Yearoutindia- A Month I Will Never Forget

In May of 2015, I had the pleasure of volunteering alongside 15 of my University peers in the Mannan tribal village of Kozhimala in South India. Our volunteer experience was faciliated by the NGO Yearoutindia, an incredible grassroots charity that excels in what they do. Out in country coordinator, Navin, and every other YOI staff we dealt with along the way were helpful, generous, kindhearted and inspiring people. Their passion for their work was infectious.

I was incredibly impressed with the organization of this project. Our goal was to complete a number of sustainable latrines within the local community, and with the constant support and organization provided by YOI, our group was able to leave the community with 7 completed latrines, which we were ecstatic about!

Our daily routine consisted of a breakfast, a long morning of work, returning for a DELICIOUS Kerala style curry lunch (with spice levels adjustable to your liking), a shorter afternoon of work, and then free time in the evening, which was spent eating dinner with the locals, playing cards, reading...anything really. It was really bliss.

On our days off we generally spent time with the many friends we made within the community, and hanging out at the fanstatic viewpoint overlooking the mountains and lake that was steps from our common area! However on one of our weekends off we went to a nearby town; Thekkady and enjoyed the touristy town, and participated in some excursions through the Periyar Tiger Reserve in that town. YOI helped organize this entire weekend, and sent a staff member with us so that they could show us around, organize transportation, and also just hang out with us since we had become great friends with him at this point, anwyay.

I could probably go on for ages about how grateful I am to YOI for this experience, but I'll try to sum it up here. I've participated in other international development projects, and I've seen what works and what doesn't work; and what I can say is that YOI is what works. They make such a positive impact in the community, they are respectful and resourceful. I felt I was a part of something special when I was there. The best part about the whole experience was the incredble people I met there. A little part of my heart will remain in Kozhimala, because I fell in love with the place. It's hard to believe one of the most beautiful places on earth can be filled with the most beautiful people too.

You have to experience it yourself to believe it! Bravo, Yearoutindia.