A genuine affection for small children, patience, a sense of humour, good health and physical fitness are essential requirements. Volunteers are expected to relate to local conditions and gain the confidence and respect of the local community. Creative innovativeness and missionary zeal in execution are desirable requirements.

Tanure and Schedule

The School year is divided into the following sessions:-

• Session 1: 22 weeks : Mid Feb to mid Jul
• Monsoon break: 02 weeks in Jul
• Session 2: 22 Weeks : Mid Jul to mid Dec with one week break for Puja holidays
• Winter break: Mid Dec to Mid Feb:  08 weeks

We are not in favour of short "birds of passage" tanure. Our requirement is a minimum tanure of 12 weeks and a desirable tanure of 22 weeks. Retired teachers/couples with experience of teaching spoken english to pre schoolers are welcome for longer tanures.

Working conditions

The school is provided with good infrastructure; modern learning aids, multi media computer, monitors with DVD, adequate local staff, and is located in scenic clean and tidy environment. The local community of genial Nepali and Lepcha tribes is very supportive.

Logistics

The School is located at Samthar 80 Kms ( 3-4 hrs by jeep) from Kalimpong at an altitude of 1400m. It is 85 Kms from Siliguri.

Samthar  is a village with few shops selling staples and essentials. There is a weekly market on Wednesdays. News papers and books are not available. There is a post office. You will have to stock up with your needs and travel to Kalimpong for shopping.

First class boarding and lodging with western style toilets will be provided at the School. Be prepared to enjoy Indian meals, based on rice and Chapatis ( Indian bread), lentils, vegetables, curds, noodles, and chicken / pork. The breakfast is usually western style, but there is always scope for experimentation with  Indian variations. volunteers may do their own cooking if so inclined.

Electricity is available – but unreliable. There is no conventional piped water supply. Water comes from springs and is piped into the toilets and has to be conserved. Boiled and filtered or bottled drinking water is available.

There is a Primary health Center with a resident doctor ( Not always). Ambulance is available, for evacuation to Kalimpong. Doctors, hospital and pharmacies are available at Kalimpong. Siliguri has specialized medical facilities.

The climate is congenial with a temperature range of 06-18 C.

1. Nov to Feb is winter , with crisp atmosphere, usually blue skies with occasional rain. You will need whole range of woolens and winter wear.
2. March is spring time The weather is clear but a bit hazy. You will need light woolens in early mornings and evenings
3. Apr- May is summer. Pleasant weather with hot sun and pleasant breeze. Occasional thunder showers. You will need summer wear mostly cottons
4. Jun- Sept is Monsoons: Balmy weather, lots of rain, and a strong breeze. You will need cottons and rain wear
5. Oct is autumn: Lovely pleasant weather with occasional clouds and rain. You will need cottons with light woolens in the evenings. And rain wear.

Phones & Internet

No land line is available. Mobile phone services are available at reasonable cost. Internet services are available through GPRS. You will need to bring a GPRS enabled laptop and mobile phone, to get to your e-mail or the internet.

Contributions

Volunteers will be expected to pay.

1. For travel up to the nearest airport ( Bagdogra) or Rail station ( NJP)
2. For board and lodging directly to the host family @ approximatly USD 45 per week.

Complimentary Tour / Trek with Gurudongma Tours & Treks

Volunteers will get a chance to take a complimentary tour/trek, depending upon what is being operated by Gurudongma during their tenure.

Volunteering for projects

Volunteers are also invited to also initiate and operate a sub project. For some ideas on projects click on Empowerment & develpment modules.

More information and application form

For more information and to get an application form contact us.