Volunteer FAQs

Application process
Visa
Health & Safety
Vaccination
Money Matter
Field Support and Supervision
Communication
Climate
Materials to Bring
Gifts to Bring Host Family

Please read Rustic Volunteer Travel's 5 steps of application

• You can either apply online or download the application and mail it to us after filling out the form. To complete your application process, we’ll need an application fee of $200. Without the fee, you’re application won’t be processed.
  
  
• When we receive your completed application, it will then be forwarded to the country coordinator of India for processing. The coordinator will thoroughly check your application and search for the project you mentioned. The coordinator will also fix the details regarding your accommodation and meal. Your accommodation will either be fixed in a home stay, where you’ll stay with an India family and enjoy local food, or you’ll be accommodated in a project hostel or in a safe and secure Home Base.
  
  
• After the country coordinator finalizes the details of your program, the information will then passed on to us. We then will forward the details to you, along with the final invoice. You will have to make your final payment six weeks before the start of your program. If your application has been expedited, the payment has to be settled as soon as possible. The placement details contain local contact information, which you can use while applying for India Visa or to get in touch with the local staff and host family.
  
  
• You’ll then start to prepare for your trip to India. You’ll have to take immunization required before travelling to India, get a visa to enter the country (for details on this, check the Visa section of FAQ) and book air tickets. If you want to contact us any time during your preparation, we’re only a phone call away and eagerly waiting to help and advise you.
  
  
• Once you have confirmed your tickets and arrival details, please pass on the information to us (US Office). We’ll inform your flight timing to the India country coordinator and you will be picked up at the airport, upon arrival. You can also email the country coordinator directly.

You are required to have a visa before traveling to India. Please get a tourist visa as there is no volunteer visa. You can apply for the visa at your nearest Indian Embassy or Consular office in your home country. You need to ask for double or multiple entry visa if you want to visit neighboring countries like Nepal and come back to India.

General requirements for an Indian Visa:

• Original passport valid for at least six months
  
• Correct Visa fees
  
• Two passport-size photographs
  
• Supporting documents, where necessary
  
• Duly completed application form

In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These procedure often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child's travel from the absent parent(s) or legal guardian. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may better-facilitate entry/departure.

Visa Extension:

For extending the Visa, volunteers must apply for a letter of permission from:
Ministry of Home Affairs
Lok Nayak Bhavan, 1st floor
Khan Market, New Delhi 110003
Phone: 24693334, 24612543, 24617649

which will then be presented to the FRRO.

The Foreigner's Regional Registration Office (FRRO) is located at:
Hans Bhavan
Tilak Bridge , New Delhi
Phone: 23319489, 23318179
Hours of Operation: 9.30 am to 1.30 pm and 2 pm to 4 pm
(closed weekends and national holidays)

Volunteers should be aware of all health and safety information before traveling to India. We suggest you visit some of the websites listed below.

• WHO website for international travelers (http://www.who.int/csr/ihr/en/)
• WHO India (http://www.who.int/countries/en/)
• Tips for visitor to India (http://kathmandu.usembassy.gov/information_for_travelers.html)

• Centers for Disease Control & Preventio
  1600 Clifton Road, NE
  Atlanta , GA 31333
  (888) 232-3228
  (888) 232-3299 - fax information service

• Health Canada Online
  
• Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and Travel Report
  
• U.S. State Department & Consular Information Sheets
  Room 4811
  2201 C Street NW
  Washington , DC 20520
  (202) 647-5225

• Travel Health Online
  
• Travelers' Health

General Health Tips for volunteer/travel in India

• Avoid drinking tap water directly. Do not also drink fountain drinks and ice cubes. Always drink bottled, boiled water or carbonated drinks in cans or bottles.
  
• There have been cases of many fake bottled waters being sold in India. They don’t stand up to the standards. When you buy bottled water from stores, make sure the seal of the bottle isn’t tampered with.
  
• Do not eat hot or very spicy food. They can create stomach upset. Stay away from salads also as leaves not cleaned properly can contain tiny bugs unseen to eyes. Eat from good, clean restaurants and don’t try your luck with roadside vendors.
  
• Always use an insect repellent if you find yourself in a mosquito-prone area.
  
• If traveling in scorching heat, remember to drink enough water, use hats, sunglasses & UV lotions. Beware of the health effects that the mid day sun may cause, most importantly SUN BURN or DEHYDRATION.
  
• If you need doctor, ask your host family, hotel or our country coordinator. You’ll find plenty of helping hand. Most of the towns and villages in India have pharmacies and chemists, if you want to purchase any medical supplies. The medication and the fees for the doctors are usually low.
  
• Bring drugs you require with you. Although you can find most modern medicines in the drugstores of India, they can be named differently and come with different level of dosage. Carry a health kit and include medications for upset stomachs, some antiseptic cream, mosquito repellant, sun block, band aids, etc.

We suggest vaccination against public health threats and other communicable diseases.

Please refer to CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/indianrg.htm#vaccines

Recommended Vaccinations and Preventive Medications

The following vaccines may be recommended for your travel to South Asia . Discuss your travel plans and personal health with a health-care provider to determine which vaccines you will need.

• Japanese encephalitis, if you plan to visit rural farming areas and under special circumstances, such as a known outbreak of Japanese encephalitis.
  
• Malaria: your risk of malaria may be high in these countries, including cities. See your health care provider for a prescription anti-malarial drug. For details concerning risk and preventive medications, see Malaria Information for Travelers to South Asia.
  
• Rabies, if you might have extensive unprotected outdoor exposure in rural areas, such as might occur during camping, hiking, or bicycling, or engaging in certain occupational activities.
  
• Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). Transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur through direct person-to-person contact; through exposure to contaminated water, ice, or shellfish harvested in contaminated water; or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked and that were contaminated during harvesting or subsequent handling.
  
• Hepatitis B, especially if you might be exposed to blood or body fluids (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11-12 years who did not receive the series as infants.
  
• Typhoid. Typhoid fever can be contracted through contaminated drinking water or food, or by eating food or drinking beverages that have been handled by a person who is infected. Large outbreaks are most often related to fecal contamination of water supplies or foods sold by street vendors Vaccination is particularly important because of the presence of S. typhi strains resistant to multiple antibiotics in this region. There have been recent reports of typhoid drug resistance in India and Nepal.
  
• As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria and measles, and a one-time dose of polio for adults.

Required Vaccinations

• None.

What is the exchange rate? Where should I change my dollar? Can I use debit card and/or credit card? Should I bring traveler's check?

Exchange Rate of Indian Rupee (INR) info available at: http://www.xe.com/ucc/

Indian Rupee is the local currency of India.

You can change your money into local currency upon arrival inside the Delhi International Airport at the counters of one of many banks. If you change about $200, it should be able to sustain you for the first couple of weeks, unless you go out often and shop. To exchange Rupees for US Dollars (during departure), you need to show receipts from authorized banks which document said exchanges.

You can get money through ATM vendor through your Debit card. The vendor is close to our office in India. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are also accepted in some of the large stores and hotels in larger cities but may not be widely accepted in smaller cities.

How much money you bring depends on you. Rustic Volunteer Travel covers most costs associated with your program but bring spending money to help you to explore India in your free time and for you personal use.

How does Rustic Volunteer Travel help me when I am in the field? How can I maintain communication? Does Rustic Volunteer Travel visit volunteers?

Our local staff (and country coordinator) will keep in touch with your once the program stays. We will also visit you every 2 weeks to make sure you are happy and satisfied with the project. If the project is very far, then our local staff members maintain communication by email and phone.

You’ll also be provided with the mobile phone number our country coordinator. In case of any emergency, you can contact him directly.

How do I communicate with my family? Rustic Volunteer Travel staffs? Is there internet?

Bring your mobile phones with you. You can insert the local sim in the phone while you’re in India and you’ll then be ready to receive phone calls from abroad. This is the best way to stay in touch with your family. If you’re working in Delhi, you’ll find internet cafes around pretty much everywhere. In Jaipur, you’ll have to travel for about 2 kms for internet café. You’ll find all the details regarding this in your placement sheet.

There are 3 major seasons in India. They are winter, summer and the monsoon. From November to March, you’ll encounter colder weather in India. Summer starts from April to June, after which the monsoon season lasts until August. You’ll experience mild weather in September and October.

• For details, visit: Yahoo Weather forecast ( http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/INXX0038.html )
• India Meteorological Department (http://www.imd.ernet.in/section/nhac/dynamic/today-weather.htm)

Please see the summary of (1) Maximum Temperature in Celsius (2) Minimum Temperature in Celsius (3) Rain fail (milliliter) in Delhi , Jaipur, Ladakh, and Bangalore

Most of stuffs of daily use are available in India at a cheaper price. However, we suggest volunteers pack the following things.

•  Camera
  
• Mobile phone (you can use mobile phone after changing sim card)
  
• Sleeping bag
  
• Mosquito repellents
  
• Insect repellents
  
• Sun-block
  
• Working gloves (if you are joining conservation or construction project)
  
• Some books about India
  
• Map of India
  
• Toiletries
  
• First aid kit
  
• Flash light
  
• Electricity adopter/converter
  
• Sun glasses
  
• Footwear (for work and travel)
  
• Towel

It is a common courtesy to bring a small gift for the family that will be hosting you. You are not required to do so, but if you choose to bring something it can be pretty simple. We suggest a box of chocolates, a t-shirt with a hometown logo, or pictures of your family and some local post cards.

If you want to bring gifts for your project (and if you are working for an orphanage or a school please bring pencils, pens and paper, art supplies like markers and construction paper pads, and games. Remember that every child will need these items so you may wish to bring a bunch of one thing.