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

•  There are two options for applying to volunteer in India through our program. You can apply online or you can down loan an application, fill it out, and mail it in to us. You will need to submit your application with a $200 deposit (this deposit will be deducted from your final program fee.) This program deposit is required to make an application valid.

•  Once we get your application, we will immediately send it to India for processing. They go over your application carefully and find the best project possible for you. The decisions for room and food are made at this time, Arrangement for room and food depends on the location of the project. The vast majority of our volunteers stay in full immersion home stays though some orphanage projects are residential.

•  Once we get the details of your placements, we pass it on to you with a final invoice. Your final payment is due six weeks before your start date, and in expedited cases, as soon as possible. The placement details have local contact information use them for contacts on your Visa application or to get in touch with the local staff and host family.

•  Preparation for trips should include reading about India , immunization, travel Visa (entry permit), and booking airfare. If you face any problems our Program Manager is always available for assistance.

•  Now, once you purchase your ticket, send your flight information to our US office by fax or by email. Your flight information will be forwarded to the Indian staff who will arrange an airport pickup.

Volunteers are required to acquire their Visas before departing for India . We do not suggest volunteer apply for their Visas at their entry point (moreover, you can not get a Visa in India upon arrival at the airport). There is no volunteer Visa, so please get a Tourist Visa. Volunteers can get Tourist Visas from the Indian Embassy or Consular Office in their home countries. If volunteers plan to visit a neighboring country such as Nepal , later re-entering India , a double/multiple entry Visa should be obtained.

General requirements:

• 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 Nepal ( http://www.who.int/countries/en/ )

Tips for visitor to Nepal ( http://kathmandu.usembassy.gov/information_for_travelers.html )

• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
  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

• Drink only bottled or boiled water, or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles. Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes. If this is not possible, make water safer by both filtering through an "absolute 1 micron or less" filter AND adding iodine tablets to the filtered water. "Absolute 1 micron filters" are found in camping/outdoor supply stores.
  
• Buy bottled water from respectable outlets to guard against stomach upsets. Some of the better known brands are Bisleri, Kinley, Aqua Fina, Himalaya etc. Make sure that the seal of the bottle is intact.
  
• Watch out for spicy dishes, especially at the outset of your tour. Avoid eating food from road-side stalls. Eat unpeeled fruits and avoid fresh salads, especially in small hotels. If you are forced to eat food at some place that you have doubts about, make sure the food is served hot.
  
• Always use an insect repellent if you find yourself in a mosquito-prone area. But remember, not every place is mosquito-infested and low temperatures in winters (when most tourists come to India ) kill most bugs in the northern plains and hills.
  
• If traveling in scorching heat, remember to drink enough water, wear hats, sunglasses & UV lotions (sunscreen). Do not venture out in the mid-day sun.
  
• Pharmacies or chemists are available in every little town and village and you can buy medication. In case you need to see a doctor for a specific condition, ask for help from your hotel (most have doctors on call) or your tour operator/in-country coordinator. The cost of visiting a doctor is fairly low (less than a dollar) compared to western countries.
  
• In India , most modern medicines are available over the counters in drugstores, but it is wise to travel with a reserve stock. If any prescription drugs are required, bring enough for the duration of the trip. It is advisable that you carry a small health kit which should include remedies for upset stomachs, some antiseptic cream, mosquito repellant spray, sunscreen/UV lotion, 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.

• 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.
• 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.
• 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/

The local currency is the Indian Rupee. You can change your money upon arrival inside the Delhi International Airport . There are many banks inside the Delhi International Airport . We suggest you change $200 in the beginning as you can change money in any bank (some banks are near to Rustic Volunteer Travel's office). To exchange Rupees for US Dollars (during departure), you need to show receipts from authorized banks which document said exchanges.

Debit card usage is the best way of acquiring money as ATM vendors are available near to our office in India . Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted in some of the large stores and hotels in larger cities but may not be widely accepted in smaller cities.

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

Once the volunteer program starts, our local staff members stay in touch with volunteers. We visit our volunteers every 2 weeks (if possible). If the project is very far, then our local staff members maintain communication by email and phone.

Our India coordinators maintain 24/7 mobile phones, so you can call them at any time. Before you return home, you can come to our office, and stay there for one night (space permitting).

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

Volunteers are requested to bring mobile phones. Once you arrive in India , you can change sim-cards and use that. This is the perfect way to stay in touch with your family and Rustic Volunteer Travel offices in Delhi . There is internet in our office, you can use it (please pay market rate for service). Internet cafés are available in most areas of Delhi . But if you work in Jaipur, you need to travel 2 KM for international telephone services and 30 KM for internet services. You will receive this information in your placement sheet.

Yahoo Weather forecast ( http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/INXX0038.html )

India Meteorological Department (http://www.imd.ernet.in/section/nhac/dynamic/today-weather.htm)

India has three major seasons - winter - summer and the monsoon. Winter months (November-March) are bright and pleasant, with snowfall in the northern hills. Summer time (April-June) is hot in most parts of India including Delhi and Jaipur. During the monsoon, rainfall is heavy along the West Coast between June and September, and along the East Coast between mid-October and December.

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.