The Project:
Located in the central part of the state of Karnataka, in the southern part of India, Hampi is definitely one of the most interesting travel destinations on the map of India. It is famous for its ruins belonging to the erstwhile medieval Hindu kingdom of Vijaynagar, now declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. The temples of Hampi, its monolithic sculptures and monuments are breath-taking. The Hindu style of architecture found at Hampi speaks of the splendour of the Vijaynagar Empire.
FSL India has been conducting workcamps in this region since 8 years and has formed a good network of local partners in this region. FSL-India has also organized four “World Heritage Volunteers” camps in Hampi with the cooperation of UNESCO World Heritage Center, which deals with activities aimed at sensitising young people about World Heritage.
The main objective of the workcamp in Hampi would be to spark interest among the local community by involving children and international volunteers in activities that promote sensitivity and respect towards the World Heritage site in Hampi. The work camps in Hampi will focus on the protection of the cultural heritage and the sites of historical importance and on creating awareness among the locals, school children, tour-guides and tourists.
FSL India will organize activities for the school children within the boundaries of World Heritage Site:
A. Clean up activities around the monuments in Hampi, which is most visited by tourists and Pilgrims. The objective is to spark interest among the local community by involving local and international volunteers in activities that promote sensitivity and respect towards the World Heritage site.
B. Preparation of Nursery: Planting saplings at the nursery. One child will be identified to look after each sapling. It would be a good activity to address this change and involve the local children to plant trees and teach them to look after them till they can survive.
C. Organizing Drawing competition for the school children and opening it up to local people by setting up an open gallery. Involve local Authorities, Tour Guide Association, teachers, and any other potential local partners. This would help build partnership for later work.
D. Awareness Walk/ Street Play with locals – The volunteers and locals will prepare a skit on heritage conservation and environment issues. The Street Play involves imparting of messages on Heritage conservation through acting and miming. The Awareness Walk will be a procession in the main area and we will spread messages on ecology, hygiene and conservation.
E. Initiate active participation of youth by encouraging school children to become “Young Guardians / Ambassadors” of the Heritage site. To achieve this, we will form a “Heritage Club” in the school.
Location:
Hampi is located in the state of Karnataka, 350 kilometers from Bangalore, and 13 kilometers from Hospet. Hampi is accessible by bus from Bangalore and Goa. The nearest railway station is in Hospet which is about 13 kilometers away from Hampi. The nearest international airports are Goa, Bangalore and Mumbai. The exact meeting point will be mentioned in the info sheets.
Accommodation: In a rented Guest house or Hostel, with shared rooms.
Participation Fee:
Two Weeks:14,000 Indian Rupees (approximately 175 Euros depending on the exchange rate)