunteer would use different way of informal education technique to present a unique and attractive way of education programs for these kids .Most of these kids speaks local Bengali /Hindi language but they are very smart and intelligent.so teaching them with the support of local coordinator would not be so difficult ,just little bit of patience and involvement can solve this problem easily. All volunteers would go through orientation on arrival and two local language session during this camp. There would also be a workshop every evening when volunteers would prepare the next day lesson plan of action . For mothers informal vocational training and basic English teaching would be helpful . Volunteers would also help local coordinator in other activities like giving shower food distribution, organising drama,story telling and entertainment games for the children.whole camp would be run under the supervision of very experienced local project coordinator. Saturday and Sunday would be free days when volunteers can take rest or tour around the city or near by places.More over if anyone get a chance to live with the local host family then that brings extra bonus to any traveller .It helps to learn the culture ,tradition,language while staying within the normal people of the society.Living on any hotel can never give any traveller such wide scope to know the society and communities as a whole.

SMILE society always tries to give international volunteers a big scope to know about the local communities and understand the family environment. Smile Society (ngo) had started their activities since 2003.

Other Details :- (For International youth groups/ individuals only)  Location: Madhyamgram Type: TE,SOCI,CUL ,MANU,FestivalAge: 15+Volunteer Required : 15/ CampLanguage: EnglishLiving cost:- As per host family   Example Daily Schedule:  Wake up early morning: 6 am Breakfast: 6:30 am ( required to prepared by own) Project hour : As per project In charge.  Lunch at 1:30-2 p.m  late afternoon: 4pm - 5pm,laundry time for volunteers Workshop: 5:30-6:30pm workshop and next day plan preparation Dinner : 7:30 pm ( volunteers required help themselves in serving ,washing )  After 8 pm exit door would be closed. No one allowed to go out or come in the accommodation after 8 pm everyday including weekends. 9:30 bed time ** Please remember that programme schedule or project site can be changed or altered by the Project In-charge if required and all volunteers are requested to cooperate with our local members and partners. All schedule should be followed and mandatory for everyone to participate and contribute **   Accommodation and food :- Accommodation: Dormitory basis in host family/school building as per available on arrival ( on cot with mattress/on floor with mattress, 4-30 volunteers in one room) shared accommodation (normally male & female separate room). You will get accommodation till 6 pm on the last day of your camp.We are unable to provide you any accommodation before or after these dates. Please arrange your own accommodation in case of early arrival or late departure .You are requested to meet our representative at the meeting place on exact time given above. If you arrive early then you can have your stay in any of the different hotels available nearby Airport, within 2 -3 km .on the road popularly called as V.I.P road. You are requested to take any cab to check in any of these hotels. If you arrive at earlier night then you are requested to stay inside the airport terminal and meet at the next morning with our representative at 12 noon.  Food: You will get 3 times local veg food from host family as per available on arrival. Please do not expect any kind of special dishes (veg/non veg) or cold drinks or special living room or air conditioned room during your term. You are requested to get ready for a simple and challenging life. location & leisure :- An amazing country with full of culture and tradition .Interesting people ! Explore the country with exciting diversity .Kolkata ,the city of joy was known before as Calcutta since the colonial time. This ancient city was used to be the capital of British colonial period. This city has full of heart ,people are basically belongs to the middle class . There are also rich and poor people all around . City Kolkata is know for its busy traffic ,huge population ,warm welcome and poverty around the street corners! It is a great place to visit for every tourist coming to India. More over if anyone get a chance to live with the local host family then that brings extra bonus to any traveller .It helps to learn the culture ,tradition,language while staying within the normal people of the society.Living on any hotel can never give any traveller such wide scope to know the society and communities as a whole. Kolkata( itself is a great tourist place with its historical value ) is well connected with many famous and attractive tourist places during weekends ...  Darjeeling ( most famous hill station,Toy Train, Tea Garden in India )*kalimpong ( famous Buddhist place and hill station)*kurshiang ( lash green tea garden)*Sikkim ( hill station with beautiful valley )*puri ( the famous Hindu religious place and sea beach )*Digha ( sea beach )*Bodh Gaya ( Famous Buddhist temple )*varanashi ( famous Hindu temple and Ganges )*shantiniketan ( one of the university established by great Nobel laureate Sri Rabindranath Tagor)*Bishnupur ( ancient Bengali history, tera cotta ( clay made item ) ,sari etc. Any of these places can be covered during weekends by train by self organise !! *********************organised Package trip at the end of the camp can be organised by professionals...... * Taj Mahal ,Jaipur,Delhi etc. trip can also organise for the interested groups against extra cost ( minimum 2 person) * weekends exciting city ( kolkata ) and around trip can also be organised against extra cost.   Requirements :- We need energetic your volunteer with open mind and ready to get their hand dirty. You need to be strong and flexible. India is a beautiful country but challenging for some people . Local culture,people are interesting but weather is hot and humid in summer ,so get ready to explore an amazing country with full of surprises.  *Passport copy*VISA copy*Photograph( recent colour copy)*Parents permission letter if you are below 18 years.  What to bring: You can follow traditional packing lists, but here are several items that would be particularly helpful for this volunteer experience: A bed sheetmalaria medication flashlightumbrella mosquito repellent with DEET sunscreen alarm clock OR watch with alarm clock journal sleeping bagAny games or craft items like Origami would be great for the kidsRain coat Snacks from your countryMusic/ dress / special souvenir from your countryMedicine and first aid supplies for emergency personal useAny special games or study material for kindergarten standard kids  Clothing: -    fibrous (ex: linen or cotton or anything that is COOL and dries fast in natural sun) -     for women, bring conservative clothing that covers the shoulders (ex: shirts with  capped sleeves) NO shorts, bikinis, sleeveless clothes outside your own bed room (strictly).sandals head covering (bandanas, hat) towel that dries FAST. Meeting Point: At 12 noon outside the Kolkata (international terminal gate 4A) airport arrival gate. Or as per arrival details. pickup available between 6am-6pm only( subject prior confirmation).Transportation : You will have to use the local available public transportation  ( Train/Bus) the camp during your term. Airport pickup would be available only.Airport transfer on last day of the camp would volunteers' responsibility . Laundry and water: you can use water for washing once in a day  .Drinking water and 2 hours/day wifi available ( maximum 4 person at a time) are available in house. Please cooperate with the local members.Medical : All volunteers are requested to look after their own medical expenses and other personal expenses(transportation, medical cost, medicine cost, communicational cost, gift, toilet papers, laundry, drinks or anything that are not mentioned in the living cost section will be volunteers’ own responsibility) . Volunteers  are also requested to carry your own medical and travel insurances.Water: Please do not waste water / electricity.Weekends : Free, You are welcome to travel nearby places but you are requested to join the Monday morning project on time. Weekends attraction: Darjeeling, Bodh gaya, Puri, Sundarban, Digha etc.Hospitals: There are many good hospitals available near center kolkata  ie: Woodlands [24567075-89]; Bell vue Nursing Home[Ph: 2472321].Tourist Information centre: 22289898.Railway Booking centre: Foreigner Reservation Counter at Fairlie place near BBD Bag,very near from Esplanade area,Ph: 22206811 ; Airport : Netaji Suvash Chandra International Airport ,Kolkata[ 8 km away from SMILE office and your accommodation].Weekend Trip: There are many weekend trips organized (against extra cost) by our travel partners. For more details please contact your camp In charge Ms. Kamala.Head Office location: It is located at Madhyamgram ,which is around 20 k.m away from the centre kolkata but just 8 km away from the Airport.Accommodation : Madhyamgram ( 20 km away from center kolkata).Nearest Rail Station: MadhyamgramNearest Bus stand: MadhyamgramNearest Market : Just 1.5 km away from the accommodation. There are some western type of markets also available ie: A.C Market, Forum, city centre , New Market around Esplanade and park street etc.Tourist places: Museum, Victoria Memorial Hall, Kali ghat [ Goddess  kali temple],Maidan, Howrah Bridge, Ganges River[ Most pious river among Hindus] etc. Internet & Phone : There are many internet café and phone booth at city centre..Introduction: When you are volunteering with SMILE, you are joining a family of fellow volunteers and NGO staff. Everyone is considered equal, and we are all committed to helping each other and most importantly, helping children. Cleaning room,toilet,dining place,living building are mandatory for every volunteer.Transportation : You will have to use the local available group transportation  organised for the camp during your term. Airport transfer would be available as per information.Emergency Contact :- 00919830150249, 

Orientation: Soon after the Volunteer arrive , they will be taken to host family place for orientation and  to get refresh and  take bit of rest before the orientation meeting  take place. After the Orientation meeting volunteer will be transferred to their room.There would be 2 days of orientation .

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