Important Notice for Global Crossroad’s South India Program.

Work in orphanages
Work with children (street children and others)
AIDS/HIV projects
Women’s development groups
Work with mentally challenged
Work with the visually impaired

These projects require you to be friendly, loving, caring, and—most importantly—willing to contribute 80 to 90 percent of your time wholeheartedly fulfilling your placement duties. You will work an average of 8 to 10 hours per day with one day a week off for rest. Since most of these placements are designed to help children or those who need rehabilitation, you should not smoke, drink, come late at night or participate in any other activity that may cause negative results on kids and reactions. You must be conscious and sensitive because these needy people intend to learn from you. Please note that no project changes will be considered unless properly justified.

As far as living conditions are concerned, what should I expect during my stay in South India?
If you are on the voluntary work program with a placement of more than one month, you will be staying with a family or in the project on a sharing basis, and at times will be having a weekend family if you are staying at the project site.

If you are participating in the 14-day camp, you will stay at the camp site, the youth hostel, or at the project site.

What should I remember to bring when I leave for South India?
If you are joining the Mini-Adventure program for 2 weeks, you will need these supplies:

• Sleeping Bag
• Several T-shirts
• Baseball caps
• 2 pairs of shoes
• At least one pair of garden gloves
• If you want to participate in our International Food Night during the camp, you should bring cooking ingredients that you might not be able to find in India.
• Carry some information pertaining to your country, such as a map, national anthem, some traditional native dress, games, any other details, photographs, or small gifts which you would like to exchange or give to those you meet.
• Medicine, if any, as prescribed by your personal physician
• Musical instruments you may know how to play (guitar, violin, flute, etc.) Please don’t carry large or bulky instruments.

If you are joining our volunteer program (2-12 weeks), please bring these items:

• Waste pouch or neck pouch (to keep/carry your passport, money, and important papers) A MUST
• 5-6 pairs of pants. (Denim jeans or anything comfortable)
• 5-8 T-shirts (These should completely cover female volunteers. Avoid transparent clothing.)
• Sleeping bag
• 2 pairs of shoes
• 1 pair of sandals (slippers)
• 1 light pullover.
• Raincoat or umbrella
• Underclothes (A MUST)
• Toiletries
• 2 towels
• Swimsuit (if planning to travel to Goa or swim).
• Camera and film. Please note that inexpensive film is available in India.
• Sunscreen
• Medicine, if any, as prescribed by your personal physician
• Mosquito repellent (This is also available in India.)
• MOSQUITO NET.

We suggest you do not take malaria prevention medications because they are not required in the project in which you will be placed. If you still want to take these preventatives, or if your doctor prescribes them, please take them for only one month and when you travel to the forested areas.

Apart from a camera, sleeping bag, and trekking or sports shoes, all other items you will need are inexpensive and available in Bangalore.

Women do not need to bring too much clothing because Indian dress is most appropriate and comfortable for living, working, and integrating yourself into the local community. We suggest you bring only enough clothes for 2 to 3 weeks; you will ultimately be more comfortable wearing Indian clothing.

Please note these suggestions:

- Some “Micropur” or other tablets to sterilize water for drinking. (You will probably not often need these.)
- For a better understanding of each other, please share information pertaining to your country, such as a map, the national anthem, some traditional native dress, games, photographs, or small gifts you may want to exchange or give to others.
- Musical instruments if you play any (guitar, violin, flute, etc.) Please don’t carry large or bulky instruments.
- Gifts for your host family (bottle of wine, chocolates, specific cakes, biscuits, or sweets of your country, or any other small souvenir)
- Photos, map, flag, post cards of your country and/or photos of your family
- Recipes and ingredients which may not be available in India for our International Food Night or to cook for your host family.
- Traveler’s checks, credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Maestro Card are the best). If you carry Euros, you won’t have to change them to dollars. Euros are accepted in India and can be exchanged for Indian Rupees.
- Some games and/or books about handicrafts or paper folding. Colorful English books will help you if you have to work with children

Can I change my volunteer placement if I become dissatisfied?
Yes - Global Crossroad will consider the volunteer’s request for a change of project / location, but only if the reasons are genuine and justified.

How will I get to headquarters from the airport?
Global Crossroad will do the following for its participants:

• Pickup from the airport/train or bus station in Bangalore, Karnataka State, India
• Orientation of the host project and/or host family
• One-night stay in Bangalore
• On the 2nd day, participants will be sent or taken to the camp site/host project/host family
• Upon arrival at the camp site, participate in a project introduction and briefing with do's and don'ts

Will I have access to modern communications such as e-mail, telephone, or post office?
YES, there are many internet cafés, telephone booths and post offices in every locality

What vaccinations will I need for my trip to South India?
Please consult your doctor as vaccinations vary with your personal health issues and also check with your local India embassy for more up-to-date information.

Where is my arrival destination, and how long will it take me to get to my host site?
Bangalore International Airport is your arrival destination. Depending up on your project location, it could take 1-14 hours to reach the project site from our office. You will be living near the project; you won’t commute every day from our office.

What should I do in case of an emergency in South India?
You are advised to contact your coordinator immediately. You will get more information during the orientation.

Is there an orientation program?
Yes. You will have an orientation explaining your program.

Are there any restrictions in the South India program:
Yes. You are not allowed to earn money in any manner. Use of drugs and/or involvement in any illegal activity will result in your arrest and/or deportation. The coordinator will not be responsible in such cases.