25 trees will be planted on your behalf for every experience purchased, via our partnership with One Tree Planted.
See more at onetreeplanted.org
Overview
During this program, you will teach English to the monks at monasteries. You will also get a chance to learn about Buddhism while doing this. You will be teaching to novice monks, both adults and children! This will allow for fully immersing yourself into the lifestyle of the monks!
The project will involve various monasteries wherein the age of the monks are between 8 to 25. The monastery has classes between Nursery to Grade 5. Each class approximately has 10 to 15 students. The subjects that the participants need to teach are English, Math, Science and the subject of their choice.
Objectives
- To help teach monks English and in return, to get our participants immersed into the lifestyle in a monastery and to help them learn about Buddhism.
Impact
Volunteer experiences have a direct and positive impact on local communities by injecting money into the local economy through the purchase of food, transportation, and tourism activities. Volunteering is a great way to give back to the comunity and make a difference in the world. Depending on the type of volunteer experience you are interested in, your time can be spent improving educational resources and opportunities, providing medical services to underserved communities, or promoting environmental conservation and sustainable farming techniques.
1% of gross sales will be donated to 1% for the Planet-approved charities via our partnership with 1% for the Planet.
See more at onepercentfortheplanet.org
Location
Sikkim, India
An area of unspoilt natural beauty, framed by snow-capped Himalayan peaks. The capital of Sikkim, Gangtok, reflects this tiny state’s extraordinary ethnic diversity. In the crowded city which spills precariously down a ridge, Lepchas (the region’s original inhabitants) live alongside Tibetans, Bhutias, Nepalis and Indians from the plains. Though now full of modern structures, Gangtok’s “Shangrila” aspects can still be experienced in pockets of the city and in its alpine environs.
Until 1975, Sikkim was a kingdom with the status of an Indian Protectorate. It was ruled by the Chogyals Buddhists of Tibetan origin, whose dynasty began in the 17th century. However, the British Raj’s policies of importing cheap labour from neighbouring Nepal for Sikkim’s rice, cardamom and tea plantations drastically changed Sikkim’s demography, soon Nepali Hindus constituted 75 per cent of the state’s population. In 1975, the population of Sikkim voted overwhelmingly to join the Indian Republic, ending the rule of Palden Thondup, the last Chogyal.
Itinerary
Sunday - Arrival
Arrive Sunday at Pakyong Airport, Sikkim (PYG) or Siliguri Bagdogra Airport, Bagdogra (IXB) in our pickup window of 08:00 to 20:00
Monday - Friday
You will teach primarily English and various other subjects to the monks, both young and old, for around 2 to 3 hours of various age groups every day. There are various allotted starting time at the monasteries, thus you will be given the time schedule at the project location.You will stay at the our Center in Gangtok, Sikkim.
Saturday - Departure
Leave the accommodation on Saturday morning. Take a jeep or bus to the airport. It takes 45 mins drive to Pakyong Airport and 5 hours drive to Bagdogra Airport from the accommodation.
Inclusions
- Shared Accomodation
- All meals included
- Free beverages
- Wifi in public areas
- Arrival Transfer (included with 2 wk+ trips)
- Departure Transfer
Options
More Information
Requirements
- minimum age18
- minimum english levelBasic
- CRB RequiredOn signup
- passport copy requiredOn signup
- resume copy requiredNo
Other Requirements
- Participants above the age of 65 should have medical clearance.
- It's a good idea to bring posters, pictures, music CDs, storybooks, flash cards and so on to brighten up lessons.
- Cover up as much as possible in the spirit of the local culture to avoid embarrassment.
- Your clothes must not be too short, too tight or too revealing. Kindly make sure your shoulders and legs are covered.
- Dress professionally since you will be working in a professional environment while teaching the children.
- It is completely fine to wear western clothes as long as they fit the local standards
- Be thoughtful of the graphics, symbols or text printed on your clothing and avoid wearing clothing styles that might be inappropriate
- Be thoughtful to poor communities by not displaying expensive items and clothes
- Wearing local clothes could help you build a good working relationship with the community
Food
The meals are a mix of Western and Indian food, consisting mainly of vegetarian dishes including rice and vegetables. You can expect to have a chicken dish about twice per week. You can also use the kitchen facilities to cook for yourself or eat out at any of the local restaurants.Accommodation
In our center, there is a mini library, a dining room, a lounge area where you can hang out with fellow participants and a beautiful garden to relax.
Furthermore, there is a refrigerator which you are welcome to use to store food and beverages.
