Fighting Inequality in India
Globe Aware's India program is based in Jaipur. Maharaja Jai Singh II, a Kachhwaha Rajput, who ruled from 1699-1744, founded Jaipur, "The Pink City". Built in 1727 Jaipur was the first planned city of India and the King took great interest in its design. The title of "The Pink City" is in reference to its distinctly colored buildings, which were originally painted that color to imitate the red sandstone architecture of Mughal cities. Jaipur has grown into the commercial center for most of the rural regions of the northwestern Indian state of Rajasthan and is that state's largest city. It is a place with a rich cultural history. During your strolls through the city you may come across typical Rajasthani men and women wearing turbans and colorful ghagra-choli.
VOLUNTEER WORK PROJECTS IN JAIPUR
Globe Aware focuses on addressing systemic neglect by bridging the gap between meaningful service and cultural immersion. In local communities where families rely on daily wage labor, volunteer groups focus on four core pillars: specialized care for children with HIV/AIDS or disabilities, school restoration to reduce dropout rates, early childhood development at daycare centers, and sustainable housing. To ensure long-term impact, volunteers revitalize government schools by repairing facilities, building furniture, and constructing dedicated girls' toilets to encourage continued attendance. Beyond physical labor, participants engage directly with children through tutoring, sports, and creative arts, providing them with the resources and confidence needed to catch up with their peers and thrive.
Solo/Small Groups/Families
Government School Revitalization
Globe Aware is working to reduce dropout rates in Jaipur by revitalizing the physical infrastructure of local government schools and daycare centers. Many of these institutions currently lack the basic resources necessary for a functional learning environment, leaving students to study in classrooms with crumbling walls and no desks or benches. Volunteers address these critical needs by repairing and painting facilities and constructing essential furniture, ensuring that children in Jaipur have a dignified and comfortable space to sit and learn.
A primary focus of these efforts is the construction of dedicated toilets for female students. By providing safe and private sanitation, Globe Aware helps remove a major barrier to education, encouraging girls to remain in school through their adolescence.
These improvements extend to local Day Care Centers (DCCs) serving families living below the poverty line. By equipping these centers with necessary furniture and developmental tools, volunteers create a safe, stimulating environment for children aged one to five, allowing their parents to work safely while their children thrive.
Infrastructure for Vulnerable Youth
Globe Aware volunteers support a specialized residential facility in Jaipur that serves approximately 30 girls, ages 3 to 17, who are living with HIV/AIDS. Many of these children have been orphaned by the epidemic and rely on the home for both care and stability. To enhance their quality of life, volunteers renovate living spaces and build specialized furniture for the home's computer room. These physical improvements ensure the girls have comfortable, reliable access to online learning and the essential educational resources needed to thrive.
Establishing Community Libraries
Many rural and semi-urban schools lack dedicated reading spaces. Volunteer groups help establish small libraries by renovating rooms, organizing books, and creating educational materials to foster a lifelong reading culture.
Big Group Projects - can accommodate groups of over 20
Sensory Gardens for Special Needs Schools
Globe Aware facilitates the design and construction of sensory gardens for schools serving children with physical and mental disabilities, including Autism, ADHD, and Cerebral Palsy. These therapeutic environments use textures, colors, and interactive elements to stimulate sensory development and emotional well-being.
Eco-Friendly Housing Development
In underserved rural areas, groups assist in constructing low-cost, eco-friendly homes designed to withstand extreme weather conditions. These projects often include the installation of solar panels, providing families with a sustainable and free source of electricity.
Civic Renovation
Groups assist in the restoration of village schools, community centers, and local gathering halls, creating environments that better support community activities and local education.
Water Harvesting in Rajasthan
Addressing chronic drought in desert regions, Globe Aware volunteers build rainwater harvesting structures for low-income village populations. Participants also implement innovative systems to reduce kitchen water waste, empowering communities to manage their most vital resources.
Food and Lodging
Volunteers can choose between staying with a local Indian family in a homestay or lodging at one of the modest hotels near our program site. Please note that homestays can accommodate a maximum of two volunteers; groups larger than this will be placed in a hotel. All accommodations include running hot water, flushing Western-style toilets, and electricity. While not luxurious, they are more than sufficient to provide a comfortable and enjoyable experience. We house volunteers two to a hotel room unless you decide to pay a single supplement of $200 per week.
Indian cuisine is rich in spices and diverse flavors. North Indian dishes, particularly those from Rajasthan, often feature various types of roti or flatbreads. You'll also find an array of delightful seasonal fruits and tempting street food, though it's best to enjoy street food with caution. Vegetarian options are abundant and cater to a wide range of preferences. Be sure to bring your own water tumbler. Water will be available at your lodging and worksite or can be purchased from local grocery stores. If you opt for a homestay, the home may also have its own filtered water system.
Leisure and Activities
Have dinner with a local family. Enjoy a Bollywood Film in the homeland of this worldwide phenomenon. Take a visit to a traditional artisan factory. Explore the city markets of Jaipur, visit the famous Amber Fort. India is a land of stunningly unique sights, sounds, and smells. Even a walk down the street can be an unforgettable experience. As you embed yourself into the local community and your work project you will have ample time to enjoy these and other cultural activities.
Arranging Your Airfare
Jaipur Airport (JAI/VIJP) is situated in the satellite town of Sanganer and offers sporadic (chartered) service to London and Dublin. Flights to Singapore and Bangkok are available via Delhi. Direct flights to Sharjah, Muscat and Dubai are also available. Jaipur also has daily domestic air links with many Indian cities such as Jodhpur, Udaipur, Aurangabad, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Goa, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Mumbai and Indore. Globe Aware volunteers will find it simpler to fly into one of these cities and make a connecting domestic flight to Jaipur. One plus point for those flying out of Delhi is that the Delhi airport is close to the highway, so you could reach the airport without entering the city.
The most popular way to travel to Jaipur from Delhi, is by plane. There are a myriad of low budget airlines that fly daily back and forth between the two cities.
Safety and Security
Jaipur is a safe city accustomed to visitors from around the world. You may encounter youths on motorbikes claiming that Westerners are unwilling to engage with the Indian people. They might say "Why don't tourists want to talk to me", or "I am a student, I want to learn about your culture". This is occasionally a segue into a common scam in this part of India, the "gem scam." It involves the purchase of fake stones for resale, a supposed scheme to bypass Indian tax laws, or a host of other machinations. As a general rule, do not accept tea from strangers, but in addition be wary of any who invite you to talk in secluded areas. For your own sake, you will want to stay out of the precious gem business in Jaipur. There have been reports of smugglers trying to entice travelers to assist in smuggling items. Under no circumstances accept - smuggling is a major criminal act. In all these cases, exercise general caution and never fear to ask your coordinator for assistance or clarification of a given situation.
PLEASE NOTE:
Possession of satellite phones and other GPS devices is strictly prohibited in India and may lead to detention, fines, or arrest. American Citizen Services at the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India have encountered multiple cases involving U.S. citizens traveling to or within India with satellite phones or GPS devices, resulting in detention and significant fines upon entry, exit, or during their visit.
