Dharamsala

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Volunteer Work in Dharamsala

Volunteers in Dharamsala are encouraged to wear traditional garb as they work closely with the Indian community, and learn about the local customs and unique history of the region. CCS volunteers have been supporting grassroots initiatives in Dharamsala for almost 10 years.

• Caregiving : Volunteers care for infants, children, and people with disabilities. Because Dharamsala is a rural area, there are often not enough qualified caregivers. In addition, there are not many centers or schools for people with disabilities who may be excluded because of social stigmas. For this reason, there are many Anganwadis, or “daycare centers,” where volunteers can lend an extra pair of hands, and give children and people with disabilities the one-on-one attention that they are not always able to receive.
• Teaching : Volunteers teach children, teach conversational English, or assist teachers with special education. Our volunteers work with government primary and secondary schools, as well as local organizations teaching English and a variety of other subjects. Volunteers may also lead sports, hold discussions, and spread awareness about drug use and recycling. Within special education, volunteers can help with speech therapy and motor skills, hand and eye coordination, basic mathematics, English vocabulary, and recreational activities.
• Community Development : Volunteers work with women’s groups teaching conversational English, computer skills, and a variety of other subjects. Sometimes, these meetings will take place at the CCS Home-Base in an informal setting sharing tea and snacks. Depending on experience, volunteers may also practice varying forms of therapy including recreational, psychological, yoga, and massage.
• Healthcare : Volunteers work with organizations specializing in social services, such as women’s groups and day care centers to help provide basic medical check-ups, and health, prenatal, or nutritional information.

Volunteer Abroad and Intern Abroad programs are offered in Dharamsala. Placements are always designed to match your skills and interests to the needs identified by the community.

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Cultural & Learning Activities in Dharamsala

Building on the volunteer work in Dharamsala, India, Cultural & Learning Activities include historical, cultural, and many outdoor activities. CCS staff brings guest lecturers to discuss women's and health issues in the community, teaches conversational Hindi, and organizes hikes around the area. Trips to nearby temples reflecting the local Hindu and Sikh religions or excursions to the Norbulingka Institute of Tibetan culture are also organized for volunteers.

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Free Time in Dharamsala

During your volunteer Free Time, the mountain setting provides endless opportunities for hiking and interacting with nature. Volunteers who are interested in learning more about the Tibetan culture enjoy the proximity of the Tibetan refugee community, just minutes away.

You can visit the temples and monasteries, and the Kangra museum which contains an overview of the rich history of the region. For those interested in seeing the natural beauty of the region, the waterfalls of Bhagsunath, the mountain lakes, and the holiday resorts are all within a short distance of Dharamsala.

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Home-Base in Dharamsala

We have three Home-Bases in the Dharamsala region. These Home-Bases consist of several rooms that are shared by two to three volunteers, with an office and common area adjacent to them. One Home-Base in Dharamsala is located on the mountainside overlooking the communities below. Volunteers walk down a path to visit the center of town, Internet cafés, and the Kotwali bazaar. Volunteers in Dharamsala may also stay in a large three-story house at the base of the hills about ten minutes from the other Home-Base.

Local CCS staff in Dharamsala will welcome you to the community, make you feel at home and help you better understand the culture. They help facilitate your volunteer experience and are always available to handle any questions that may arise. CCS staff is always from the region where we operate, so they can provide a local perspective, help you with learning the local language, and guide you in what to do in your free time.

CCS staff cooks prepare traditional Indian meals for the volunteers, and licensed drivers provide transportation to and from your volunteer placement and Cultural & Learning Activities.

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In-Country Staff in Dharamsala

Local CCS staff in Dharamsala will welcome you to the community, make you feel at home and help you better understand the culture. They help facilitate your volunteer experience and are always available to handle any questions that may arise. CCS staff is always from the region where we operate, so they can provide a local perspective, help you with learning the local language, and guide you in what to do in your free time.

All of our in-country staff members are warm, loving people who want you to feel at home and will make sure you are well cared for. Each CCS program site has a Country Director or Program Director and a full staff to take care of all programming, administrative, and logistical needs, as well as housekeepers, drivers, house guards, and cooks. Because the staff office is typically located at the CCS Home-Base, a helping hand is never far. Learn more about our Dharamsala staff below.

Country Director: Bela Singh
Bela’s extensive background in social services and education, along with her strong desire to serve her community, led her to become a founding member of Project India, the organization which later evolved to be CCS. As a founding member and the first Country Director for CCS, Bela has been hugely influential in the development and overall operations of the organization.

Born in India, Bela Singh has over 20 years of experience in international development and social services. Her graduate studies were spent at Rajasthan University where she earned a master’s degree in psychology. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in nutrition from the University of Udaipur. Long before becoming a founding member of CCS, Bela was a volunteer herself, working as both a worker of extension services at the Agriculture College within the University of Udaipur and as a counselor in a mental hospital in Jaipur, India.

Bela began her long and varied career as a Consultant Psychologist in the Delhi Poly Clinic. After four years she moved on to become an Educational and Vocational Guidance Counselor at the Blue Bells School in New Delhi. She continued her career in education by working as a Special Educator and Psychologist at the Sahan School in Delhi where she eventually became the Vice Principal. Bela has led countless workshops and given numerous lectures on social issues such as special education in the department of teachers training and non-formal education, nutrition and rural populations, refresher courses for teachers of the handicapped and orientation programs in guidance and counseling for tribal women.

Bela also has an established relationship with the YMCA of New Delhi where she has been a counselor and course coordinator at the Institute of Behavioral Sciences. After her work at the YMCA, she was afforded the rare opportunity to work with Afghan refugees as a consultant psychologist. Bela came to CCS with over ten years experience facilitating counseling and extensive therapeutic work in her private practice.

House Manager
The House Manager is responsible for logistical arrangements such as arranging transportation and food.

Program Officer
The Program Officer is in charge of day-to-day operations in the office and the program. You can always talk to this person when you have questions about your volunteer work.

Program Coordinator
The Program Coordinator works directly with the Program Officer, assisting with the support and follow up of the volunteers. They can help and answer any questions or concerns you may have about your placement.

Cooks
The cooks are in charge of preparing traditional Indian cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Housekeeper
The housekeeper is in charge of all of the housekeeping for the Home-Base. They will wash the linens and towels once a week and they are in charge of keeping the house clean and comfortable.

Drivers
Our drivers will pick you up and drop you off at the airport. They will also provide transportation to and from the worksites and when necessary for the field trips.

House Guards
The guards are in charge of the safety of the house and the volunteers.