RUCHI
Rural Centre for Human Interests
Volunteer India program
LMTV (2016)
Correspondence:
RUCHI
Technology Complex
Village Bandh, P.O. Bhaguri, Via Patta
Distt. Solan. H.P. - 173233
INDIA
Contact info:
Landline: +91-1792-207002 (9Am to 5PM)
Mobile: +91-9459377111 (Mahip Dagar)
Email: info@ruchin.org
Website: www.ruchin.org
January – December - 2016
About RUCHI
Rural Centre for Human Interests (RUCHI) is a community development organization with ever increasing
focus on youth development and intercultural learning through voluntary service. RUCHI got registered in
1983, under Indian Societies Registration Act as a non-political, non-profit making voluntary organization.
RUCHI was established keeping in mind the problems and restrictions that a remote community faces on day
to day basis. These could be due to poverty, lack of knowledge, poor infrastructure or at times difficult
terrain. As a result RUCHI has always implemented its project with people centered approach and gave
priority to community development. With 32 years in this field, RUCHI has accumulated extensive knowledge
in community development with project area ranging from semi-urban background to extremely remote
communities requiring two days of walk certain time of the year.
Over time RUCHI has also developed and successfully implemented low cost technologies. We are now acting
as a resource organization for Indian Government and other NGO’s pursuing community development.
Our Approach
For past 32years RUCHI has committed its efforts and resources towards rural development. All our projects
have a people centered approach and ongoing commitment with our projects and partners. Our workcamp
offer a unique opportunity to gain global perspective for volunteer and local youth increasing their
professional competencies. Voluntary service not only helps community projects but also provide a much
needed overview and technical support.
Network and collaboration
RUCHI is affiliated with international and national voluntary service networks. Recently it got elected in
Executive Committee of Network of Voluntary Development in Asia (NVDA), It is also member of
Coordinating Committee of International Voluntary Service (CCIVS). RUCHI also partners with Alliance of
European Voluntary service Organization (ALLIANCE).
Besides international networks RUCHI also affiliates with national organizations like Institute of Rural
Management (IRMA), Delhi School of Social Works, Tata Institute of Social Science, Xavier Institute of Social
Science (XISS) and students from University of Delhi, Kurukshetra, Allahabad etc. RUCHI hosts students from
these institutes and facilitates their rural management studies.
Our Volunteer Program
 Short Term Workcamp, STW (14days)
 Long - Medium Term Volunteer, LMTV (1-12months)
 Group/Bilateral Workcamp. 10+ vols. (14days)
 Family work camp, Home based camps.
 Internship.
Areas of Interests
 Construction, Renovation and maintenance.
 Environment and conservation.
 Non formal education.
 Community development.
 Culture exposure.
 Children with disability
 Creative arts and crafts
January – December - 2016
RUCHI INDIA - LMTV Programme 2016 - Summary
Project
CODE
Theme
DATES
(DD/MM/YYYY)
Placement
Environment
RC-MTVENV-1/16
Environmental
Education/Awareness/Eco
Club
Natural Fresh water Spring
protection
Rural ECO Tourism
01/01/2016 –
31/12/2016
Open
01/01/2016 –
31/12/2016
01/01/2016 –
31/12/2016
01/01/2016 –
31/12/2016
01/03/2016 –
15/12/2016
01/01/2016 –
31/12/2016
Open
01/01/2016 –
31/12/2016
01/01/2016 –
31/12/2016
Open
01/06/2016 –
30/10/2016
01/01/2016 –
31/12/2016
Open
Education
Community
Development
IVS Programme
Management
Agriculture
(Food Security)
RC-MTVENV-2/16
RC-MTVENV-3/16
RC-MTVENV-4/16
RC-MTVEDU-5/16
RC-MTVHEALTH6/16
RC-MTVCD-7/16
RC-MTVHEALTH8/16
RC-MTVCD-9/16
RC-MTVAGR10/16
Climate Change
Teaching English / NFE
Health and Sanitation
Women Power
Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan
(Micro Waste Management)
Solan-RUCHI
Sustainable organic farming
(Demonstrative)
Open
Open
Open
Open
Open
Open
Description of Middle & Long Term Projects:
General:
 RUCHI involves volunteers in its humanitarian activities to facilitate cross culture exchanges &
promote international solidarity.
 Our LMTV projects are ongoing and are executed across Nth. India. We accept volunteers each
month (preferably 1st Monday) check dates when applying. Volunteers can stay as long as they want
up to a maximum of one year. The minimum period of staying is Three month.
 Volunteers will have to follow the organization rules and culture and work with other staff as a team.
 No special skills are required, except dedication and commitment to a social cause to help rural
communities.
 Volunteers have to take care of their own leisure travel costs and all personal expenses during free
time. Project related travel expenses using public transport shall be reimbursed within a fixed cap.
 Volunteers have to be 18 years or older, bearing good moral character and respect local as well other
culture.
 Alcohol drinking and smoking is not encouraged in public and villages.
January – December - 2016


Living conditions will be simple. Volunteers must be prepared to live in harmony with others and work
as a team. Medical/Personal Insurance is the responsibility of the volunteers themselves.
Volunteer behavior will directly reflect RUCHI image within community therefore good work ethics are
highly desired and expected.
LMTV Programme:
We encourage volunteers to apply and contribute to international youth exchange and community
development through Medium and Long term placements of durations varying between 4 weeks to 24
weeks. The volunteers under this programme are placed in on-going humanitarian projects in rural or
semi-urban areas. A good understanding of grassroots situation is required for such placements.
In contrast to short term workcamps, the pace of work here is slow. Therefore, matching expectations of
volunteers is a constant challenge. One has to realize that they cannot change the world in such a short
time but the placement certainly provides satisfaction and contentment to have really contributed to a
cause with some visible results.
We offer flexibility to join our programs, but to regulate and better coordinate project activities we expect
volunteer to join on first Monday of each month. Initial orientation to volunteers will be provided at
RUCHI office, desired project outcomes and volunteer’s role and responsibility shall be shared on arrival.
PARTICIPATION FEE: The participation fees are as follows:
a. For one/first month stay
- Euro 350
b. For each additional month
- Euro 300
The participants are required to pay the fee in cash on the first day of their arrival at site, Bank transfer
service available upon request. The contribution covers all basic expenses, e.g. accommodation, gas,
water, electricity, food, staff salaries and for materials used in projects/activities. Alcoholic drinks are not
included. Alcohol drinking and smoking is not encouraged in public and villages.
Project related travel expenses shall be reimbursed to volunteer each month with a maximum cap of
rupees 500. Leisure travel and personal expenses during free time are not covered in participation fee.
Why the extra fee?
RUCHI with other NGO’s in India is not financially supported by government to host projects related to
IVS. Hence all projects are self funded with a participation fee. Given the remote location and various
complexities we have tried our best to make it as affordable as possible for volunteers. Being a non-profit
organization we emphasize on transparency, below is how we spend collected participation fee.
 Food, accommodation and logistics of volunteer during workcamp.
 Project setup costs. (material and logistics cost)
 Running the camp. (wages of professional like mason, carpenter, plumber etc and training local
youth supported by us.)
 Office running/admin expenses. (Internet, photocopy, stationary, electricity, phone, salaries,
office equipments, tools and rent etc.)
 Supporting small community project.
 International travel costs to annual global conferences and membership fee for networking.
Visa:
All volunteers are required to get Indian visa to enter the country. As per the new regulations an
employment visa is required for their placement with Indian NGOs. For details kindly refer to
www.indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa. RUCHI will be happy to assist you with required documents.
January – December - 2016
(Though volunteers are welcome to join us any time of the year in the ongoing projects of RUCHI, a few
period specific projects for MLTVs are described below to choose from)
Project No.:
2016
RC-MTV-ENV-1/16:
Environmental Education
January – December
Age: 18+
Location: Solan- Rural and Slum Communities around Baddi township
Placement: Placement is offered for 3 months to up to 6 months.
Joining dates: Volunteers can join from any Monday during the project cycle.
Background: Baddi is an industrial area. Economically poor people migrated to the area in
search of jobs and established their temporary settlements. These settlements are devoid of
even basic amenities and hence called “slums”. Industries and increased human population is
pressurizing the already depleting natural resources and causing a serious environmental,
health & sanitation problem.
Work: This project aims to protect our environment using creative education. Local
community and environment are inter-related and depend on each other for survival. Therefore
education of local community towards social and
economic benefit of environment is vital for their
coexistence.
Based in rural environment volunteers will familiarize
themselves with local environment and life. They shall be
visiting local schools, SHG’s, local community gathering
and even organise an environmental workshop
to
disseminate environmental awareness and good
practices. Working closely with local youth following
tasks shall be undertaken:
1. Using creative art as a medium to disseminate environmental awareness.
2. Working with eco clubs in local schools by assisting and coordinating their
activities.
3. Mobilising youth towards environmental protection.
4. Educate people on environmental concerns like Global warming, climate change,
depletion of natural resources, etc.
We believe, innovation is key to success therefore volunteers with prior experience in related
work are welcome to bring in new ideas.
Accommodation: Accommodation is on sharing basis with common toilets and bath.
Food: Food offered will be simple authentic Indian vegetarian and freshly cooked. Three
meals a day will be served/provided. Assistance while cooking is desired of volunteers.
Volunteers are free to cook meals of their country choice on every Sunday.
January – December - 2016
Project No.: RC-MTV-ENV-2/16:
ENV/Fresh Water
January to December 2016
Age: 21+
Location: Baddi villages (Solan)
Placement: Placement is offered for upto 6 months.
Joining dates : Any Monday during the project cycle
Background: Our project area of Himachal Pradesh has breathtaking views. Since ages, the
mountain people depend on natural spring to meet their water requirements. The area has
abundant of fresh water natural springs. These resources are under tremendous pressure due
to environmental degradation, human negligence paired with his rapid thirst for urbanisation.
RUCHI has worked towards protection and development of these fresh water springs for more
than 10 years, but still a lot has to be done.
Work: Volunteers under this project will be based in rural
setting and involved in creating awareness regarding
environmental importance of fresh water springs among
local community and youth. They are also expected to
develop methodology to protect and replenish these fresh
water springs. Working closely with local youth following
tasks shall be undertaken by volunteers.
1. Creating a data base of these fresh water
springs within area.
2. Evaluating their present conditions and
collecting water samples for testing.
3. Developing and implementing a recharge
plan using traditional methods and using
local resources.
Volunteers with prior experience in following field are most welcome to apply and bring in new
ideas.
Accommodation: Accommodation is on sharing basis with common toilets and bath.
Food: Food offered will be simple authentic Indian vegetarian and freshly cooked. Three
meals a day will be served. Assistance while cooking is desired of volunteers. Volunteers are
free to cook meals of their country choice on every Sunday.
January – December - 2016
Project No.: RC-MTV-ENV-3/16:
Eco Tourism
January to December 2016
Age: 18+
Location: Kasauli area
Placement: Placement is offered for upto 6 months.
Joining dates : Any Monday during the project cycle
Background: Rural eco tourism has been on rise in north India. This project is our initiative to
protect environment, landscape and natural resources by promoting responsible tourist
behavior.
Volunteers will be based in rural setting and have access to location frequently visited by
tourists. After familiarizing with local community and neighbourhood, volunteers shall design a
plan to create necessary interventions required for protecting environment & promoting
responsible travelling.
Work: Working closely with local community youth we expect volunteers to:
1. Create a database of location
frequented by tourists.
2. Designing and putting up signs
raising
awareness
towards
environmental
and
cultural
preservation.
3. Making eco-tourism attractive by
promoting it as source of livelihood
for
local community, providing
much needed future sustainability
to the project.
Volunteers with prior experience in related field
are most welcome to apply and bring in new ideas.
Accommodation: Accommodation is on sharing basis with common toilets and bath.
Food: Food offered will be simple authentic Indian vegetarian and freshly cooked. Three
meals a day will be served. Assistance while cooking is desired of volunteers. Volunteers are
free to cook meals of their country choice on every Sunday.
January – December - 2016
Project No.:
RC-MTV-ENV-4/16:
ENV/Climate
January to December 2016
Age: 18+
Location: Patta-Bandh (Solan)
Placement: Placement is offered for 3 to 6 months.
Joining dates: Open
Background: This is a mountain area where more than 70% population lives in rural areas
and agriculture is the main stay of their survival. Off late, due to deforestation and land
degradation, population pressure, unrestricted grazing by animals and indifferent attitude of
people towards their environmental sanitation, the people feel the pinch of global warming and
climate change.
Some recognize the changes and consequences but the majority fail to
understand and correlate it to their life style. Since they still stick to the traditions and follow
the age old farming practices their income levels are going down.
Changes in climatic conditions affect their farming and living conditions adversely. The green
cover in mountains maintains the environmental balance and controls the climate in the whole
country. The resources are sufficient but the people, due to lack of education and awareness,
fail to conserve and preserve these resources.
This project is designed to work on these issues and volunteers are required to work with
RUCHI team and local people to address some of them.
Work: Volunteers will be involved in
environmental education in the same area and
work with youth workers and community
leaders to initiate
actions aiming at
environmental sanitation, improve climatic
changes and restrict global warming. Basically
that will include education and awareness
creation using various tools but any physical
action leading to check Global warming, climate
change, depletion of natural resources will be
highly appreciated.
Accommodation: This will be basic, simple
and shared with common toilets. They will be
staying in RUCHI complex accommodation with basic amenities. We shall provide mattresses
but the volunteers are required to bring their own bed sheets, sleeping bags and personal
toiletries.
Food: Food offered will be simple authentic Indian vegetarian and freshly cooked. Three
meals a day will be served. Assistance while cooking is desired of volunteers. Volunteers are
free to cook meals of their country choice on every Sunday.
January – December - 2016
Project No.: RC-MTV-EDU-5/16:
Teaching Children March to December 2016
No. of Vols.: 2
Age: 21+
Location: Bogdhar village (Rajgarh)
Placement: Placement is offered for 3-6 months.
Joining dates : Volunteers can join from any Monday during the project cycle.
Background: In the interior rural areas, education of children in expensive private schools is
unaffordable by local communities.
Consequently, they send their children to government
schools. However, the attitudes of teachers there is a little indifferent and not very pro-active.
To meet people’s demand for better education some committed teachers have started less
expensive private schools in rural areas. Bogdhar village has one such school. The school
enrolls children from economically poor families from the rural areas. The focus of education
here is on social aspects.
Work: The two volunteers will be involved in
teaching English to the children in the age
group 6-11 in a small village based school.
The school wants the volunteers to add value
to the teaching and improve on the
pronunciation and grammar. The idea is to
make education interesting and fruitful to
them and prepare and encourage them to
improve on their English for a better future.
During free time, volunteers’ involvement in
health and sanitation education in the same
area will be appreciated. They can work with
youth workers and community leaders to
develop health educational activities for their well being.
Accommodation: This will be simple and shared in the school/village with common toilets.
Volunteers are advised to bring their own bed sheet and sleeping bags for hygienic reasons.
Food: Food offered will be simple authentic Indian vegetarian and freshly cooked. Three
meals a day will be served. Assistance while cooking is desired of volunteers. Volunteers are
free to cook meals of their country choice on every Sunday.
January – December - 2016
Project No.:
RC-MTV-Health-6/16:
Sanitation
January 2016 – December 2016
Location: 10 villages in Dharampur Development Block
Placement: Placement is offered for 3 to 6 months.
Joining dates: Open
Background: In rural India open defecation is still prevalent. Even though the State
Government has made it mandatory to build private toilets, the people are indifferent and
unaware of the demerits and adverse impact on their health. Garbage disposal is another
serious problem and adversely impacts environment and their health. A movement through
education and campaigning on WASH needs to be built up.
Work: The volunteers will help to educate and
create awareness involving youth and rural
people on water, sanitation, hygiene and health
standards(WASH). The volunteers will have to
be innovative so that they can design and use
their own tools in consultation with RUCHI
team with regard to their appropriateness and
local needs. Following activities shall be
undertaken by Volunteers:
1. Developing a material and awareness
campaign on WASH education.
2. Implementing
the
campaign
in
community.
3. Hosting workshop at local schools
creating youth awareness on WASH.
Accommodation: This will be simple and shared accommodation. All volunteers will be
staying in RUCHI complex accommodation with basic amenities. We shall provide mattresses
but the volunteers are required to bring their own bed sheets, sleeping bags and personal
toiletries.
Food: Food offered will be simple authentic Indian vegetarian and freshly cooked. Three
meals a day will be served. Assistance while cooking is desired of volunteers. Volunteers are
free to cook meals of their country choice on every Sunday.
January – December - 2016
Project No.:
RC-MTV-CD-7/16:
Women Power
January 2016 – December 2016
Location: Villages around Patta
Placement: Placement is offered for 3 to 6 months.
Joining dates: Open
Background: RUCHI believes ”community development” cannot be achieved until women in our society
are empowered and are respected within our society. Though a lot has been written about women and
their contribution towards society but its a pity that their efforts are still monetarily not accounted in our
national GDP. A women plays many roles within Indian society; a daughter, a wife, a mother, a home
maker and even labourer to earn wages if need arises. Surprisingly after supporting her family in various
ways she is mostly not consulted and involved in household decision making.
RUCHI always recognised women’s efforts and believes that, still a lot needs to be done to help them
achieve the desired position within social perspective in our community. Keeping that in mind RUCHI has
initiated voluntary project facilitating cultural exposure and assisting women to overcome these odds.
Work: This projects aims to empower women by
helping them to gain confidence, demand their rights
and most importantly start being an earning member
of family.
Based in rural environment volunteers will be
familiarised with local culture. They will be offered
choice to live with host families during their stay to
better understand the role a typical women has in
our society and then design a income generation plan
for group or individual member. Working closely with
our community youth worker they will undertake following tasks:
1. Attending SHG meetings of groups to better understand their activities. These groups
were previously created by RUCHI.
2. Conduct gender analysis study.
3. Skill up activity/training of group member.
4. Assist in implementing the plan by tapping into locally available resources.
Resourceful volunteers with new ideas, strong determination and high motivation level are highly desired.
Volunteer intake accepted on monthly basis
Accommodation: This will be simple and shared in the school/village with common toilets. Volunteers
are advised to bring their own bed sheet and sleeping bags for hygienic reasons.
Food: Food offered will be simple authentic Indian vegetarian and freshly cooked. Three meals a day
will be served. Assistance while cooking is desired of volunteers. Volunteers are free to cook meals of
their country choice on every Sunday.
January – December - 2016
Project No.:
RC-MTV-Health-08/16:
2016 – December 2016
MISSION “SWACHH BHARAT”
(Micro Waste management)
January
Location: RUCHI Technology complex.
Placement: Placement is offered for 3 to 6 months.
Joining dates: Open
Background: A national initiative has began throughout India (Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan)
aiming to clean and make India waste and open defecation free by 2019. With nearly 70% of
country’s population living rurally, RUCHI has concentrated its efforts to initiate this campaign
with a micro approach and involve local community and youth to achieve desired results. This is
a pilot project that will highly suit a volunteer who wishes to have a career in waste
management. In addition to generating awareness regarding waste disposal at individual and
community level, a micro waste management and disposal system needs to be developed and is
highly desired to provide sustainability to this campaign.
Work: The volunteers will be closely working with
local youth and village council members to help
educate,
create
awareness
and
design
individual/community level waste disposal system
which can be easily implemented using locally
available resources. The innovative and resourceful
volunteers are highly desired to use their own tools
in consultation with RUCHI team with regard to
their appropriateness and local needs. Working
closely local youth following activities shall be
undertaken by Volunteers:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Creating a data base of waste dumping areas.
Analysing situation to achieve a innovative solution.
Developing a material and awareness campaign.
Implementing the campaign in community.
Hosting workshop at local schools creating youth awareness on proper waste disposal.
Accommodation: This will be simple and shared accommodation. All volunteers will be
staying in RUCHI complex accommodation with basic amenities. We shall provide mattresses
but the volunteers are required to bring their own bed sheets, sleeping bags and personal
toiletries.
Food: Food offered will be simple authentic Indian vegetarian and freshly cooked. Three
meals a day will be served. Assistance while cooking is desired of volunteers. Volunteers are
free to cook meals of their country choice on every Sunday.
January – December - 2016
Project No.: RC-MTV-CD-09/16:
IVS
June 2016 – October 2016
Age: 21+
Location: RUCHI office in Bandh village (Solan)
Placement: Placement is offered for 3-5 months.
Joining dates: Open
Type of project: IVS Programme Management
Background:
Keeping in view the need, easy accessibility and convenience of rural communities, RUCHI had
created its base in a small rural village. Because of its location, it is hard to get English
speaking volunteers/youth who could assist the IVS programme.
Work: 2 volunteers are required as a part of
organizational capacity building.
RUCHI is
located in a remote village where part time
working is not practiced. Committed skilled and
specialized people are hard to get in this remote
rural area.
The volunteers are required for general
administration of organization and be involved
with International Voluntary Service projects.
He/She will be required to promote volunteers
projects, reply mails and help administer
projects during the season. If the need be, they
will also lead a short term workcamp as a Team
Leader. In free time, he will be required to go to villages also along with other team members
and learn and contribute.
Accommodation: This will be simple and shared by 2 volunteers. Both volunteers will be
staying in RUCHI complex accommodation with basic amenities. We shall provide mattresses
but the volunteers are required to bring their own bed sheets, sleeping bags and personal
toiletries.
Food: Food offered will be simple authentic Indian vegetarian and freshly cooked. Three
meals a day will be served. Assistance while cooking is desired of volunteers. Volunteers are
free to cook meals of their country choice on every Sunday.
January – December - 2016
Project No.:
RC-MTV-AGR-10/16: Organic farming
January to December 2016
Age: 18+
Location: RUCHI (Solan)
Placement: Placement is offered for 3 to 6 months.
Joining dates: Open
Background: This is a mountain area where people are purely dependent on agriculture for a
living. However, due to shortage of water and small terraces on sloppy land the agriculture is
unsustainable and farm production is not enough to cover three meals a day for a family round
the year.
RUCHI campus is spread over an area of 3 hectares
and has good fertile soil. Kitchen gardens need to
be promoted to grow vegetables for consumption
by staff and volunteers. In due course we would
like them to serve as demonstration centre for
farmers.
Work: Both the volunteers will be involved in
developing agriculture fields and grow herbs and
vegetables organic way. They will work on raising
awareness on various agricultural practices and set
up demonstration units for farmers. In extra time,
they can create awareness on environmental issues
like Global warming, climate change, depletion of
natural resources and wherever possible in seeking
solutions as well.
Accommodation: This will be basic, simple and shared with common toilets. They will be
staying in RUCHI complex accommodation with basic amenities. We shall provide mattresses
but the volunteers are required to bring their own bed sheets, sleeping bags and personal
toiletries.
Food: Food offered will be simple authentic Indian vegetarian and freshly cooked. Three
meals a day will be served. Assistance while cooking is desired of volunteers. Volunteers are
free to cook meals of their country choice on every Sunday.
January – December - 2016