Q: Where is your program? Which city or region? Which airport would I need to fly into?
Q: What is the living situation of the volunteers? Do we live with a family, in the orphanage, or in a shared apartment with other volunteers?
Q: What is the cost of your program for about 6 weeks OR, if donation-based, what is the usual or expected donation?
Q: Does your program have any kind of (individual or group) orientation? Will someone pick me up at the airport or do I have to get to the project myself?
Q: Are there special opportunities to learn about the culture? Language classes or exchange, group travel, yoga/meditation?
Q: Can you make arrangements for vegetarians?
Q: Can you tell me, BRIEFLY, about the living situation? Is it urban or rural (or is that decided on arrival)? Is there anything I should be aware of: remarkable heat, lack of clean or running water, excessive rain? Is the political or social situation dangerous? It doesnot really matter, (I am prepared to do pretty much anything) but I want to get a better idea of where I am actually going.
Q: I see the name of Rev. John Bradley as patron. Is it a religious organisation?
Q: What about language? I do not know Hindi, will it cause any problems?
Q: Can you put me in contact with some volunteers who have been to Gwalior before?
Q: What would be appropriate attire/ clothes for us to be working in the hospital and other areas?
Q: Can I have some advice from a really experienced volunteer who has been more than once?
Q: What things should I bring? How much money will I need? What kinds of clothes?
Q: As a medical student for my elective, what should I carry with me? Can I bring other things, equipment, disposable supplies etc.?
Q: Should I bring gifts/anything for the children?
Q: If someone sends me a package, is it likely that I will receive it?
Q: Is there a safe place (locker, etc.) to keep our valuables and money in Gwalior?
Q: I was also wondering how accessible the internet is in Gwalior where we'll be staying, and if it will be easy to get an electrical adaptor there or if I should find one here before I go. I'll need one to recharge my camera battery, mobile phone etc.
Q: Do I need an international health certificate that states what immunization I received?
Q: Do I need to take malaria pills and I'm wondering if I can get them at the hospital in Gwalior at a low cost? If I buy them here, these are too costly and I don't have that kind of money.
Q: Is it your recommendation that I receive the Japanese encephalitis vaccine as well as the vaccination against meningococcol meningitis? Other vaccinations as required please?
Q: What about health and travel insurance?
Q: What about a visa?
Q: I was unaware that I had to raise so much money. 2000 pounds is a lot of money! I will try my best, but what happens if I cannot raise that much?
Q: Where is your program? Which city or region? Which airport would I need to fly into?
A:
Gwalior is in central India about 200 miles south west of New Delhi. Nearest international airport is New Delhi. Thereafter travel by air, road or train; my first preference is to travel by train in air-conditioned second class. Travel by train in India is an adventure in itself if you like adventures and if you travel by non air-conditioned second class.
Q: What is the living situation of the volunteers? Do we live with a family, in the orphanage, or in a shared apartment with other volunteers?
A:
Our volunteers live in sharing non air conditioned accommodation located within Snehalaya campus and travel to work places (school, orphanages, rural areas etc) daily by our transport vans as required. Rooms have basic amenities with shower, electricity and water supply and provided with bed linen.Vegetarian cooked food is provided. Washer man, telephone and internet are available for nominal extra charges and so are other luxuries if required. Return to Top
Q: What is the cost of your program for about 6 weeks OR, if donation-based, what is the usual or expected donation? (I promise that I will give all that I can.)
A:
Minimum £500 is expected as donation and or by fund raising, which is inclusive of accommodation, food and local transportation related to charity work for the duration of stay and volunteering with us. More is helpful. After paying for expenses, any money left is used to provide for this work only. For any reasons, if you do not have time to raise funds, minimum requirement will be £50 per week per person and administrative fees of £100 or $200 to meet the expenses incurred. In addition we request all volunteers to help us carry this work forward by fund raising and by raising awareness for the work and needs of GCHC. We depend upon our volunteers for this whole work and do not get any financial support from Government or other agencies or bigger organisations in general.
Q: Does your program have any kind of (individual or group) orientation? Will someone pick me up at the airport or do I have to get to the project myself?
A:
We receive our volunteers at Delhi airport and arrange for travel from there on. Orientation and guidance is through email, websites, other volunteers and our coordinators at Gwalior, once you are there. You are welcome to discuss or meet me or any of our colleagues or volunteers, that may facilitate the orientation too. You can attend our volunteers day held in June every year and meetings held every two months in UK if you like, which may help in orientation as well will give you an opportunity to meet us and our volunteers.Return to Top
Q: Are there special opportunities to learn about the culture? Language classes or exchange, group travel, yoga and meditation?
A:
Yes, depending upon your interest and time you are there. You will incur expenses for fees or charges.
Q: Can you make arrangements for vegetarians?
A:
Yes, food cooked in our guest house is vegetarian only. Non vegetarian food is rarely cooked, though volunteers can get same of their own if desired or go out to eat if they like.
Q: Can you tell me, BRIEFLY, about the living situation? Is it urban or rural (or is that decided on arrival)? Is there anything I should be aware of: remarkable heat, lack of clean or running water, excessive rain? Is the political or social situation dangerous? It doesnot really matter, (I am prepared to do pretty much anything) but I want to get a better idea of where I am actually going.
A:
Gwalior is a bigger town urban as per Indian standards, but we work in slums and rural areas mostly along with school and orphanages, details on our websites and news letters. I should say it is comparatively safe and stable place, quite hot in summers and bit cold in winters. Oct. to Feb are pleasant, other months of the year are hot with temperature reaching up to 45 degree centigrade with sporadic rains in July and August. There is shortage of water and electricity in general and we do face the power cuts quite often. However we have 24 hours running water as well safe drinking water supply most of the time. Our hospital is located at the outskirts of town and Snehalaya with accommodation for volunteers is located 10 KM away from the hospital in village Sikroda on Jhansi Road. Return to Top
Q: I see the name of Rev. John Bradley as patron. Is it a religious organisation?
A.:
This is not a religious organisation by any means. We accept help from any one and provide for every needy person within our limited resources without any discretion of religion, caste or creed. Our organisation "Gwalior Childrens Hospital Charity" is absolutely non religious and there are people of all religions on our board. Rev. Bradley may be a Christian by faith, but he is our patron for his help for this work for poor people in India right from the beginning and has helped us by donations, by fund raising, by publicising our work as well has worked with us at Gwalior as a volunteer providing his personal care and services to these disabled and destitute children in the Orphanages, not for being Christian. In fact once somebody mentioned about him being Christian and our patron during one of our programmes, for which Rev. Bradley offered his resignation considering his name being our patron is giving wrong message to people harming and damaging our work, but we did not accept it. For us all religions are equal and respectable and we never discuss religion in our work. We work for humanity and humanity is our religion.
Q: What about language? I do not know Hindi, will it cause any problems?
A:
Common spoken language in Gwalior and Chambal region is Hindi. English is second language and is not a problem with educated people and most of our staff members. However it is not well understood either because of illiteracy or accent among local population. You should try to speak to an English speaking person or make your self understood through that person as translator. Mr. Narayanan, Mr. Sanjay Joshi or Mansi and mr. Pravar Sharma, our volunteer Coordinators should help you in crossing such hurdles. Communication gaps due to language is rarely a problem and can be dealt easily with some understanding and patience. Tender loving care and affection do not have any barriers and do not need any language or education. Having said that learning Hindi will facilitate in your volunteering. There are courses and facilities available, even free on internet. Here is a good website resource for learning Hindi available free of costs and that will facilitate your volunteering in Gwalior --- http://www.hindinj.org/resources.php. Never hesitate to ask for anything, any help, guidance or advise as you may need, from any of these people or anyone else working with us there at Gwalior. Return to Top
Q: Can you put me in contact with some volunteers who have been to Gwalior before?
A:
Please join us for the volunteers' day (once a year in June) or one of our induction days (organised every two months in U. K.), you will have an opportunity to meet other volunteers and our colleagues. You can see our news letters "Healing Hands" published every three months at http://www.zyworld.com/gchc/newsletter.htm . It carries experiences of volunteers. You will be able to get their addresses too if desired. If you still feel the need to contact others, please let me know of your interest, I could put you on contact with few of our volunteers with similar interests. So far about 450 volunteers from U. K. (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), British Isles, USA, Canada, Australia, Ireland, France, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies, UAE, Pakistan, India and Nigeria have visited Gwalior and worked with us there, youngest being nine years old and oldest being 73 years old, but mostly between 18 to 35 years of age. You are requested to read our websites, other pages on this pbwiki and news letters. You will find articles with photographs and contact details of many volunteers who have written for their experiences of fund raising and working at Gwalior, you can contact any of such volunteers. Now you can place your questions and participate in discussion with and among volunteers through this site too as well submit your events, views, comments and suggestions---right here!
Q: What would be appropriate attire/ clothes for us to be working in the hospital and other areas?
A:
From April to Sept., it is quite hot in Gwalior with temperature reaching up to 45 degree centigrade. Other months are pleasant. Dec. and Jan. are bit cold. In addition May and June are quite dry with dusty winds. July and August start cooling down if there are rains. You should carry comfortable and modest clothes as per weather and season for your volunteering duration.
It may be uncomfortable to wear tie, coat or suits except during winter months. There is no formal dress code or you need not to wear all the attire. Shirts or T-shirts with trousers are alright. Sweaters/ jumpers or jackets will be required during winters only. It is advisable same for girls/ female volunteers, either shirts and trousers or blouse and long skirts. They are recommended to avoid sleeveless or strap less tops or transparent revealing clothes. Half sleeves or summer clothes to cover up to shoulders during summers will do. You should keep your I.D. badge or name tag adding "Volunteer- GCHC" if possible. Clothes are much cheaper in India esp. at Gwalior and you can always buy there necessary clothes, if required rather than carrying all the clothes and unnecessary weight with you. Scrubs and white coats are not essential and may be bit uncomfortable too in hot weather, though you can carry and wear, if you like but should carry your I.D. badge definitely. You should carry your own medications as well can carry emergency medicines with you esp. for HIV if possible, though all medicines are available, are much cheaper and can be bought from any medical store over the counter without any prescription in India. Any of these items can be left at Gwalior on completion of your volunteering assignment, if desired for future use by other volunteers if considered. Return to Top
Q: Can I have some advice from a really experienced volunteer who has been more than once?
A:
Certainly! Here is the Opinion of a frequently visiting volunteer as per her experiences
-Generally loose fitting or cotton trousers, cropped trousers or long skirts would be more suitable, along with t-shirts or loose cotton shirts. It will be very hot and humid, so make sure you feel comfortable. You may feel more comfortable as a woman in a little sleeve, or you may want to use a pashmina style scarf that you can wear across your shoulders when needed. Loose fitting clothing is in generally a lot cooler in the Gwalior climate. You may feel that you would like to buy yourself a "Shalwar-Kameez" which is a trouser and top set, the top is long like a dress but has splits either side for ease of movement. I like to wear these as I fit in easier, they are smart but cool to wear, and I actually like the style and fashion. You can pick these up in Gwalior or Delhi quite easily. Better to buy in Gwalior as quite cheap there, people know the places. It is wasting time and costly as such with added transport costs in Delhi. Please avoid sleeveless tops and transparent revealing clothes. Volunteers are advised to seek guidance from our local volunteer coordinators and or Mr. and Mrs. R.K. and Shobha Sharma for any shopping in Gwalior to avoid excessive payments or getting ripped off by some of the shop keepers.
Q: What things should I bring? How much money will I need? What kinds of clothes?
A:
You will be staying in sharing accommodation within Snehalaya campus. The postal address is Snehalaya, Village Sikroda, Jhansi Road, Gwalior- 475001. You need not to bring your sleeping bag for stay at Gwalior but if you are travelling to other places in India, then of course you should carry your personal items as required. You will be working mainly in our Snehalaya meaning the home with love in Hindi, hospital, rural clinics, hospice, mobile hospital, schools and various orphanages for homeless children and children with disabilities. More can be organised as per your interest and preferences. You will need money for your personal expenses, for any luxuries you may want to enjoy, for your shopping or for travelling/touring outside Gwalior. While staying with us vegetarian food, accommodation and local transportation for charity work is provided. We request you to contribute as much you can to help us in this endeavour. Every help, however small helps to provide for the work and is much appreciated.
There is a washer man/lady to wash the clothes; however you have to pay for such washing of your personal clothes. It costs about Rs.4 per clothing on an average (i.e. only about 10 cents or 5 pennies). You can always wash by yourself too as per your convenience if you like. Return to Top
Q: As a medical student for my elective, what should I carry with me? Can I bring other things, equipment, disposable supplies etc.?
A:
You should carry with yourself your personal equipment like stethoscope, hammer, torch and if possible autoscope and Ophthalmoscope, emergency HIV treatment kit. White coat and gloves are not essential, but you should have your name badge for identity as medical students from your school/ University. In hot weather from March to October, you should just carry summer clothes, which should not be revealing or transparent. Long skirt/ trousers and shirts/blouses make the best and good working dress but avoid sleeveless or strapless tops please. Ties and white coats are not essential and uncomfortable too in summers.
You can take anything else or more and certainly every thing will be useful and helpful if it can go within your luggage allowance only if it is not costing you extra. But if you have to buy anything or pay for its carriage, then it is not worth it. In that case best is money which can be used to buy items as required for its use as per needs locally. Most of the items are available for much cheaper prices in India.
Q: Should I bring gifts/anything for the children?
A:
You are most welcome to bring whatever you want, if it is convenient and if it does not cost you any thing. Everything helps, but do not waste money in buying any gifts or things or paying for extra weight to carry it with you. But if you have to buy or pay for such items, it is not advisable to do so. It is much cheaper to buy in India and you can buy whatever you like as per needs and give to children by yourself. Alternatively you can donate cash to charity, which will help us to provide for various things as per needs in the best way possible. Return to Top
Q: If someone sends me a package, is it likely that I will receive it?
A:
Post and courier service in India is not very reliable. It may take very long time or may never reach you or it may reach you damaged or stolen. Moreover sometimes it may get held by customs and excise department with its associated hassles. It is advised that no valuables should be sent by post at all. Courier services are better than postal services, but beware of customs if these are costly items. In my opinion best is to advise your friends and relatives to pay cash in lieu of gifts or packages, if they are not there with you in person or if such packages can be sent through someone on person.
Q: Is there a safe place (locker, etc.) to keep our valuables and money in Gwalior?
A:
Every room is provided with a cupboard with its own lockers. You will have the locks and keys for the rooms too. Though our staff members are quite honest and trustworthy -- but any temptation to commit a theft should be avoided. Furthermore if a theft occurs, it may be difficult to find the real culprit with so many people around including visitors and volunteers. Therefore it is suggested that valuable items should not be left unattended in open places and you should take care of your personal possessions by keeping with your selves or in lockers provided. Rooms should not be left open with valuables or cash lying here and there to avoid any temptation for thefts. You should not keep large cash with yourself. Cash and valuable items can be handed over to our volunteer coordinators for safe keeping also if required. You can always encash your currency notes or traveller cheques through our coordinators or accountant rather than wasting time and money on transport for going to a bank or money exchanger. Return to Top
Q: I was also wondering how accessible the internet is in Gwalior where we'll be staying, and if it will be easy to get an electrical adaptor there or if I should find one here before I go. I'll need one to recharge my camera battery, mobile phone etc.
A:
There is internet access in the hospital, though you have to pay for it for personal use but it is much cheaper than internet cafes considering costs for transport. You can also use internet cafes -there are loads in Gwalior and the cost is minimal. We have bought and kept some electricity adapters in the accommodation to solve such problems, but these disappear frequently. As such the cost of such adapter in India is about Rs.45 i.e. only one US dollar or about 55 pence. If required, you can buy such multi use adapter in Delhi or Gwalior easily from any electrical shop.
Contact details and some guidelines are sent nearer the time usually two weeks before departure. Same is available in the residential complex with volunteers information pack too as compiled by volunteers as per their experiences. All volunteers are advised to read and follow this advice and guidelines for making it better from experiences of the volunteers in past.
Volunteers are advised to discuss and ask our local volunteer coordinators or Mr. Narayanan for any help, advise, needs and requirements for work or otherwise locally in Gwalior. Initiatives need to be taken by all volunteers for the work and to motivate our local staff members to participate.
You should not expect to be advised for anything or to be asked to do anything as per local culture, considerations and attitude of local people. Remember you are considered there as guests and as per local culture, "Guests" are respected equal to "Gods". All volunteers are advised to contact me by phone/fax or email for any questions, problems or difficulties, if required in emergency or otherwise if you feel that it is not getting solved through our volunteer coordinator and I shall try to find solutions within my limits and capabilities. Return to Top
Q: Do I need an international health certificate that states what immunization I received?
A:
You don't need any immunisation certificate to the best of my knowledge. That is required only if you are travelling from certain specific zones and for specific diseases eg. yellow fever.
Q: Do I need to take malaria pills and I'm wondering if I can get them at the hospital in Gwalior at a low cost? If I buy them here, these are too costly and I don't have that kind of money.
A:
You can buy Malaria pills much cheaper in India, though I do not take any pills. I believe more in anti-mosquito precautions with use of mosquito net, repellent creams and fumes/ electronic device.
Q: Is it your recommendation that I receive the Japanese encephalitis vaccine as well as the vaccination against meningococcol meningitis? Other vaccinations as required please?
A:
You should get vaccination for hepatitis C and typhoid essentially and also meningitis if possible, but Rabies and Japanese Encephalitis is not common in India and probably can be omitted. I suggest you should discuss with your Doctor and do as advised by your doctor. Vaccinations for typhoid, Cholera, hepatitis, influenza and meningitis are recommended for every one. Anti mosquito precautions are essential. One should be very careful while eating outside and should avoid salads, uncooked food especially meat and should drink only bottled water. Return to Top
Q: What about health and travel insurance?
A:
Visa, travel and health insurance should be arranged by volunteers themselves and it is their responsibility to have cover for any foreseen situation or circumstances. Our travel agent will be happy to organise same or provide necessary guidance and help to arrange same for cheaper costs if required. Medicines are quite cheap and can be bought over the counter mostly. Common ailments can be treated within our hospital and you may not be required to pay for same except for purchase of medicines, if you do not have insurance, but it is recommended that you should travel with a valid insurance for the duration of your travel in India or overseas.
Q: What about a visa?
A:.
You should make enquiries from the nearest Indian embassy or consulate in your country. You should always travel with a valid passport and visa for the country, you plan to travel either in transit or otherwise. Normally you should have a valid passport lasting for more than six months from the date your visa is to expire. You should ask for a tourist's or visitor's visa.
You are providing your services as a volunteer with us at Gwalior and do not get paid any remunerations. Hence you should not ask for a work visa or student's visa. Usually Visa is issued for six months or one year and validity of such visa starts from the date of issue, not from the date of arrival in India. Therefore you should apply for a visa nearer to time of your departure. Usually Visa is issued on same day or within five days in most of the embassies if presented in person with required fees in cash and two photographs, but allow four to six weeks if applying by post. You will be required to apply for extension of your stay before the date of expiry of your visa, if you still want to continue to stay in India. Normally extension for such stay is not a problem and is granted easily without any hassles. But visa, health and travel insurance is your own responsibility and charity is not responsible for any problems or unforeseen circumstances.
You will be asked for two references in India for such visa for travel to India. You can always give my name and name of Mr. Brijendra Dwivedi/ Mr. Narayanan with address of the hospital in India which is: Gwalior Childrens and general hospital, Opposite Jhansi Road Police Station, Gwalior-474009. M.P. India. Tel.no. is 0751 2322191/ 0751 2410440. Other address is that of Dr. Rajendra Srivastava, N-239, Behind N-Block market, Greater Kailash 1, New Delhi. If you intend to attend some course for education/ training in Gwalior or any other place in India, we can help you to organise same and once accepted, you can apply for students visa, valid up to five years and or for the duration of course. Return to Top
Q: I was unaware that I had to raise so much money. 2000 pounds is a lot of money! I will try my best, but what happens if I cannot raise that much?
A:
Though it is not essential for everyone to raise this amount, but if any volunteer does not want to contribute anything by themselves, then one needs to raise £2000. However we are quite flexible and can accommodate all requests if possible. In essence you need to start with positive thinking and try to raise maximum funds by all means. Usually fund raising continues even during your stay at Gwalior and on return, once initiated. Best option is writing to every one as you know and telephoning them to sponsor for your volunteering assignment with aims to raise £2000 and more (In such case all expenses for volunteering will be paid by charity if desired) asking for their contributions as much they can. All payments should be made in the name of "Gwalior Childrens Hospital Charity". I am sure you will achieve this very soon as most of the volunteers are able to do so. You should continue with efforts by writing to every one for support, grants etc. while staying in India and on your return too. You could continue to complete your commitment to help us on your return. We are quite flexible and we shall consider any and every possible options for you to complete this volunteering assignment for your desired duration as planned. We will not stop your volunteering assignment, if you are not able to complete these targets, provided you have tried and made efforts.
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