India

We offer 3 different experiences in India during a year of service:

1. Teaching (Aug to March) in a rural primary school in Thelpara, Kerala.

The Assumption Sisters are developing their English-medium primary school year by year. Currently they have children from lower kindergarten to Class 8, ages 4-14. They have a staff of local teachers and would welcome 2 volunteers to join them to teach English, IT, Sports, etc. A graduate with a teaching qualification would be preferred. The local language is Malayalam and English is a second language for many. Until a teachers’ hostel is built, the volunteers live with the Sisters on the school campus. (If volunteers can start June 1 they can spend the whole academic year here and one month in Maher.)  

• Sister Isabel spent 2 months in Thelpara in 2015, lived in the Assumption community and taught in the school. She describes her experience: "Yes, there are many things I could write about, and my desire to do so is a sign of how this vibrant, welcoming, frustrating place has captivated me.  The community is waiting for more people to be entranced… " 

• Stephanie and Ruth taught there 2015-16. Stephanie’s monthly blogs below give a vibrant taste of the year:

1 after two weeks Namaste Hello ...  2 everything in India attracts me ...  3 time to explore ... 4 it's not just the destination ... 5 a night without electricity... 6 more than meets the eye ... 7 Malwadi and Maher ... 8 Live, laugh, love ... 9 Monsoon Madness ...  10 Why I will miss India

2. Teaching English for one month to the Assumption novices near Pune, Maharashtra

Belonging to an international congregation, the sisters need to be able to communicate in English, French or Spanish. The postulants and novices appreciate a short intensive course from the volunteers.

3. Working with destitute women and children (April to July) at Maher, Pune

"Maher" in the Marathi language means "Mother's Home": a haven of hope, belonging and understanding. Its mission is to help destitute women, children and men from all over India to exercise their right to a higher quality of life, irrespective of gender, caste, creed or religion. Volunteers live with other international volunteers.

"Maher is a place like no other; full of life, laughter and love. You instantly become part of the family and it’s impossible not to always have a smile on your face. There are children of all ages living together in houses with one housemother, who has also come to Maher previously to seek shelter and support..."

See more photos on our facebook page Assumption Volunteers