Program Reviews

I had a wonderful time in Jaipur with Elephants. During my 4 weeks of project with VWI i also go to visit some of the beautiful places in Jaipur, Agra, Pushkar & Delhi. Here people are so friendly.

My work with the elephants starts everyday in morning; VWI has dedicated driver which pick me up in time and drop at the project site; there is project coordinator always there which assist me all the work to help mahouts and to care elephants. My work was there to everyday clean the area, wash the elephants, feed them and also go to afternoon to made chapati's. The work environment with the elephants and mahouts is so happy and fun.

The host family is so nice, my room was nice, food was great. I definitely recommend this project for future volunteers.

Recently I spent 3 weeks volunteering for The Working with Children Project, set up through the Volunteering with India (VWI) Organization. Overall the experience was amazing and worthwhile, highly recommended for those interested in travel and making a difference.
When volunteering for The Working with Children Project, the volunteer’s main objectives are teaching English and Math, although the work day also includes a dance time prior to lunch and arts and crafts/ life skills project in the afternoon. Teaching can prove difficult at times given the age range of the students and the various degrees of education. One suggestion when possible is to place the children into groups depending on education level and creating lessons for each level. Another suggestion is to bring materials from home if available or wanted, for example glue sticks, scissors, pencils, as classroom materials are limited.
Given the language barrier, teaching can be difficult although an English/ Hindi interpreter is assigned to the various volunteer sites. Despite this, remember that when volunteering you are having a small but very significant impact on the children in a very turbulent time in their life.
As for the VWI organization, enough praise cannot be given. Sukret, the site coordinators/ interpreters, and the organizations personal Tuk-tuk driver are all very accommodating, knowledgeable and personable. In relation to the cost of the program, the amount received is generous. Included is the guest house accommodations which is defiantly more than expected, 3 meals a day, transportation to and from volunteer sites and most local/ site-seeing in Jaipur. Volunteers are made to feel comfortable and welcomed, questions and concerns are promptly addressed and safety was not a concern. Overall I found this experience amazing, one which I hope to have again. Thank you Sukret and VWI!!!

I went to Jaipur to work with the elephants and what a great experience it was.

If you are looking for an authentic experience then this is the project for you. From the family to the transport it is the real deal.

I was worried as a lone slightly older traveller about how safe I would be. I need not have worried at all, at every stage the organisation exceeded expectations leaving me free to enjoy the experience.

The day starts early and so if you are working with the elephants you have a lot of downtime. It is worth noting here it may be better to do this trip with a friend since I did get a little bored at the house.

Whilst on the trip it was the Holie festival and what fun be aware that you are not told to oil your body before playing so that the powder does not stain. I was bright pink for almost a week!!! Thanks Sukret.

Live a little and go for this adventure.

Working in a friendly environment with kids that gave me a lot of energy, joy smiles, was the best way to get to know a different culture. Maybe language could be one difficulty but I was always surronded by people that spoke fluent English and that were happy to help me all the time

I would highly recommend this organization. I did the Volunteer With Elephants program and had a truly amazing experience. I really can't express how it changed my life.

From the moment I got there, and even before arriving, I had support from their staff. They always made sure I had what I needed and was safe..which was very valuable being a woman traveling alone.

They really set you up to be comfortable and the value of having a driver was very nice. The manager/owner of this organization always took the time to take me and see things I would have never known how to find, explain where to go for shopping.

The tour you get at the end is also worth it in itself. I loved spending time with the elephants and everything was hands on.

The town was beautiful and so full of history and character. Lots of sight seeing! Everyday was a new unique experience and I met a lot of really nice people.

The family I stayed with was very hospitable, although the food was a little oily and vegetarian it was really tasty. I had my own room with a shower and always felt welcome. The girls there did Henna for me and even helped me shop for a Sari and local attire.

All in all I had an incredible experience, I would highly recommend this organization as it has a personable and human aspect to it. If you are thinking of going, and have more questions feel free to contact me at thowrey@live.com.

Never stop travelling :-)

From the first day arriving in Jaipur I was made to feel very welcome by the staff of VWI and the Host family. Initially arriving at the school I was very nervous, but the children were all so lovely and keen to learn I immediately felt comfortable. My 2 weeks were filled with puppet designing and making and lots of games, which all led up to the final puppet show organised with the children on my last day at the school. Some of my favourite activities included the paper mache and painting of the puppets and the dance classes. The children were so involved in all these programs which made me feel very proud and also sad when my time was at an end. I loved my time in Jaipur, met some great people, had some amazing food, saw the incredible sights in and around the city and even managed to watch a Bollywood movie in Raj Mandir.

The project staff members were great from my first email enquiry to the VWI office to my last day in Jaipur. My project coordinator was especially helpful both in the school and for any other info I needed while living in Jaipur. My accommodation was fabulous, I was made to feel very welcome and the family were amazing in helping me to get around the city and finding materials I needed to work in the school. The food provided was excellent and there was always more if wanted. My tuk tuk driver couldn't have been better, I was always promptly picked up in the morning and he was more than happy to stop anywhere on the way, helping me get cream to repel mosquitos was especially appreciated, and nothing was ever too much trouble.

I would defiantly recommend the project for anyone with a passion for theatre as it has been so rewarding sharing mine with the children here. I chose VWI as I wanted to do something involving theatre while travelling in India. There were great reviews for the company and being based in Jaipur itself they were better involved with the projects in India over a company based in the UK. 10 out of 10 for my overall experience and satisfaction, looking forward to when I can return to India.

Ms by Michele
on December 16, 2012
I would like to pass on what an amazing experience it is in Jaipur with the awesome elephants. I was made to be so welcome by all, from the coordinators to the fab mahouts. Tutarum ji who picked us up from our guest house was a real character and always made sure we found plenty of drinking holes for a lovely cup of real Indian chai, we had chance to go to teach the children at a school. They were such a great bunch of kids, and very clever.I was invited to two weddings and they were very colourful and lively. I didn't have to worry about anything accommodation was seen to and All I had to worry about was getting up on time!!
If I could I would do it all again.
If you love history Jaipur has lots to offer. Thanks Sukret and Govind and Tutarum Ji for making it the best experience ever.....

Most insane crazy fun filled week of my life! This project is great way to enhance the travel experience- turning it from a self indulge holiday to something where you actually have make a difference in someone life.

Not to mention the amazing side activities like riding elephants, the extreme consumption of chai, feeding monkeys and riding on motorcycles to midnight temples, and attending a 12 hour Indian wedding (If you're lucky!)

If this is your first experience volunteering in another country, VWI is great way to get you started.

Thank you for such an amazing volunteering week in India, I could not have hoped for something more fulfilling, colourful and exciting!
I participated in the street children project for 1 week teaching classes of English, mathematics, arts and games to previous street kids of Jaipur. I also volunteered for one day at the elephant project and made some big, big elephant sized chapati!
On top of volunteering we also celebrating the holy day kite festival with the children making kites and eating sweets on a rooftop, visited the Krishna temple at night, ate delicious Pani Puri and Indian desserts at markets and celebrated an engagement and wedding party with VWI staff! During our stay we lived with a host family, we had many delicious meals and watched lots of bollywood! From start to finish everything was well organised. Definitely would love to come back at some point!!! :)

I spent only one week on the volunteer programme with elephants in Jaipur. However, this proved the most life changing week I think I'll ever experience.

On arrival in Jaipur I was greeted by Sukret at the airport, and transported to the guest house. The host family were so welcoming, and all the food provided was amazing, it was absolutely impossible to go hungry!

Staff at VWI were so friendly and willing to help, and the mahouts despite language barriers were also friendly and supportive, so the whole working experience was made very comfortable.
Myself and another volunteer worked between two villages of elephants, and we also experienced a day at one of VWI's other projects (Children project), which was great and the children were so lovely!

India is a beautiful country, VWI workers were more than happy to show the wonders of the amazing pink city once work was over. At the weekend we visited a traditional Rajasthani village resort called 'Chokhi Dhani'

This project was fun, different and educating. I have recommended this project to many friends, and I hope to return soon to work with VWI again.