Volunteer in India in 2026

You’ll ease into the week with a welcome orientation where you get to know the team, your new friends and your home base. Simple Hindi phrases, local customs and practical tips will help you feel more confident moving around Goa and connecting with people.

Across the week you’ll move between beaches, forts, Old Goa streets and green countryside. Expect a mix of yoga sessions, market visits, nature walks, cooking classes, pottery and henna workshops, plus time to relax and chat with locals. Everything is beginner friendly, so you can just show up curious and open.

Transport during the program is by local buses and other public options, which keeps things authentic and gives you a good feel for how people really move through the city. You’ll be asked to be on time, listen to safety instructions, use reef safe sunscreen and respect local norms during activities.

By the end of the week you’ll know how to order chai, spot Goan spices at the market, read a bus timetable and recognise your favourite sunset beach spot. More importantly, you’ll feel settled, grounded and ready for the rest of your India adventure.

Schedule

Monday

Arrive at the centre, settle in and join a relaxed orientation where you learn basic Hindi phrases, cultural do’s and don’ts and how the week will run. In the afternoon visit Fort Aguada and nearby Sinquerim Beach to watch the sunset before sharing your first Goan dinner at the Green Lion Centre.

Tuesday

Start the day with an easy yoga session to stretch out and shake off any remaining jet lag. Learn about India’s history and culture in a fun intro session, practise making traditional chai, then head out to visit the Basilica of Bom Jesus, a spice plantation and the colourful streets of Fontainhas before dinner back at the centre.

Wednesday

Begin with morning yoga and a slow breakfast with the group. Spend the day between Anjuna Beach and its famous markets where you can shop, relax and enjoy the sea before returning to the centre in the evening to unwind over dinner.

Thursday

Flow through another yoga session, then switch gears into a hands-on pottery workshop where you create your own piece to remember Goa by. Later you’ll join outreach activities and a fun henna session, finishing the evening with a relaxed Bollywood movie night.

Friday

Enjoy your final yoga class of the week, then visit Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary for a dose of nature and

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wildlife. In the afternoon explore Mapusa Market and join a Goan cooking class before your farewell dinner at the centre.

Your weekdays are split between a busy, family-run kindergarten and an outreach project serving children from migrant communities. Mornings are full of songs, stories, games and simple lessons for the youngest learners. Afternoons are more about creative activities, life skills and encouragement for older kids who often miss out on regular schooling.

Throughout the week you’ll work alongside local teachers and coordinators who guide you, share ideas and help you build your own teaching style. There is a strong focus on patience, respect and creating a safe space where every child feels seen and included.

Dress is modest and practical, with covered shoulders and knees and closed shoes for everyone. You’ll be encouraged to stay flexible, bring fresh ideas and lean into teamwork with your fellow participants and the local staff.

By the end of your stay you’ll have built real relationships with your students, picked up new teaching skills and experienced a very personal side of life in Goa that most travellers never see.

Schedule

Monday to Friday

Begin each morning with breakfast at the centre before heading to the kindergarten, where you help teach simple English, songs, games, arts and sports to children aged roughly 3 to 8. After lunch back at the accommodation, you move to the slum outreach project to run playful lessons, group activities and basic life skills sessions with children aged 4 to 14. In the early evening you return to the centre, prepare ideas and materials for the next day and share dinner with the group.

Most of your work is light renovation, not heavy construction. Think repainting dull walls with bright colours, creating simple murals, refreshing playground equipment, tidying gardens and giving old furniture a new life. You’ll follow the guidance of local coordinators and always work to current community needs.

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No previous construction experience is needed, just a willingness to help, follow safety instructions and get properly paint-splattered. The atmosphere is relaxed and supportive, and you’ll often find yourself chatting with local kids or neighbours as you work.

Outside of project hours you have plenty of time to enjoy Goa’s beaches, markets and sunset spots with your group. Weekends are free for side trips, and the team can suggest favourite coastal walks, viewpoints and nearby highlights.

Schedule

Monday to Friday

Start early with breakfast before a short meeting with your coordinator to plan the day’s tasks and travel to the site. From around 8:00 to 13:30 you work on location painting, cleaning, gardening or doing small repairs depending on what is needed. After returning to the accommodation you have lunch, time to shower and relax, and later you come together again for dinner and a quiet evening.

Placements are spread across different care homes and a specialised school, and you can choose the project that fits you best. Wherever you go, the focus is on presence rather than perfection, showing up with kindness, patience and a willingness to listen.

You might spend your mornings chatting with elders, playing games, reading aloud or helping with simple exercises. At another placement you could be assisting adults with everyday tasks, joining in group activities or supporting basic skills training.

At the school, your time may be spent inside the classroom or therapy spaces, helping students follow lessons, practise communication or build practical skills for daily life. You’ll work alongside experienced staff who guide you and help you understand each person’s needs.

Afternoons are usually yours to rest, explore Goa or prepare simple ideas for the next day. An optional slum outreach add-on lets you extend your impact into local communities if you want to do more.

Schedule

Monday to Friday

Choose one core placement and spend your mornings there from about 9:30 to 13:00, whether that is an elderly care home, a special needs centre or the school for the deaf and blind. After lunch you are free to relax, explore, reflect or plan simple activities for the following day. If you opt in to the slum outreach add-on, you can join afternoon sessions from 16:00 to 18:00 to support children in under- resourced communities before heading back for dinner and downtime.

You’ll explore grand palaces, lakeside ghats, temples and colourful bazaars that feel straight out of a film set. Guided walks and visits help you understand the stories behind the monuments, while short Hindi lessons give you the basics to greet people, order food and move around with more confidence.

Alongside sightseeing you’ll try yoga and simple pranayama practices, learn to cook vegetarian dishes and join workshops in pottery, painting and mehndi. Evenings may bring folk performances, puppet shows or Bollywood movie time depending on the day.

Towards the end of the week you head out of the city to visit nearby temples and villages, getting a feel for life beyond the main tourist routes. A final village visit and Aarti ceremony round off the experience with something spiritual and memorable.

Schedule

Monday

Begin with an introduction to India’s history and everyday life, plus a crash course in useful Hindi words and phrases. Learn how to make masala chai, then head into Udaipur to visit City Palace, Jagdish Temple and the old streets on a heritage walk.

Tuesday

Start the morning with a gentle pranayama session to focus your mind and energy. Shop for vegetables and spices at a local market, take part in a hands-on vegetarian cooking class and finish the day with a hike up to Karni Mata Temple for panoramic views and an evening folk and puppet show.

Wednesday

Continue practising breathwork, postures and simple meditation in another morning session. Later you join a pottery workshop to try traditional techniques before visiting Shilpgram, an arts village where craftspeople from Rajasthan and nearby states showcase their work.

Thursday

Wrap up your yoga and pranayama journey with a final practice. Travel to Eklingji and Saas Bahu temples for a taste of Rajasthan’s spiritual and architectural heritage, then return to the city for a mehndi session and a Rajasthani painting workshop before ending the day with a Bollywood movie night.

Friday

Leave the city behind for a day in a local rural village, meeting families, seeing daily routines and sharing stories. In the evening you take part in an Aarti ceremony, a ritual of light, music and devotion that brings the week to a meaningful close.

Mornings are spent at a kindergarten or lower primary school where most students come from families of drivers, housemaids and labourers. Classes are informal and playful, with plenty of songs, games and simple activities to keep young learners engaged.

In the afternoons you support a community school and boarding facility for girls aged roughly 10 to 16 from remote villages. Your focus there is on spoken and written English, homework help and simple life skills in a safe, encouraging environment.

Throughout the week you’ll be guided by coordinators and local teachers who provide handbooks, ideas and practical tips. The more creative and flexible you are, the more fun and impactful your sessions become.

Schedule

Monday to Thursday

Have breakfast around 8:00, then travel to your assigned school and assist teachers in kindergarten classes from about 9:30 to 12:00 with playful English activities and basic lessons. After lunch between 13:00 and 14:00, you prepare materials for the afternoon and then head to the community school from 16:00 to 18:00 to support girls with homework, games and interactive learning, before returning for dinner and evening preparation time.

Friday

Follow a similar routine with breakfast, morning teaching at the kindergarten and lunch. In the afternoon you again prepare and support sessions at the community school, then share dinner and a feedback session about your week and what you have learned from the projects.

You don’t need to be a professional coach, just someone who enjoys being active and is happy to encourage kids on the field. Common sports include football, volleyball, cricket, hockey, athletics and basic gymnastics, but you can also bring your own game ideas.

Alongside drills and matches you’ll run short sessions on hygiene, personal care and respect, using sport examples to make the topics easy to understand. The aim is to create a fun atmosphere where everyone is included, especially quieter or less confident students.

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You’ll work closely with PE teachers and local staff so that activities match school needs and can continue after you leave. Over time you’ll see students learn teamwork, leadership and communication simply by showing up to play.

Schedule

Monday to Friday

In the mornings you assist with one or two sports periods during school hours, helping warm-ups, drills and games on the field. After lunch you lead or support extra training sessions or health and hygiene workshops from early afternoon onwards, adjusting the exact timing with the school staff. Throughout the day you keep activities inclusive, safe and active so that every child gets a chance to participate.

Your days are spent at under resourced schools and community sites where there is a clear, agreed need for improvements. Tasks might include painting classrooms, repairing furniture, improving toilets, building simple playground elements or creating murals that brighten the space.

You’ll be surrounded by a mix of local workers, coordinators and fellow participants, so there is always someone to show you how things are done. Artistic skills are welcome but not required; there is space for everyone from careful painters to those who just love to help wherever needed.

As you move through the week you’ll see visible progress, which makes the work very satisfying. In your free time you can explore Udaipur’s lakes, markets and viewpoints or simply relax back at the accommodation.

Schedule

Monday to Friday

Each morning starts with a briefing with your coordinator before heading to the school or site to begin construction and renovation work. Through the day you help with light building, painting, simple repairs, playground improvements or furniture work depending on current needs. Breaks, lunch and finishing times are arranged locally, but you can expect a full, active day of practical tasks.

You’ll join guided sessions on local customs, social norms and practical travel tips, so you feel comfortable navigating the town and understanding what you see. Language lessons give you a taste of Nepali, and cultural activities help you connect more naturally with local people.

Across the week you explore markets, temples and viewpoints, try your hand at cooking, join yoga or morning walks and share stories over tea. There is space to ask anything you want to know about life in the hills, your upcoming placements or India in general.

By the end of the week you’ll know your way around central Darjeeling, understand key etiquette and have a small circle of new friends to share the rest of your trip with.

Schedule

Monday

Have breakfast at the centre, then join a welcome ritual with a simple Puja, name giving and icebreakers. Learn about social norms, daily habits and what to expect in Darjeeling, complete the necessary paperwork and go for an orientation walk around the neighbourhood before returning for dinner.

Tuesday

After breakfast you check in on how everyone is feeling, then dive into your first Nepali language session. Join a scavenger hunt at Chowk Bazar and explore Chowrasta, Mahankal Temple and Mall Road before heading back to the centre for dinner and a relaxed movie night.

Wednesday

Start the day with a morning walk along Mall Road, followed by breakfast and presentations from the scavenger hunt. Join a cooking class, then visit Bhalu Dhunga for optional rock climbing and the Happy Tea Garden before returning for the evening.

Thursday

Eat breakfast, then learn more about your upcoming placement sites and continue language practice. After lunch, visit the Japanese Peace Pagoda for a mix of history, culture and quiet time before heading back for dinner and a cultural night.

Friday

Begin with breakfast, then set off on a day hike from Tiger Hill to Sinchel, making sure to bring enough water. In the evening you share feedback about your culture week experience over dinner back at the centre.

You’ll work as an assistant teacher, helping with English, basic maths, arts and crafts, games and sometimes drama, music or simple foreign language activities. Schools are structured and supervised yet friendly, with staff who are used to welcoming international participants.

Beyond teaching, you’ll also help with caretaking tasks that keep the children comfortable and cared for. This could include organising playtime, helping during meals, guiding hygiene routines or simply offering a reassuring presence in the classroom.

Outside of project hours you can join local cultural activities, language sessions and weekend trips to tea gardens, viewpoints or nearby villages. It’s a balanced mix of meaningful work and mountain exploring.

Schedule

Monday

Share breakfast, then join a welcome and introduction session about Darjeeling, your projects, house rules and the code of conduct. Learn about local culture and safety during travel, start a short language session focused on your placement and after lunch head into town for a first visit and orientation before returning for dinner.

Tuesday to Friday

After breakfast you go to the kindergarten, where classes usually run from around 9:30 to 15:30 with a lunch break from 12:00 to 13:30. Throughout the day you assist teachers with lessons, games and caretaking and gradually take more initiative as you grow comfortable in the classroom.

Most days you’ll teach several short classes, usually about 40 minutes each, using games, music, storytelling and simple activities to keep lessons engaging. You can focus on English or blend in maths, science, environmental topics or personal development depending on your strengths and the school’s needs.

The aim is not just grades but confidence. By speaking with you and trying new activities, students get used to using English out loud and start seeing more possibilities for their future education.

After school you have time to plan upcoming lessons, spend time with other participants or simply enjoy the views with a cup of tea. Weekends are free for trips to viewpoints, monasteries, villages or tea plantations nearby.

Schedule Monday to Friday

Once you’ve had breakfast you travel to your assigned school, where classes normally run from about

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10:00 to 16:00. You teach different groups for sessions of around 40 minutes, with a lunch break from 12:30 to 13:30, and adapt your teaching style to each class while keeping things lively and interactive.

You’ll work with a local nonprofit that has deep roots in the community, joining their team as they run training, classes and outreach. One day you might sit with women learning new income skills, the next you could be helping with children’s homework or distributing food to elders.

Health sessions, housing support and small savings or microfinance activities are also part of the picture. Your role shifts depending on ongoing projects, but always focuses on listening, encouraging and adding your skills where they fit best.

This is a great placement if you’re curious about how grassroots organisations operate and want a broad, people-focused experience rather than a single classroom or site.

Schedule

Monday to Friday

You spend around five hours a day supporting different parts of the organisation’s work, from education and women’s empowerment to health, food distribution, elderly care or housing support. Exact timings and tasks are set with the local team so that you slot into existing programs and can move between field visits, sessions and simple office support when needed.

Typical tasks include painting school walls, repairing desks and chairs, fixing pathways, renovating toilets and doing simple gardening in courtyards or playgrounds. Sometimes work extends to houses or community centres in nearby villages, depending on current needs.

You’ll always have guidance from coordinators, especially when using tools or handling heavier materials. The focus is on being careful, working as a team and taking pride in slow but steady visible progress.

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Outside work hours there is plenty of time to enjoy local walks, viewpoints and the relaxed social side of the project centre. Weekends are a good moment to visit tea gardens or nearby attractions with new friends.

Schedule

Monday

Start with breakfast, then join an introduction to Darjeeling, your project, house rules and safety guidelines. Learn a little local language, talk through the construction tasks ahead, have lunch and then head out on a short city visit before returning for dinner.

Tuesday to Friday

After breakfast you go to the placement site and spend the day on light construction and renovation activities, with a lunch break in between. Tasks are assigned by the coordinator and can include painting, repairs, path building or gardening until you return for dinner and a relaxed evening.

Most of your time is spent at the shelter feeding, cleaning, grooming and simply being present with the animals. Many are recovering from illness, injury or past neglect, so calm companionship and gentle attention make a real difference.

You may also join mobile vet clinics and vaccination drives in rural or urban areas, helping staff organise equipment, comfort animals and talk with local residents about animal health. Educational forums and outreach sessions are another part of the work when scheduled.

Communication with staff and vets is in English, while village visits give you a chance to pick up local phrases and better understand how people relate to animals here. You don’t need prior experience, just an open mind and respect for shelter guidelines.

Schedule

Monday to Friday

After breakfast you head to the animal shelter and spend at least three hours there each day, following the timetable set by the staff. Within that block you help feed, clean, groom and care for the animals and join any planned vet camps, vaccination activities or outreach sessions before returning to the centre.