The Project:
Valleys of the Himalayas - This small paradise on earth is home to His Holiness Dalai Lama and to a significant Tibetan settlement in India. Dharamshala is set in the backdrop of the snow-clad peaks of Dhaulathar Mountains. It is the capital of the Tibetan Government in exile and the residence of the Dalai Lama.
FSL-India has been conducting regular workcamps in McLeodganj, Dharamshala for almost 8 years now and has formed a good network of local partners in the region. In the first two weeks of the camp, the volunteers will take part in the Equine (Horses) Welfare Project. Equines were the backbone of the Indian and British army. Since Equines are reared by local communities in hilly areas for transportation of goods, the Army released the Equines and handed them over to retired army personnel for rearing. An evaluation was conducted after 10 years and it was found that the equines were reared in miserable conditions. Therefore, an Equine Welfare Program was started with the main objective of improving the management and welfare of Equines by promoting awareness among owners. In this workcamp our volunteers will be involved in construction and maintenance of stables for equines, maintenance of pathways, medical care, and maintenance of toilets for the horse rearing community. Through interactions with local families and Women’s Self Help Groups, the volunteers will gain a better understanding of various livelihood generation activities based on Natural Resource Management, like Irrigation, Vegetation measures, Dairy Development, Fodder production etc.
The volunteers will also take part in Education activities in a local school and will teach children basic English and Mathematics, Health and Hygiene awareness, and Environmental protection through creative learning methods like art, music, games. In addition, the volunteers will improve the infrastructure in the schools by taking up simple renovation work like painting, tree plantation, toilet and kitchen repair work etc.
During the Camp, volunteers will get the opportunity to learn about Tibetan culture and the different issues related to the exile of its people and the re-settlement in India. There will be cultural activities, daily visits to important cultural sites and exchange with the Tibetan Youth with the support of the Tibetan Welfare Office. On the third week of the camp volunteers will take part in a four-day trekking activity around the mountains of Dharamshala and Triund.
Location:
Kangra district in lower Dharamshala. Dharamshala is located in the state of Himachal Pradesh, North India, 500 kilometers from Delhi. Dharamshala is accessible by bus on a daily basis from New Delhi and other smaller cities of North India. The nearest railway stations are Pathankot and Kangra Mandir. Delhi is the nearest international airport. The exact Meeting Point will be mentioned in the info sheets.
Accommodation: In a rented Guest house or Hostel, with shared rooms.
Participation Fee:
Three Weeks: 18,000 Indian Rupees (approximately 225 Euros depending on the exchange rate)