Volunteer in India

Longitude has a range of volunteer opportunities in India. Through our partner organization ARV, volunteers can join or organize their own volunteer work camp to build houses with Dalit villagers. Longitude can also set up teaching positions in Indian villages. Our projects are dynamic, allowing volunteers the opportunity to develop their own projects or work within existing ones. Longitude is flexible in facilitating different creative opportunities.

Why Volunteer with Longitude?

Longitude works at a grassroots level, matching volunteers' desires with our partners' real needs. Independent-minded volunteers are encouraged to develop their own projects, and those looking for more direction work closely with Longitude's staff. Our close connections with our partner organizations allow volunteers to create lasting connections. A volunteer's work varies in duration, content, and abilities depending on the individual, not pre-set criteria. Longitude works closely with its volunteers on choosing flights, securing visas and immunizations, and answering any questions that arise during the planning process.

Program Location

Our projects are located in rural villages in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. We also encourage our volunteers to travel to other regions to experience the diverse cultures and landscapes of the Indian subcontinent.

Volunteer Opportunities

Longitude works with volunteers to find volunteer opportunities that best fit the volunteer’s interests, skill set, and the current need of ARV. Most of our volunteer positions involve construction, but there are also opportunities to teach children and help with relief efforts.

Build Houses in Dalit villages - ARV is now focusing construction efforts on houses in the village of Chevuru, having already had great success in the villages of Kothasatram-Indirinagar and Gummallapadu. Work alongside villagers as they literally rebuild their lives.

Tutor Dalit children - School is a constant struggle for Dalit children. They face discrimination in school from their upper-caste teachers, and they are often sent home because they can't afford school fees or materials. Through ARV you can help a struggling child with her school work and get her back on the educational track.

Become a Relief Volunteer - Each year floods, fires, and droughts ravage the countryside of Andhra Pradesh. The Indian government does what it can to protect its people, but unfortunately most aid is distributed along caste lines and the Dalit villagers rarely receive anything. Help ARV to even the relief by giving your time and energy to supply a medical camp to a needy village, distribute food to starving children, or help to rebuild a home for a struggling widow.

Program Requirements

Longitude is looking for motivated volunteers who are creative, open-minded, and looking for new experience in a culture different from their own.
Longitude volunteers should be 18 years of age or older. Children can also volunteer if accompanied by an adult who is 18 years of age or older.
Longitude volunteers are expected to be able to communicate in either spoken English or Telugu.
Longitude volunteer placements can be physically challenging and we suggest that volunteers be healthy enough to handle extreme heat, long walks, and diverse foods.
Longitude expects volunteers to seek out proper Visas and immunizations before leaving for India.

Cost

Longitude maintains a grassroots structure; volunteers can travel on a tight budget or in relative luxury depending on personal needs. Our application and volunteer program do not require compensation for Longitude’s overhead costs.

Longitude requires all volunteers to pay a $75 ARV fee that goes directly to ARV staff members. This fee helps to offset the costs associated with hosting volunteers. ARV staff will work tirelessly to ensure that each volunteer’s experience is safe and smooth. This cost is essential in order for ARV to be able to cover the living expenses of their staff during the volunteer’s stay.

Costs will vary by personal needs, lodging, and transportation types. It is possible to budget less than $10 per day, but for dietary variation, better transportation, private lodging, and travel excursions, Longitude recommends budgeting $30-50/day.

If you are volunteering as part of a Longitude Volunteer Work Camp, you will also be required to pay a work camp fee, which goes directly towards the costs of food and water, accommodation in a local hotel (with or without AC) and travel expenses by train and in a hired bus or car. For a 10 day trip, this usually amounts to approximately US $600. You will also be expected to pay for the following:

All transportation costs to and from the designated meeting and end-of-workcamp locations. For some booking tips, you can check out our Travel to India and Domestic Travel in India pages.
Medical expenses, both in preparation for travel, during and after the workcamps. The cost of these will totally depend on what you've had before and what your doctor recommends. Check out our Healthcare page to learn more.
Visas, which cost about US $120. Head to our Visas page for more information.

For a two-week trip, a total estimate of cost including all of the above would be approximately US $2,000.

Fundraising

Volunteers are also expected to help fundraise for work camp materials. Simply put: without the funds, there are no materials! Check out our Fundraising tips page to learn of previously tried and tested methods.

Being a volunteer with us may initially sound like it costs a lot, both in terms of time and money. However, most volunteers say that they got much more out of the experience than they ever put into it. Head to our Comments for Volunteers by Volunteers page to learn more about what previous volunteers would like to tell you.

Application Process

Once you have completed the online application Longitude’s Director of International Volunteering will contact you to discuss program details, confirmation, flights, visas, and shots.

Flights and Visas

Immunizations & Travel Insurance

Use these links for guidance for immunizations and travel insurance policies:

Immunization list
U.S. Gov’t Recommendations
STA Travel insurance is inexpensive and comprehensive

Contact

Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or inquiries at volunteer@golongitude.org.

If you have any further questions about volunteering with us in India, please email us at volunteer@golongitude.org or visit out our Frequently Asked Questions page.