You will be settled in and orientated during the first few days of this trip. However, we do offer a more comprehensive cultural immersion week which many people do as it’s a great way of meeting others, learning local customs and seeing a few sights. If you like the sound of this, then search our ‘Nearby Trips‘ and add it on for your first week.
Care Work in Goa
There’s no escaping Goa’s legendary reputation; with its golden sand beach, lush green landscapes and infectious energy it has surely become a must for the more nomadically inclined of us. 450 years of Portuguese influence set aside rich Indian heritage makes for an exciting fusion of East meets West in this diverse and eclectic state; experience a mixing pot of cuisines, architecture and music it surely is a feast for all the senses. One thing is certain, you will never get bored, with so many activities to offer Goa is a hub of Indian energy and the perfect destination for those looking to experience a colourful array of Indian history whilst meeting other like minded travellers. However, there are two sides to this popular destination and despite the booming tourist trade Goa still remains a poverty stricken state with many living in unhygienic and unsafe conditions without any structured education. Beneath the fun loving exterior, Goa has a range of care centres that work closely with the locals to provide adequate care to the vast number of those living below the poverty line. This care work volunteer placement in Goa is the perfect opportunity for you to give back to this deserving community by joining the local staff to lend a helping hand to those in need.
The care work placement is split into three different areas. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in all areas.
ELDERLY CARE
Who the Project serves:
With modernization, people are at a race for achievements which puts the concept of the nuclear family in focus. When the grown children in the family are pursuing their dream jobs and leave their family behind, there is no one to look after their parents. Therefore, they are placed in an Elders care home.
In this program, you would visit an old age home and spend time with its residents as they need someone to listen or talk to and it is all that they need sometimes. Your visits would make them feel happier and less lonely. You will spend time as a companion to the residents where you can talk to them, play games, do reading, colouring and various other exercises with them.
Working Hours: Monday to Friday 09.30 to 1200
Your role:
To engage the residents at the Old Age Home in different activities
- Play games and entertain them
- Talk to them and listen to what they have to say
- Read to them
- Organise recreational and entertainment evenings for the elderly
- Arrange sharing and discussion sessions on interesting topics
- Teach the residents skills such as how to use their mobile phones better to store numbers, send text messages, take pictures, etc
- Take the residents to museums and other places of interest
- Celebrate festivals and birthdays with the elderly
SPECIAL NEEDS EDUCATION AND CARE
Who the Project serves:
It is a home for adults with different levels of abilities. This Home was born out of a need to create an inclusive place where adults with intellectual disabilities feel welcome. With your help, we hope to create a healthier society for these differently-abled individuals.
Working Hours: Monday to Friday 09.00 to 1200
Your role:
- Assist the members to learn and improve their skills as per their abilities and interests
- Share moments of happiness and love with the young and old in the free time
- Assist them physically with basic tasks like walking them to the garden, having lunch or helping out at the work table
- Give them a sense of value in their lives and the attention they seek
- Teach them simple singalong songs
- Assist the residents with physical exercises
WOMEN EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM
Who the Project serves:
We have recently started the “Women Empowerment Program”. The objective of this program is to make the women self-reliant and to make them able to support their families. This program aims to empower women in various ways such as financially (in the beginning), mentally as well as physically. The target group of the program are women from less privileged backgrounds residing in various villages Goa.
Most of them are illiterate and work as housemaids and other unskilled jobs. In the mornings, some of them work as maids, cooks or engage in other small jobs where they are able to earn a living. And in the afternoon, they join our program to learn new skills and improve their lives better for a brighter future. In this program, through a step-by-step process, our main task is to give them English education (communicative and written English), awareness on health and hygiene, vocational training so that they can be financially stable in the future with their own businesses.
This project has started with teaching basic communicative and written English so that the women can read signboards, news papers, magazines and also help their children in their homework.
The project is conducted on a one-to-one basis where each participant takes part to teach women at the project.
Working hours: Monday to Friday 14.30 to 17.00
Your role:
- Help improve the quality of life of the women and their families
- Provide vocational training and training material for women
- Inspire them to start their own business
Throughout the year there are various courses being conducted in this program such as baking, honey harvesting, tailoring and computer skills.
CRB/DBS (Criminal Records Bureau) Check
It is required that participants complete a CRB/DBS (Criminal Records Bureau) check in order to take part in this project. We can provide this service for you at an additional cost because some people may already have one that is valid (please get in touch for more details).
Gap Year and Career Break Care Work in Goa
Take part in this care work gap year or career break placement in Goa and help to support and educate children from disadvantaged communities whilst exploring a beautiful beaches, making lifelong memories and immersing yourself in the rich Indian culture.
