Volunteer Information - Volunteering Opportunities in India

SMILE Society(NGO)- Welcome non profit volunteer in India. volunteering opportunities in India required youth volunteers from around the globe. There are projects in India and abroad  for energetic youth volunteers. Projects offered abroad organized by our partners in their countries. Projects in India are all organized by SMILE and it's partners. There are volunteering opportunities also available round the world. SMILE also organizes International Workcamps.

International Workcamps in India : These are 2-4 weeks camps where volunteers (15-65 years) from all over the globe join together to help in different projects. 

Long & Medium term  : These are 4-48 weeks projects where individuals can participate to help in assigned projects. 

Special Groups : Customized 2-4 weeks projects made for specific groups of youth/students/professional coming from same Country / Institution.

Teen Groups : Specially customized camps made for Teen groups between 12-15 years coming from same country /Institution leaded by at least one adults leader.

Family Volunteering : An unique opportunity for families to spend their holidays for good causes in India or Abroad while having fun to explore that part of the world in very affordable ways.

Volunteer Internship : An exciting opportunity for national and international students to volunteer in different good causes during their gap year. Although due to limited places availability this project is subject to availability. No financial support is available. All projects based in India are available for whole year. While Projects in abroad mostly available between May-September by our partners (NGO/NPO). 

Registration Fees: International volunteers coming through our partners required to pay a nominal fees to our partners from their own country. All Indian volunteers participate in Volunteer Abroad/India projects required to pay this registration fees to SMILE ,India.

Living cost for International volunteers : International volunteers participating Volunteer India projects Organized by SMILE required cover their own living cost as per local host family .It is your non refundable living cost which goes to the host family for their services to provide food , accommodation and other facilities for volunteers. You are requested to pay preferably by cash to host representative on your arrival or via PayPal transfer to the host for your full duration applied in advance . Please exchange your money from the airport if needed for your personal use. You can also withdraw money from the ATM machine with your visa /master etc. cards. Please remember that SMILE receives no financial help from local government or any international agencies. Our local members ,volunteers ,supporters are the only people who help the organization to run it’s activities around the country. By joining SMILE you became the part of this movement.

Indian volunteers also required to cover their own living expenses in India/Abroad. 

Visa type  : As per required by your local Indian Embassies.  Please contact your nearest Indian Embassy or the Embassy of the destination country. For any assistance please contact us any time. 

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 their own medical and travel insurances. 

Weekdays: Volunteering only.

Weekends : Free between 6am-5 pm, You are welcome to travel nearby places  but required to come back accommodation before its dark.

Nearest Indian Airport : Netaji Subhash Chandra International Airport ,Kolkata[ 8 km away from SMILE office and your accommodation]. 

SMILE Head Office location: It is located at Madhyamgram ,which is around 20 km away from the center Kolkata but just 8 km away from the Airport. 

Introduction : When you are volunteering with SMILE, you are joining a family of fellow volunteers and NGO activist.  Everyone is considered equal, and everyone is committed to helping each other. 

Transportation : You will have to use the local available public transportation  during your term. Airport transfer would be available as per information. 

Orientation : Soon after the Volunteer arrive in India, they will be taken to host family place for orientation and to get refresh .They are allowed to take bit of rest before the orientation meeting. There would be 2 days of orientation.

Accommodation: Dormitory basis at host family ( as group / individual) or as per available on arrival ( on cot with mattress/on floor with mattress,  group volunteers will stay at same place). 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 as per info-sheet. 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. 

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 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  -  Rain coat  -  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 .

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. 

Documents required to Volunteer with SMILE are as follows:-

* Passport and Visa copies

* Recent color photograph (4 copies).

* Police background check report

* Reference Letter either from your       Employer/Educational Institution / Organization.

*Parents NOC for all minor applicants.

* Another Photo id copy & original issued by your government other than passport. 

How to Apply:- Please submit us your Application form through our partner from your country . Indian applicants & applicants applying from the country where we got "No Active Partner" at this time are welcome to apply directly using our Online Application Form / Downloadable Application Form through our  Homepage 'ApplyNow' section.

Donation :- SMILE receives No Donation from Any International Volunteers, Individuals ,Groups or Agencies.  Volunteers receives No Financial support, salaries or travel expenses at SMILE projects.