...hard experience for someone who comes from a develop country, very rich in terms of experience and learning, for sure, I think I will recommend to everyone to be able to open their minds, be more tolerant and appreciate what we have. The kids were amazing, full of energy and joy, even in than circumstances, they always teach you the real importance of life. I.P.
Teach them as well the importance of hygiene, despite is quite a challenge and probably not the priority, but will help them a lot in health care, provide them better conditions at the school, ventilation, toilets...and organized,if possible better work structure and previous information to the volunteers. I.P.
Be aware of where are you going to do, volunteer it is not a 'romatice idea' of helping others, some of us can, some others can not deal with it, be aware of your capacities, enthusiasm abut the job and what are you willing to sacrifice, if you still decide to go, search for information and try to stay longer than a month, to be able to learn, teach and know the kids, the other teachers and about the One! and the work they are doing. Over all, I will recommend everyone to go through such an experience, despite the incommodities; I think you learn so much more of what you can provide them in return. I.P.
I think an orientation upon arrival would have helped immensely. I arrived when Tanya was in Canada and I feel that I missed out a bit on how I could have best contributed to the organization. C.L.
Except for the massive and ongoing water shortage .....the accommodation was great and suited the needs and aims of the program. I did not volunteer to teach in Mumbai and expect a single bedroom/five star hotel - and I would have been disgusted to have been given such things! :) C.L.
Most difficult was the heat (I would recommend explaining where to buy oral re-hydration packages to the volunteers) and the general inequality in the treatment of women in India. I was once groped close to the apartment by a random man during broad daylight while walking back from he store with another volunteer - it was a hard situation to get over but in the end it did not tarnish my entire experience. It was a great experience to be so quickly integrated into the One! family and allowed to witness the culture of India from the inside out. C.L.
Speak to a past volunteer! Keep doing what you're doing!! N.J.
Maybe there would have been a good idea more information about how the teaching works. About the different levels, and more exactly what kind of things the kids should learn, just to get started with the teaching a bit faster. E.B.
You are an inspiration. You show both the kids and the volunteers that it's possible to make a difference. E.B.
Be well prepared, be ready to work hard, and don't expect volunteering to be a vacation. E.B.
Preparation. Whoa! This is a tough question to answer but I would say "No". I had been to India before and understood what the culture is like, especially for foreigners, but it was still challenging many times. Regarding One!, I had done my own preparation and talked to teachers about how to manage classes and how to teach. But nothing is a better teacher than real experience and I soon discovered how ill prepared I was. But, One! has in place a volunteer peer system that overlaps the tenures of the volunteers so that new ones learn from he experienced ones about the organization, the city, the accommodations and the culture. Plus, the regular teachers at One! wee always available to help and their efforts were extraordinary. One! also has an excellent support structure via J and A who ensured that volunteers were taken care of. So although I answered that I was not prepared, One! has all of the levers necessary to make the transition and succeed. M.V.
Children. Unbelievable. They gave me far more than I could ever give them. I had an extremely favourable experience with the kids. M.V.
Balance is created by the individual. I found myself working many hours in the evening and several weekends so I didn't have much free time. But it was my choice to do so and never imposed on me. It was not a burden but a labour of love. M.V.
Incredible India! I loved it and many, many times I hated it. However, today, I know I am a better man because of it. M.V.
Strongest Points. People! It is true in any organization. It starts at the top with the leadership. Tania runs a tight ship and it is absolutely necessary. But at the same time,she gives everyone a long leash to improve themselves and the school. She provides infinite support to teachers, staff and volunteers and is even willing to let us fail and help us in order that we can get better. The teachers and support staff are outstanding and took great care to look after the volunteers as did J and A. Integration and acceptance of numerous cultures - India is a xenophobic country. But at One! people were accepting of other cultures and everyone took great efforts to know the individuals and the cultures. Another point I think is so strong is the modesty and honesty of the organization. There is no government support nor do we try to solicit pity. We are there to help these children and their families. And even though One! International may not be recognized by many for our outstanding efforts, the angels in Heaven appreciate us. M.V.
Advice to Future Volunteers.
You are going to learn so much about yourself that you never knew existed. Every day will involve struggles that you never could possibly imagine. But you will learn how to overcome them quickly and be a better person for it. Ask questions and get to know not only your students but the teachers and the staff. They all have remarkable stories and character that will rub off on you. More than anything else, relax, do your best work and enjoy the experience to your fullest because it will go by quickly. M.V.
We would not be able to do the work we do in India without the contributions of the volunteers who give their time and their energy, and come from all over the world to help the One! children and families.
We are so thankful for their contributions and their commitment
to "Making a Difference".
