Volunteer in India

Travel to India! There are many worlds within this one country – full of incredible beauty, diversity, culture and opportunities for exploration, travel, discovery and volunteering. India has a rich past and is a country full of contrasts. India is paradise for those familiar with the country’s multi-faceted delights. For those traveling for the first time to this amazing country many surprises await!

India is home to more than one billion people and the country defines the word “diversity” and language, culture and religious differences abound. India travel has been called an “intoxicating cultural cocktail” by Lonely Planet. Gastronomical adventures – spiritual journeys – wildlife safaris – historical expeditions – cricket matches – Bollywood and more await the adventurous volunteer traveler in India.

IFRE established offices in 2006 in Delhi. We understand India and your overwhelming urge to explore and volunteer in this beautiful country. IFRE invites you to join our volunteer program in India. Serve local communities, share your experience and compassion with others through volunteering while exploring this vibrant country!

Volunteer Work Projects and Locations

IFRE volunteers projects in India support local orphanages, women groups, health centers, local schools and different social issues. Volunteer projects in India are available in both Delhi and Jaipur. Volunteers may work in any of these volunteer projects in India and help us expand this legacy of community service, sharing their love and passion to local children, women groups and communities.

Volunteer Program Fees & Dates:

Start Dates: Volunteer programs starts on the following (first and third Monday of each month)

IFRE is a 501(c)3 organization, so your program fee will be tax deductible. IFRE Volunteers is proud to offer an extensive assortment of programs at very reasonable prices (and may rank “best priced and best value” among the many volunteer abroad organizations in the USA/Europe/New Zealand). Our programs are now more affordable than ever. We are proud to focus on the humanitarian aspect of our business, not the profit. We work very hard and smart to keep costs down, especially for you the volunteer, as we know the value of your donated time and efforts. We remain devoted to maintaining both the quality of the program and the safety of all volunteers involved. Below is a brief summary of the program fee and services that IFRE Volunteers offers.

IFRE fees comprise of two separate fees. An application fee of $349 USD (covers advertising, staff/office expenses, etc.) and a nominal weekly program fee (covers room/board, insurance, field support, etc).

Volunteer Program Fee ($US)

1 week: $212
2 weeks: $392
3 weeks: $472
4 weeks: $552
5 weeks: $632
6 weeks: $712
7 weeks: $792
8 weeks: $872
9 weeks: $952
10 weeks: $1032
11 weeks: $1112
12 weeks: $1192

* Language and cultural immersion program $250
* Airport pickup and transfer (50 KM) $49
* Please add $5 per day for HIV/AIDS Project

Additional costs for volunteers: Flight or train cost of Ladhak, International flights, visa application/extension, daily personal expenses, laundry etc.

Language and Cultural Immersion

In India, IFRE offers one week of language and cultural orientation in Delhi. This important week long intensive language and cultural immersion program includes: language training, historical lessons, exposure to various Indian cultures and ways of life, visits to local villages/towns/markets, guided exploration of Delhi and local tourist attractions. This IFRE program will submerge you in Indian culture, customs, history and day to day life which will greatly improve your time as a volunteer in India. When you understand the language and cultural details in your surroundings, your volunteer experience will be elevated and much more gratifying.

However, you can choose to take the Language and Cultural immersion program or go directly into a volunteer project. If you choose to participate in this one week Language and Cultural immersion course, your volunteer program will begin the Monday following this one-week of Language and Cultural Immersion taught in and around Delhi. This experience should not be missed! Often international travelers reflect and say they wished they would have had an opportunity to first receive training on customs, language and history. This is your chance!

Arrangement of Room/Food/Supervision

IFRE manages living accommodations, provides meals and supervision for volunteers for the entirety of their stay in India. During the volunteer period, most volunteers stay in our safe and secure home base, project hostel or host families. Our office and home base is located in Gurgaon, a beautiful city 40 miles a way of Delhi international airport. This location is very safe and manned with onsite security. It is a clean, sparsely furnished apartment but will meet all your needs as an IFRE volunteers. It is close to the local bus station. Info on amenities close by and transportation to nearby city, etc. internet café, restaurant and supermarket, local police station. This is the ideal arrangement for sharing your daily experiences with fellow volunteers and local staff. Home base bedrooms have multiple beds, so volunteers will usually share a room (same gender). Our in-country coordinator also lives at our home base to assist our volunteers 24/7.

Dependent on the season and flow of volunteers, you may be placed with a local host family or project hostel (mostly in orphanage). Our host families are socially respected and are experienced with hosting international volunteers. They have strong interest in our volunteers’ safety and well being and demonstrate this with caution and care. In most host family situations, volunteers will share a room with another volunteer of the same gender. Another viable option is an at-orphanage stay. Many orphanages in India have set aside special rooms to house international volunteers.

IFRE arranges room, food and supervision for volunteers throughout the program. All of IFRE’s cooks prepare a variety of delicious Indian food (naan, dahl and chapatti breads, curries, rice and pickles/chutneys). Details covering the arrangements for room/food are outlined in the prepared placement details. Volunteers will also have 24/7 access to IFRE's office as well as the mobile numbers of in-country coordinators. In addition, the director of the orphanage will serve as a local contact person for volunteers. IFRE's staff also visits each volunteer every 1-2 weeks as part of our program.

Volunteer Program Free Time

Volunteers have free time for the duration of their volunteer project, weekends and the Language and Culture program. While IFRE does not arrange activities during this time off, our local staff, members and coordinators can provide priceless assistance in making appropriate arrangements for travel in India. It’s the time for self discovery and learning. It’s time to explore this foreign culture and exotic land. It’s Our IFRE local coordinators/staff are available to give you free advice, travel tips and helps to book your travel.