When you start preparing to leave your home country, the following information may be helpful:

Visa. Depending on the period you plan to spend with us, you would have to apply for a 6 months tourist visa which is very easy to get from the Indian Embassy/Consulate closest to your hometown, or for a 1 year Volunteer’s Visa (X-Visa) for which you would need an invitation letter from us. Do not apply for your visa too early, as it is valid from the date it is issued. The visa is usually issued within one day.

Vaccination. No vaccinations are compulsory for your entry into India, but we advise you to take a booster dose of DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio), and get vaccinated against Typhoid and Hepatitis A and B. We do not have Malaria in our region, but if you plan to travel to the interior, a Malaria Prophylaxis might be advisable.

Money.  You may want to change your currencies in to our Indian Rupees and there are different ways to do this.

1. You can bring cash and exchange it at the airport or at any of the moneychangers in town (Thomas Cook, etc.)
2. You can carry traveller’s checks, which are safer than cash, in case you lose them, and which can also be encashed easily.
3. Most ATMs accept international bankcards, like Visa, Master, Maestro, Plus, etc. The disadvantage is that you would have to pay bank charges.
4. Open an account with an international bank, like Citibank, which has more than 50 ATMs in Bangalore alone, or with HSBC, HDFC, Standard Chartered Bank, and others. Young people who do their Civil Service or voluntary work are often freed from administrative fees. It is easiest to open this account from your hometown and it is the most recommendable way to exchange money.

Medicines. Don’t carry medicines with you, unless you have to take something specific for a particular illness. All medicines are available here and they are probably much cheaper than in your country.

Some of our co-workers leave their medicines behind when they depart and this causes problems for us, as we have to dispose them.

Clothes. Bangalore enjoys a nice warm climate through most of the year, so it is best to wear cool cotton clothes. One sweater is enough for the cooler winter days. Our volunteers like to buy the colourful Indian clothes that are available in plenty here, so don’t load your suitcase with too many clothes. Since we live in a rural setting, we prefer our women volunteers to be decently dressed –so please avoid shorts, mini skirts and sleeveless tops.

General. If you play a musical instrument, do bring it along. If you have a walkman or other battery-operated gadgets, take rechargeable batteries with you. It is a problem to get rid of old batteries. Avoid aerosol cans, sun lotions and other items that are difficult to dispose of. A sleeping bag and mosquito net might come in handy, specially if you plan to travel.

Some information about your life and work here.

Holidays. Volunteers who stay with us for 1 year will have 1 month of vacation and 1 free week during the Christmas holidays. Volunteers who spend 6 months here will have 2 weeks of vacation and also 1 free week during the Christmas holidays.

What we offer you. Your boarding and lodging with us will be free. You would have to share a room with one or more volunteers. You will get pocket money of Rps. 100.00 per week, which will cover your bus ride to the city and a good vegetarian meal.

What we expect from you. You are joining a residential community with adults in need of special care and your activities will involve the care of our special friends, helping with housework, work in the garden or workshops. Another activity will be the social and cultural life shared with all the other community members. Our days begin at 7.00 in the morning and close around 8.30 in the evening with 1 hour’s break after lunch. You will have 1 free day during the week, but not necessarily on Sunday.