India: Intercultural and Language Exchange

About the local hosting organization

SMILE Society (Situational Management & Inter Learning Establishment Society) is a registered Nonprofit working for these underprivileged communities around the state of West Bengal since 2003. On August 31, 2003, a team of volunteers leaded by Mr. Debabrata Chakraborty (Renowned Social Activist), formed SMILE Society. SMILE mission is to provide volunteers with a customised program (workcamp, medium term, long term) that will enable them to make an important contribution to these poor and needy kids from refugee families. 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 welcomed to take part in our Programme. Our unique placements could become the trip of a lifetime.

Presentation of the programme

Energetic youth from round the world gathered together to learn Indian culture ,food and bring friendship and learn each other culture. 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 project 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 . Tentative Daily Schedule: Wake up early morning: 9 am Breakfast: 9:30 am Manual Activities : 10-12 am ( painting, cleaning, nursary work etc.) Lunch at 12:30-1 p.m After lunch : 1-2:45pm ( Lesson plan preparation ) late afternoon project activities with Children : 3 - 5:30pm Dinner : 7 – 7:30 pm ( volunteers required help themselves in serving ,washing ) After 7:30 pm exit door would be closed.No one allowed to go out or come in the accommodation after 7:30 pm everyday including weekends. 9:30 bed time

About the accomodation

Shared /dormitory accommodation, non-Air cond. (simple type living standard at hotel/guest house/school building /community house/host family as per available on arrival organized through the local service providers). Dormitory basis in host family as per available on arrival (on cot with mattress/on floor with mattress, 2-4 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.

About the food

You will get 3 times local homemade food from host family as per available on arrival. Please do not expect any kind of special dishes (veg/nonveg) 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.

About the location

Madhyamgram (20 km away from center kolkata, 8 km away from the Kolkata (Ccu) Airport). INDIA is an amazing country with diverse 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. Madhyamgram is a suburb with full of heart. All modern amenities are available in the suburb. Local people are basically belongs to the middle, lower middle and poor class. City Kolkata is known for its busy traffic, huge population, warm weather and poverty around the street corners! It is a great place to visit for every tourist coming to India. Kolkata (itself is a great tourist place with its historical value) is well connected with many famous and attractive tourist places.

About the leisure activities

Free, you are welcome to travel nearby places, but you are requested to return home before getting dark (5 pm in winter/ 6 pm in summer). Night stays outside during project duration is not permitted due to the safety and security reason. Please cooperate.

Requirements

• Smoking and alcohol are not allowed in and around the accommodation • Volunteers are requested to pay their living cost soon after they arrive our place. What to bring: A bed sheet, malaria medication Flashlight, umbrella, mosquito repellent with DEET, sunscreen, alarm clock OR watch with alarm clock, journal, sleeping bag, any games or craft items like Origami would be great for the kids, raincoat, snacks from your country, music/ dress / special souvenir from your country, medicine and first aid supplies for emergency personal use, any special games or study material for kindergarten standard kids.